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| Image Courtesy GSS - Photograph by Geena Carminucci |
In our real lives, safety is of utmost importance. We all deserve to live our days feeling
secure in whatever we do, and wherever we are.
The same holds true for Second Life.
Although we may think that SL is only a pixilated virtual
world in which we live in total safety, many individuals will contest this is
simply untrue. Virtual worlds hold many
similarities to real life, and while in many cases an individual can simply log
off in the event of harassment or virtual violence, personal security is still
an issue.
Second Life is made to parallel real life in many
ways. These parallels also include
negative actions such as stalking, bullying, sexual harassment, verbal and
psychological abuse, and terroristic threats against a human being. It can also include actions against one’s
personal property and business. It is
possible to feel victimized via a virtual platform, and sometimes, depending on
the seriousness of the issue, it can affect one's real life as well.
This brings me to the matter of the measures that can be
implemented as a preventative means to combat potential threats. What many SL residents may not be aware of is
that there are services out there to aid
in guarding individuals, sims, businesses, and events from various kinds of
virtual safety issues.
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| Image Courtesy GSS & Zanze - Photograph by Geena Carminucci |
The ZanZe Sims have recently teamed up with Ghost's
Security Services in efforts to make the ZanZe community a safer place to live,
work, shop, and have fun. Run by
Ghost Evermore and Naila Summerwind, the couple provides a comprehensive
list of services to ensure the safety of anyone needing a reliable security
system. I sat down with Ghost and
Naila to talk to them about what they have done for ZanZe, what kinds of
services they provide, and more about how their company came to be.
IN: Alright...I hope I haven’t written too many
questions for you, I don’t want to take up all your time...lol
GE: Not a problem :)
NS: He likes to talk, so he'll be thrilled *lol
GE: Facepalms
IN: So I would
like to start off by thanking you again for this opportunity to interview you
both for the ZanZe Blog! It's perfect if he likes to talk, then I can't be
blamed for too many questions right? lol
GE: don't
believe what Naila says ... I'll be lucky to get a word in edgeways ! ;)
NS: O
NS: M
NS: G
IN: hahaha
GE: :)
NS: You'll see
India *lol
IN: I am
loving this interview already. :) First, let's talk a bit about how Ghost's
Security Services began. What was your motivation to begin GSS, and how long
has your company been around?
NS: I'll let
him answer that, since he began GSS before me :-)
GE: OK ...
well as you may know I used to work for SafeAssist ...
GE: One of my
tasks was weapon and equipment procurement ...
GE: So it was
from there I had the idea or brainstorm .. of developing it further ...
GE: It started
in July last year as a side business with a small shop ...
GE: Just
reselling weapons etc ...
GE: and then developed
to the large Main Store we have now ...
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| GSS Mainstore - Photograph by India Nadeau |
GE: in January
...
GE: we have
introduced many "equipment packages and services" that we offer
clients and it seems to be going really well, as we saw a gap in the SL market
that people seem to want.
GE: Security
is a necessity ...
IN: Oh
definitely, it is.
GE: But
initially people only want it when something has happened to them that is bad
...
GE: We are
trying to bridge the gap and make a preventative statement and offer protection
before it's too late.
GE: (I'll shut
up now lol )
IN: That is a
great thing to do though...it usually is best to use preventative means before
something bad really does happen.
NS: Yes,
India, we are trying to encourage our customers to take the preventative
measures to keep from getting in a bad situation
NS: How to
stop the trouble before it begins.
IN: Great! Now
part of the next set of questions has already been touched on, but Ghost, I
read on the GSS blog a bit about your background in working with security in
SL, as well as your professional occupation in RL. Can you tell me about how
this background has benefitted your skills in providing these types of services
and creating your company in SL?
GE: well the
RL theory works the same in SL to an extent. My background in security was
initially in the military, and then I ended up as a Security Consultant for a
private firm ...
GE: Logically
I should have been a stripper or escort in SL instead of doing my RL job I
guess lol ...
IN: Hahaha
GE: but the
theory works ....
GE: In RL we
ascertain what the client wants with regards to security ...
GE: what they
are trying to prevent ...
GE: what their
land or property is ...
GE: any weak
spots etc ...
GE: and we
fill out ridiculous amounts of paperwork and make many maps and diagrams etc
...
GE: Greenpeace
would have a field day!
GE: in SL ...
GE: it's the
same minus the reams of paperwork ...
GE: although
we do email reports and surveys etc to clients if they wish as notecards suck.
IN: Notecards
do suck...I so agree!
[14:29] IN:
lol
[14:29] GE: :)
hell yeah
[14:29] IN:
There should be an integrated word processor feature in SL. lolol
[14:30] NS:
god that would be nice *lol
IN:
Ok...another multi-part question...because I love writing them...lol
IN: This
question is for Naila, what is your role in GSS? What are your main duties? I
understand you have quite a high level of experience working with SL
businesses. How has this or any RL experience benefitted your skills in working
with GSS?
