[e-lang] [Fwd: Intermetaverse group in Second Life]

[David Hopwood]

James Graves wrote:
> At a more fundamental level, "Grey Goo" attacks on the grid have 
> recently shut down SL for a couple days.  These are self-replicating 
> objects that suck up CPU (and presumably memory and network) resources.
> 
> They're currently implementing 'fences' to limit the damage.  And 
> falling back on identity-based access control.  *Sigh*
> 
> Read more about grey goo here:
> 
>    http://blog.secondlife.com/2006/10/09/security-and-second-life/
> 
>    http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2006/09/linden_lab_grey.html
> 
> An exercise for e-lang members:  Tell us how you would fix it instead.

I would do the obvious: charge for processor time. This might not be sufficient
on its own, but it means that if someone abuses the system, you can fine them
so that they don't have the resources to do it again.

This is so obvious that it has been suggested before, and seems to have
been rejected based on a perception that users would be resistant to it.
However, it sounds like the user resistance is not specifically to charging
for processor time; it's general dissatisfaction with SL management policies
for a variety of reasons.

(So what else is new? "No taxation without representation.")

-- 
David Hopwood <david.nospam.hopwood at blueyonder.co.uk>