GeekSpeak – Will we all be living in a simulation soon? Join the discussion on Saturday, November 20th @ 12pm SLT

18 years after Second Life began metaverses are the new hot thing again.  Facebook, which now calls itself Meta, is making a virtual world with the same properties as Second Life.  Is it possible that millions of people will go and live in there?  Will they feel they have become their avatars?

Or will the metaverse that we really want be an augmented real world?  The maker of Pokemon Go wants his newest augmented creation to exist in real life and help people to get together in this world.

Which of these futures do you think will succeed?

Or perhaps you think that we are living in a simulation right now?  In that case, what is the reality?

Come and discuss simulations.  Bring your avatar!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at 1pm SLT in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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Flipboard: The Value of Virtual Worlds- David Chalmers

If I build a business in Second Life, is that less meaningful than building a business in the non-virtual world? If I fall in love in virtual reality, is the relationship less significant?...Read more

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Apps and Virtual Reality: The Future of "Second Life"

When you think of a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, you probably think of "World of Warcraft" or "Elder Scrolls Online." What you may not automatically think of, though, is "Second Life." This is not a game per say, but more like a virtual world. Users can interact with other players and build houses or even whole towns in a 3-D space by using open source tools. With just under 1 million users, this game is one of the most popular in the MMO space, so here's a deeper look into this online world:

Community

What makes "Second Life" unique compared to other MMOs is that there isn’t a game component. There aren’t quests to finish or enemies to kill. Instead it is all about building a virtual life and interacting with those around you. In this online community, you can find like-minded people and interact with them in a different way than a purely text-based forum can provide.

Mobile

As of yet, there isn't a first-party way for users to log into "Second Life" through a mobile app made by Linden Lab. However, because so much of the technology behind the game is open source, independent developers have created apps that give you varying levels of access to the world. Here are just a few:

·         Lumiya: This is one of the largest of the third-party apps for accessing "Second Life." Originally, the app was designed to run on devices in the generation of the Galaxy S3. However, it is still available in the Google Play Store and is still supported on newer Android phones like the Galaxy S6. And, because the hardware has gotten considerably better, the performance of the app is even smoother. Priced at just under $3.00, it puts it in reach if you want basic functionality, such as chatting with friends and managing inventory.

·         Mobile Grid Client: This app is another Android-based app that gives you many of the same features as Lumiya. Mobile Grid Client strives to be extremely lightweight by keeping data consumption rates low. Whereas Lumiya gives you a 3-D representation of your character, Mobile Grid uses a top-down map that lets you see yourself relative to your surroundings and other players without being data intensive. The trade off with Mobile Grid Client is cost, though. After a 14-day free trial, you can unlock a standard or pro version for L$250 or L$450 per month, respectively. These are priced using "Second Life’s" internal currency, which roughly translates to between $1-2 per month depending on the exchange rates.

·         Pocket Metaverse: If you are a "Second Life" user on iPhone, then Pocket Metaverse is the place to go. This is another top-down style app rather than one that simulates the actual look of the game. Pocket Metaverse has designed its interface to be as close to the iPhone's design as possible, which makes it easy for you to understand how each tool works.

Future

With VR technology becoming more popular and affordable, there may be a resurgence in "Second Life." Because so much of the appeal of "Second Life" came from the world building and community rather than fighting, this is a perfect place for VR. With VR technology, "Second Life" could truly become a place where communities interact with each other.

T-Mobile Article

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Spotlight on Benski Korhonen, Producer of the Upcoming SL/RL TV Variety Program; The Benski Show- Lanai Jarrico Reporting..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZhdLdEGpZA

Benski Korhonen is a multi talented virtual world resident that rezzed on the scene in early February 2007. Benski likes to look at it as “reverse virtual reality”. He controls his First Life "Character", making him go see all kinds of First Life bands (he also play keyboards in one), art exhibits, plays, and working various jobs to pay for his First Life house and expenses.  He has a First Life virtual dog named Vinny, and flirts with other First Life Characters.  It's all very "meta," and not at all auto-biographical.

 He brings his acting, singing, piano and Ukulele skills to Second Life along with a new venture that includes a RL/SL Variety show; The Benski Show coming soon!  His talent doesn’t end there, Benski also writes and records jingles for First Life companies to "help make ends meet". He and his RL crew already have a fantastic bunch of bands to bring to you, including Wake Up Joel, Glass Affection, Michael Wasmund, Treasure Mammal, Fading Point, We Are Nemesis, RubixxQube, Something Colossus (formerly known as The Foleys), Former Friends of Young Americans, Sound Potion, ScaTTer Gather, Sun Bones, and an experimental improv trio that Benski plays in called MWC.  

Before we get into the details of his newest venture, I thought it would be fitting to shine a spotlight on Benski and learn a little bit more about him and his perspective of the virtual world.

Interview with Benski Korhonen

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An Added Dimension to SL - Orchids Zenovka Reporting…

We all know the well-known quote   “The Only Constant In Life Is Change.”   - Heraclitus of Ephesus, and the same applies to Second Life, and we shouldn’t expect anything less.  As we approach the 10^th Birthday of this virtual world of ours there are rumblings out there on the grid as to exciting changes that are afoot.  We are all weathering the mesh storm and eagerly await the mesh deformer which will make wearing mesh outfits so much easier and the next big thing is rumoured to be 3D ….

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Second Life- An Extension of Real Life or Just A Game? - Pandora Drezelan Reporting...

My Description Of A World.

Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs or Viewers enable Second Life users (Residents) to interact with each other through their avatars (a graphical representation of the user) Residents can explore the world (known as the grid) meet other Residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade virtual property and services with one another. Second Life is intended for people aged 16 and over and as of 2011 has about one million active users.

My Description Of A Game.

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SLE On- The- Air/ Etopia News Now with Marc Strassman with Guest Jim Blascovich talking about "Infinite Reality"

Jim Blascovich, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, talks about "Infinite Reality," a study of virtual reality.

Hosted by Marc Strassman

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