Difference between revisions of "Covenant"

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[[Image:Wastelands.jpg|right]]
 
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The Wastelands came into existence on January 17th, 2007, and is the oldest, largest, and longest lasting Post-Apocalyptic themed estate in [http://www.secondlife.com Second Life].  It sustains itself through the efforts of our continually growing and evolving community of individuals who have a passion for the damaged and ruined landscape you see before you.  In fact, around 95% of everything you see in The Wastelands is created by the residents who live here.  If you're reading this, it's likely that you've just joined our community, you're interested in purchasing some land, or you're interested in hanging out as a game-player, roleplayer, or regular visitor. Maybe all of the above! Whatever you're interested in, welcome!
 
  
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The Wastelands is a '''themed residential''' estate inside Second Life.  What this means is that everything that is built here on the land must have a certain post-apocalyptic look and feel to it.  Structures that have collapsed due to age, heavily weathered and nature overrun buildings, bombed out bunkers, and scrapped together makeshift homes would fit right in here.  If you want to build a pristine beach house on our sands, a modern day military base, or even a skyscraper on our horizon -- perhaps The Wastelands isn't what you're looking for.  Many of us feel there's a certain romanticism about a world where everything is ruined or old, and we want our builds to elicit that sense of desolation and desperation.
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<div style="float:right;">__TOC__</div>
  
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With all that in mind, I want to state that we know not everyone is a great builder. I myself lack the skills to build such awesome things as some of our long term residents do.  As long as we can see that you're making an effort to keep your build in theme, you're more than welcome to stay here. We also have free high-quality resources, including prefabs, made by Wastelanders, for Wastelanders, to help even the most uncertain builder make a thematic and interesting home. And remember, all of the best builders in Second Life started out with a plywood cube at some point!
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The Wastelands came into existence on January 17th, 2007, and is the oldest, largest, and longest-lasting Post-Apocalyptic themed estate in [https://www.secondlife.com Second Life]. It sustains itself through the efforts of our continually growing and evolving community of individuals who have a passion for the damaged and ruined landscape you see before you.  In fact, around 95% of everything you see in The Wastelands is created by the residents who live here.  If you're reading this, it's likely that you've just joined our community, or you're interested in joining our community.
  
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There is also casual [[:Category:Role Play|role play]] and supplemental [[:Category:Games|games]] here that are both 100% opt-in. You don't need to roleplay if you don't want to, nor do you need to play the games hosted here, nor even dress in theme in order to visit.  We'll never kick out somebody for RPing, for not RPing, for playing the game, for not playing the game, or for just plain doing these things poorly -- unless the actual rules of this covenant are being broken in the process.
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Our estate also hosts [[:Category:Role Play|casual role play]], and some supplemental [[:Category:Games|games]] that are both 100% opt-in. You don't ''need'' to role-play, play our games, or even dress in theme to visit.  But because we host these additional activities, there a few rules that affect your land ownership here.
  
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However, it's the general consensus that if you choose to role play, but are role playing something entirely different than the rest of the community, you'll be considered off "doing your own thing" or OOC. Please do not contact a Developer about RP, as we won't assist you since this is not an RP-mandatory estate.  If you have questions on how to interpret the roleplay guidelines, or if you would like more information, advice, or feedback, contact a member of Road Patrol.
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=Estate Theme=
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The Wastelands is a '''themed estate''' in Second Life.  That means everything that is built at ground level must have a certain [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StandardPostApocalypticSetting post-apocalyptic] look and feel to it.  Much of the community feels there's a certain romanticism about a world where everything is ruined or old, and we want our builds to elicit that sense of ruin, desolation, and desperation.
  
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In the past we've been criticized as to why we're not a role play- or game-mandatory estate. The answer is quite simple:  Communities founded around such "inclusion" always leave someone excluded, which is why I think it's important to be as tolerant and welcoming to as many people as possible.  You never know... that person dressed up as a bling-robot-squid in a tutu might be the coolest person you've never met!
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Structures that have collapsed due to age, heavily weathered and nature overrun buildings, bombed out bunkers, and scrapped together makeshift homes would fit right in here.  If you want to build a pristine beach house, a modern day military base, or even a skyscraper on our horizon -- perhaps The Wastelands isn't what you're looking for.
 +
 +
All content below 512 meters elevation is considered to be at "ground level", and '''must''' be built in a post-apocalyptic theme.  In addition to thematic requirements, there are a few concepts we disallow:
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*There are no flying structures: they must be grounded, wrecked, or crashed.  Thematically, no one has the know-how to make such fantastic devices.
 +
*Most structures should not be more than a few stories tall. Time, weather, and the lack of proper maintenance tend to topple things over.
 +
*No full-bright content or garish signs.
  
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= Estate Rules =
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We know not everyone is a great builder, but as long as you're making an effort to build in theme, it's usually good enough.
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Much like any large [http://forums.the-wastelands.org/ community] there needs to be a set of sane and reasonable rules to help direct it. Ideally, we want to use them to foster growth and guidance.  Sometimes, however, we just need to cite them and tell people to follow them or leave. The following is the best and most-accomodating set of rules we can devise - their aim is to benefit everyone while avoiding restricting people's freedoms.
 
  
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That said, visitors and Residents who do not read the covenant are NOT exempt from the rules of this covenant. If you don't like the rules of this covenant, it would probably be better if you went someplace that you enjoy. If you repeatedly or intentionally break the rules of this covenant, you'll find yourself ejected, or temporarily or permanently banned from the estate.
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=Estate Wide Rules=
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[[Image:Wastelands.jpg|right]]
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The following rules apply to all locations in The Wastelands and all avatars on the estate.  They are intended to ensure that the estate itself makes its best efforts to follow the guidelines and policies of Second Life. The [[management]] of the estate [[Covenant#Enforcement|enforces]] these guidelines at its own discretion:
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*All content and avatars are subject to the [http://secondlife.com/corporate/tos.php Linden Lab Terms of Service], [http://secondlife.com/corporate/cs.php Linden Lab Community Standards], and [https://www.lindenlab.com/legal/content-guidelines Linden Lab Content Guidelines].
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*The Wastelands is a [https://community.secondlife.com/knowledgebase/english/maturity-ratings-r52/#Section__2_3 Moderate rated] estate.  Occasionally, there is still some confusion as to the distinctions between a Moderate and Adult rated estate.  To help clarify, we have these additional rules:
 +
**Nudity below the belt is not allowed anywhere.
 +
**Erotic content is not allowed anywhere.
  
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The [[Management]] of the estate are the sole people responsible for enforcing and interpreting the rules. You don't have to listen to anyone who isn't management, but keep in mind there are some long-term residents who'll offer advice and are just trying to be friendly and helpful. Our community is strong and willing to teach and help, if you're willing to listen. ''If'' management asks you to do or change something, please be as accommodating as possible - We're just trying to help you fit in a bit better!
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= Land =
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When you buy land in The Wastelands, you become a tenant of the estate and a contributing member of our community. The Wastelands are made of several regions that create a microcontinent in Second Life. The land of these regions is split up in to parcels and rented to its tenants.
  
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On to the rules themselves:
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Because we're a community and themed estate, there are rules and parcel settings that are required to keep the estate running smoothly.  To start, the estate controls and overrides the following parcel settings:
 +
*Parcel Windlights are disabled.
 +
*Joining and Dividing Land is disabled.
 +
*Second Life Damage is disabled.
 +
*Certain regions have different terraform limits. (See below)
  
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== Conduct ==
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== Public Spaces Rules ==
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We are a [https://community.secondlife.com/knowledgebase/english/maturity-ratings-r52/#Section__2_3 Moderate rated] estate. That means that adult oriented or sexual conduct isn't allowed on this estate -- including role play. Adult avatars may go topless, but keep below the belt covered: no genitals are to be exposed at any time. There's a continent called Zindra in Second Life that is made just for those types of activities.
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These rules for public spaces are intended to keep the public-facing estate non-divisive, and agnostic with regard to complex real world topics. Our community strives to be a place to escape from such controversies. As such, content and symbology that covers real world politics, real world religion, real world nationalism (including flags), or other real world hot-button issues is strictly forbidden from being rezzed out in public spaces.
  
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Because we are a Moderate estate, that means you '''MUST BE''' 18 years or older to access this estate. If you are under 18, you have falsely represented your age to Linden Lab, and we will have to report you. We don't want to get in trouble for hosting a minor on the estate, especially if they lied to our service provider.
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All parcels at the ground level are considered to be public spaces. All stores at any elevation are public spaces. If a publicly accessible teleporter in a public space goes from one public space to another destination on the estate, that destination is also considered to be a public space.
  
