GOING INDY

I began this journal that became a blog near 3 years ago-- on April 22, 2003, to be exact. And on March 1st, by very cool and generous arrangement with Linden Lab, I'll be taking full ownership of New World Notes.

On that day I'll also be ending my current contractor relationship with the company-- a totally mutual decision between Linden and me. In the months that follow, I'll instead be focusing much of my efforts on developing the book version of New World Notes with my agent, a project that's been waiting to bloom for quite awhile.

At the same time, New World Notes will go on pretty much as it is now, except as my own independent project, financed by ads and/or other forms of sponsorship. That in place, I'll continue to chronicle Second Life's evolution from an emerging society (it's already emerged, really) to becoming what I believe is the next generation of the Internet. That's the story of my career, so no way am I letting it go. I'll continue to be endlessly suprised and genuinely awed by the community of Residents who have transformed this place from an uninhabited world to an electric society-- and as Second Life expands past a million-plus users and beyond, it'll be my job (and joy) to watch as they begin to transform the world outside, too.

You can communicate with Hamlet Linden in-world and at [email protected] until the end of February. After which, a new embedded journalist avatar under my control will emerge, ready to continue with the community on the march to a million.

Meantime, if you're interested in the new New World Notes as a potential advertiser or sponsor, contact me at [email protected]. Any questions for Linden Lab about this change should be directed to the ever-excellent Catherine Smith ([email protected]).