Okay, I did a little searching, and it doesn't seem that this has come up yet, but if I'm wrong, please let me know.
Second Life is a platform that it's creators at Linden Labs foresee suplanting the WWW. It appears on the surface to be a game, a 3-D "MMO" - massivly multiplayer online game. Well, it isn't, although there are certainly play elements. Professors have begun teaching virtual classes there. Architects use the build features to create 3-D models for clients. And by purchasing virtual land, you have basically got your own 3 dimensional website. You can create virtual libraries: notecards of text can be set up to pop open when objects are touched, and virtual objects can be used to illustrate your ideas - very useful for vision-logic.
The client software for Second Life is free, and functions much like a web-browser. You need a basic membership to use it - but this is also free. You may purchase and sell virtual or real world items in SL, and anything that you create is legally your intelectual property. It is absolutely amazing how much there is to do - like I've discovered net surfing all over again.
I am disapointed to report that there appears to be no Integral presence in SL. This isn't too surprising, as there are only about 400 k registered users. I have been able to find the presence of schools like USC. Mostly it is communications and technologies departments that have a presence, but it is ineveitable (to my mind) that others will follow. The "population" of SL is surging exponentially. One area, called EduNation, actually has classroom space for rent (cheap - the area is run at a loss, mostly as an experiment with the new technology).
What all of this boils down to is that I feel the I I and I U and I N should have some kind of presence in SL, official or otherwise. At the very least it would allow all of us the option of chatting avatar to avatar in a virtual space of our own making. It could never replace this forum, but would be a great suplement.
There is bad news for some of you: you will need a broadband connection, and a decent computer that runs XP, Linex, or a Mac. SL uses the Havoc1 game engine to create the 3-D space. Havoc4 has already been released, so as you can guess SL isn't cutting edge graphically, so if your computer is a few years old you should be okay.
If anyone is interested in joining me, respond here. The client software can be downloaded at secondlife.com. It takes a few hours to set up your avatar and get the hang of things, but don't worry about leaving Help Island too soon: there are several places in SL devoted to helping noobs. Besides, if you aren't too keen on tweaking your virtual avatars appearance, you can always buy one. BTW, 95% of the content in SL is user created, just like the web, which is why it is such a rich environment.
I have some in-world "snapshots." Unfortunately the file size limits don't allow them to do SL justice. I'll attatch them just the same.
Glad to be back in the forums here. I only have access to this one here, so if someone else wants to repost this in one of the other forums feel free ( I should probably just upgrade my membership).
Also, if anyone here is already a registered SLer, my avatar's name is Enkidu Fanwood. (You can choose your first name, but your last name is picked from a list. Most of them are pretty cartoonish, which is okay with me. And no, you can't change your name once you pick it - so choose wisely!)
There is a seperate Teen-grid - no one over 18 is allowed on the main grid, and vice-versa. And if you own "land" you can block specific people from entering, or set permissions to allow only a set list of people to enter. So don't worry: Spammers can easily be blocked!
Eagerly awaiting your responses. SL needs us!