CSC Community Update
Dear CSC Community,
We would like to inform you about a new development involving our community that could play an important role in the future of Corsica South Coasters. Over the past few weeks, we have been in direct contact with Linden Lab regarding a new pilot initiative called the Anchor Communities Program, which CSC has been personally invited to join. We would like to explain how this came about, what Linden Lab is planning, and where things currently stand.
How It All Started
Linden Lab identified CSC as one of the established and active communities in Second Life and reached out to us directly. The idea behind the new program grew out of discussions with various Second Life communities. These conversations highlighted that many established communities are interested in welcoming new residents and already have valuable experience helping people find their way in Second Life. Linden Lab now wants to build on this experience and create a more structured collaboration with selected communities. CSC was invited to become part of this new network.
What Is the Anchor Communities Program?
The program is designed to help new Second Life residents find connections, discover communities, and become familiar with Second Life more easily. Rather than leaving new residents largely on their own after joining, Linden Lab wants to guide them toward existing communities that match their interests.
Three main approaches are planned:
- Targeted Advertising: Linden Lab plans to reach potential new users outside Second Life and direct them toward communities that match their interests.
- Direct Referrals: New residents may be guided toward participating communities by existing volunteers and helpers.
- Collaboration Between Communities: Participating communities can refer residents to one another when another community is a better match for their interests.
The goal is not simply to bring more people into Second Life, but to give them reasons to stay and become part of its communities.
Why Was CSC Selected?
Linden Lab sees particular potential in Corsica South Coasters within the category:
Creative Community & Exploration
This includes art, music, events, exploration, and social activities. These are already important parts of what makes our community what it is today. The intention is not to fundamentally change CSC, but to build on what our community has already created.
What Exactly Is Linden Lab Planning?
Linden Lab is preparing targeted advertising campaigns designed to attract people whose interests match what CSC has to offer. In a follow-up message, Linden Lab also shared some initial estimates:
Approximately 10–20 new residents per day for each community while its campaign is running.
This is an early estimate, not a guaranteed number of visitors. Linden Lab indicated that campaigns targeting CSC were expected to begin around mid-October. The campaigns are intended to run during time windows when community members are available to welcome and assist new arrivals.
What Role Will Our Community Play?
Linden Lab does not expect participating communities to operate as professional organizations or to maintain teams of paid staff. A dedicated Welcome Center, mandatory training programs, or fixed minimum volunteer hours are not required. The most important aspect is that new residents have someone available to welcome them and offer assistance when needed. This could mean simply saying hello, helping with basic Second Life functions, showing someone around, inviting them to an event, or introducing them to other community members. Linden Lab has already provided a document containing recommended best practices for community Greeters. These guidelines are optional and can be adapted to fit each community's individual character and needs. Greeters remain representatives of their own communities and are not acting as official Linden Lab staff or agents.
Where Do Things Currently Stand?
Following the initial invitation and subsequent discussions, CSC has already taken the first organizational steps in coordination with Linden Lab.
The following developments have been confirmed through our communication so far:
- CSC has submitted an initial schedule indicating when the community could potentially welcome new residents. Linden Lab has acknowledged receiving it.
- A shared Discord server is being prepared for participating communities, allowing direct communication and coordination between communities and Linden Lab.
- Linden Lab has requested a specific SLURL from CSC to identify a suitable landing point where new residents can arrive and receive assistance.
- Linden Lab has already provided voluntary guidelines and best practices for welcoming new residents.
This means the initiative has progressed beyond the initial invitation and has entered the organizational preparation phase.
However, the correspondence so far does not yet confirm that the CSC advertising campaign has officially launched or that the shared Discord server is active.
What Does This Mean for CSC?
First and foremost, this is an opportunity to increase the visibility of our community and introduce new people to the activities, places, and experiences we have created together across Corsica. At the same time, the program offers the possibility of establishing closer communication with Linden Lab and other established Second Life communities.
One important point is that CSC will retain its own identity.
The purpose is not to turn our community into an official Linden Lab facility or change what CSC stands for. Our community life, activities, and culture will continue to be shaped by us.
What Happens Next?
We are currently in the preparation and coordination phase with Linden Lab. As soon as more concrete information becomes available regarding the campaign launch, community coordination, and practical implementation, we will share it with you.
For now, the purpose of this update is simply to keep everyone informed about how this collaboration began, what Linden Lab hopes to achieve, and where the initiative currently stands.
The CSC Management Team
Ceakay Ballyhoo - Uli Jansma - Owl Dragonash
