You know, were this in another forum, we could arrange to, like, make a group or something. . .
I actually remember looking up Straight Dope groups on SL, but there weren’t any… I don’t know how many dopers there would be to warrant making one, though.
Tried it a few times. My internet is too slow and my time zone too off to get much out of it.
[QUOTE=pseudotriton ruber ruber]
Sorry if my question seemed to put SLers down, Gillian. I was reacting to SL in a professional context–what anyone does for fun is cool with me, but I don’t get it being talked up in an uber-professional setting, and I REALLY don’t get why professionals were going ga-ga over this.
No, no, Im not offended by the question at all! I am currently reading the official and unofficial guides to SL, and they both bring up the hype about commercialization. Yes, real world companies are coming inworld, no they are not making fortunes there. The only commercial sim I’ve visited belongs to The Weather Channel, where I have indulged in extreme skiing (ok, I indulged in falling off a mountain and surviving…twice) and biking in the desert, where I came upon an arms dealer. Terrorists in the desert? Who knew!
There are a number of universities that have a presence inworld, and frankly I am puzzled by the appeal. What do they do that requires avatars? Am I missing something (well, of course I am!), and it’s not the avatars but some other feature that makes SL valuable to them? Damned if I know.
I belong to one group which teaches skills which enrich your SL experience, they have a classroom, and anybody can build on their land, so you can practice your “building” skills, which of course I do understand. They also teach social skills to newbies. I attended the communication course for me, and the “romance” class with a friend who was embarrassed to go alone. Currently I am attending classes to learn to use Gimp software to make clothing and accessories. SL is very proud of the educational opportunities offered, but again, I really don’t understand the appeal of learning non SL related things in the SL environment. Why not regular distance learning? I’d really like to know.
I stumbled on a site for the University of Idaho, it seemed very detailed (I’d be interested to know if it looks anything like the real campus). There were registration desks, information on each of the departments, and a student union sort of thing with a help desk. There was no one there (how I like it), but I wonder if they actually set up registrations and information sessions in SL.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole thing was set up as a student project with great intentions and then just abandoned for lack of functionality (would a school really admit someone through an interview on second life?).
The SLA (formerly the Special Libraries Association) is trying to create a presence in SL (and hold seminars in it), but I really don’t get the usefulness of that - except to get librarians up to speed on what the kids are up to these days.