New worlds opening
For the last two months I have been testing many different worldbuilding platforms on my Mac, XO laptop and now on my returned PC laptop. A full writeup on the various platforms for kids and adults (from my 7 year old test associate) will be made available soon with a follow-up after September's Virtual Worlds Expo and SLCC. For now, here's a little reading to get you started on thinking about hundreds of worlds within worlds....
Association of Virtual Worlds publishes Blue Book, as Tateru Nino at Massively reports: http://www.massively.com/2008/04/27/association-of-virtual-worlds-publishes-blue-book/
Caleb Booker, aka Onder Skall: http://slgames.wordpress.com/2007/03/05/alternatives-to-second-life/
Sylvie Noel: http://www.sylvienoel.ca/blog/?p=421
Asks a great question: "Where is the customization in work-based virtual worlds?"
My friend the Gorilla seated behind me (aka Beyers Sellers from Metanomics and Cornell) knows a thing or two about customization...so does Howard Rheingold seated next to me here, author of SmartMobs and all-around brilliant creator. Howard's on our panel to determine which challenge proposals will move on to the community vote and winners will receive grants of L$100,000 a month for three months to build out their SL vision. More to come as we share details on the USC Network Culture Community Challenge for the Second Life avatars making real world change happen. We will be hosting two more community conversations next week: May 12th at 9PM PST (morning of May 13th for my friends in Asia/Australia) and May 15th at noon at the same theatre on International Island in SL.
Thanks to everyone who came out for our May 6th event on International Island in SL! Most of all, thanks for playing....we wouldn't have philanthropy in virtual worlds if we didn't have millions of people looking to create somewhere new.
