During some of my frequent treks to live music concerts on Second Life I've run into Cogsworth Linden. I Recently asked him for a interview and he gladly obliged. Some of the questions I asked were recommended by friends. Here is what he had to say..Delinda Dyrssen: Hi Cogsworth. I understand your one of the newest Lindens, however you were a regular SL user before you were hired by LindenLabs. What has this experience been like for you?
Cogsworth Linden: Well, I have found it to be a lot of fun. I'm big into virtual worlds, and was a long time EQ + EQ2 player. Second Life, as a Resident , allowed me to do things I couldn't do in a prefabbed game world. As a Linden, well, I've worked in QA and Release management as my profession , so now I get to blend my worlds even closer.
DD: What exactly is your job with Linden labs... what do they pay you to do?
CL: I am a Quality Assurance (QA) tester. I work on testing all aspects of LindenLab products, helping developers identify root causes of bugs in SL.
DD: Great job! Big responsibilities...that brings me to an important issue with residents as I'm sure you already know. What is your position, and where does LindenLabs stand on the argument between new features versus bug fixes?
CL: Well, our big focus right now is stability, and we have several teams working on all aspects of that from network infrastructure to viewer and server code. We also have a few teams working to add features, in order to provide more opportunities and allow more creative use of the tools we provide. Many of the new features we are working on are to help make the use of Second Life easier to use as well as more attractive to be in. Many of our stability fixes we are implementing also will form the backbone of new features. Such as Havok 4 which greatly improves sim performance and stability,
DD: So Havok 4 to sum it up is an improvement in features and better stability? This sounds like quite a task!
CL: Yes. It's a huge one we are doing now. Initially, we are implementing it to improve stability, and as we move on, we will be able to take more advantage of newer features. Sidewinder (Linden) has been doing a fantastic job on keeping Havok 4 going.
DD: In the dictionary I use.. the first definition of the word “Havoc” is.. "great destruction or devastation; ruinous damage". Why was this name chosen for this project?
CL: It is not our name. Havok has been the physics engine we have incorporated into Second Life. It is used in many other games. http://www.havok.com/.
DD: Then LindenLabs is off the hook on that one. (Smiles). Two more questions about the near future of SL. 1.) Will we see a capability for more groups to be member of? 2.) Will it get easier for new people.. (in particular the non computer savvy ) to come into SL and stay around?
CL: On groups.. I expect that as we re-factor our infrastructure, we will be able to do that. Everyone here (at LindenLabs) wants to raise that limit as well. Also, our next big focus is ease of use. we have a team working on improving the UI and making it easier. I'm not sure if its the biggest issue, but we are very aware of the need to improve the casual user's experience. Just to warn ya .. we don't have any timetable for these two issues, but we are working on them.
DD: Thats good new to our readers I'm sure. Now few more questions about Cogsworth....
CL: Heh sure..
DD: I met you at a live music event and have seen you at a few. Your obviously a big fan! Tell me a little about your love of live music in SL?
CL: Attending live music is always great fun, but more so in Second life, as I don't have to worry about driving, parking, dinner, where's the bathroom.. etc. I have heard more live music in a month on SL that I have in RL plus, I get to hear musicians from all over, not just local. There is a huge variety now, and getting bigger. I get to listen to stuff that I might not normally seek out and it is very interactive. as most the musicians monitor the chat, and respond over their stream so its usually a lot more intimate than a RL venue.
DD: I'm with you 100 % on that! What was your most embarrassing moment in SL as Cogsworth or even before you were with Lindenlabs?
CL: hmm... have to think about that. (Cogsworth pauses for a moment). I tend not to get embarrassed too much. :) I like to laugh, and don't mind laughing at myself.
DD: Thats a good attitude! ...Have you ever Googled your SL name?
CL: I did, just this week. Found a nice few blog posts and pictures. :)
DD: Well your very photogenic with that av of yours... did you design it?
CL: Nope. I would love to build my own AVie at some point.. but just don't have the time. This is the Steam Hatchling from the cathedral in the dragon lands. It's made by Daryth Kennedy. I added the hat and wrench.
DD: Last question. What can you me Linden labs and the residents of SL do to combat the negative press SL gets from the Real World... especially on websites many of us have been seeing lately?
CL: Well, there will always be negative stories. The best thing we can do is let people know what can be done, and how it enables people to explore their creativity, and how it helps many people who might not otherwise have a chance to be creative and socialize to reach out. The Early show on WBZ. TV here in Boston has run a few segments on that.
Delinda Dyrssen: Thank You Cogsworth.. now I know your busy so go ahead and get out there... keep turning those wrenches and finding those bugs! Were depending on you out here!!Cogsworth Linden: Thank you very much!
