Blog7

Second Life

Second Life is a virtual world developed by Linden Lab and available through the internet. It functions on the client-server model and requires use of a client software program. SL allows users, known as Residents to interact socially with each other. External software can be used to create complex objects and gestures and (I suppose) means of communication within the virtual world. Users can retain rights to content they create which means the user would retain any value attained by their created content.

SL would be useful to function as a replacement for community in the "default" world. From what I've read, the social aspects of SL revolve around commercial viability (property ownership) in the form of land (virtual space) and intellectual property rights. Businesses might use SL to reach consumers who's internal currency (the Linden Dollar L$) would have value in SL. In other words business entities might trade value with others wherever such a trade would be normally inconvenient or impossible.

Teachers, students and researchers might find SL usefull as a means to share ideas and collaborate on projects.

I would not use SL at this time. The concept of "staking a claim" to property or intellectual rights is not appealing to me. If I found a reason to collaborate with someone on a goal or project I would be much more likely to use Second Life. All of this is subject to change once I explore Second Life for myself.