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All visitors and residents are contractually obligated to follow the [http://secondlife.com/corporate/tos.php Linden Lab Terms of Service], and all of the additional terms and policies contained within. Of note we'd like to remind all visitors and residents that they have agreed to adhere to the [http://secondlife.com/corporate/cs.php Linden Lab Community Standards]. This estate makes no exception to those rules, and to help protect our community we seek to enforce them where applicable.  
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== Private Spaces Exemptions ==
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A private space is a location above 512 m in the sky. These are generally exempt from the thematic build requirements. A private space can also be a non-thematic commercial store. If a private space is not a store, ''AND'' is in a fully enclosed skybox (a place where someone can't see inside from any angle), it may also be exempt from the Public Space Rules. All private spaces must still adhere to the [[Covenant#Estate Wide Rules|Estate Wide Rules]].
  
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It's true that some of the definitions of the Community Standards are vague, so we'll give some examples:
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== Parcel Settings Requirements ==
 +
The Wastelands is an "open" estate that encourages all visitors to explore.  We also host estate-wide games, where some scripted objects occasionally need to pass over your land.  As such, certain parcel settings in the "About Land" menu must be set at all times by all tenants of the estate:
 +
*Parcel Options
 +
**"Object Entry" and "Run Scripts" must be enabled for Everyone.
 +
**"Avatars on other parcels can see and chat with avatars on this parcel" must be enabled.
 +
*Parcel Sound
 +
**"Enable Voice" must be enabled.
 +
**"Restrict Voice to this parcel" must be disabled.
 +
*Parcel Access
 +
**"Anyone can visit" must be enabled, and all other checkbox options '''must''' be disabled.
 +
***You may still ban individual avatars on a case by case basis; but please try to avoid banning other tenants.
  
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*Residents and visitors to the estate are not allowed to harass, threaten or embarrass another avatar or to cause distress, unwanted attention or discomfort of such avatar, or any other person or entity.
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While not required, it is recommended to have the Auto Return setting set to 15 minutes.
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::The Wastelands does not condone harassment in any form and may suspend or ban the accounts of any avatar who harasses others. Personal attacks, such as those based on a person's race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, lifestyle choice, disablement or other such affiliation, are strictly prohibited.
 
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*Residents and visitors to the estate shall not engage in "disruptive behavior".
 
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::Many things can constitute disruptive behavior, including the following: Defacing anothers property, griefing an event or a sim, the excessive use of gestures, or caging or orbiting other avatars. Outside weapons or objects that are used on residents or visitors without their consent are strictly forbidden, as well as anything that causes any sort of distress, be it auditory, visual or just a general annoyance.  The Devs and Road Crew reserve the right to determine what disruptive behavior is, and the actions required to resolve the issue.  
 
  
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The general rule of thumb is to follow your moral compass, use common sense, and put yourself in the other person's shoes.  
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==Stores==
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[[Image:ShopExampleA.jpg|right]][[Image:ShopExampleB.jpg|right]]
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As a resident you're allowed to have your own shop on your land, as long as it follows the other rules of this covenant.  Shops must ''strictly'' follow the rules of this covenant.
  
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Estate management doesn't ban individuals from the estate by request -- only by objective evidence. If you encounter someone who is violating this covenant, contact any member of management immediately and give them clear details on the situation.  However, we don't take sides in a dispute between people UNLESS they're violating this covenant. If you are having a conflict with another individual in a non-game and non-roleplay situation, we suggest you MUTE that person until cooler heads prevail.  Still, don't be closed-minded to resolving your issues at a later date. After all, overcoming our differences is what makes us a great community!
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Estate management may ask you to make changes to your shop if it's using an unfair amount of region resources.  Spam (unsolicited group invites, messages, etc.) of any form is not allowed.
  
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The members of our estate management are very real people. If and when we interact with you in an official capacity, we expect to be talking with the person behind the keyboard, not the persona you play in Second Life.
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==Perks==
 +
The Wastelands has plenty of reasons to stay here, but we're always working to add more.  Here are some of the lesser-known perks the estate has to offer.
  
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<u>'''Any violation of these rules could lead to a temporary ban, permanent ban, and/or eviction from the estate!'''</u> It does not matter who you are, how much land you own, or how long you've been here. These rules apply to everyone equally. Ultimately YOU are responsible for what you do or don't do while you're here.
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=== Experience Teleports ===
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Free seamless experience-powered teleporters that work with our game are available to residents in good standing who've been here for at least a year.  Once your build is complete, management can set up the teleporter objects on your land(s).  You must be prepared to invite estate management to the group the land is set to, or have a group in common with management.  Once your build is ready to go with both endpoints built, all that's needed is time to configure and place the teleporters.
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== Land ==
 
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The land you rent in the estate is your own personal bubble of Post Apocalyptic goodness. The in-world land tools allow great control over your land, from media settings to who you allow to build an terraform on it. In order to help alleviate some common issues residents might run into, as well as help maintain your property; I've outlined some things that should or should not be done.
 
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*Terraform responsibly. '''It is imperative that you do not terraform right up to the property lines.''' Please leave a two to four meter buffer of unaltered land around your property. It is important because if you have a neighbor, you can unknowingly alter their land or even return a portion of their build if you terraform right up to the property line, and you won't have the ability to fix it. Please do not dig a 100 meter hole, or create a 100 meter tall mountain. Steep declines or inclines of land create "land static". Land static is what happens at the base or at the top of the land when there is a sudden drop of land without any smoothing in between. It looks like sharp or spiky land, and often seems unrepairable -- but with effort and care it can be fixed. If your land or neighboring land looks jagged or spiky, please contact a developer for assistance.
 
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*Build responsibly. It is important that you do not build right up to the edge of a neighboring parcel or Estate land. In general, it's rude and can be perceived as aggressive by your neighbors.  No one likes being fenced in by a build.
 
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*Be considerate of your neighbors. If you choose to have objects that frequently make noise on your property, please consider using the option "Restrict spatialized sound to the parcel" so your neighbor isn't slowly driven to a homicidal rampage featured on Channel Four News.
 
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*Residents may build bridges and paths over estate infrastructure land as long as it does not obstruct regular walking areas.  To do this you must anchor your prims on your land, or else auto return will kick in.
 
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=== Required Land Settings ===
 
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[[Image:About_Land_Required.jpg|right]]
 
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*In the Objects tab of "About Land", If Auto-return is enabled on your land it must be set to 5 minutes or greater. This gives people time to drive their vehicles over your land, rez things to show off, or allow NPCs time to cross over your parcel.
 
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*:<u>'''WARNING:'''</u> If your land is deeded or set to a group and the objects are not also set to the same group when you enable auto return, those objects will be returned to their owners. Please make sure your objects are set to the proper group that your land is deeded to before you enable auto return!
 
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*In the Options tab of About Land, "Object Entry" '''MUST''' be set to All Residents. Visitors want to drive vehicles, and NPCs want to occasionally enter your land.
 
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*In the Options tab of About Land, "Run Scripts" '''MUST''' be set to All Residents. Visitors want scripted objects to work, and NPCs don't want brutal brain-death if they step on to your land.
 
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*In the Options tab of About Land, "Avatars on other parcels can see and chat with avatars on this parcel" '''MUST''' be checked. Having it disabled is very disjunctive to the game and role play experience that the estate hosts.
 
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*Parcel media streams <u>MUST NOT</u> be of adult nature.  Again, we're a Moderate estate, not an Adult estate.
 
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*In the Access tab of "About Land", Allow Public Access MUST ALWAYS be checked. We do not allow global ban lines or exclusive white lists on who can and who cannot pass over your land.  You may ban people individually, but you may not ban everyone.
 
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=== Shop Specific ===
 
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[[Image:ShopExampleA.jpg|right]][[Image:ShopExampleB.jpg|right]]
 
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As a resident you're allowed to have your own shop on your land, as long as it follows the other rules of this covenant.  You're also allowed to host an additional shop for a friend as long as they abide by the shop rules.  However, because of the thematic rules for the estate, there's two sets of shop rules.  One applies to shops at ground level, and one applies to shops in skyboxes.
 
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==== Ground Level Shops ====
 
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If you have a shop on the ground level of the estate, it's appearance and it's things that are sold must fit the theme of the estate.  Having stuff rezzed out on display is preffered.  Open air shops and small kiosks are allowed as long as the vendor objects themselves look like they belong.  If things are in boxes or crates that fit the theme, that's okay too.  See the examples to the right.
 
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If you have vendors on the ground level that have graphic images of what you're selling instead of actual objects or boxed objects, those vendors will '''need to be inside a "store"''', four walls and a roof.
 
