Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Gartner goes 57 Miles to clarify their position

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Connecticut based Information and technology research and advisory firm Gartner, has been in the Second Life part of the news of late with predictions that "80% of active Internet users will be in non-gaming virtual worlds like Second Life by the end of 2011" [via Reuters] followed by a warning that there are 'significant' risks for business in getting involved with virtual worlds [via ZDNet].


Potentially, both these statements are true. The intrepid 57 Miles from Metaversed is gathering Gartner's Steve Prentice, who was responsible for both assertions along with a number of other interested commentators together for a panel discussion about Gartner's assessment and position on Second Life and virtual worlds (which some have described as 'conflicted').


The discussion will take place in Second Life at Noon, on Thursday. Check the Metaversed group or blog for details.


[This is most likely to be an audio-session (technology permitting), so be prepared]

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Today in Second Life - Tuesday 14 August, 2007

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The end of one day and the beginning of anotherToday in Second Life we had:

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LL's Boston Office Update

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If you've been wondering how LL's new Boston office is shaping up, wonder no more. This article is a nice piece on what's going on there, and more importantly, who's staffing the place.

The guys formerly known as Windward Mark are now official Lindens, all five of them. The article also profiles John Lester, operations director and academic programs manager. There's also a bit in there about how the spreading out of LL is an experiment in virtualizing its own offices. From the article: '"We talk the talk about the Metaverse, and being plugged into a global data-space," says Lester. "Now we want to walk the walk. Instead of all being in the same building in San Francisco, we'll see the world from more points of view, and we'll live where we want to live."'

Of course, this is just the beginning. If and when LL makes it possible to run versions of SL on anyone's computer, then someday YOU could be Linden Lab!

(Thanks, Wade!)
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Gartner goes 57 Miles to clarify their position

Filed under: , , ,

Connecticut based Information and technology research and advisory firm Gartner, has been in the Second Life part of the news of late with predictions that "80% of active Internet users will be in non-gaming virtual worlds like Second Life by the end of 2011" [via Reuters] followed by a warning that there are 'significant' risks for business in getting involved with virtual worlds [via ZDNet].


Potentially, both these statements are true. The intrepid 57 Miles from Metaversed is gathering Gartner's Steve Prentice, who was responsible for both assertions along with a number of other interested commentators together for a panel discussion about Gartner's assessment and position on Second Life and virtual worlds (which some have described as 'conflicted').


The discussion will take place in Second Life at Noon, on Thursday. Check the Metaversed group or blog for details.


[This is most likely to be an audio-session (technology permitting), so be prepared]

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NMC Symposium Fosters Creativity by Empowering Participants with Knowledge

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The NMC Symposium on creativity continues steadily through this week's schedule. The conference demonstrates that the "medium is the message" by developing an open learning environment within the participating community. The key lies in instructing attendees on the tools they need to empower their own innovative ideas. To achieve their goal, NMC makes use of their professional organizational methods and top-notch educational material, both in "print" and in the form of incredible workshop leaders.

To explore the attitudes, attendee stories, and daily events, I highly encourage you to read the symposium collaborative blog at Creating Pandora's Box. CEO Larry Pixel set the tone of the conference with a compelling speech on why creativity matters, which is now available online.

Read on to see which pieces of the puzzle may have contributed to a positive reaction .


1. Attention to detail - or don't lose your sheep!

This is as old as time, but starting with registration, confirmation, information signs technical support line and ending with greeters/helpers embedded in the experience, the symposium has a key efficiency with which it approaches the idea of a professional conference, even if it's in a virtual space.

Does it make a difference? Check out the opinions of participants.

2. Atmosphere - it all starts from the organizer
Staff was accommodating and their confidence echoed in the attitude of participants. Everyone was ready to troubleshoot any technical problems while newbies felt comfortable asking questions/starting up a conversation.
The topic is creativity, so NMC carefully designed an environment to foster it. Sims were full with various art displays/installations that demonstrated potential and amazing vision. DanCoyote Antonelli is an integral part, as was Daruma Picnic's interactive singing sculpture , Ravenelle Zugzwang artwork and various educational and art pieces by Torley Olmstead/Linden.

3. Approach to new technology - give options!
Voice in SL is, without doubt, a double-edged sword. For some people it works, for others it doesn't. We're all trying to work out a way to best use it during meetings. However, no one knows proper etiquette yet, so why experiment by streamlining, especially in a conference that lasts for many days?
The NMC approach was to make all public announcements over the audio stream and conduct most chats in text. For the adventurous traveler, there was information and troubleshooting signs for getting your audio set up. Furthermore, participants were encouraged to use the audio, if comfortable, while in small groups sessions, where voice would amplify personal connection.

4. Orientation signs
These are very nicely done - highly graphical and with very clear and concise explanations. I'm curious to see what a newbie experience was with these materials.

A larger image gallery of NMC Symposium can be found here.
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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Bank Failure in Second Life Leads to Calls for Regulation - Wired News


Bank Failure in Second Life Leads to Calls for Regulation
Wired News - 14 minutes ago
By Bryan Gardiner 08.15.07 | 2:00 AM The recent collapse of Ginko Financial, a "virtual investment bank" in Second Life, has spurred calls for more ...

Orchestral manoeuvres in Second Life (The New Zealand Herald)

LONDON - One of Britain's oldest symphony orchestras is to play a concert in Second Life, the virtual internet world, say organisers.