Exploring SecondLife

Our Group•Jie Liu

•Chris Beck

•Noah Belkin

•Caroline Gutterson

•John A Drennan III

A Newcomer in Second Life:

-Pro’s

-Con’s

Pro’s: What helped

• Orientation Island

• Linden Village

• Advertisements

• Notecards

Right (from left to right): Message board, Picture cork board, Information kiosk in Linden Village

Above (from left to right): Read all about it! Newspapers and Periodicals, Second Life Concierge in Linden Village

Pro’s: What helped• Similarity to real life

– Geographically- familiar landmarks/ terrain

– Spatially- familiar spatial layout of things, people, locations (map looks like real world)

– Economically- familiar companies present, similar methods for obtaining things (Linden $$)

Above: Department map in Platinum Mall

Left: Sign for The Rock Ski Lodge, Ski Shop, Ski Lift, and Weather Tower at Epic Extreme Skiing (The Weather Channel)

Right: Ski Lift at Epic Extreme Skiing

Pro’s: What helped• Information/Help

Centers

• Willingness of other Avitars to help when asked

• Generosity from others (free items)

Top Right: Help Center at The Weather Channel

Bottom Right: Free Outfits, Clothing, Makeup, Jewelery, etc. at Forou Freebie Store A

Con’s: What hindered• Time required to complete

Orientation Island– Helpful exercises and

activities at Orientation Island, but too extensive (require too much time)

• Lag time/”Bugginess”– Long time to load– Freezing– Crashing

Below: An overhead view of Help Island, the island at the center of the Orientation Islands

Personal Experience on Second Life

First impression of Second Life People are happier and Life is more

relaxing here I was greeted by helpful mentors and

friendly pedestrians in NCI Centers for useful information and knowledge of the Second Life community

Interpersonal Communication is much more common on Second Life I was invited to a Second Life marketing

business conversation with four Second Life entrepreneurs

They shared with their experience on opening a store and advertising on Second Life public networks

Personal Experience in Second Life Total freedom on Second Life It provides people a place to express

themselves without a boundary, People can do things that we normally think

twice in real life For example, dancing cha-cha on the

boardwalk, or playing kung fu on the public square

Conclusion Second Life cannot replace the real life However, it can provide a stress-free zone for people from all over the world to meet each other and exchange their thoughts It is also a great place for people who wants to market their ideas and business

Online Community

• Users Range From All:– Cultures– Races– Native Origins

• Social Environment– Fun engaging activities– Many opportunities for interactions with others

Culture

• Promotes Very Modern Culture• Futuresque:

– Architecture– Store Themes– Products

• Leisured Culture-dancing-games-shopping

Commerce

• Effective Conversion Of Currency To L$

• Effective Market For – Investment & Trading– Services– Acquisition Of Material Things

Effective Uses

Second Life serves as a great place to:

-socialize with strangers

-find people with similar interests

-role play

-Market and advertise your business

-create and sell products

-take classes

-do research

Working with a Cyber Team

Advantages and Disadvantages

AdvantagesMembers of team do not need to physically meet, making travel no longer a concern.

The classroom/office now has no boundaries, can meet “virtually” anywhere.

Above: With group going over places to visit for project. Above: Scouting new and interesting places to work out of.

Advantages – Cont.Able to work 24/7.No issues with time zones. Information Easily shared

Above: Time is not an issue when working with others globally

Above: Watching up to date news via streaming video on the Reuters Island

Disadvantages

• Difficulty contacting other members. (i.e. Email, Instant messaging, etc.

• Misunderstandings in communications.

Left: Chat box within Second Life (common form of communication between avatars)