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==== Sky-Box Shops ====
 
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Residents can also sell content that is non-thematic in their own sky-box (above 512m in the sky) as long as the content is not considered adult in nature.  Our estate is rated mature, and we must still abide by those rules.
 
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Additionally, estate management may ask you to make changes to your shop if it's using an unfair amount of region resources.  Low or no-script (sell contents) multi-panel vendors are preferred.  Some other things:
 
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*Bots in any form are forbidden.
 
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*No Spam:
 
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**All text or chat relayed to visitors may only happen inside your shop.
 
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**All group invites for your shop must be opt-in, that means no automation of invites for visitors.
 
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**Scripted/Automated messages about products being sent out to a list of avatars are not allowed.  These notice systems aren't always super taxing on the region, but we would prefer to avoid that all together.  Please use SL groups instead.
 
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**If it's not listed here but could be interpreted as spam by estate management, it's spam.  Ask us to be sure though.
 
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Finally shops in sky-boxes are not suitable for consistently large amounts of traffic.  Occasional short lived sales events are okay, if they don't impact the regions too much.
 
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=== Land Types ===
 
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Over the years the estate has grown and adapted to residents needs, and as such different types of land have been made available for a resident to live on.  Each land type usually has a different cost associated with it.  The following few paragraphs describe each type of land in detail.
 
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==== Classic Full Region ====
 
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This type of region is what we started with ages ago.  It is the de-facto full region in SL with 20k prims and 100 avatar limit.  In most cases neighboring land will be right next to other neighboring land.  In terms of land impact, 117 prims will be available per 512sqm of land you own in the region, more or less.  The area of the land you own in comparison to the prims is considered the standard amount.  Infrastructure is typically anchored onto very small parcels, and sometimes roads and paths overlap onto resident land.  Regions that belong to this type:  -Currently None-.
 
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==== Full Region Plus ====
 
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These types of regions are exactly like the Classic Full Regions, except they come with 30k prims.  As a land owner you'd effectively get twice as many prims to use on your land than a Classic Full Region, but you would pay 20% more in tier.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[The Wastelands]] and [[The Junkyard]].
 
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==== Double Prim Full Region ====
 
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Also known as the half-land region, the double prim region makes more room for infrastructure builds, and gaps between neighboring plots.  It is a full 15k prim region with a prim bonus of 2.  In terms of land impact, 234 prims will be available per 512sqm of land you own in the region, more or less.  Because half the regions area is dedicated to infrastructure, larger builds owned by the estate are allowed.  Usually nothing overlaps onto a residents land.  Regions that belong to this type:  -Currently None-.
 
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==== Double Prim Full Region Plus ====
 
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These types of regions are exactly like the Double Prim Full Regions, except they come with 30k prims.  As a land owner you'd effectively get twice as many prims to use on your land than a Classic Full Region, but you would pay 20% more in tier.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[The Great Fissure]], [[Fort Stygian]].
 
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==== Homestead ====
 
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Homesteads in The Wastelands are the same type of region that SL offers with 3750 prims and 20 avatar max.  The exception is that the estate has a small 32sqm plot (with 1 prim) in a corner of the region to facilitate estate and game needs.  The availability of these region types for residents are EXCEPTIONALLY rare, waiting years for one is not uncommon.  These regions are made available to only one avatar, for the entire region.  They can set or deed the land to a group, but one avatar is responsible for the tier.  Residents must APPLY and be APPROVED to move into these types of regions, and have a loose but well thought out plan in hand.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[Cormac]], [[The Rot]].
 
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==== Outlands ====
 
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Outlands are Homestead regions that allow several residents to live on individual parcels.  Infrastructure is sparse, but well built.  Resident parcels are the largest in terms of area among all land in the estate that isn't a homestead.  There are only two sizes of parcels, one with 216 prims, and one with 434 prims.  Tier is a little bit higher than normal, but your land is never directly in contact with your neighbors, and there are only 8-10 parcels per region.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[North Yard]], [[Hambone Slough]].
 
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==== Desolate ====
 
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Desolate regions are perhaps the most unique in the estate.  They leverage experience keys to make the region appear 10x bigger than it actually is!  This is done by "stacking areas" in the sky combined with a unique teleportation system at each regions edge.  Estate infrastructure is typically mirrored 32 meters off the edge of the region so it seems seamless.  Almost the whole region is made of infrastructure build, with VERY small parcels made available to 8 residents.  Each area is the size of a full region, with a landmark unique to it. Landmarks are where the resident "lives" among a more detailed infrastructure build for the area. Tier for these parcels are a premium; but considering you have the surrounding 256 meters built for you, as well as the landmark, and no neighbors within 400 meters of you, it's quite appealing to some!  Regions that belong to this type:  [[Burnt Oak]], [[The Sand Seas]].
 
  
 
=== The Dark Layer ===
 
=== The Dark Layer ===
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For each residential region that allows skyboxes to be built, the elevation between 3000m and 3500m in the sky is the designated "Dark Layer".  It has no day cycle and is always very dark.  It's a space for residents to have basements, caves, sewer systems and more that would benefit from primarily projection lighting or ambient lighting.  Scripted teleporters to the dark layer are available upon request and as time allows.
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For all regions except The Sand Seas and Burnt Oak, the elevations between 3000 meters and 3500 meters in the sky are the designated as the "Dark Layer".  It has no day cycle and is always very dark.  It's a space for residents to have basements, caves, sewer systems, and other locations that would benefit from complete darkness.  Experience teleporters to the dark layer are available upon request and as time allows.
  
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=== Experience Teleports ===
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=== The Free Move Program ===
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Seamless experience powered teleporters are available to residents in good standing for free.  Once your build is complete, Estate Management can provide but will own teleporter objects on your land(s). You must be prepared to invite estate management to the group the land is set to, or have a group in common with management. Once your build is ready to go with both endpoints built, all that's needed is time to configure and place the teleporters.
+
This program allows you to trade your parcel on the estate, for another estate owned parcel that is for sale.  It takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, but does have a few requirements:
 +
*The Free Move Program does not apply during an estate land sale, or to new regions of the estate.
 +
*The parcel you are moving to must be for sale by NeoBokrug Elytis.
 +
*The parcel you are moving from must be cleared and ready to be reclaimed by the estate.
 +
*You must have owned the parcel you're moving from, for at least 4 weeks.
 +
*Parcels are moved at a one parcel to one other parcel.  Remaining tier is not combined from multiple parcels into the parcel you move to.
 +
*Once you are moved, and if your destination parcel size is the same or smaller:
 +
**You must ensure your time on the new parcel has at least two weeks remaining before the due date.  If it doesn't, you must make a tier payment.
 +
*If your destination parcel size is the larger than the parcel you're moving from:
 +
**You must ensure your time on the new parcel has at least four weeks remaining before the due date.  If it doesn't, you must make a tier payment.
  
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=== Selling Your Land ===
+
The Move Process:
−
One day, you may decide to leave The Wastelands for one reason or another.  As long as you have positive tier remaining on your parcel, you're allowed to sell (or gift) your land to other residents.  Since this estate came into existence, there has never been a single instance where a parcel was transferred with overdue tier, and it went smoothly. There has always been an issue. Because of the inevitable complications involved for the land buyer: if your land is both for sale '''AND''' overdue, it '''WILL BE RECLAIMED''' by the estate the very day it is overdue. There is NO tier grace period for land that is both for sale and overdue.  You can either abandon the land, or pay tier to keep it for sale.
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#You clean up your existing parcel (but don't abandon it), pick out a parcel for sale, and notify NeoBokrug Elytis.
 +
#The destination parcel is sold to you for L$0.
 +
#NeoBokrug converts your remaining time as an L$ value, and applies that value as new remaining days on the destination parcel.
 +
#Your old parcel is reclaimed by the estate.
  
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==== Land Flipping ====
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=== Resident Referral & Discount Program ===
−
In order to prevent the act of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flipping#Real_estate_flipping land flipping], the following rule must be established:  If you are selling land and it's been less than one month after it's claimed date (in about land) -- you may not sell "to everyone" for a price higher than what you bought it for.  '''If you've owned the land for more than a month, or are selling it to a specific person, feel free to sell it at whatever price you want'''.  Land flipping is both harmful to the estate, and buyers who are legitimately looking for a good deal.  Those who flip are taking advantage of both of those things, and it's something the estate won't tolerate.
+
This program allows current residents to get a bit of a kickback for referring new residents or discounts from land purchases.  To benefit from this program you MUST have been an existing landowner for at least one month at the time of the sale.  The only eligible parcels are those that are owned by NeoBokrug and are for sale publicly.  The amount of the referral or discount is the Land Impact (LI) that the parcel supports.
  
