The 2010 Linden Prize FAQ

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Questions about eligibility and requirements can be submitted to the Linden Prize. Please do not submit application materials here. To Find out more info, check out the Forum here.

What is the Linden Prize?

The Linden Prize will award one Second Life Resident or team with $10,000 USD for an innovative inworld project that improves the way people work, learn and communicate in their daily lives outside of the virtual world. This annual award is intended to align with Linden Lab's company mission, which is to connect all people to an online world that advances the human condition. Many projects inside of Second Life have already enhanced and changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world, and the company wants to recognize the Residents accomplishments.

When will the winner be announced?

No later than May 31, 2010.

How will the winner and finalists be notified?

We will contact winner and finalist via the contact email address or phone number submitted by the applicant. So please make sure your contact information is current — we want to find you!

What is the submission deadline?

January 15, 2010 at 5:00pm PST.

Are there categories for entry?

There are no categories for the Linden Prize. We may consider categories in subsequent years.

Can I submit multiple projects?

Yes. Each project must be on separate applications, and they will be considered independently. Do not send multiple applications for the same project, as it may result in disqualification.

Does a build have to be active to be considered? Can I submit an older project?

You may submit a project that is not currently active. However, you must provide documentation that it has achieved tangible, compelling results outside of Second Life. In other words, future projects are not eligible because they have yet to yield results/data.

What will I win?

$10,000 USD.

How do I enter?

Use the Application Form

Who is eligible to win?

Eligibility requirements

Can I nominate myself?

Yes.

Can I nominate someone else?

Yes, but please ask them first! Some people may not want to apply, and documenting their work probably requires an additional investment of time. However, if you think someone else's work is worthy of the Linden Prize, encourage them! You might be the catalyst that brings their work to a wider audience.

Criteria

What are the criteria used by the judges to determine a winner?

Work in Second Life that also achieves tangible, compelling results outside of Second Life.
Distinctive, original work using Second Life that clearly demonstrates high quality, execution, function, aesthetics and technical sophistication.
Work that has the capacity for inspiring and influencing future development, knowledge, creativity, and collaboration both inside and outside of Second Life.

Does that mean builds or projects that are purely intended for use only by the Second Life community won't be accepted?

If you can demonstrate that the work, build or project has a tangible impact outside of Second Life, then by all means apply. The key is documentation. If you haven't considered what kind of impact you might be having outside of Second Life, this is an opportunity to document it.

A few hypothetical examples might help (note —any resemblance to real projects is unintentional)

An amazingly beautiful building inworld with kudos from Residents is a stronger candidate if the build was created as a training for disadvantaged adults to learn new computer skills.
An inworld opinion poll of Residents on a ballot initiative is a stronger candidate if it were tied to a voter registration campaign that resulted in thousands of new voters.
A prototype technology to help sight impaired people access Second Life is a stronger candidate if it is a working product that is helping hundreds of sight-impaired people create an international support community.
A research study into small group social behavior in Second Life is a stronger candidate if the research is published in a peer reviewed journal that advances that field of knowledge and demonstrates that Second Life is a legitimate platform for study.
An interactive sound and art project in Second Life is a stronger candidate if it is part of a live exhibition is recognized by the curator as advancing our understanding of art.
A community project in Second Life is a stronger candidate if the its leaders have trained community organizers on effective recruiting and retention practices.

The rules say those with an employment history or contractual relationship with Linden Lab will not be eligible. Can you explain what that means and who it may eliminate?

In an attempt to keep the judging as fair as possible, it has been decided that those who currently have a working relationship with Linden Lab will not be eligible to participate. For example, Moles are employed with the LDPW so they would not be eligible. Those beta-testing new software or are privileged to NDA'ed information will also not be eligible. An example of this would be members of the Gold Solution Provider program. Based on the requirements and the extent of the relationship, members in the Gold program will be ineligible. Regular Solution Providers may still apply. Those who have applied for the Linden Prize who then find themselves in this type of relationship with Linden Lab AFTER submission will be asked to remove their application from consideration from the Linden Prize.

Selection Process and Judging

What is the selection process?

Each application will be reviewed. If it meets the basic application and eligibility requirements, the most promising projects will receive a more thorough review of its documentation. During this time, the judges may request further information and documentation from the applicant. Through iterative cycles, we will aim to develop a pool of approximately 10 applicants to be considered as finalists. The judges will award the winner of the Linden Prize from this final pool.

Who are the judges?

