Sidewinder Linden Missing – Permanently?
by Alphaville Herald on 10/12/08 at 12:20 am
Reliable sources say Havok 4 project leader has left Linden Lab
by Pixeleen Mistal, National Affairs desk
Sidewinder contemplates life after the Lab
After a year and a half at Linden Lab, Sidewinder Linden is missing from the in-world person search and presumed to be spending more time with his family while pursuing other interests. Unfortunately, after being feted for bringing a new, more stable physics engine to Second Life, Sidewinder’s services are apparently no longer needed at the Lab, which suggests that M Linden and company have not run out of ways to lower resident morale.
During his time in the metaverse, Sidewinder gained a reputation as one of the rare Linden Lab game gods who generally improved the world. Sidewinder led the Havok 4 project to upgrade Second Life’s in-world physics. This project had the potential to destroy everything from boats to bullets, but in the end there was minimal impact on the residents’ creations. Although there were a few rough patches during testing, Sidewinder’s willingness to actively engage the players and do more than pay lip service to their concerns set a standard that has yet to be met by other Lab staff.
No more Sidewinder – how about some SecurityAlias Linden instead?
Sidewinder was very highly regarded in the SL sailing community for taking the time to work with both sailboat scripters such as Owen Oyen and rank and file sailors to fine tune the Havok 4 physics engine. Sidewinder also cultivated an appreciation for the fine arts, and frequented SL ballet performances, which is where I first met him.
Espresso Saarinen recalled Sidewinder as “an effective grown-up who delivered a much more stable sim platform and was known for working with inmate^h^h^h^h^h^hresidents… he will be sorely missed”
The Herald staff will be wearing super-twisted black torus prim armbands to commemorate the passing of Sidewinder.
Sidewinder Linden’s blog in happier days
Prokofy Neva
Dec 10th, 2008
Yes, I found a clipboard with a “to-do” list all scratched out floating on the pitiful Sea of Omidyar, and I knew Sidewinder had Gone Below with the other Lost Lindens…
I’m actually not surprised, and he once told me a list of projects he was getting through as if, when he got through with them (Havoc, physics, etc.) he would be “done” — and would be glad to be going. That was just how he sounded.
He was definitely one of the very few grownups I have met in person from LL because he had his own center of gravity, he knew his own mind, and he was organized, planning his work, and working his plan. I wondered what on earth he was doing there with the script kiddies. Surely he’s gone on to something less volatile and chaotic then.
If you look back on his posts, you will marvel at how not only did he do what he said he was going to do, when he couldn’t fulfill the plan 100 percent, he would have a very clear explanation why he couldn’t.
Alyx Stoklitsky
Dec 10th, 2008
HAHAHAHA, YOU’RE A MAC FAG.
Daniel Voyager
Dec 10th, 2008
“Sidewinder is no more” > http://twitter.com/Sidewinder_/status/1043622292 & http://twitter.com/Sidewinder_. This is really sad news and I wish Sidewinder the best of luck for the future.
DanV
Teen Second Life Resident
Crap Mariner
Dec 10th, 2008
The snapshot looks like it was by either Hulaboom Voom or Feline Slade.
Either way, mind giving the photographer proper attribution and credit?
Thanks,
-ls/cm (the owner of the venue in which it was taken)
LOLASAURUS REXXOR
Dec 10th, 2008
Yes, way to go on making it ten times easier to crash sims now. All though, it did suck the fun out of the old way of doing it. Now it’s just SHOOT, FREEZE!
Darien Caldwell
Dec 10th, 2008
It is sad sad to see him go. He was one Linden who would talk with you, not down to you. And I agree the bringing of Havok 4 to the grid was a pivotal achievement in Second Life development. But at least we can take comfort in knowing that, without a doubt, he has moved on to a better place.
LOL
Dec 10th, 2008
Did He Quit? Was he Fired? or just one of the first Rats to jump a sinking ship?
anon
Dec 10th, 2008
Sidewinder will be really missed by a lot of residents. Meeting him in person was fascinating, he truly talked to the residents and didn’t give the usual bullshit.
Sad day indeed.
Tabliopa Underwood
Dec 10th, 2008
I think Mr Siderwinder Linden did good job managing h4. He moving on now so I just wish him all the best. Whereever he go next they going to be lucky to have him.
Alyx Stoklitsky
Dec 11th, 2008
He probably changed his name to get away from you annoying bastards, just like heretic/iridium.
Angel
Dec 12th, 2008
Sidewinder was unique, a great man. He didn’t take shit from either side. If you were a complaining customer without basis he put you in your spot quickly and without shaming you, but if you had a valid reason to gripe he pulled the labs into line efficiently and without the fake excuses that are their norm.
Good luck in your future Joel, and I know the company you will now join will become better for your skills, just as LL did when you were in the spotlight.
You did well… and don’t forget you wear my collar
- Sean
Rabid Barkley
Dec 12th, 2008
It’s okay guys Rabid Barkley Linden is here to stay.
Derp McDerp
Dec 13th, 2008
Rabid Barkley Linden, your office hours better be the Black Goku Experience on the Pooley Stage.
Darling Brody
Dec 14th, 2008
I heard that Sidewinder Linden was last seen on the beta grid in one of the last remaining havok1 regions. I understand a mob of upset weapons makers orbited him so high that his account was lost in cyberspace.
Anonymous
Dec 16th, 2008
And thus another one leaves the diminishing talent pool at linden “labs” and will be replaced by a marketing drone and a bunch of useless upper management drones who dont have a clue on how to run a company, and when they sink this ship, they’ll flee to another company.
Buzz
Mar 28th, 2010
Comment about Rabid Barkley: Just to set the record straight, Rabid Barkley is in no way connected with Linden Labs. Quite the opposite. He is hanging on to his SL account by a thin thread. His activities in the SL community, have created so many Abuse reports I have lost count. He says he is a black man, but he has alienated the SL black community, by his griefing history. His griefing always includes comments about his being black, and he has hurt our image a great deal. Feel free to hear his comments during a recent “griefing” at an SL Memorial Service, for a residents deceased Service dog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJokmlUp–U