−
If you buy some land (from the estate directly, or another resident), set it for sale at a higher price, AND you've owned the land less than a month, estate management will treat this as land flipping.  You will be asked to reduce the for sale price or cancel your land sale.  If you do not comply within 24 hours, your land will be reclaimed by the estate.
+
==== How to claim a referral or discount ====
 +
In either event of a referral or a discount, NeoBokrug Elytis '''must be notified via an EMAIL within ONE hour''' by the buyer of the land; <u>no exceptions</u>.  His email address can be found on his Second Life profile.  The buyer must also state the system account name of who the referrer was.  If it is your friend, they must list you.  If you are buying more land to add to your holdings, you list yourself.
  
−
=== Subletting Land ===
+
As an example; A parcel is for sale for L$3475 by NeoBokrug Elytis, and it supports 500 LI.  You have lived here for a few months already, and you want to bring your friends to The Wastelands too. Your friend buys the land, and they send the appropriate referral email. Neo will then pay you L$500 as soon as reasonably possible. What you do with that is up to you!
−
Only individuals who meet the following prerequisites may sublet land:
 
−
*You must own and maintain 3750 primitives worth of tier.  Fall below this threshold and you may not sublet any further.
 
−
*You must obtain permission to sublet from NeoBokrug Elytis.
 
−
OR...
 
−
*You must rent a whole Homestead region.
 
  
−
=== WL: Game Rules ===
+
This program is suspended during any land sale, any new region being added to the estate, and for any other region with a notice inworld.
−
As a landowner, there is only one rule you need to be aware of relating to the combat game hosted on this estate: You may not use your land powers as a tactical advantage over other players.  This includes banning, ejecting, and freezing avatars while playing the game. Violation of this rule will result in a suspension or ban from playing the games.
 
  
−
= Content and Theme =
+
=== Selling, Trading, & Gifting Your Land ===
−
We operate a themed estate in Second Life and our theme of choice is the post apocalypse genre. There is a lot of post apocalyptic media, and we have been influenced by a ton of it. However, over the years of hosting this community, we've etched out our own vision of what the post apocalypse could be. This is covered in great detail in our [[:Category:Role Play|RP section]] of this wiki, and many residents choose to build to suit that. But that doesn't mean we don't welcome other forms of post apocalyptic expression to some extent.
+
All tenants are allowed to sell, trade, or gift their land to anyone -- as long as the parcel tier is not overdue. If your land is both for sale and overdue, it will be reclaimed immediately.
  
−
== Intellectual Property ==
+
=== Wastelands Public Works ===
−
Also known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property IP], will be honored in this estate.  Those who violate others IP in SL shall be ejected from the estate. IP is a very serious issue, with very real legal ramifications. If you copy-bot content that is not yours, you will be Abuse Reported, banned from the estate, and more than likely have a DMCA filed against you by the creator.
+
For as long as The Wastelands has existed, residents have been making and contributing free content for the estate to give away to the community that lives here.  It consists of mostly build-kits, prefabs, texture sets, and much more -- with copy and modify permissions!  As long as you're a current resident you can obtain this content completely free.  Currently, it is in two locations.  The first is [http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Junkyard/134/205/73 The Heap], and the second is in the [http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Wastelands/131/154/4083 tier payment area].
  
−
=== Content Blacklist ===
+
==Costs==
−
For context of this section, "the cutoff date" means August 1st 2015.
 
−
 
 
−
Beginning August 1st 2015, any land that has a "Claimed" date that is after the cutoff date will be subject to new rules regarding what is allowed to be rezzed upon your parcel.  You can find out your claim date by going to "About Land" while over your parcel.  Buying, selling, or deeding your land to a group will change the parcels claim date -- and it will make your parcel subject to the new rules.
 
−
 
 
−
The specific rule is that any content created by any of the creators on the [http://bit.ly/1LjITTr Content Blacklist], is expressly forbidden from being rezzed upon the estate after the cutoff date.  This is a short list of the biggest offenders that I see on the estate most often.  I will update the list as time allows.  Additionally, if you have content that is a copy of something created by someone on the blacklist, but not actually created by them -- it still counts as being blacklisted.  I know it seems confusing and the SL Marketplace is a big place, which is why I've taken the time to make some citations to screenshots of the original games for the stores.
 
−
 
 
−
If you have blacklisted content on your land, we will ask you nicely to pick it up within 24 hours.  After 24 hours we'll send you another IM and probably return the items to your Lost and Found folder.  If you insist on re-rezzing the items on your land despite our warnings, we'll reclaim your land.  It may sound harsh, but the policy is pretty simple, and I won't argue over who is and isn't allowed to have content on the estate or semantics.
 
−
 
 
−
Finally, I've included some "Wastelands Endorsements" on the blacklist as well.  These are people who make themed original content.  You're better giving your money to them, than scammers or content rippers.  Original content creators work much harder than those found on the blacklist, and they ought to get your hard earned spacebux.
 
−
 
 
−
==== Grandfathered Parcels ====
 
−
If your land has a "Claimed" date before the cutoff date, the content you have on your land will be exempt from our scrutiny.
 
−
 
 
−
== Restricted Content ==
 
−
While we do allow pretty much anything to be built on your land that is thematic, there are a few things that are not allowed on the estate.
 
−
*Anything that violates the SL ToS is not allowed. This includes casinos, first life religion or politics, racial slurs and hate speech.
 
−
*Anything that belongs on an Adult region is not allowed.  We are a Moderate rated estate.
 
−
*Content that puts a great strain on region resources is also not allowed. Some examples are Temp Rezzers or "Prim Savers", overly popular clubs, griefer weapons, and camping chairs.
 
−
*Content that restricts avatars freedoms are not allowed. This includes security systems, broad ban lines, and caging weapons.
 
−
*Signs that are full bright or overly eye-catchy are not allowed. The '''''ONLY''''' land for sale signs allowed on the estate can be found [[Land For Sale Sign|here]].
 
−
*Real world national or group symbolism is not allowed.  This includes flags, seals, and similar things.  Fictional symbolism is fine, as long as it isn't just a remix of real world symbolism.  The Wastelands strives to avoid projecting the real world into the estate because deep down, we're all here to escape.
 
−
 
 
−
Anything that is not thematic is allowed but must be built at an elevation of 512m or higher.
 
−
 
 
−
Restricted content is not allowed at any height.
 
−
 
 
−
==== Breedable Pets ====
 
−
A breedable pet is a scripted object that produces offspring. They are very popular in SL, and residents often either love them or hate them. In order to save time, frustration, and most importantly confusion, we've come up with the following breedable pet policy that is sort of a middle ground for everyone.
 
−
*Breedable pets are considered non-thematic by the management of the estate, no matter how thematic they look or how hard you try to shoehorn them into role play. They '''ARE''' allowed at elevations greater than 512m, but any lower and management will ask you to move them.
 
−
*Everything in moderation. If you start using more than your fair share of region resources, we will ask you to cull the herd.
 
−
*"Pets" that were never designed to produce offspring, and reasonably fit within the theme of the estate, are allowed below 512m.
 
−
 
 
−
= Cost =
 
 
{| style="float: right;" "border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| style="float: right;" "border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|+ Tier Rates
 
|+ Tier Rates
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
−
! scope="col" width="80" | Prims
+
! scope="col" width="80" | Land Impact / LI
 
! scope="col" width="80" | L$ Weekly*
 
! scope="col" width="80" | L$ Weekly*
 
! scope="col" width="80" | USD-Weekly
 
! scope="col" width="80" | USD-Weekly
Line 185: Line 120:
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Outland - 580 || L$1397 || $5.38
 
| Outland - 580 || L$1397 || $5.38
 +
|- align="center"
 +
|- align="center"
 +
| Fringe- 250 || L$680|| $2.50
 +
|- align="center"
 +
| Fringe- 500 || L$1360 || $5.00
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Desolate - 195 || L$1087 || $4.30
 
| Desolate - 195 || L$1087 || $4.30
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Plus - 234 || L$326 || $1.34
 
| Plus - 234 || L$326 || $1.34
 +
|- align="center"
 +
| Plus - 263 || L$387 || $1.50
 +
|- align="center"
 +
| Plus - 351 || L$506 || $2.01
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Plus - 468 || L$665 || $2.70
 
| Plus - 468 || L$665 || $2.70
 +
|- align="center"
 +
| Plus - 527 || L$766 || $3.04
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Plus - 702 || L$1000 || $4.05
 
| Plus - 702 || L$1000 || $4.05
Line 198: Line 144:
 
| * L$ Prices || are|| approximate
 
| * L$ Prices || are|| approximate
 
|}
 
|}
−
In order to maintain your land here in The Wastelands, you must continue to pay for it.  Think of it as a subscription to the community.  In truth, I am just a middleman -- Linden Lab bills me for the land, and then I bill the residents to maintain the regions. Because of that, you don't need a premium SL account to live here. The small markup on tier helps us maintain the estate and the theme, run events, and develop new fun things for residents and visitors.
+
In order to keep your land, you must continue to make tier payments.  All payments must be made in Linden Dollars to the [[Tier Payment]] board, or with the [[Tier Auto-Pay]]. If you are overdue with tier payments, your land will be reclaimed.  We do have a grace period for late payments, which is covered in detail below.  With proper notice and approval of estate management we allow tier to be overdue for longer periods of time.
 +
 
 +
All parcels that are sold by the estate owner (NeoBokrug Elytis) come with two weeks of tier.  Parcels purchased from other tenants may have more or less time included.  Always click the "Land For Sale Sign", or contact estate management to see what a parcels' due date is.
  
