Difference between revisions of "User:Torley Linden"

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| [[Image:Watermelon-revolution.jpg|128px|right]] <font size=3>''Friendly greetings!'' I'm [[Image:Torley-favicon.png]] '''Torley Linden''', and ''I amplify your awesome''.</font>
| [[Image:7045842241_e195645f8a_o.jpeg|128px|left|link=http://bit.ly/a6s8nM]] <font size=3>''Friendly greetings!'' We — for simplicity's sake — I am [[Image:Torley-favicon.png]] '''Torley Linden''', and ''I amplify your awesome''.</font>


I started my Second Life as a Resident (affectionately abbreviated as "Resi") in 2004 before working for Linden Lab, and grew very passionate about making our world a better place for you to live. <br /><br />
I started my Second Life as a customer/user/Resident (affectionately abbreviated as "Resi") in 2004 before working for Linden Lab, and I've contributed to a variety of teams and departments. Over the years, I've seen and done a lot here. But throughout it all, the connecting thread has always been inspiring ''you'' to get the most out of Second Life. As I like to say, user-created content isn't just the stuff you make — it's how you feel if we've done our job right. And now I'm working on other products at LL, too.<br />


<font size=6>'''» [[User:Torley_Linden/Contact|Contact Torley!]]'''<br><br></font>
All pronouns apply to me. Especially "we". Rumor has it I'm an AI. That carries a 99.44% probability of being correct.<br />
 
'''This page is somewhat outdated, but you can see [https://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/sets/72157605740036376/ recent places I've explored in Second Life]. I can't always reply to messages amidst my work but I am fairly active on [http://www.plurk.com/torley Plurk].'''
|}
|}


== What I do ==
== History ==
[[File:5198647873_c89f34797c_o.jpeg|256px|right|link=http://bit.ly/a6s8nM]]
<font size="3">'''I'm the Resident Enlightenment Manager on the Editorial Division of the Experience Design Team. <font color="#ff0080">My job is to teach ''you'' how to get the most out of Second Life.</font>'''</font>


<font size="1">(But wait, there's more...)</font>
Stuff I've done, in somewhat arbitrary order:


<font size="3">'''I'm also a [[User:Torley_Linden/Wiki|prime architect and contributor]] on this Wiki.'''</font>
* As Senior Multimedia Producer, beyond Second Life as we expand into other ''shared creative spaces'', filmed and edited various video trailers and tutorials for all of our products including: [http://buildpatterns.com Patterns], [http://creatorverse.com Creatorverse], [http://dio.com Dio], [http://versu.com Versu], [http://blocksworld.com Blocksworld], and [http://desura.com Desura]. One of my [http://torley.com other lives] contributed music. ;)
 
** Composing new music for Blocksworld, which you can hear in the [http://bit.ly/1yRGMhj Blocksworld trailers] I did.
<font size="3">'''Unofficially, I'm the [[Culture|Second Life Culture]] Minister.'''</font>
** With team help, made all [http://bit.ly/1b9ytTd Second Life 2013 and 2014 feature highlight videos] including our expansion into virtual reality with [http://bit.ly/1wBAtwo Oculus Rift Support].
 
