Hadn't occurred to me to mention it before, but there's a free/open source Second Life grid up and running at OS Grid. I'm currently debating whether to attach to it or not - I've got the server running on my own local, lan-only grid right now. It was fairly easy to compile and configure (uses nant to compile, and old school .ini files for config), and judging from the instructions I've seen floating around, it's even easier under a win32 environment. Not nearly as cool, but easier.

As such, even if Linden Labs goes under, there is now a thriving community of geeks making sure that 3d chat will never, ever go away.

I'll have to check that out for work. It might be a way around paying that damned maintenance price for our own island...

You ever get around to checking that out, P Diddy? I mean, you'd think UT would love the idea of saving some cash...