−
Unlike most estates in SL who bill per the square meter, we bill by the prim and region type.  Any long term estate owner will tell you that the proper measurement of usage is the prim count, not square meters.  This keeps it simple because we can adjust the prim multipliers on each sim, and still bill everything the same.  None of that shady "double prims" business -- because when it comes down to it, you're still paying the same amount on a different size of land.  Our current rates in USD weekly/monthly across the estate are to the right.
+
=== Tier Grace Period ===
 +
Grace Period is the buffer time between when your land is overdue and when your land will be reclaimed.  For every 4 weeks of consecutive occupancy after the initial land purchase date, you will be granted one day of grace period up to a maximum of 14 days.  For example, if you've lived at one place for a year you'd have 13 days of grace before it was reclaimed.  But if you owned another parcel for only 2 months, it would only have 2 days.
  
−
All payments must be made in Linden Dollars to the [[Tier Payment]] board, or by [[Tier Auto-Pay]]. If you are overdue with tier payments, as much as pains me to do it, I must reclaim your land.  Linden Lab doesn't allow me any breaks on my tier, so I cannot allow much of a break on anyone else's tier. Fortunately with proper and approved notice we allow tier to be overdue for short periods of time.  We have also have grace period for un-notified late payments, which is covered in detail below.
+
<u>'''There is NO tier grace period for land that is both for sale and overdue.'''</u>
  
−
Any land that is purchased from the estate owner (NeoBokrug Elytis) always includes 2 weeks of tier.  Any land that is purchased from another resident might have more, might have less, and very rarely might have a negative amount of time left. When in doubt, ask the estate [[management]] for a information on a specific chunk of land '''before you purchase the land'''!
+
=== Refunds ===
 +
If you are a ''NEW'' resident who has purchased land from the estate, ''AND'' you have regrets about your purchase, you ''MAY'' request a refund ''WITHIN 12 HOURS'' of your purchase. At its sole discretion, the estate ''MIGHT'' grant a refund.  If you've violated the Estate Wide rules, or if you're rude to the community or estate management, you won't be approved for a refund.
  
−
All tier payments and land purchases are final, and <u>'''THERE ARE NO REFUNDS!'''</u> I cannot stress this enough. If you buy land and you don't want it the next day, it is your responsibility to sell it before your tier meter runs out.
+
Beyond that -- all transactions are final, and <u>'''THERE ARE NO REFUNDS!'''</u>
  
−
=== Tier Grace Period ===
+
=== Region Types ===
−
For every 4 weeks of consecutive occupancy after the initial land purchase date, you will be granted one day of grace period up to a maximum of 7 days. The exception to this is if your land is set for sale; then your grace period is forfeit because land is not allowed to be sold if it is overdue.  '''There is NO tier grace period for land that is both for sale and overdue.'''  If you want to help insure your land from most issues that would prevent you from paying tier on time, please consider setting up an [[Tier Auto-Pay | auto tier paying mailbox]].  At the same time make sure your have some L$ available in your Second Life account for the mailbox to deduct from.  We realize that real life is chaotic and unpredictable; so with at least 24 hours of notice we can sometimes hold off on reclaiming land beyond your grace period, but you '''MUST''' contact us! 99% of the time we can work something out, no matter your current situation.
+
Over the years, the estate has grown and adapted to residents' needs, and, as such, different "types" of lands have been made available for residents.  Each land type usually has a different cost associated with it.  The following few paragraphs describe each type of land in detail.
 +
 
 +
==== Full Region Plus ====
 +
Infrastructure is typically anchored onto very small parcels, and in some places roads and paths overlap onto resident land.  Terraform limits are +/- 100 meters.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[The Wastelands]] and [[The Junkyard]].
 +
 
 +
==== Double Prim Full Region Plus ====
 +
Because half the regions' area is dedicated to infrastructure, larger infrastructure builds are present, and most parcel borders have no neighbors.  Parcel sizes are about half of Full Region Plus, but prim counts are still the same.  Terraform limits are +/- 100 meters.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[The Great Fissure]], [[Fort Stygian]].
 +
 
 +
==== Mid-Region Plus ====
 +
Mid-Regions are a compromise between double prim and full regions.  Parcels have more area than a double prim, and allow passage and more robust infrastructure between clusters of parcels.  Terraform limits are +/- 30 meters.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[Malady Bog]].
 +
 
 +
==== Homestead ====
 +
Homesteads in The Wastelands are the same type of region that SL offers with 4948 LI and 20 avatar max capacity. The exception is that the estate has a small 32sqm plot (with 2 LI )) in a corner of the region to facilitate estate and game needs.  The entire region is rented out to one avatar, and they are solely responsible for the tier.  Residents must APPLY and be APPROVED to bring one of these regions online, and must have a well-thought-out build plan in hand.  Terraform limits are +/- 100 meters.  Regions that belong to this type:  [[Cormac]], [[The Rot]], [[Bitter Ridge]].
 +
 
 +
==== Outlands ====
 +
Outlands are Homestead regions that allow several residents to live there.  Infrastructure is sparse, but well-built.  Except for homesteads, outland resident parcels are the largest in terms of area offered in the estate.  There are only two sizes of parcels: one with 307 LI , and one with 580 LI.  Tier is a little bit higher than normal, but your land is never directly in contact with your neighbors.  Terraform limits are +/- 30 meters. Regions that belong to this type: [[Hambone Slough]].
 +
 
 +
==== Fringes ====
 +
Fringe regions are Homesteads that allow several residents to live there.  Infrastructure is more developed than Outlands with 20% of total region capacity used for infrastructure.  Parcel sizes are reasonable at 1024sqm with 250 LI, and 2048sqm with 500 LI -- and you should have no direct neighbors on your borders.  Terraform limits are +/- 20 meters. Regions that belong to this type:  [[North Yard]].
 +
 
 +
==== Desolate ====
 +
Desolate regions are perhaps the most unique in the estate.  They leverage experience teleports to make the region appear ten times bigger than it actually is!  This is done by "stacking levels" in the sky combined with a unique teleportation system at each region edge.  Estate infrastructure is typically mirrored 32 meters off the edge of the region, so it seems seamless.  Almost the whole region is made of infrastructure build, with small parcels made available to 8 residents.  Each level is the size of a full region, with a landmark unique to it. Landmarks are more detailed infrastructure builds where the tenant lives. Tier prices for these parcels are a premium, but considering you have the surrounding 256 meters of a level built for you, as well as the landmark, and no neighbors within 400 meters of you, it's quite appealing to some!  Regions that belong to this type: [[The Sand Seas]].
 +
 
 +
==== The Region Hookup ====
 +
If you plan on owning or already own your own region, and agree to certain conditions, you may have your region be adjacent to The Wastelands.  You must:
 +
*Be in good standing with not only estate management, but the community of The Wastelands.
 +
*In writing, propose a detailed sim build plan for your region -- and have it approved by estate management.
 +
*In writing, develop an "escape plan" for in the event you have to leave, move, or abandon your region -- and have it approved by estate management.
 +
*Add all the current estate management as estate managers for your region.
 +
*Adopt the covenant of The Wastelands as your own.
 +
*Continue to own at least $10 a month worth of land in the main estate <u>at all times</u>, as a condition of the hookup.
 +
*Be ready to sign a real world contract.
 +
 
 +
<u>You may NOT sublet lands of your region to others.</u>
 +
 
 +
=== Encroachment ===
 +
Depending on where you live, certain content is estate infrastructure, and may be encroaching over your borders.  This is a feature.
 +
 
 +
If you share a parcel border with a neighbor, or a estate owned parcel that is for sale, you <u>must not</u> build walls or fences right up to the property line, and you must leave at least half a meter of free space between your build and the parcel border.
 +
 
