LL contacted me:

Hi, Dackedidi.

We spoke a while back about your concerns over whether the Profile Picks Rewards System is in compliance with Linden Lab's policies, and I said I'd get back to you before we took any action on the issue. Thanks for being proactive about this. I really appreciated your concern for the overall health of Second Life and your interest in being a part of the long-term success of the platform.

Yesterday, I published further clarifications that reiterate link-farming and machine-based rank inflation programs are violations of our policy. In this previous statement, we made it clear that any attempt to unfairly increase Search ranking, regardless of how it is achieved, is a violation of our Search policies (see also). Our enforcement on this issue will be stepped up over the next month, including changes in the algorithm for Picks ranking and taking action against accounts that engage in search-gaming activities.

What this means for you specifically is that we will no longer allow the PPRS system to be sold on XStreetSL, and we need you to disable the system in order to keep your Second Life account active.

We will take no action against the accounts of your former customers, however, these Residents may begin to notice that their rank may change in Search due to changes in Picks weighting.

We recognize this impacts your business, and we'd like to work with you on a reasonable timeline and transition plan. Your entrepreneurial spirit is admirable, and I hope to see you continue to evolve as a successful business person in Second Life.

Let's meet as soon as possible to work out a plan. Colossus Linden will also join us so that he can answer any XStreetSL questions you may have. Our next available time to talk with you is Mon, Jan 11 at noon PDT. Would that work for you? If not, please propose some alternate times.

Thanks for your understanding. I look forward to talking with you.
Liana Linden

our answer:

Dear Liana,

with deep regret and also lots of concerns I received your message
about the future of my PPRS system. Let me assure you that of course I
will comply to all requests made. However I would like to discuss and
clarify certain aspects. Due to timezone differences I can not attend
the suggested live conversation on January 11th and would therefore
suggest that we discuss the next steps via email.

Please allow me to give you a short overview about the PPRS as it is today:
- 500 different places use the PPRS system, among those many major
labels in SL like Sintimacy, Alessandra, Earth & Sky, Indyra
Originals, Alyssa Bijoux, Skandalou's, Right!, MyFashion, Luxus,
Jaqueline Beamount just to name a few
- each day, we have approximately 10.000 payments to unique, active residents
- among the users of the system are many new users, whose retention
rate PPRS increases, as well as long-time active community members
- within the past 30 days we had 34.000 unique residents receiving payments

As you can see, PPRS is one of the largest community projects in SL.
The user base is in active dialogue with each other and with the
place-owners, and users of the system get encouraged to explore Second
Life and visit new places. The participating merchants report of
increased sales due to new residents finding their venues. Even
without the effect on Search placement,PPRS is an important marketing
tool for content creators.

Regarding the procedure I have several questions:

1) I would like to discuss the option of a transitional period in
order to shut the system gracefully down and avoid trouble with both
the place-owners usingPPRS and - more important - the payment
recipients. I need time to inform the users of the impending changes
and phase the system out. Please let me know your intendedtimeframe,
and I would hope for a constructive and open-spirited discussion on
the phasing out timeframe.

2) I need a guarantee from Linden Lab against claims of damage and
retaliation from users. The system has been sold well over 1000
timesinworld and on XStreet SL . Apart of that, there is also already
booked and paid for ad impressions on the associated HUD. Potential
claims of damage can't be fulfilled by me. I also fear that despite
complying to your requests, angry users might file abuse reports
against me. I need a guarantee from Linden Lab that those abuse
reports will NOT lead to me getting banned fromSL.

3) As the major profile pick management system, I have a good overview
about the competing systems in SL. Can I expect that all competing
systems will have to terminate their services as well? What about
online-services like slbiz2life.com which allow you to book profile
picks without the need of an inworld system? Can Linden Lab guarantee
that those services will shut down as well? What about groups offering
raffles whose sole purpose is pick farming? Can I rightfully expect
that all businesses will be treated the same and that it is not just
my business that has to suffer while "smaller fish" are able to
continue their business unharmed?

4) Finally I want to mention that I have spent not only a significant
amount of development work into the system, but also have committed to
long term obligations for example for server hosting, which will have
to be paid by me even after PPRS has to be shut down. I would like to
discuss potential ways to adapt/change PPRS in a way that it still
complies with any new regulations you want to implement. We have the
joint goal to enhance the Search experience for the users and are open
to cooperate in any way. We could even imagine a way that Linden Lab
incorporates parts of our proven and reliable system as integral part
of the Search functionality. We haveacquired quite a lot of knowledge
about the usage of the SL -Search in the past and about resident
expectations (and especially problems and obstacles new users face)
that a knowledge and technology transfer will be beneficial to Linden
Lab. We are open to every sensible cooperation offer.

I would like to thank you once again for the open and constructive
atmosphere in which this conversation has taken place so far. Again I
want to highlight that I will abide to any final decision made by you,
but I hope the issues I raised will find consideration on your behalf.

I am looking forward to our reply!

Yours, Dackedidi Miles (Dieter Klepp) & Lux Haller
Derbfactory Scriptstore #1 / Haller & Miles / Luxus

thank you for your idea to create the pprs

LG, BanditSoft  http://slbot.bettersoft.de 

LL want to ban profiel pics ??! this is crazy when such practises as allowing bots for example, is considered normal, LL keep your hands of profile pic rewards, it encourages traffic and boosts sales !!

Nehemiah Rookstown