Unit-testers FTW
Filed under: Bugs, News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds
During the afternoon and evening today, a number of new Second Life last-names have appeared in the public account registration list. The names are of the form UnitTest<something> (the something appears to be a random dictionary word). There appear to be as many as a couple hundred of these last names, in addition to the regular list.
The names are apparently intended for internal use by scripts, though now over a hundred users have signed up with these new last names. It seems to be a mistake, and we think we know how it might have happened.
Linden Lab has a registration API which allows participants to host a Second Life signup system of their own. It is also used as a part of custom surnames, which can be leased from Linden Lab.
These custom last-names and access to the registration interface are tied to an authorizing account. The names available to that account's registration system are any custom last names they have, plus the public list of last names.
What we think has taken place is that the UnitTest____ names have been assigned to a Linden account as the authorizing account, but the public version of the registration API that appears on the Second Life signup pages treats names assigned to Linden owners as public names within the registration system.
We see about 55 names in the people-search that are obviously internal, and automatically generated accounts, probably from test scripts). The rest appear to be users who are intrigued or entertained by the novel names on offer (and in a few cases may have been presented with no alternatives). Unit tests are tests on the smallest (and often most critical) pieces of a larger application or framework, and are often so abundant as to require automation.
We wonder what Linden Lab will do with these new accounts? We are only aware of seven instances in the past where accounts were renamed. Will they be closed?
[Thanks go to Wrestling Hulka for spotting this one]
For those unfamiliar with the acronym 'FTW' it has a wide variety of uses in gaming, RL profanity and among motorcycle enthusiasts. In this case, the intended meaning is 'For The Win', a term (oftentimes applied very sarcastically) indicating that something is a successful plan, strategy or tool.
UPDATE: As noted below (thanks Thaumata, and Wrestling!), Linden Lab has sent an email out to those who registered accounts under those names, and shut them down. As yet there is no public acknowledgment by Linden Lab about the error, what led to it, and what might be being done to prevent it from occurring in future.
Funcom announces names for early access servers
ION 08: John Smedley keynote shows off Free Realms and The Agency
Vivendi leaks a possible Wrath of the Lich King release date
SOE's The Agency and Free Realms will offer RMT services
AoC Early Access program sold out
ION 08: Taking an MMO community from pre-launch to live
Blackstar exclusive interview
Dwell On It: Day job, application 1
The Daily Grind: What MMO would you buy as a single player game?
Behind the Curtain: Hard at Work?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-14-2008 @ 9:58AM
FlipperPA Peregrine said...
Here's a list of dupe name/key pairs I found while running SLBoutique. By the last names, you can see the era they are from. Linden Lab has always seemed to have a rather arbitrary name changing policy, despite claiming they "never change names, except when offensive." They clearly do when a name is somewhat offensive - and in several of these cases, I don't see the original name as being offensive (I've shortened the avatar keys as I know some people get nervous about their keys being out there):
+----------------------+------------+
| avatar_name | avatar_key |
+----------------------+------------+
| kantana Boccara | 0221fa01-4 |
| Katana Boccara | 0221fa01-4 |
| Havabigdic Squeegee | 03552a65-a |
| Havabigone Goodliffe | 03552a65-a |
| Anal Rosebud | 3e230cdb-7 |
| Booty Rosebud | 3e230cdb-7 |
| BangMe Loveless | 6753d2ef-d |
| Julie Loveless | 6753d2ef-d |
| OoPs Codesmith | 68d601ae-0 |
| OoPs Galatea | 68d601ae-0 |
| Arseface Svarog | 839abd13-6 |
| Wally Svarog | 839abd13-6 |
| Torley Linden | a98f2541-0 |
| Torley Torgeson | a98f2541-0 |
| Humpmy Pole | b9710fb2-2 |
| LeGrand Pole | b9710fb2-2 |
| Ninnin Shaw | e778a441-b |
| Nintendo Shaw | e778a441-b |
| Enema Uritsky | fc819dd6-d |
| Pedestrian Uritsky | fc819dd6-d |
| Douche Lardner | fcef99f9-e |
| Doug Lardner | fcef99f9-e |
| Dildo Dulce | e4824e15-7 |
| Darling Dulce | e4824e15-7 |
+----------------------+------------+
Reply
4-14-2008 @ 10:06AM
Tateru Nino said...
This includes 6 out of the 7 changes that I was aware of (Heretic Linden was the seventh). Thanks for digging!
4-14-2008 @ 11:10AM
Opensource Obscure said...
A few days ago I shoot a couple of photos of a Linden Lab bot, an automated account with some information about it on its profile:
'This account is used by Linden Lab to perform timing and reliability tests on the main grid for various actions such as teleporting and wearing attachments. It is an automated system that will not respond to chat or IM. Statistics collected are used to monitor and improve system performance'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16517314@N06/2388904832/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16517314@N06/2388904802/
Reply
4-14-2008 @ 12:03PM
wrestling hulka said...
All the names have been deleted from the database, but I did manage to get a full permission prim cube from Text UnitTestMain :)
Reply
4-14-2008 @ 12:50PM
Dedric Mauriac said...
At least the Lindens are comical about what they change the names too. I found my self giggling at a few. What I would love to see is the ability to request a name change (for a 1-time fee)
Reply
4-14-2008 @ 1:06PM
Adz Childs said...
I count 164 of these "UnitTextxxx" names. There were enough of them released at once for the scripts that run http://slnamewatch.com to declare that a batch of new names had been released, and to send out a mass mail to those who subscribe.
At least according to the last name dropdown menu on their page, the 3immersions regapi still offers these names. There is a link to the 3immersions regapi, here.
http://www.slnamewatch.com/botlog/last_avail_log.html
If this kind of name interests you, or you want a chance at a very rare last name, I'm sensing that time is limited.
Reply
4-14-2008 @ 2:12PM
thaumata strangelove said...
haha... I'm the one in your photo called LowPowerCheck UnitTestBattery's and they disabled that account (and another) this morning and told me I have to re-register. Poop.
Reply
4-14-2008 @ 2:18PM
Tateru Nino said...
I don't suppose you have the exact text of the message?
4-14-2008 @ 2:31PM
thaumata strangelove said...
Hi there,
It has come to our attention that you have registered a Second Life
account using a last name which was not intended to be open for public
use. Your account has been disabled.
Please re-visit http://www.secondlife.com/join/ and sign up for a new
Second Life account.
We apologize for this mistake and any inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Harry Linden
Second Life Customer Support
******
I had never actually logged in with the account, so you know.. I'm not crying. But I would feel bad for anyone who started setting up a character if they simply deleted those, too.
Reply