** Also been teaming up with Cox Linden for the [http://www.buildpatterns.com/versions#!videos/c1n91 Patterns gameplay update vids].
* Previously, I was on the [[Documentation Team]]. I've also been on various incarnations of community-facing teams and I've worked on product management/development, quality assurance, user interface design, and so on. (I've never formally worked in marketing, but some Resis erroneously call me "Linden Lab PR". I'm just around a lot.)
* As Resident Enlightenment Manager, made hundreds of Second Life video tutorials & promos which've gotten millions of views. Finished a new series of [http://bit.ly/15WiV0K QuickTips]. Did [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r74hkI-JcHY&feature=plcp this trailer] (yes, that is all actual inworld footage). [http://youtube.com/secondlife Visit our YouTube channel and subscribe!]
* I wrote a lot of the [[Viewer 2 Help]].
* Made guides on [[Movie_help|making movies]], [[User:Torley_Linden/Snapshot_tips|taking snapshots]], etc. which have helped thousands of Residents (many of which personally told me... thank ''you!'').
* I've made 300+ Second Life video tutorials & promos which've gotten 6+ million total views. [http://youtube.com/secondlife Visit our YouTube channel and subscribe!]
* Pioneered [http://bit.ly/a6s8nM inworld photography] techniques.  
* I also nourish content creativity — I've made guides on [[Movie_help|making movies]], [[User:Torley_Linden/Snapshot_tips|taking snapshots]], etc. which have helped thousands of Residents (many of which personally told me... thank ''you!'').
* Various artwork and design for official SL branding stuff, including [[login screen]]s and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/5835657661/in/photostream Marketplace banner art]. It's hard to stay away from '''<font color="#00ff00">neon</font> <font color="#ff0080">watermelon</font>''' colors. I try.
* Related, I'm a lead contributor to this very wiki, with 2+ million views on [[User:Torley_Linden/Wiki|pages I've started or been a major contributor to]]. You can [https://wiki.secondlife.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=500&target=Torley+Linden see every edit I've made here].
* Added lots of photogenic places to the [http://secondlife.com/destinations Destination Guide].
* I [http://blogs.secondlife.com/people/Torley.Linden contribute a lot to the Official Second Life Blogs], with 250+ posts made. [http://bit.ly/sltnt Come see our Tips & Tricks!]
* Related, I make frequent guest appearances on the forums.
* You can call me an uber-explorer and [http://bit.ly/a6s8nM avid photographer of inworld beauty]. Some of the cool places I visit get added to the [http://secondlife.com/destinations Destination Guide].
* In 2009, I mined our info-pages for [[MOTD|Message of The Day tips & promo links]].
* I've been known to [http://torley.com/second-life-koans wax philosophical] and [http://torley.com/thanksgiving-teachings-from-torley positively motivate others]. Emphasizing how Second Life can improve your First Life is definitely a fave topic.
* Additionally, I specialize in connecting seemingly unrelated pieces together and not just observing, but ''sharing'' eclecticism that gets missed!
* ''Trivia:'' I've popularized usage of ways to do things in Second Life, like inventory-sorting and machinima-filming. I've also popularized numerous Second Life terms, including "[[Resi]]", "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKzw1WEn8H0 flexiprim]", and "[http://torley.com/how-to-turn-off-those-damn-facelights facelight]". (But not "landbot". :p)
* ''Trivia:'' I've popularized usage of ways to do things in Second Life, like inventory-sorting and machinima-filming. I've also popularized numerous Second Life terms, including "[[Resi]]", "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKzw1WEn8H0 flexiprim]", and "[http://torley.com/how-to-turn-off-those-damn-facelights facelight]". (But not "landbot". :p)
* These are some of my '''[http://torley.com/textures free textures]''', also '''[http://bit.ly/torleytextures2 available on the Marketplace]''':
* These are some of my '''[http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/collections/72157594588432564/ free textures]''', also '''[http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Torley/158/163/68 available at Torley island in Second Life]'''. (If you're looking for a groovy texture creation tool, I'd totally recommend [http://filterforge.com Filter Forge].)
*: [[Image:Torley-Textures-V.jpg|256px|none|link=http://bit.ly/torleytextures2]]
*: [[Image:Torley-Textures-V.jpg|256px|none|link=http://bit.ly/torleytextures2]]
* All pronouns apply to me.
* Frequently posted on numerous generations of our forums to answer questions and debunk myths.
* [http://blogs.secondlife.com/people/Torley.Linden Contributed a lot to the Official Second Life Blogs], with 250+ posts made. Lots of [http://bit.ly/sltnt Tips & Tricks!]
* Was a highly active prime architect and lead contributor on this Wiki, with 5+ million views on [[User:Torley_Linden/Wiki|pages I've started or substantially edited]]. I can still help when needed, but my focus has changed over time. You can [https://wiki.secondlife.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=500&target=Torley+Linden see every edit I've made here].
* Was on the [[Documentation Team]]. I've also been on various incarnations of community-facing teams and I've worked on product management/development, quality assurance, user interface design, and so on. (I've never formally worked in marketing, but some Resis erroneously call me "Linden Lab PR". I'm just around a lot.)
* Wrote a lot of [[Viewer 2 Help|SL Viewer Help]]'s previous generations.
* In 2009, I mined our info-pages for [[MOTD|Message of The Day tips & promo links]].
* Have been known to [http://torley.com/oldblog/second-life-koans wax philosophical] and [http://torley.com/oldblog/thanksgiving-teachings-from-torley positively motivate others]. Emphasizing how Second Life can improve your First Life is definitely a fave topic.
* Share share share... my [[User:Torley_Linden/Faves|favorite things to do in SL]].