NS: Well, as
far as the security side, I did do a short stint with SafeAssist and learned
quite a bit between my work there and learning from Ghost. I also bring a bit
of knowledge and understanding from our customers' side, having played SL for a
while now and seen what the typical resident goes through
NS: I think
that I can safely say that about 70% of the residents that come to us are
female, so having the female perspective is important.
NS: The other
side of it is that I have a pretty extensive business and marketing background
NS: in RL and
in SL
NS: So, I
think that the best things I bring to GSS is that business and marketing
experience, and the ability to relate to our clients and what they are going
through.
IN: In all
seriousness though...it is excellent that you, Naila, can bring the female
perspective to the table as well as your business and marketing knowledge. It
sounds like together you have a very strong and well rounded team here. :)
IN: What are
the basic services you provide for your customers?
GE: We work
really together ... Naila has a superb business head and will often see things
I don't, or new approaches etc ...
GE: Between us
we developed our own intranet for keeping track of all our inventory, client
database and contacts etc, as well as diary management ... so it helps our organization
and ability to keep track of everything and provide a true professional service
...
GE: The basic
services range from:
GE: a simple
review of the land or property, and advising the client on the best type of
equipment to use
GE: right the
way up to multi-sim business users, a full written report and assistance with
equipment selection, installation and also we even offer monthly and lifetime equipment
support.
IN: It
certainly sounds like you have a fantastic way of organizing your entire
business and determining and assessing client needs.
NS: Well, we
try. The main goal is to gear our services to the specific client needs
NS: so we are
always tweaking packages and most of our services can be customized to specific
needs.
IN: So there
is a package that will suit pretty much anyone?
NS:
absolutely, none of our packages are set in stone. Having worked for a variety
of businesses in SL, from land management to shopping sims, to clubs, we fully
recognize that every client may be faced with different requirements.
NS: So our
listed packages are an example for our customers.
IN: Awesome.
That really is a great way to offer maximum customer service!
IN: Are the
majority of your customers individuals or businesses?
GE: We have a
fair mix of both ... during the start up phase of the business, we kind of
relied on established contacts such as ZanzE, Blizzard Estates and friends ... but
now word seems to be getting out and residents are coming to us on referral
which is great. Our aim is to be the specialized security equipment dealer of choice
...
GE: We also
have a good working relationship with many of the creators ...
GE: Often we
suggest modifications based on a client need, and in the main the creators
accommodate us because it's in theirs - and our interest to support the client.
IN:
Right...very nice. :)
NS: India, I
think what makes us different than many shops that specialize in security
equipment is that we take the extra effort to know the equipment we sell and
can offer instruction and support to our clients.
NS: There is
nothing worse than purchasing a piece of equipment and then having trouble
using it.
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| A selection of HUDs at GSS - Photograph by India Nadeau |
NS: Yes, and
we want our clients to know more than just the basics of operating the systems,
we want them to know how to best use it to their advantage to make their SL
safe.
IN: I think
that is one thing that really has stood out to me in talking to Zzoie and
looking at your website. You have had awesome reviews and appear to be very
very hands on and thorough in catering to your clientele and what they need.
GE: thanks
India, and that's the exact approach we try to make ... we try not to do a
"hard sell" on a client ... many times we've actually said "stop
- you don't need that" lol ...
GE: But when
we start a job, we take it seriously ....
GE: After all
... a client may be paying us with L$ ...
IN: It shows
you really care about others and their safety, and that is extremely refreshing
in this virtual world.
GE: but the
Lindens come from hard earned real life money ...
GE: so we have
an obligation to do our level best for them.
NS: We are
pretty proud when a client comes back satisfied with what we've done.
IN: You should
be proud! You are protecting us from evil doers...lol. :)
GE: lol ...
that's the problem with SL... the axis of evil will hide behind anonymity ...
GE: and
because there is money involved in SL ...
IN: Attention
that you give to your customers is definitely appreciated, that is clear.
GE: The
criminal fraternity pay attention ...
GE: so anonymity
and criminality make a potent enemy ...
GE: and LL
themselves don't seem to offer any real assistance, so we are here to try and
provide that missing link.
NS: Again, it
all relates right back to RL, the same "evil" exists only it is
covered by the anonymity that SL gives them.
GE: As I said
before ... prevention is the best possible form of defense
GE: against
the axis of evil.
NS: India,
that's why we branched out a bit from just direct sales to adding the services.
NS: There are
so many things that SL residents can do or not do to prevent some of the things
that happen.
NS: We try to
offer them guidance in those areas as well.
