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Second Life (SL), a Web 2.0, coined by some as Web 3.0 (because it's 3D), technology. Rather pointless really, you go on... you learn to walk, talk and create... then you walk, talk and create.
So how does SL invade into your first life? Well, really it's not a game, nor an ideal way to communicate as it's not different in fucntionality to any other IM program. So walk and talk isn't that exciting and are functions we've seen on World of Warcraft, and various Sim games. I think it's the ability to create - and thus by implication - consume (buy and view creations).
The programming language Linden Scripting Language (the Lindens are much like McDonald's - rather than come up with a new name, they name everything Linden something), or LSL for short, is a relatively simple language, using similar coding style to JavaScript, making it quite accessible to many people, especially as we are dealing with 3 dimensions.
Creating 3d object is all done with the environment itself, you can then apply your scripts to create doors, chat bots, letterboxes to leave someone notes, and even games; whatever you want to have a go at. Due to this lots of popular culture has been developed into it's own in-SL game, such as Harry Potter, variations of Dungeon and Dragons, and smaller title like Leisure Suit Larry, and Pong.
All of a sudden walk, talk and create become interesting; finding new weird things people have made, or interactive forms of nostolgia, and then the inspiration to create your own... then your Second Life, sudden starts settling into your first.
So if you haven't tried it out, or did and couldn't see the point, have another go at it, and make sure to search around, cause it's just like the web, only in 3D.
Posted by Alex Brindal @ 11:06 AM CST | Comments 2
Well done on a very encouraging Second Life round up.
You make one point that I am sure that anyone who has taken the time (read hours) to get working in SL has noticed- this is just the web, but in 3D.
I believe that once they sort out the introductory island, more people will stay on.
The biggest hurdle in any (traditional)marketing campaign is to achieve trial, but once this had in SL, you are confronted with an in-world user guide that gives even IKEA assembly instructions a run for its money.
I ditched the Intro Island, and went out into the real world lacking experience. I stumbled upon one of IBM's islands, each of which has a great orientation session attached. There I learned how to carry out the simple tasks necessary to judge if SL is appropriate right for you.
cont...
Posted by travism@precisebiz.biz on April 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM CST #
As a SL rookie (and openly a technological laggard!), the other thing that I found discouraging was that my birth in the 'world' occured in what seems to be the SL equivalent of an adult store.
Small things like an interactive user guide (a-la-IBM) and preventing people from landing in a web2.0 brothel might encourage uptake and stay on, rather than just trial- if indeed this is the goal.
Massive potential, but if no-one in the real world can use it successfully with minimal training its growth will be hedged, and published citizenship numbers perceived as exaggerated.
T
Posted by travism@precisebiz.biz on April 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM CST #