== What I'm working on ==
== [http://slurl.com/secondlife/Torley Visit my Second Life home at Torley cyberpunk island!] ==


See my newest:
[[File:Torley_Cyberpunk_Island.png|link=http://slurl.com/secondlife/Torley]]]


* '''[http://www.youtube.com/secondlife#g/u Video tutorials on YouTube]'''
[[Torley island|Backstory.]]
* '''[[Special:Contributions/Torley_Linden|Wiki/help page contributions]]'''
* '''[http://bit.ly/a6s8nM Inworld photos]'''
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/152289 Blog & forum posts]'''
 
== Favorite things ==
 
Um, also see the [[Things]] page. You've already read about my ''work'' in Second Life. This goes more into the ''play'' parts.


I believe that to help and/or excite our customers best, I must be an incarnate example of what it means to live a Second Life. I've done so much of what's possible, yet continue to find more. Here are some of my time-tested favorites, with my unique twists. I've accepted I can't avoid the [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/busman's_holiday busman's holiday], and while some of the following overlaps with my job duties above, they all connect together:
=== [[User:Torley_Linden/Office_Hours/Transcripts|Meeting transcripts]] ===


* '''Shopping''' - This is cited as such a popular inworld activity. You may find these details useful:
** At least once a week, I like to load the [https://marketplace.secondlife.com/ Marketplace] and browse all the '''Featured Items''' by repeatedly clicking the '''>''' arrow. These items are often indicative of trends and quality goods, since it costs to advertise there. I insist on using my mouse's middle button to open each item in a new tab so I can peruse at my leisure.
** I look for eclectic objects that could lead to bigger trends. For example, I remember when virtual pets were an academic experiment before booming to "our mainstream". I love when creators make their stuff sensibly interactive — makes me mad when [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXuRfwuwUqI one-click actions] (to simplify sitting, buying, etc.) aren't used and should be!
** I also have browser bookmarks set to pop open [[Discover|many aggregators]] so I can get a big-splash view of what's going on in SL ''now''.
** To all you creators expressing astonishment that Lindens actually buy stuff — thanks, keep doing that. It's encouraging and I can show coworkers why they should do it more.
* '''Avatar customizing''' - A consequence of shopping. I am totally obsessed!
** I enjoy jaunting around and assembling an awesome appearance out of scattered parts. A pretty dress may call for lovely accessories! I've had at least [http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/sets/72157626287484676/ 123 avatar forms over time], a mixture of ones I've put together myself and the generous talents of content creators. As you can see, they span the spectrum of Second Life subcultures. I've heard women likening doing this to playing dress-up with dolls.
** I go to hangouts and like attending big Linden Lab meetings just to see who has cool avatars (and has filled in their profile). On occasion, I contact someone just because they have an intriguing profile. Yes, [http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/sets/72157623154369264/with/4252098198/ profile art] is a hobby.
** Avatar appearance is an unspoken yet richly-articulated extension of how you feel.
* '''Gaming''' - ''Trivia:'' When gambling was allowed way back, that's how I made a nice pile of L$.
** I'm an avid gamer outside of Second Life — my faves include ''Mass Effect 2'' and ''Assassin's Creed II''. Yes, Steam r0x. So when I'm inworld, it's natural for me to look for experiences that are similar in look 'n' feel, without being overly derivative. Getting looks with [[WindLight]] and camera control HUDs are two techniques.
** I have an intense habit to click on things and see what they do. I like highlighting games that set a new high bar for what other interactive fun should aspire to be.
** Brett Linden and I did [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJSkApWFo3c this Games video]. Great fun.
* '''Bringing my dreams inworld'''
** I've been building [http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Torley Torley island] (see below). I'm addicted to cyberpunk + watermelon and I've combined both in a techno, quasi-minimalist realm of unbridled imagination! As my wife puts it, "the ecstasy of creation". We like to be surrounded with what inspires us. But that's not all: I'm doing it to understand content creation firsthand — to eat the cat food with our customers. It's also key to know how varieties of inworld objects and their settings (transparency, glow, shiny, etc.) interact with each other. I'm also exploring key features like [http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Shared-Media/ta-p/700145  shared media].
** It's worth noting [http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/sets/72157594448753785/with/338884847/ I built an earlier watermelon house] because zoning code and material constraints didn't allow me to do that in the "real world".
* '''Snapshot-taking and movie-making''' - The cycle of creation — cause and effect — is tremendously energizing. In today's remix culture, it's cool to see who feeds off each other and gives back to the communities.