IN: Well,
thank you for working hard to provide that missing link. I am also curious
about the most common types of violations you have come across. What are the
most common types of security violations GSS encounters?
GE: It can
vary completely ... the most common I guess would be uninvited visitors to a
client's land or house etc ...
IN: lol...we
have all had that one happen.
GE: Having
some stranger appear in your bedroom at an inopportune moment can have an off-putting
effect ;) ...
GE: Also business
owners want to protect their assets ...
GE: and
prevent known troublemakers accessing their land...
GE: something
the normal LL provided facilities are unable to achieve.
IN: True.
GE: The reason
they come to us is for broad reasons ...
GE: from
simply wanting to stay safe .. to someone who may have had issues such as
stalking in the past ... and wants to lock themselves down
IN: So now, I
would like to talk a little bit about how you have helped ZanZe...
IN: When your
services were requested for ZanZe, describe the process you went through to
determine the services needed by the sim as well as the services you have provided
to enhance ZanZe security levels.
GE: Well
obviously there is a client confidentiality issue here ... so I can’t go into
specifics ... but I can tell you the process which is the same for all clients
basically ...
GE: Zzoie
approached us to recommend and check her security ...
GE: We looked
at the whole estate ... and it was interesting because it consists of ...
GE:
residential, commercial and private areas ...
GE: so that in
itself proved a challenge ...
IN: Right...
GE: Once we
had decided on the best equipment ..
GE: we
completed an in depth report, outlying several cost options ...
GE: and when
Zzoie decided on the package she wanted, we assisted to install it with her ...
GE: once it
was installed, there is what we call a 'bedding-in period' ...
GE: where the
systems are effectively soak tested to make sure they work as advertised and
don't conflict ...
GE: and any
bugs to operating procedures, staff issues etc are ironed out ...
GE: When done,
and the client is happy, and all is working well, including training staff on
the systems ... then we can call it mission complete.
GE: But we are
always there to offer guidance etc .. and there is extra support available without
monthly and lifetime services as well.
IN: Very nice!
I know sometimes it is hard at first getting used to a new system and how it
operates...
NS: Exactly.
NS: And the
bottom line on what we do is this
NS: When LL
created SL they made the TOS or Terms of Service for every user
NS: however,
as we all see quite often they fail miserably at upholding residents to this
TOS.
NS: Thus
entered a group of absolutely brilliant creators that made systems to help
residents prevent these violators of TOS from spoiling their SL
NS: and our
goal is to make sure resident know what is available and how to use it.
IN: I am sure
many more people once they find out about what you offer, they will be
contacting you right away.
IN: Otherwise,
in SL, we are more or less left to fend for our own safety
GE: That's
true unfortunately ... LL only care about receiving resident's linden (
allegedly lol ) ... we are there to help people stay safe and provide them with
quality security equipment designed and customized to their specific needs,
which will enable them to maintain their privacy and SL lifestyles without
harassment
IN: Ok, last
question...
IN: What do
you both see for the future of GSS?
GE: Global
domination of the SL security market ;)
IN: lol
NS: I think we
both would love to see GSS grow to be the premier security and equipment
organization in SL.
NS: We want
people to know what we provide and how it can enhance their SL experience.
GE: Ideally ..
I’d love to see GSS ...
GE: become
like Naila said ...
GE: the place
where people come for equipment and preventative advice ...
GE: and also
re [regarding] our blog ...
GE: a place
they go to read interviews with creators, product reviews ...
NS: Told you
he'd type war and peace before we were done xD
GE: and then
have creators asking US to be included :)
IN: Well, that
was a great rendition of War and Peace. Haha. :)
IN:
Kidding...Really, this interview has been very informative and anyone reading
it will be more informed about SL security measures too.
GE: I hope so
India :)
IN: You both
are great people to have in Second Life, and I hope GSS is really going to be
the biggest security business on the grid.
NS: Thank you
India, that would be great :-)
GE: Many
thanks for that India :) now how much do I owe you for saying that again?
IN: Hahahaha
NS: Ahahahaa
IN: Check the
contract...jk. lolol
GE: I did ...
I have the brown M&Ms on the table ;)
IN: lmao
It was truly a pleasure getting to know the forces behind
GSS, as well as how they approach making SL a more secure place to be. Anyone who employs their services will get
the best and most complete care from Ghost and Naila and the duo will stop
at nothing to ensure customers are happy with the outcome they receive.
Whether you need security for your home or business, GSS
can tailor something specifically for your needs. Their mainstore offers security equipment and
gadgets, as well as a selection of weapons and HUDs for fun and role-play as
well.
Take more control over your safety in Second Life—Ghost’s
Security Services will have you prepared in no time!
For more information, check out the GSS website, drop by
the store, or contact Ghost Evermore or Naila Summerwind directly.
GSS Store SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/McKindred%20Isle/128/105/21