 +
Tenants are allowed to encroach upon estate land in a limited capacity, as long as it does not "block the path", or prevent people from moving through public spaces.  The idea is to add a little decorative flourish that might escape your parcel boundaries -- not to add a few meters to your fenced off areas.  All of this is achieved by anchoring objects on to your land.
 +
 
 +
Tenants of The Sand Seas are encouraged to anchor out as far as they can on their respective levels.
 +
 
 +
All parcels are required to avoid terraforming within the last 2 meters before their borders.
 +
 
 +
=== Subletting Land ===
 +
Estate Management must approve ''all'' requests to sublet land.  At a minimum it requires one of the following:  Owning at least 3750 primitives worth of tier, or renting a whole homestead from the estate.
 +
 
 +
== Miscellaneous Policies ==
 +
The kitchen sink of weird Second Life specific and Estate rules.
 +
 
 +
=== Intellectual Property ===
 +
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property Intellectual Property] will be honored in this estate. Those who violate others' IP in SL shall be ejected from the estate. IP is a very serious issue with very real legal ramifications. If you copy-bot content that is not yours, you will be Abuse Reported, banned from the estate, and more than likely have a DMCA filed against you by the creator.
 +
 
 +
==== Content Blacklist & Endorsements ====
 +
We've taken on the endeavor of creating our [https://bit.ly/1LjITTr Content Blacklist & Endorsements].  This list is updated occasionally as time permits.  We encourage residents to buy content from the endorsements page of the spreadsheet, because we've determined with reasonable effort that they are legit creators.  We discourage residents from buying content on the blacklist, and will notify residents if they have content rezzed from the blacklist in their builds.  Previously, residents were required to removed blacklisted content.  Keeping this list up to date and enforcing this policy was exceptionally hard.  As such, we will instead notify residents and encourage them to make alternative purchases rather than force them to remove such content.
 +
 
 +
=== No Land Flipping ===
 +
To discourage the act of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flipping#Real_estate_flipping land flipping]: For one month from the "Claimed" date in "About Land", you may not sell your parcel for less than the purchase price.
 +
 
 +
=== Wastelands Game ===
 +
Do not use your land powers (such as ejecting of freezing) to affect other players playing the game.
 +
 
 +
=== Breedables, Farming Games, Etc. ===
 +
A breedable is a scripted object that produces offspring.  A farming game is similar to Farmville, but in Second Life.  Both are considered unthematic, no matter their appearances, and should be kept in private spaces.  Responsible resource usage is enforced.  If you're using too many region resources, you may be asked to remove such content.
 +
 
 +
=Enforcement=
 +
Management has over a decades' worth of experience helping people adapt and fit in to our community.  We work very hard to understand people and their situations, and always work towards solutions that work for both the tenant and management.
 +
 
 +
We're tasked with balancing what's best for our visitors and community with what's good for the estate.  Ultimately we want the general spirit of The Wastelands to be, "''Have a good time, and respect the people behind the avatars''".  At the same time, we need the flexibility to make judgement calls on topics and issues that might fall outside of what's covered here, or even in instances of "bending the rules".  Enforcement of our covenant is always interpreted as our perspective of the spirit of the rule, rather than the letter of the law.  Here are a few previous examples:
 +
*Someone might be very late with their tier, but they contacted us to let us know that their power supply in their PC exploded.  Rather than reclaim their land, in this instance we let them have overdue tier for a lot longer than the usual grace period.
 +
*A resident had banned a visitor from their parcel.  Instead of the visitor moving on, they chose to loiter just outside their land for many days. We saw this as a form of harassment and banned them from the estate.
 +
*A visitor is having graphic sex in the mud of The Great Fissure.  They were immediately ejected (not banned), and sent an IM explaining why they were ejected.
  
−
This policy is on a parcel per parcel basis.  For example, if you've lived at one place for over a year you'd have 7 days of grace before it was reclaimed.  But if you owned another piece of land for only 2 months, that would only have two days.
+
The estate itself is not a democracy: it is a privately owned place in Second Life -- but we work hard to meet the needs of the community.  Occasionally we've had to make unpopular choices with regard to estate operations.  We have a long history of being transparent and doing our best to explain why we took such actions, but we are not obligated to share such information.
  
−
== Covering Our Butts ==
+
If the need arises, we can and do eject, ban, and abuse report visitors and residents alike, especially for violating the [[Covenant#Estate_Wide_Rules|estate wide rules]]. If you feel you were unjustly banned from the estate, or you've changed your ways, you may appeal your ban directly to NeoBokrug Elytis.  If your ban is permanent, then it is '''permanent'''.
−
I want the general spirit of the estate to be, "Have a good time, and respect the people behind other avatars."  The management of The Wastelands is very forgiving and understanding, but some people in the past have chosen to repeatedly take advantage of that fact. In situations like these, where people will skirt technicalities and abuse our trust, we need the power to ban for whatever reason we see fit. That's not to say it comes lightly, but some people won't understand that unless you spell it out for them.  These are the fringe cases in which the person is causing more harm than good to the community and to those managing it.  
 
  
−
In the event where diplomacy fails, we retain the "right to refuse service to anyone" as pretty much any establishment has.  As such, we reserve the right to:
+
Finally, the estate reserves the right to reclaim any land and/or return any items, with or without a reason, and without a refund.  We also reserve the right to eject or ban avatars, with or without a reason.
−
*Change this covenant to accommodate situations that fall outside normal practices.
 
−
*Ban anyone for any reason or no reason.
 
−
*Return any object on the estate.
 
−
*Reclaim any land for any reason or no reason, without a refund.
 
  
−
== Special Thanks ==
+
= We'd like to thank... =
−
We'd like to thank...
+
*The growing and thriving community that is the Wastelands. Without you all, there wouldn't even be a Wastelands in Second Life. The tens of thousands of man-hours the community as a whole spends here clearly shows through our builds, events, and much more. We're so much more than an estate now; we're a huge community! I am forever grateful to each and every one of you who helped my initial idea flourish.
 
*The [[Management|Developers and Road Crew]] who help maintain the estate, both current and past.
 
*The [[Management|Developers and Road Crew]] who help maintain the estate, both current and past.
 
*Desmond Shang for your initial encouragement and words of wisdom that got the estate off the ground.
 
*Desmond Shang for your initial encouragement and words of wisdom that got the estate off the ground.
−
*[http://warrenellis.com/ Warren Ellis], for your initial word of mouth that helped the estate bloom.
+
*[http://warrenellis.com/ Warren Ellis], despite his flaws - for his initial word of mouth that helped the estate bloom.
−
*The growing and thriving community that is the Wastelands. Without you all, there wouldn't even be a Wastelands in Second Life. The tens of thousands of man hours the community as a whole spends here clearly shows through our builds, events, and much more. We're so much more than an estate now, we're a huge community represented through the estate. I am forever grateful to each and every one of you who helped my initial idea flourish.
 
 
*And finally, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Enough_at_Last Henry Bemis]. For your unending devotion to reading, even after the bomb fell.  
 
*And finally, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Enough_at_Last Henry Bemis]. For your unending devotion to reading, even after the bomb fell.  
 
[[Category:Land]]
 
[[Category:Land]]

Latest revision as of 12:03, 29 September 2023

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The Wastelands came into existence on January 17th, 2007, and is the oldest, largest, and longest-lasting Post-Apocalyptic themed estate in Second Life. It sustains itself through the efforts of our continually growing and evolving community of individuals who have a passion for the damaged and ruined landscape you see before you. In fact, around 95% of everything you see in The Wastelands is created by the residents who live here. If you're reading this, it's likely that you've just joined our community, or you're interested in joining our community.

Our estate also hosts casual role play, and some supplemental games that are both 100% opt-in. You don't need to role-play, play our games, or even dress in theme to visit. But because we host these additional activities, there a few rules that affect your land ownership here.

Estate Theme

The Wastelands is a themed estate in Second Life. That means everything that is built at ground level must have a certain post-apocalyptic look and feel to it. Much of the community feels there's a certain romanticism about a world where everything is ruined or old, and we want our builds to elicit that sense of ruin, desolation, and desperation.

Structures that have collapsed due to age, heavily weathered and nature overrun buildings, bombed out bunkers, and scrapped together makeshift homes would fit right in here. If you want to build a pristine beach house, a modern day military base, or even a skyscraper on our horizon -- perhaps The Wastelands isn't what you're looking for.

All content below 512 meters elevation is considered to be at "ground level", and must be built in a post-apocalyptic theme. In addition to thematic requirements, there are a few concepts we disallow:

  • There are no flying structures: they must be grounded, wrecked, or crashed. Thematically, no one has the know-how to make such fantastic devices.
  • Most structures should not be more than a few stories tall. Time, weather, and the lack of proper maintenance tend to topple things over.
  • No full-bright content or garish signs.

