COIN83 Social Computing - Assignment Eleven
Assignment Eleven
Assignment eleven is a review of Virtual worlds, and virtual collaboration tools and process. There are five open ended questions. Use them to explore, learn, and share what you have discovered. See expanded sections for more detail.
- What are virtual worlds? How is the term used? How do you interpret it?
- Explore virtual world technology including VRML. How are 'Virtual Worlds' created?
- What is Second Life? What goes on there? How is Second Life connected to our first life?
- Describe / discuss avatars and presence technology. How are they used in collaboration?
- How do you think Web 2.0 will grow and merge with Virtual Worlds? Think globalization.
Please keep your total answers near 500 words in length. As always, i grade on effort and exploration.
Read about virtual worlds at http://www.virtualworldsreview.com/.
What are Virtual Worlds?
A virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars. These avatars are usually depicted as textual, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional graphical representations, although other forms are possible[1] (auditory[2] and touch sensations for example). Some, but not all, virtual worlds allow for multiple users. From wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_world
A great discussion of Virtual Worlds can be found at Virtual World's Review http://www.virtualworldsreview.com/. The site presents the activities and organization at many of the world's largest and most important Virtual Worlds.
What technology is used for Virtual Worlds?
The technology to create Virtual Worlds is quite complex. VRML is an old approach that is worth investigating, and there are a number of other technologies to review.
What is Second Life? How does it connect to our First Life?
About Second Life, a page which explains what Second Life is, how it works, and what you can expect when you travel to and take up residence there. Second Life Grid is a business portal in Second Life. Both enterprises and educational institutions can set up public and private portals in Second Life, see this link. Pelican Crossing has a very good FAQ worth investigating which discusses the duality of two worlds. How do people who spend as much time online in Second Life compared to all other online destinations manage a life in two worlds? Read a blog entry on the prospects of a second chance for Second Life.
How can avatars or presence used in collaboration?
A blog for discussing the use of avatars in team collaboration can be found here. Collaboration.com is a portal where you can locate collaboration resources, as well as attend online webinars. They are the authors of Collaboration 2.0.
What would YOU do in a virtual world?
As you read and explore this assignment, ask yourself what YOU would do in a virtual world? Where do you see the intersection of online communities, social networks, and virtual worlds taking us? What are the possibilities?