secondlife.com
A virtual reality playground created by Linden Labs is a difficult
experience to explain. Users create 3 dimensional 'Avitars'
representing human or other charachters which are used to interact
with other SL citizens, play, work, build, and explore. Sign
up is free, computer specs are available on the SL website.
All else needed is to download the 'viewer' user interface.
Like a multifaceted diamond there are many sides to SL, some
duller than others some downright dark. They exist side by side
'inworld'. As in real life or RL the sun seems always brighter
at the coast on the beach sparkling off waves being ridden by
surfers. The surfing venues are stunning ranging from reefs,
points, piers and beachbreaks. One of my personal favorite simulations
or 'sim' is 'Surf City' a virtual re-creation of Huntington
Beach, complete with pier, surf shops, etc. Island sims are
breath taking, Chi, Majini, Quan Li, Surf Camp, Surfline, Tavarua,
just to name a few.
Second Life or SL is a world wide community affording
any virtual citizen, landlocked or coastal dweller, the virtual
experience of being a surfer and riding waves. No sunburn, reef
cuts across your back or tore up feet, no crying out for your
mom as a big set feathers on the outer reef, no surfboard opening
a gash in your head. All the fun without the pain and steep
learning curve of rl surfing.
Being a pc game player helps in surfing the waves I'm sure.
What differs is the communtity of surfers that exist in SL.
All continents and languages are represented. All points of
view from the Weekend Warrior to Soul Surfers. Pro Surfing exists
in SL with regular bi yearly compitition seasons. Heats, judges,
spectators, Virtual 'Linden L$' prize money. If I'm not mistaken
Surfing is the first and currently only organized sport in second
life thanks to the hard working SLSA founders.
I firmly believe that SL is a model of the internets future.
Linden Lab employees show up 'inworld' to work, go to their
virtual offices to work or roam around inworld working. Whole
cities can be contructed, regions, countries. Theories of all
sorts created and tested. Do not be suprised when your grandchild
dons their virtual business suit for their first interview with
the big techno corp 'inworld'. Only difference will be, the
fat cat behind the desk will be puffing a virtual cigar emiting
no odor.
SL being 5+ years old, pages and pages of web content have been
devoted to this 'virtual world created by its members'. Here's
pages I have found usefull.
See you Inworld
Mick Lunasea |