We know not everyone is a great builder, but as long as you're making an effort to build in theme, it's usually good enough.

Estate Wide Rules

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The following rules apply to all locations in The Wastelands and all avatars on the estate. They are intended to ensure that the estate itself makes its best efforts to follow the guidelines and policies of Second Life. The management of the estate enforces these guidelines at its own discretion:

Land

When you buy land in The Wastelands, you become a tenant of the estate and a contributing member of our community. The Wastelands are made of several regions that create a microcontinent in Second Life. The land of these regions is split up in to parcels and rented to its tenants.

Because we're a community and themed estate, there are rules and parcel settings that are required to keep the estate running smoothly. To start, the estate controls and overrides the following parcel settings:

  • Parcel Windlights are disabled.
  • Joining and Dividing Land is disabled.
  • Second Life Damage is disabled.
  • Certain regions have different terraform limits. (See below)

Public Spaces Rules

These rules for public spaces are intended to keep the public-facing estate non-divisive, and agnostic with regard to complex real world topics. Our community strives to be a place to escape from such controversies. As such, content and symbology that covers real world politics, real world religion, real world nationalism (including flags), or other real world hot-button issues is strictly forbidden from being rezzed out in public spaces.

All parcels at the ground level are considered to be public spaces. All stores at any elevation are public spaces. If a publicly accessible teleporter in a public space goes from one public space to another destination on the estate, that destination is also considered to be a public space.

Private Spaces Exemptions

A private space is a location above 512 m in the sky. These are generally exempt from the thematic build requirements. A private space can also be a non-thematic commercial store. If a private space is not a store, AND is in a fully enclosed skybox (a place where someone can't see inside from any angle), it may also be exempt from the Public Space Rules. All private spaces must still adhere to the Estate Wide Rules.

Parcel Settings Requirements

The Wastelands is an "open" estate that encourages all visitors to explore. We also host estate-wide games, where some scripted objects occasionally need to pass over your land. As such, certain parcel settings in the "About Land" menu must be set at all times by all tenants of the estate:

  • Parcel Options
    • "Object Entry" and "Run Scripts" must be enabled for Everyone.
    • "Avatars on other parcels can see and chat with avatars on this parcel" must be enabled.
  • Parcel Sound
    • "Enable Voice" must be enabled.
    • "Restrict Voice to this parcel" must be disabled.
  • Parcel Access
    • "Anyone can visit" must be enabled, and all other checkbox options must be disabled.
      • You may still ban individual avatars on a case by case basis; but please try to avoid banning other tenants.

While not required, it is recommended to have the Auto Return setting set to 15 minutes.

Stores

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As a resident you're allowed to have your own shop on your land, as long as it follows the other rules of this covenant. Shops must strictly follow the rules of this covenant.

Estate management may ask you to make changes to your shop if it's using an unfair amount of region resources. Spam (unsolicited group invites, messages, etc.) of any form is not allowed.

Perks

The Wastelands has plenty of reasons to stay here, but we're always working to add more. Here are some of the lesser-known perks the estate has to offer.

Experience Teleports

Free seamless experience-powered teleporters that work with our game are available to residents in good standing who've been here for at least a year. Once your build is complete, management can set up the teleporter objects on your land(s). You must be prepared to invite estate management to the group the land is set to, or have a group in common with management. Once your build is ready to go with both endpoints built, all that's needed is time to configure and place the teleporters.

The Dark Layer

For all regions except The Sand Seas and Burnt Oak, the elevations between 3000 meters and 3500 meters in the sky are the designated as the "Dark Layer". It has no day cycle and is always very dark. It's a space for residents to have basements, caves, sewer systems, and other locations that would benefit from complete darkness. Experience teleporters to the dark layer are available upon request and as time allows.

The Free Move Program

This program allows you to trade your parcel on the estate, for another estate owned parcel that is for sale. It takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, but does have a few requirements:

  • The Free Move Program does not apply during an estate land sale, or to new regions of the estate.
  • The parcel you are moving to must be for sale by NeoBokrug Elytis.
  • The parcel you are moving from must be cleared and ready to be reclaimed by the estate.
  • You must have owned the parcel you're moving from, for at least 4 weeks.
  • Parcels are moved at a one parcel to one other parcel. Remaining tier is not combined from multiple parcels into the parcel you move to.
  • Once you are moved, and if your destination parcel size is the same or smaller:
    • You must ensure your time on the new parcel has at least two weeks remaining before the due date. If it doesn't, you must make a tier payment.
  • If your destination parcel size is the larger than the parcel you're moving from:
    • You must ensure your time on the new parcel has at least four weeks remaining before the due date. If it doesn't, you must make a tier payment.

The Move Process:

  1. You clean up your existing parcel (but don't abandon it), pick out a parcel for sale, and notify NeoBokrug Elytis.
  2. The destination parcel is sold to you for L$0.
  3. NeoBokrug converts your remaining time as an L$ value, and applies that value as new remaining days on the destination parcel.
  4. Your old parcel is reclaimed by the estate.

Resident Referral & Discount Program

This program allows current residents to get a bit of a kickback for referring new residents or discounts from land purchases. To benefit from this program you MUST have been an existing landowner for at least one month at the time of the sale. The only eligible parcels are those that are owned by NeoBokrug and are for sale publicly. The amount of the referral or discount is the Land Impact (LI) that the parcel supports.

How to claim a referral or discount

In either event of a referral or a discount, NeoBokrug Elytis must be notified via an EMAIL within ONE hour by the buyer of the land; no exceptions. His email address can be found on his Second Life profile. The buyer must also state the system account name of who the referrer was. If it is your friend, they must list you. If you are buying more land to add to your holdings, you list yourself.

As an example; A parcel is for sale for L$3475 by NeoBokrug Elytis, and it supports 500 LI. You have lived here for a few months already, and you want to bring your friends to The Wastelands too. Your friend buys the land, and they send the appropriate referral email. Neo will then pay you L$500 as soon as reasonably possible. What you do with that is up to you!

This program is suspended during any land sale, any new region being added to the estate, and for any other region with a notice inworld.

Selling, Trading, & Gifting Your Land

All tenants are allowed to sell, trade, or gift their land to anyone -- as long as the parcel tier is not overdue. If your land is both for sale and overdue, it will be reclaimed immediately.

Wastelands Public Works

For as long as The Wastelands has existed, residents have been making and contributing free content for the estate to give away to the community that lives here. It consists of mostly build-kits, prefabs, texture sets, and much more -- with copy and modify permissions! As long as you're a current resident you can obtain this content completely free. Currently, it is in two locations. The first is The Heap, and the second is in the tier payment area.

Costs

Tier Rates
Land Impact / LI L$ Weekly* USD-Weekly
Homestead L$9683 $37.10
Outland - 307 L$700 $2.68
Outland - 580 L$1397 $5.38
Fringe- 250 L$680 $2.50
Fringe- 500 L$1360 $5.00
Desolate - 195 L$1087 $4.30
Plus - 234 L$326 $1.34
Plus - 263 L$387 $1.50
Plus - 351 L$506 $2.01
Plus - 468 L$665 $2.70
Plus - 527 L$766 $3.04
Plus - 702 L$1000 $4.05
Plus - 936 L$1331 $5.43
* L$ Prices are approximate

In order to keep your land, you must continue to make tier payments. All payments must be made in Linden Dollars to the Tier Payment board, or with the Tier Auto-Pay. If you are overdue with tier payments, your land will be reclaimed. We do have a grace period for late payments, which is covered in detail below. With proper notice and approval of estate management we allow tier to be overdue for longer periods of time.

All parcels that are sold by the estate owner (NeoBokrug Elytis) come with two weeks of tier. Parcels purchased from other tenants may have more or less time included. Always click the "Land For Sale Sign", or contact estate management to see what a parcels' due date is.

Tier Grace Period

Grace Period is the buffer time between when your land is overdue and when your land will be reclaimed. For every 4 weeks of consecutive occupancy after the initial land purchase date, you will be granted one day of grace period up to a maximum of 14 days. For example, if you've lived at one place for a year you'd have 13 days of grace before it was reclaimed. But if you owned another parcel for only 2 months, it would only have 2 days.

There is NO tier grace period for land that is both for sale and overdue.

Refunds

If you are a NEW resident who has purchased land from the estate, AND you have regrets about your purchase, you MAY request a refund WITHIN 12 HOURS of your purchase. At its sole discretion, the estate MIGHT grant a refund. If you've violated the Estate Wide rules, or if you're rude to the community or estate management, you won't be approved for a refund.

