SL International

I am amazed by the international scope of Second Life.

While spending much time in AW’s Entertainment Universe over the years I have met and made friends with many individuals outside the USA. But, there is nothing in AW, in that compares with the international presence found in Second Life.

In Second Life I have run into people from Germany, Korea, France, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and others. It is fascinating to listen to them voice chat in their native language or see them type in non-English characters.

Yes, you can do some of this in Activeworlds.com. There the users are just not using the technology.

That’s the point!

Why? It is the difference in the two social models found in AW and SL. AW allows you to do two basic things with your avatar; chat or build. The options that you have in SL are far greater. From designing your avatar, earning money, to role playing in a fully functional gaming environment there is more to do than chatting and building.

SL is a more attractive social place. This is simply because you can do more things together.

While AW may, in my opinion, be a better environment in a technological sense for distance education and distance reference, seeing that it has integrated into its browser Internet Explorer. SL may have the advantage in its flexibility and appeal as a social environment. SL is a little closer to real life.

You have to weigh a lot of things when looking to invest in a virtual environment. While cost, as mentioned in an earlier note, is important. If you are looking to extend your outreach for distance education and distance reference the social appeal must be a factor.

From what I have seen the number of universities, from all over the globe, is far greater in SL than in AW. Publicity aside something there must be drawing people in a way that AW never has.

For now, I won't make a decision on which universe is best for our VBI project's needs. We have 10 years of experience in AW and it has served us well.

Enough rambling! I'm going back to SL Korea and earn some Linden Dollars, I saw a nice jacket I want to buy. Also, I'll have some virtual kimchi while chatting with my friends.