Philip Rosedale
Encyclopedia
Philip Rosedale is an American entrepreneur
, best known as the creator of the virtual world
Second Life
. Within the Second Life metaverse
, his avatar
is known as Philip Linden.
In 2008 Rosedale was honored at the 59th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Award
s for Linden Lab’s creation of the Second Life online world.
from an early age. He started his own company selling database systems to small businesses at 17, used the proceeds to fund his college education and ultimately earned a bachelor of science
degree in physics from the University of California
at San Diego
.
In 1995, Rosedale created an innovative Internet video conferencing product (called "FreeVue"), which was later acquired by RealNetworks
, where (in 1996) he went on to become Vice President and chief technology officer.
In 1999, Rosedale left RealNetworks and founded Linden Lab
which was named after a street in Hayes Valley. The creation of the metaverse
Second Life
fulfilled his lifelong dream of creating an internet scale virtual world.
In 2006, he and Linden Lab received WIRED's Rave Award for Innovation in Business.
On March 14, 2008, Rosedale announced he will be stepping down as the CEO of Linden Lab
, and assuming the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors (coincidentally exactly 6 years to the day from the "birth" of his avatar).
Rosedale had stated that his goal with Second Life
was to demonstrate a viable model for a virtual economy
or virtual society. In his own words: "I'm not building a game. I'm building a new continent."
In October 2009, Rosedale announced that he'd be less involved in the development of Second Life, while focusing on a new project. The announced project turned out to be a company named LoveMachine Inc, founded with Ryan Downe
.
In June 2010, he announced that he is back to the office as CEO of Linden Lab. However in October 2010, Rosedale announced he was leaving his position of interim CEO.
Philip Rosedale is married to Yvette Forte Rosedale.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, best known as the creator of the virtual world
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
Second Life
Second Life
Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
. Within the Second Life metaverse
Metaverse
The Metaverse is our collective online shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual space, including the sum of all virtual worlds, augmented reality, and the internet...
, his avatar
Avatar (computing)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
is known as Philip Linden.
In 2008 Rosedale was honored at the 59th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Award
Technology & Engineering Emmy Award
A Technology and Engineering Emmy Award is given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in technical or engineering development...
s for Linden Lab’s creation of the Second Life online world.
Biography
Rosedale took an interest in computers, technology, and virtual realityVirtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
from an early age. He started his own company selling database systems to small businesses at 17, used the proceeds to fund his college education and ultimately earned a bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in physics from the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
at San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
In 1995, Rosedale created an innovative Internet video conferencing product (called "FreeVue"), which was later acquired by RealNetworks
RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc. is a provider of Internet media delivery software and services based in Downtown Seattle, Washington, United States. The company is the creator of RealAudio, a compressed audio format; RealVideo, a compressed video format; RealPlayer, a media player; RealDownloader, a download...
, where (in 1996) he went on to become Vice President and chief technology officer.
In 1999, Rosedale left RealNetworks and founded Linden Lab
Linden Lab
Linden Research, Inc., d/b/a Linden Lab, is a privately held American Internet company that is best known as the creator of Second Life....
which was named after a street in Hayes Valley. The creation of the metaverse
Metaverse
The Metaverse is our collective online shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual space, including the sum of all virtual worlds, augmented reality, and the internet...
Second Life
Second Life
Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
fulfilled his lifelong dream of creating an internet scale virtual world.
In 2006, he and Linden Lab received WIRED's Rave Award for Innovation in Business.
On March 14, 2008, Rosedale announced he will be stepping down as the CEO of Linden Lab
Linden Lab
Linden Research, Inc., d/b/a Linden Lab, is a privately held American Internet company that is best known as the creator of Second Life....
, and assuming the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors (coincidentally exactly 6 years to the day from the "birth" of his avatar).
Rosedale had stated that his goal with Second Life
Second Life
Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
was to demonstrate a viable model for a virtual economy
Virtual economy
A virtual economy is an emergent economy existing in a virtual persistent world, usually exchanging virtual goods in the context of an Internet game...
or virtual society. In his own words: "I'm not building a game. I'm building a new continent."
In October 2009, Rosedale announced that he'd be less involved in the development of Second Life, while focusing on a new project. The announced project turned out to be a company named LoveMachine Inc, founded with Ryan Downe
Ryan Downe
Ryan Downe is an American musician and audio engineer. His debut album The Hypocrite was released in 1996 by Elton John's Rocket Records label. Downe opened for The Who and for Iggy Pop during their 1997 tours. Later he and his guitarist Johannes Luley opened Freudenhaus Recording Studio in San...
.
In June 2010, he announced that he is back to the office as CEO of Linden Lab. However in October 2010, Rosedale announced he was leaving his position of interim CEO.
Philip Rosedale is married to Yvette Forte Rosedale.
Media
- Business 2.0, How to Succeed in 2007, Philip Rosedale Founder and CEO, Linden Lab, Discover the Real-Life Take-Away in Virtual Economies
- In 2007, Rosedale was listed among Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World.
External links
- Philip Rosedale's profile at Linden Lab
- Philip Rosedale Podcast and Video interview at iinnovate
- Philip Rosedale's interview with netmag.co.uk 08/02/2007
- How I Did It: By Philip Rosedale. As told to Michael Fitzgerald at Inc.com
- FORA.tv Presentation by Philip Rosedale for "The Long Now Foundation"
- LoveMachine Inc.
- SLCC10 - Saturday Keynotes
- - Foundation interview with Kevin Rose, story of his life and new venture, a co-working space.