With minimal fanfare, Linden Lab have launched a beta of their 'Second Life in a browser' offering AKA Project Skylight. Found here, you can sign-up and check it out in a session lasting up to an hour. As always, Tateru Nino has scoped it out in detail, noting that not surprisingly it's a bandwidth hungry beast and that once you watch the 45-second intro video a selection … [Read more...] about Second Life in a web browser: beta launches
The Archive
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. New Scientist (USA) - Online law man: Virtual worlds need real laws. "Tens of millions of people live, work and play in virtual worlds where anything goes. Greg Lastowka thinks we need to police these lawless frontiers. What prompted you to write your new book, Virtual Justice? I've always been interested in technology law, and the issues surrounding law in virtual worlds … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
Virtual Mine: environment education at its best
Virtual Mine is "an educational 3D environment, game, and educational curriculum for teachers, students, and anyone who'd like to learn more about mountain top removal, coal fired power production, alternative energies, and the amazing music and culture in the Appalachian mountains". Which sounds a little staid on the surface, but the reality is an engaging and immersive … [Read more...] about Virtual Mine: environment education at its best
Second Life economy: flat but steady
Linden Lab have released third-quarter results for the Second Life economy. I use the term 'released' loosely, as it still grates on me how little information is released now compared to a couple of years back. That aside, the results show that aside from the 11% drop in overall user hours over the past year, coming mostly from those who spend more than 300 hours a month in … [Read more...] about Second Life economy: flat but steady
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. GPB News (USA) - Virtual Worlds Help Disabled Students. "The National Science Foundation gave $1.5 million to The University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology to help raise the number of students with disabilities getting degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. The collaborative program uses specially designed virtual classrooms inside Second Life … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news