Orhalla Zander: Well, the Hobos have expanded. We originated from Calleta's Hobo Railroad Info Hub. The group grew rather large and though various efforts I found and gone through several supporters for a Hobo Island.

Voodoo Buwan: So, expanding all the time then. What were the reasons for this need for more land?

Orhalla Zander: More elbow room and well deserved abilities. A group of 1,000 members need some breathing space. We wanted a larger area to welcome new people into Second Life. We joined the RHN, Resident Help Network for SL, so we tried to join another orientation development program called the NUE, New User Experience. Also, at this time our free ride with our new island was running near an end with MillionsOfUs, so I was looking for alternative means to get the Island paid for. Despite a wonderful list of all the the concepts and implements we placed on our new Island to enhance the NUE, the Lindens simply turned us down because they wanted a place that looked like an island resort or a castle. Apparently, there's not enough of that in sl already.

Voodoo Buwan: Fear of the unfamiliar?

Orhalla Zander: Yes, they were afraid that our mild dystopia would be too much away from their norm for a new user to take in. They felt it should be a paradise that they log into after a long day of work. Fortunately, some people enjoy dystopias. There's the Wastelands, New Babbages, and several cyber punk cities that are far more dystrophic than our island. We are finding clever ways to make it colorful, graffiti murals, whimsical jokes like writing on the bathroom wall that says, "For a Good Time Call *insert LL # here."

Voodoo Buwan: Nice. Now, as we all know, a year is a very long time in SL. Have any of the big changes such as age verification or the recent openspace crisis impacted on you or your group?

Orhalla Zander: Nope.

Voodoo Buwan: Ok then, on a different subject, the hobo group seems very driven by sharing, with members giving out free examples of their work. There's a been a lot written by some sl bloggers saying that freebies are damaging to the sl economy. What is your feeling on this issue?

Orhalla Zander: A pretty good laugh, I don't think it affects the sl economy on a large scale. We are a very opensource group, but it's not like our freebies have made SLOFT sell any less or land rentals go down. If anything any of the good stuff we put out there should inspire sellers to put more effort into their work that they actually sell. Making freebies is also a good way for one to get their name out there. Arcardia Asylum is a wonderful example.

Voodoo Buwan: So, it's more of a way for new designers to get their name out there, and a challenge to existing designers not to become complacent?

Orhalla Zander: That's not our goal, just a side effect of being friendly builders that share.

Voodoo Buwan: True. So, that was the year that was. To quote the occasionally sighted Linden Quiz: Would you say your inworld experience has been better or worse in the last year?

Orhalla Zander: Takes a moment to reflect.... It's always gotten better on this bumpy gravel road.

Voodoo Buwan: Well, that's good to hear. Any plans for the future of the might Hobo Empire that you're able to share with us?

Orhalla Zander: Well, as I said, luckily some people like our "dystopia" or an Island. Rezzable is going to fund our Hobo Island in exchange for us doing what we do, being a very welcoming group whom will be greeting newbies on Rezzable's behalf. My whole vision that I've shared with my group is to make our Island a very welcoming place with newbies that will get exposed to new ways of welcoming people. A more social, interactive, and explorative way.

Voodoo Buwan: But there's no danger Hobo Island will become "Pay to Visit" like some of the Rezzable attractions?

Orhalla Zander: Rezzable and I sat down and discussed mutual terms. We don't want to be pay to visit, nor do we want any stores on our island. Events where things are sold is quite alright and we'll also carry out our plan to make Hobo Island one of the first islands that will be completely full mod and originally created. I still get a kick out of thinking about the fact.... we're SecondLife Hobos.... one large company sponsoring us after another. Literally, if they weren’t hobos before they are definitely tramps now.

Voodoo Buwan: Well, sounds really promising then. I'll look forward to seeing more, and maybe even doing this again. Thanks for taking the time to bring us up to date.