Second Life is a virtual world created online where real people can interact through avatars. It was introduced to cyber space in 2003 and it has been prospering ever since. The price to start a second life is $9.95, but after this cost there is much more involved. With Second Life a user is able to basically act like they would in the real world, via a computer. Purchasing clothing, buying real estate, getting married, driving a car, and having children are all very much a part of this virtual world, which in my opinion is a bit scary.
Users are able to create and build businesses where investors can buy shares. There is also a currency exchange rate between the dollars used in the game, ‘Linden dollars’, and US dollars. Although this article says that people’s personal lives are kept separate from the Second Life, it seems apparent to me that this may not hold. Companies in real life, such as Walmart, may eventually be able to market and sell products on Second Life so that they will be able to expand their corporation further. The article also mentioned that Ebay will be selling products for Second Life on their website. This is an area where other companies will be able to prosper from this groundbreaking virtual world.
From an IT perspective, this website is unbelievable to say the least. The possibilities on this website seem endless. The software includes a three dimensional modeling tool founded around basic geometric shapes. The user is able to build anything they want to make, if they have the money. If they do not have the money, as in the real world, they need to find a job, but before that they need to acquire skills for that job. This is the real world in computer form, which is mind boggling. No wonder why new generations of children are having problems interacting socially with other people. Electronics have replaced verbally speaking.
Although, personally I am not a fan of this website because I am perfectly comfortable with my ‘first, real life’, it does seem like it may have many beneficial opportunities for the business world. I see Second Life as a way for people in the real world to market products through the virtual world. This is not the case yet, but the future is vast and I definitely see this website expanding and pushing the limits. However, for the social world it is definitely hindering the knowledge and brain growth of our upcoming generations. The current world we live in is becoming more and more technology driven, which is great in many respects but also scary in others.
