Your2ndPlace

Well, let's test the theory and see. I am one of the CEO's on the WSE. Just last week, I speculated on the effects of the new banking policy on WSE, on my own blog, and made an announcement on the WSE linking to it. The WSE post was removed by WSE staff almost immediately - they considered it to be "anti-WSE". Personally I thought it was quite moderate... (http://deliciousdemar.blogspot.com/2008/01/reflections-on-second-lifes-n...)

First off, let me be clear - I hope that the WSE succeeds and is allowed to continue under the new policy. I also in many ways respect and admire LukeConnell for what he has done there. Being a company on the WSE has been overall an extrememely positive experience for me, and for the people who have invested in my company. I have used their capital to expand a lot and provide excellent value to the people that bought in.

Do I think that WSE knew in advance that LL was releasing a banking policy? No. I REALLY doubt it -and the closure had been planned for some time before that.

However, let's see if speaking ill of the WSE gets me delisted... I have already shared my thoughts directly with Luke, and if he read this, would doubtless be pissed as hell that I am saying them in a public forum. I know he wants us all to tow the company line - but me not so good at that...

The closure and upgrade have been handled atrociously. The WSE has a long history of springing things like this on us with no notice, poor and scant information, and communications that seem scripted and stiff. As many people have pointed out - any company worth its salt creates a development environment to get a new release ready and is able to convert very quickly - 24 hours would often be considered too long. But, since Luke hasn't answered any of the questions you have asked, we don't really know the specifics of the changes that are being made.

And yes, Luke has in the past made some decisions about closing accounts and delisting companies that are suspect. But I can guarantee that there was more going on than simply speaking out against the WSE.

And, as a named source (but definitely not an official one), I can confirm that accounts are being audited - but there is nothing nefarious in this. The current version of WSE has some bugs which have resulted in incorrect balances of Lindens and of shares on some accounts. The audit is a simple transaction review - it is not a financial audit in the accounting sense.

I have also speculated that after the WSE opens again (and I think it will - for how long nobody knows. and not THIS Nobody - hehe), there is going to be a run on the market, and lots of people will cash out for what they can get.

Personally, I am stuck. I HAVE to root for the WSE - and so I do. But I am constantly calling on Luke, privately and publically, to open up and become more transparent, put in place some checks and balances so that one person cannot be in a position to make decisions alone, etc. etc. In the meantime, I will continue to do whatever I can to make the WSE a more viable and successful venture. What else can I do?

Del