What is OpenSim?
“OpenSimulator, often referred to as OpenSim, is an open source server for hosting virtual worlds similar to Second Life. OpenSimulator uses libsecondlife to handle communication between the client and server, so it is possible to connect to an OpenSim server using the Linden Lab Second Life client. Other clients for Second Life are also interoperable, since Second Life and Opensim use the same communication protocols. ” – WiKi
So OpenSim is a really nice way to have even your own grid if you are a nice Software Developer.
You can find nice Grids, like 3rd Rock Grid (the best website i found yet, that has all kind of info you need to know), what is so amazing is the Region pricing
Region Types:
3xRegion – 3x (45,000) Prim Region – 65536sq.m.
$25.00 initial purchase Plus 1st month tier of $65.00
Then each following month just $65.00 per month.2xRegion – 2x (30,000) Prim Region – 65536sq.m.
$25.00 initial purchase Plus 1st month tier of $55.00
Then each following month just $55.00 per month.1xRegion – 1x (15,000) Prim Region – 65536sq.m.
$25.00 initial purchase Plus 1st month tier of $45.00
Then each following month just $45.00 per month..5xRegion – 1/2 (7,500) Prim Region – 65536sq.m.
$25.00 initial purchase Plus 1st month tier of $25.00
Then each following month just $25.00 per month..25xRegion – 1/4 (3,750) Prim Region – 65536sq.m.
$25.00 initial purchase Plus 1st month tier of $16.00
Then each following month just $16.00 per month.WaterRegion – Water Only – 1000 Prim Region – 65536sq.m.
$10.00 initial purchase Plus 1st month tier of $9.00
Then each following month just $9.00 per month.These Prices effective: 8/22/2008
So even a 45.000 prim region is cheaper than the 750 Prim OpenSpace sim, the .25 Region that would be like a Homestead (3750 Prims) costs 1 USD more than what you’d pay for a 2048sq.m. land (468 Prim) so you’ll say what’s the trick, why are they so cheap?! firstly i would say, no idea, maybe LL is overpricing, but thats because in SL you have a lot of protection against people stealing your objects and a lot of other things, so SL still rocks for his 295 USD compared to the 45 one because there is your inventory your friends, and other things, but YAY it would be cool to have a nice sandbox away from SL, with 45.000 Prims, but i think that’s too much for a private sandbox.
Why do I prefer to buy when I can make something?
For me going shopping is a really nice ritual , i explore several stores compare prices and quality and than i buy them, these are some nice reason why i prefer to buy something instead of building it:
- I always find a nice surprise that makes me say “WOW” about that product, that are some things you cant build because if you did you would already know the secret.
- If you spend 40 hours building something, you really don’t want to hear about it 2 months.
- Because you spent some money on that product you wont want to get bored of that product for a longer time.
- They are a lot of talented people that make things you may not do them so well as them. (like those very high prim cars etc.)
- You can spend that hours with your Friends / family or exploring.
. It was founded by 
