Paela Incognito

Incognito? A little less these days. Anyone who's been around Opensim for any length of time will be familiar with the name Paela Argus, and if you've ever dropped in at LBSA Plaza on your way somewhere, or looking for some help, or company, you maybe have seen the attractive lady avie hanging out there. 

Recent events on OSGrid have given Paela even more visibility, so it seemed like a good time to get to know the person behind the screen a little better. Starting with the basics of good manners. 

Thirza Ember:  I know that nowadays you go by Paela Osgrid inworld, rather than Paela Argus. Do you prefer if people refer to you as ‘he’ or ‘she’? 

Paela Argus: I honestly don’t mind. People can use either “he” or “she” when speaking about me — it doesn’t bother me at all. In the virtual world, I present myself as a woman. It’s my way of breaking the realism of real life, keeping a clear boundary between virtual life and real life. This separation is very important for me — especially for the balance of my real-world marriage. Because first and foremost, I’m a husband and a father to a big family. And I take that role seriously.

Thirza Ember: You’ve been on OSGrid for a long time, Paela, what is the secret of your longevity? 

Paela Argus: I’ve been here for 16 years because I believe in what OSGrid represents — a free and open world where creativity has no limits. OpenSimulator is much more than a game. It’s a space where people from all over the world can meet, create, and share freely. I’m still here because I love helping people, supporting the project, and building something meaningful.

Paela on Hurliman Plaza, where OSGrid community meetings take place.

Paela Argus: What keeps me going is the idea that every small contribution matters — a line of code, a new server configuration, helping someone who’s struggling, or simply keeping things running in the background. That’s the real reward. I’ve seen many other virtual worlds come and go, but none of them have the same soul as OSGrid. Here, it’s not about profit — it’s about people, freedom, and community.

Thirza Ember:   How did you become a Grid Admin? Can you remember when you made the decision? What did you feel at the time? 

Paela Argus: It all started when I offered to help with the website. One thing led to another — I got more involved over time, doing migrations with Dan, improving the PHP backend, fine-tuning Nginx configs, and so on. My role grew organically, and eventually, I was officially integrated into the team. I have deep respect for Dan Banner and unwavering loyalty to this project — despite having other OpenSim projects of my own, whether still active or closed. I’m a “Paela” who exists in many places, sometimes under different names, a bit incognito — but always present across the OpenSim world.

LBSA Plaza - something's always happening.

Paela Argus: OSGrid is like a big family, with each admin responsible for their own domain. We’ve been a stable team for the past 8 years since Dan became president, and we’re all deeply attached to OSGrid. There are countless hours spent working behind the scenes — often unnoticed by users. That’s also why I’m often silent in LBSA Plaza: I’m working on backend systems while standing there.

Thirza Ember:  It is undoubtedly a big and often thankless role, which takes away from other things you could be doing. Have you ever regretted it?

Wright Plaza

Paela Argus: In real life, I also run two companies in France, so my schedule is intense. But no — I have never regretted becoming a Grid Admin. It’s a responsibility, but also a privilege. Being a Grid Admin requires a wide range of skills — server management, networking, scripting, coding (especially in PHP), database administration, and a strong understanding of how OpenSimulator works behind the scenes.  But above all, the biggest requirement is patience. Ironically, patience is probably my greatest weakness! I’m someone who’s very frank — too frank sometimes — and I know that not everyone likes that. I’m very direct, I don’t sugarcoat things. That can be unsettling for some, but it’s how I am.

Thirza Ember:  How much time would you say it takes out of your RL?

Paela Argus:  On a weekly basis, the work can vary — but it easily amounts to 20 to 30 hours, sometimes more, depending on what needs to be done. Most of it is invisible to users, but essential for everything to run smoothly. I give this time freely, because I believe in the project.

Recently, LBSA Plaza has been full of clouds and Ruths as everyone 
re-acquires their avatar look.

Thirza Ember:  The decision to make the Asset Wipe on OSGrid, and the subsequent events, including the grid being in maintenance for several weeks, can't have been easy... beyond the technical details, what did you go through during this time?

Paela Argus: Yes, it was a very difficult period. Seeing OSGrid go offline, even temporarily, felt like losing a part of home. It’s not just a grid — it’s a reference point, a foundation, a virtual “home” for thousands of people around the world. But more than the technical issues, the hardest part was dealing with the rumors — some came from unethical grids or individuals with no real interest in the community. It was disappointing to see some people trying to spread panic or take advantage of the situation. That kind of behavior hurts — not only me, but the entire team that works so hard behind the scenes.

Gaia on the now offline Sunlight grid

Like several other people, during the downtime of OSGrid, Paela set up a place where his OSGrid residents could meet and chat, and also access the rental area on Sunlight Grid. This setup only lasted just a few weeks, due to unrest in the community and health issues for Paela, who took a much needed fortnight's break during the weeks that OSGrid was inaccessible. A quick look at the chat on the OSGrid Discord Server will give you an insight into the comment and question tornado theere - one can only imagine the DMs ... not for the fainthearted. Of course, we all know now that the grid is back online, and while there are still endless issues to deal with the climate is decidedly more optimistic.

Paela Argus: The community stood strong. People came back — because OSGrid is their home. There’s a deep bond here. No matter the setbacks, the community always returns. That’s powerful. The biggest lesson I’ve taken from this experience is to keep moving forward, no matter what. Never give up. Never assume it’s the end. Motivation and commitment are my driving forces — both personally and as a Grid Admin. All this has also reminded me that while users may not always see or acknowledge the work we do, it matters. I’m proud of how the team handled everything — without drama, without complaint. Just a shared sense of duty and love for the project. What many don’t realize is that we’re a small team of volunteers. We’re not paid, and we’re not forced to do anything. We sacrifice our free time out of love for OSGrid. And we also have personal challenges — in my case, I live with a chronic illness, so some days are simply harder than others.

Paela Argus: Managing a grid, dealing with technical problems, keeping LBSA Plaza peaceful — all while staying calm — can be overwhelming. I know I’m not the most social person, and I apologize for that. But I’m not here to be everyone’s best friend — I’m here to make OSGrid better. Still, I’m always open to meaningful conversations and friendships — as long as they come with respect and honesty. I may not speak much, but I listen. And I care.