This is a picture of my avatar named Laine Kassner. If you see me, please stop and say “Hi”—I’m in Mexico right now.Living a Second Life
Many of the younger friends that I have been privileged to meet on campus since re-starting my scholastic experience, participate, or have participated, in the Internet’s virtual community called Second Life (SL, to practiced participants).
Wikipedia relates that Linden Lab (a.k.a. Linden Research, Inc.) designed a program in 2003 (although it wasn’t recognized world-wide until 2006-07), that featured a life-like, virtual city where site visitors could “live” and socially interact with each other. Activities are much the same as in real life; individuals can walk or operate vehicles of various types; they can explore individually or participate in group experiences; they can buy a residence or own a business; virtual business owners can sell or trade their products and services to other owners or residents by exchanging Linden Dollars (L$), though other transactions such as buying property or joining online forums require real life currency such as credit cards. (Wikipedia, 2008).
The attraction to sites such as Second Life is that the virtual personas of an individual may be similar or totally different from the real life person. For additional fees, a person may create alternate personas that react differently in different social situations. A normally shy, real world person may create an avatar (virtual person) that is outgoing or dashing; a “player” or the “life of any party.” These avatars may possess super human powers which enable them to fly from destination to destination without means of a plane. (Wikipedia, 2008).
Wikipedia also states that the chat feature is another very popular aspect of the program, allowing the residents to interact freely with one another and enabling relationships to occur. Another dimension of this feature is global communication through instantaneous messaging (IM) which is more effective since communicators don’t need to be within a certain distance of those with whom they are trying to converse. Also, conversation is conducted on a private, one-to-one or within a group, basis and won’t include those not directly involved. (Wikipedia, 2008).
To see a visual introduction to Second Life, go to YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72CvvMuD6Q
In all of my 50+ years, I have never experienced anything close to Second Life—what a hoot (awesome, cool, tight—however you want to phrase it)! It was fun after I learned how to walk, drive (only squished 2 little rodents and 1 fellow avatar, thank you very much!), and fly (could you ever imagine you would fly like that?!?). This was an enjoyable experience for me. I don’t have much free time and I’m not sure I would spend very much time with that program but it was enjoyable while I was there. I also enjoyed the social interaction on Help Island; it was quite amusing to watch others perform as clumsily as I, myself, did. I met some nice people there—I hope you were one of them. Maybe I’ll see you there, sometime. My avatar is a chubby girl in red top and grey Capri pants. Stop and talk to me, I’d love to chat. Here is my picture.
Many of the younger friends that I have been privileged to meet on campus since re-starting my scholastic experience, participate, or have participated, in the Internet’s virtual community called Second Life (SL, to practiced participants).
Wikipedia relates that Linden Lab (a.k.a. Linden Research, Inc.) designed a program in 2003 (although it wasn’t recognized world-wide until 2006-07), that featured a life-like, virtual city where site visitors could “live” and socially interact with each other. Activities are much the same as in real life; individuals can walk or operate vehicles of various types; they can explore individually or participate in group experiences; they can buy a residence or own a business; virtual business owners can sell or trade their products and services to other owners or residents by exchanging Linden Dollars (L$), though other transactions such as buying property or joining online forums require real life currency such as credit cards. (Wikipedia, 2008).
The attraction to sites such as Second Life is that the virtual personas of an individual may be similar or totally different from the real life person. For additional fees, a person may create alternate personas that react differently in different social situations. A normally shy, real world person may create an avatar (virtual person) that is outgoing or dashing; a “player” or the “life of any party.” These avatars may possess super human powers which enable them to fly from destination to destination without means of a plane. (Wikipedia, 2008).
Wikipedia also states that the chat feature is another very popular aspect of the program, allowing the residents to interact freely with one another and enabling relationships to occur. Another dimension of this feature is global communication through instantaneous messaging (IM) which is more effective since communicators don’t need to be within a certain distance of those with whom they are trying to converse. Also, conversation is conducted on a private, one-to-one or within a group, basis and won’t include those not directly involved. (Wikipedia, 2008).
To see a visual introduction to Second Life, go to YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72CvvMuD6Q
In all of my 50+ years, I have never experienced anything close to Second Life—what a hoot (awesome, cool, tight—however you want to phrase it)! It was fun after I learned how to walk, drive (only squished 2 little rodents and 1 fellow avatar, thank you very much!), and fly (could you ever imagine you would fly like that?!?). This was an enjoyable experience for me. I don’t have much free time and I’m not sure I would spend very much time with that program but it was enjoyable while I was there. I also enjoyed the social interaction on Help Island; it was quite amusing to watch others perform as clumsily as I, myself, did. I met some nice people there—I hope you were one of them. Maybe I’ll see you there, sometime. My avatar is a chubby girl in red top and grey Capri pants. Stop and talk to me, I’d love to chat. Here is my picture.
Although Wikipedia states that SL is not a game (it doesn’t have an outcome, there are no losses or wins, violence and/or foul language are not to be tolerated, and destruction of life is not a goal to be sought on any level), it certainly felt close to one, in my eyes. (Wikipedia, 2008). I found it amusing and entertaining.
References
Introduction of second life. (2007). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72CvvMuD6Q
Wikipedia. Second life.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life
References
Introduction of second life. (2007). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72CvvMuD6Q
Wikipedia. Second life.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life
3 comments:
Hi Cyn,
Sounds like you really enjoyed Second Life. It is an interesting game with many opportunities for unique experiences. I hope it works out for you to spend time playing some in the future.
I'm envious that you left the country and drove in your Second Life. You are really quite savvy for a boomer. Esther (my avatar) looked similar to yours, that is, until I met Icarus who steered me in the right direction to outfit myself.
You learn fast! Mexico was great idea. I went to Ireland and found the pubs there much more fun than USA seaside bars.
Virtual travel has possibility.
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