Linden Lab converts to Hosting Status

IBM now has a secured private area of Second Life behind their own firewall. it was only a matter of time and I see this is becoming Linden Lab's primary focus eventually. it's what they really want to do. At least, it makes a lot of sense.

The cool thing is it's still Second Life. IBM employees will be able to travel to and from the "mainland" [meaning the 'public' areas of SL] and the IBM secured area without relogging. Okay, I think this is pretty cool and kudos to Linden lab and IBM for making it happen.

Basically, it's just like a private estate, like all other private estates. Unless you're in the 'group' - you simply can't teleport into there. The difference is that these estates are locked-down tight behind IBM's own firewall. I find it a fascinating proposition.

Corporate gated communities in virtual worlds, according to Mr. Yoon, will be the equivalent of corporate intranets on the Web. An employee’s avatar can travel easily in the outside realm, but only the ones with company I.D.’s can get inside the firewall.