Beyond that -- all transactions are final, and THERE ARE NO REFUNDS!

Region Types

Over the years, the estate has grown and adapted to residents' needs, and, as such, different "types" of lands have been made available for residents. Each land type usually has a different cost associated with it. The following few paragraphs describe each type of land in detail.

Full Region Plus

Infrastructure is typically anchored onto very small parcels, and in some places roads and paths overlap onto resident land. Terraform limits are +/- 100 meters. Regions that belong to this type: The Wastelands and The Junkyard.

Double Prim Full Region Plus

Because half the regions' area is dedicated to infrastructure, larger infrastructure builds are present, and most parcel borders have no neighbors. Parcel sizes are about half of Full Region Plus, but prim counts are still the same. Terraform limits are +/- 100 meters. Regions that belong to this type: The Great Fissure, Fort Stygian.

Mid-Region Plus

Mid-Regions are a compromise between double prim and full regions. Parcels have more area than a double prim, and allow passage and more robust infrastructure between clusters of parcels. Terraform limits are +/- 30 meters. Regions that belong to this type: Malady Bog.

Homestead

Homesteads in The Wastelands are the same type of region that SL offers with 4948 LI and 20 avatar max capacity. The exception is that the estate has a small 32sqm plot (with 2 LI )) in a corner of the region to facilitate estate and game needs. The entire region is rented out to one avatar, and they are solely responsible for the tier. Residents must APPLY and be APPROVED to bring one of these regions online, and must have a well-thought-out build plan in hand. Terraform limits are +/- 100 meters. Regions that belong to this type: Cormac, The Rot, Bitter Ridge.

Outlands

Outlands are Homestead regions that allow several residents to live there. Infrastructure is sparse, but well-built. Except for homesteads, outland resident parcels are the largest in terms of area offered in the estate. There are only two sizes of parcels: one with 307 LI , and one with 580 LI. Tier is a little bit higher than normal, but your land is never directly in contact with your neighbors. Terraform limits are +/- 30 meters. Regions that belong to this type: Hambone Slough.

Fringes

Fringe regions are Homesteads that allow several residents to live there. Infrastructure is more developed than Outlands with 20% of total region capacity used for infrastructure. Parcel sizes are reasonable at 1024sqm with 250 LI, and 2048sqm with 500 LI -- and you should have no direct neighbors on your borders. Terraform limits are +/- 20 meters. Regions that belong to this type: North Yard.

Desolate

Desolate regions are perhaps the most unique in the estate. They leverage experience teleports to make the region appear ten times bigger than it actually is! This is done by "stacking levels" in the sky combined with a unique teleportation system at each region edge. Estate infrastructure is typically mirrored 32 meters off the edge of the region, so it seems seamless. Almost the whole region is made of infrastructure build, with small parcels made available to 8 residents. Each level is the size of a full region, with a landmark unique to it. Landmarks are more detailed infrastructure builds where the tenant lives. Tier prices for these parcels are a premium, but considering you have the surrounding 256 meters of a level built for you, as well as the landmark, and no neighbors within 400 meters of you, it's quite appealing to some! Regions that belong to this type: The Sand Seas.

The Region Hookup

If you plan on owning or already own your own region, and agree to certain conditions, you may have your region be adjacent to The Wastelands. You must:

  • Be in good standing with not only estate management, but the community of The Wastelands.
  • In writing, propose a detailed sim build plan for your region -- and have it approved by estate management.
  • In writing, develop an "escape plan" for in the event you have to leave, move, or abandon your region -- and have it approved by estate management.
  • Add all the current estate management as estate managers for your region.
  • Adopt the covenant of The Wastelands as your own.
  • Continue to own at least $10 a month worth of land in the main estate at all times, as a condition of the hookup.
  • Be ready to sign a real world contract.

You may NOT sublet lands of your region to others.

Encroachment

Depending on where you live, certain content is estate infrastructure, and may be encroaching over your borders. This is a feature.

If you share a parcel border with a neighbor, or a estate owned parcel that is for sale, you must not build walls or fences right up to the property line, and you must leave at least half a meter of free space between your build and the parcel border.

Tenants are allowed to encroach upon estate land in a limited capacity, as long as it does not "block the path", or prevent people from moving through public spaces. The idea is to add a little decorative flourish that might escape your parcel boundaries -- not to add a few meters to your fenced off areas. All of this is achieved by anchoring objects on to your land.

Tenants of The Sand Seas are encouraged to anchor out as far as they can on their respective levels.

All parcels are required to avoid terraforming within the last 2 meters before their borders.

Subletting Land

Estate Management must approve all requests to sublet land. At a minimum it requires one of the following: Owning at least 3750 primitives worth of tier, or renting a whole homestead from the estate.

Miscellaneous Policies

The kitchen sink of weird Second Life specific and Estate rules.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property will be honored in this estate. Those who violate others' IP in SL shall be ejected from the estate. IP is a very serious issue with very real legal ramifications. If you copy-bot content that is not yours, you will be Abuse Reported, banned from the estate, and more than likely have a DMCA filed against you by the creator.

Content Blacklist & Endorsements

We've taken on the endeavor of creating our Content Blacklist & Endorsements. This list is updated occasionally as time permits. We encourage residents to buy content from the endorsements page of the spreadsheet, because we've determined with reasonable effort that they are legit creators. We discourage residents from buying content on the blacklist, and will notify residents if they have content rezzed from the blacklist in their builds. Previously, residents were required to removed blacklisted content. Keeping this list up to date and enforcing this policy was exceptionally hard. As such, we will instead notify residents and encourage them to make alternative purchases rather than force them to remove such content.

No Land Flipping

To discourage the act of land flipping: For one month from the "Claimed" date in "About Land", you may not sell your parcel for less than the purchase price.

Wastelands Game

Do not use your land powers (such as ejecting of freezing) to affect other players playing the game.

Breedables, Farming Games, Etc.

A breedable is a scripted object that produces offspring. A farming game is similar to Farmville, but in Second Life. Both are considered unthematic, no matter their appearances, and should be kept in private spaces. Responsible resource usage is enforced. If you're using too many region resources, you may be asked to remove such content.

Enforcement

Management has over a decades' worth of experience helping people adapt and fit in to our community. We work very hard to understand people and their situations, and always work towards solutions that work for both the tenant and management.

We're tasked with balancing what's best for our visitors and community with what's good for the estate. Ultimately we want the general spirit of The Wastelands to be, "Have a good time, and respect the people behind the avatars". At the same time, we need the flexibility to make judgement calls on topics and issues that might fall outside of what's covered here, or even in instances of "bending the rules". Enforcement of our covenant is always interpreted as our perspective of the spirit of the rule, rather than the letter of the law. Here are a few previous examples:

  • Someone might be very late with their tier, but they contacted us to let us know that their power supply in their PC exploded. Rather than reclaim their land, in this instance we let them have overdue tier for a lot longer than the usual grace period.
  • A resident had banned a visitor from their parcel. Instead of the visitor moving on, they chose to loiter just outside their land for many days. We saw this as a form of harassment and banned them from the estate.
  • A visitor is having graphic sex in the mud of The Great Fissure. They were immediately ejected (not banned), and sent an IM explaining why they were ejected.

The estate itself is not a democracy: it is a privately owned place in Second Life -- but we work hard to meet the needs of the community. Occasionally we've had to make unpopular choices with regard to estate operations. We have a long history of being transparent and doing our best to explain why we took such actions, but we are not obligated to share such information.

If the need arises, we can and do eject, ban, and abuse report visitors and residents alike, especially for violating the estate wide rules. If you feel you were unjustly banned from the estate, or you've changed your ways, you may appeal your ban directly to NeoBokrug Elytis. If your ban is permanent, then it is permanent.

Finally, the estate reserves the right to reclaim any land and/or return any items, with or without a reason, and without a refund. We also reserve the right to eject or ban avatars, with or without a reason.

We'd like to thank...

  • The growing and thriving community that is the Wastelands. Without you all, there wouldn't even be a Wastelands in Second Life. The tens of thousands of man-hours the community as a whole spends here clearly shows through our builds, events, and much more. We're so much more than an estate now; we're a huge community! I am forever grateful to each and every one of you who helped my initial idea flourish.
  • The Developers and Road Crew who help maintain the estate, both current and past.
  • Desmond Shang for your initial encouragement and words of wisdom that got the estate off the ground.
  • Warren Ellis, despite his flaws - for his initial word of mouth that helped the estate bloom.
  • And finally, Henry Bemis. For your unending devotion to reading, even after the bomb fell.
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