The judges are a panel of thought leaders from Linden Lab, Second Life and related fields. Judges serve confidentially and are chosen for their breadth of experience, excellent judgment, curiosity, and most of all, enthusiasm for the creative use of Second Life--even if it is outside their field of expertise. Because the judges work as a group, decisions represent a collective opinion drawn from a wide range of insightful and discerning perspectives. Judges all serve anonymously and their correspondence is kept confidential. This policy enables participants to provide their honest impressions independent of outside influence. Acting judges will rotate each year to keep the process as fair as possible.

Testimonials / References

What is the difference between a testimonial and a reference?

References are intended to act as a more professional account of the application. Testimonials allow room for a more personal explanation of how a project has affected an individual.

What if I'm chosen to write a testimonial/reference?

Please include how you know the applicant, your participation in the project, and the qualities of the person and project that best exemplify the goals of the Prize. Do not hesitate to talk about reservations and limitations as well, this does not discourage our review of the project, but gives richer picture of the strengths, weaknesses and constraints. Your testimonial will be sent directly to the Linden Prize committee, will be kept confidential, and will be destroyed no later than sixty (60) days after the competition is completed. Please include contact information that is valid for the duration of the competition.

When are the testimonials / references due by?

Testimonials and references are due NO LATER THAN JANUARY 15th and will not be accepted past this date. Applicants should be aware of this and take this deadline into account. References and testimonials will not be accepted until an application has been submitted. An application submitted on the 15th will leave very little time for the people asked to write testimonials / references.

How do I submit a testimonial / reference?

You can submit a testimonial / reference by sending them to Linden Prize

Are testimonials required?

No. However, testimonials can provide the judges with concrete, compelling and corroborating evidence of the impact of your project. You may choose to provide this evidence in other ways.

How do I choose someone to provide a testimonial?

The best choices are people who have direct experience with you and your project. Have they helped you create the work? Did they attend, use or experience it? Are they the intended audience or beneficiary of your work? Once you have a few people in mind, ask them if they are willing to submit a testimonial. Make sure they understand it is confidential, and to provide contact information that is valid for the duration of the competition.

Documentation

How do I provide documentation?

Provide a valid URL to your blog, website, video, machinima, or photos. You can use one of the many free or paid options to host your content on the internet. It doesn't have to be fancy to communicate the quality of your work and the results. Documentation can include writing, film, research results, publications, images, inworld demonstration, working prototypes or other forms of media. The most successful documentation is that which clearly communicates the goals of the project, visuals that communicate the experience, and evidence to communicate results.

Will you return my application?

No. We suggest that you make a copy of your application for your records.

What happens to the applications after the contest is over?

All applications will be destroyed 60 days after the contest is completed.

Do I have to submit my real life name or any other personal information? Will they be made public?

Your real life name and an active email address IS required to submit an application. However, this information will NOT be made public with out prior consent . Finalists and the winner of the Linden Prize do not have to publicly disclose any personal information if they choose not to. More specifically:

We ask for valid email addresses for applicants, references and testimonials so we can follow up about the project.
Bios can be a real life or Second Life bio. Applicant chooses.
The identities of those giving references and testimonials will also be kept confidential
In the vetting and judging process, any RL identifying information will not be shared among Resident judges.
Finalists' projects will be made public. The finalists themselves can choose what identity they want to make public.
The winning project will be made public. Again, the winner can choose what identity they want to make public.

Why are the applications required to be in English? What if I cannot write well in English?

We regret that we can't receive applications in multiple languages. However, we are localizing the web content so that the eligibility, criteria and requirements can be read in other languages. If you do not write English and your first language is French, German, Japanese, we can help you translate the application. Send it to us at ctproject@lists.secondlife.com. Please, allow a few days to get your application translated. Keep in mind when sending an application to THIS email to exclude all personal information with the exception of your Second Life name and a valid email address.

I can't fit the full description of my project in the space provided. Where else can I submit materials?

This would be a perfect place to link us to your website, blog or other hosted solution in the documentation section. The purpose of the form is to briefly summarize the core elements of your project, while you can use the documentation section to link to details, supporting evidence, news articles, commentary or updates about your project.

How can I prove the project is mine? What if someone else claims that they own the intellectual property rights to my project?

It is always a good idea to document ownership. The responsibility for representing ownership accurately is on the applicant. Significant challenges to the honesty, accuracy, fairness or ownership of the entry, including any responses to the challenge, should be documented also.

Must I submit a CV or resume for the biography?

No. It is preferred that you provide a short summary, either from Second Life, real life or both. Include information that helps us get to know you.