** I made many of the early resources on inworld photography + video, which led to empowered Resis who've evolved the artforms in amazing ways.
** Since Flickr is one of the biggest and best resources for snapshots raw and processed, [http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=%22slurl%22+or+%22maps.secondlife.com%22&ss=2&ct=6&mt=all&adv=1&s=rec I use this link] to show me photos with [[SLurls]], in hopes I can buy or visit what I see in kewl pictures! Please include SLurls as pointers as much as possible — it makes the difference whether someone is a spectator to an experience or an active participant.
** Snapshots and movies have many subtleties, and there are still a multitude of bugs I hope will be fixed so the experience is easy to get into and rewarding to dig deeper — instead of cringing when you find out all your photos turned out black... that's only supposed to happen offline!
* '''Spreading memes'''
** SL has its own [http://knowyourmeme.com memes], some derived from tha bigger Internets like [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxNJqoC9OkM geddan!], while others have forked in "special" ways.
** Being an enthusiastic entity, it's in my blood to join in for silly, random, chaotic fun. Don't be surprised if you see me at a flash mob.
* '''Blogging'''
** I used to blog lots more about my inworld adventures. Nowadays, I tend to show pictures rather than text. But on my personal blog (unofficial), I still [http://yes.torley.com/tagged/secondlife clip #secondlife niftyness].
Things I did a lot of but don't currently:
* '''Roleplaying''' - I grew up on MUDs. I can type long, descriptive paragraphs. I'm all for extensive character backstory and I'm a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldbuilding worldbuilding] geek. I still browse RP regions today but it's more of a substantial psychological investment than I can bear.
* '''Dating''' - I am a by-experience believer in using Second Life to find true love. I had several shorter-term relationships leading up to finding my wife in SL (in 2006) and getting together in RL. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenelle/sets/72157619753636250/ Ravenelle Zugzwang] is one of our oldest Residents dating back to 2002 — I have a thing for cyber-cougars! ;) We've also done a lot of [http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/sets/72157600825345613/with/813025586/ model shoots] together, which counts as another fave thing to do.
* '''Cross-grid vehicle trips''' - Once on a tricycle (more like a warped penny-farthing), another with alternating planes. I did some walking spiels with friends, too. Region crossings downed me and the world is much bigger now, but I wanted to roam and see what I could find.
Holy crap that was longer than expected! Onwards...
== [http://slurl.com/secondlife/Torley Visit my Second Life home at Torley island!] ==
[[File:Torley_region_place_picture_(2011-03-28).jpg|link=http://slurl.com/secondlife/Torley]]]
[[Torley island|Backstory.]]
=== [[User:Torley_Linden/Office_Hours/Transcripts|Transcripts]] ===
^ Old archives.
^ Old archives.


== [[Related resources]] ==
== [[Related resources]] ==
[[Category:Torley]]

Latest revision as of 09:08, 24 June 2015

7045842241 e195645f8a o.jpeg
Friendly greetings! We — for simplicity's sake — I am Torley-favicon.png Torley Linden, and I amplify your awesome.

I started my Second Life as a customer/user/Resident (affectionately abbreviated as "Resi") in 2004 before working for Linden Lab, and I've contributed to a variety of teams and departments. Over the years, I've seen and done a lot here. But throughout it all, the connecting thread has always been inspiring you to get the most out of Second Life. As I like to say, user-created content isn't just the stuff you make — it's how you feel if we've done our job right. And now I'm working on other products at LL, too.

All pronouns apply to me. Especially "we". Rumor has it I'm an AI. That carries a 99.44% probability of being correct.

This page is somewhat outdated, but you can see recent places I've explored in Second Life. I can't always reply to messages amidst my work but I am fairly active on Plurk.

History

Stuff I've done, in somewhat arbitrary order:

Visit my Second Life home at Torley cyberpunk island!

Torley Cyberpunk Island.png]

Backstory.

Meeting transcripts

^ Old archives.

Related resources