Okay, I am departing from the topic of books today to ask you wise people out there about Second Life. Are any of you members? Is member even what you call it? I’ve known about Second Life for a long time but have never been interested since I don’t need yet one more thing to chew up my free time. But in class yesterday my professor mentioned that he is working on a project in Second Life that would help students learn systems analysis and he got a grant to do it. He also mentioned that Drexel, the school I am attending, has an island there. And there have been some people on the American Library Association New Member listserv suggest that the ALA should have a presence in Second Life and could hold virtual meet-and-greets there and other events. So I thought, well, maybe I should investigate.
It’s free to join unless you want more than one account or want to buy property. So I was going to join last night but I got stumped in choosing a name. You can put in any first name you want but then you have to choose a last name from a very long list, you don’t get to make up your own. Since I might end up having some professional associations in Second Life I thought I’d keep Stefanie and then find some vaguely literary sounding last name. But once I choose a name I can never change it. Pressure!
Not knowing anyone who has a Second Life character, I can’t ask them what kinds of names people use. I mean, should I make up a different first name? Will I be a total dork if I keep Stefanie? My name should probably match my avatar, but I have no plans on being an elf or any other kind of creature, just a boring modern day human. Do I choose a last name I like and then come up with a clever first name to match it? Do people in Second Life go in for creative naming? Somehow I imagine they do. So any advice would be much appreciated.
After I figure out a name and get all signed up, I’ll have to make an avatar. That will be fun but I envision hours of goofing around to get it just so. Maybe I need to take a few days off from work so I’ll have the time. Hmm…
You don’t have to be an elf…. When I joined, I was given a choice of last names, but I got to choose my first. I kept Teabird (my nom de web) and chose Tigerpaw. So, Teabird Tigerpaw at your service!
I believe ALA already has a presence on Information Island, as does the Cleveland Public Library and others. If you poke around Book Island, you’ll find some book-ish events. I’ve also enjoyed some of the elven and fairy areas because the characters who live there have done a log (!) of research!
Have fun with it! (And remember, you might want to be an elf… sometimes…)
I’m lucky that my video card can’t handle SL (though I’m about to upgrade). I’ve heard that there are real university classes there, and recruiting for the RCMP. Wild.
Wow — I know nothing about this, but am curious to learn! Or maybe it’s something I’m better off not getting into??
I’ve been resisting Second Life; I hardly have time for my first one! Seriously, while in theory I think it sounds like a great idea, I’m overwhelmed by the thought of how much time it would take up. So, can’t help you with this one!
It took forever to pick out a name, and even then, I just put something in because I was tired of being told it was unavailable. I thought I could change it later, but surprise, no can do. Nonetheless, I like it and it has become a real part of my Second Life identity.
It is in interesting space in terms of libraries, because it is taking the concept of the library and changing its focus from the physical book object to information, even if the information is a piece of fiction. How does it expand possibilities? What are the limits? Where can your imagination take you?
I will say that I’ve met more creative people in SL on average than I do in my daily life.
I actually signed up for a Second Life Avatar a while back, just to see what’s the deal with it. I hung out at a few “nightclubs” and I was sooooo bored.
I guess like all things, you have to know what you’re looking for to find it fun. I probably will like it better if I knew how to get around to the things I am interested in. Maybe you can do some research on places you might like to visit.
But I like how there are people who’s avatar is Superman – really! And there’s a Stormtrooper avatar out there with his own spacecraft. I met a dragon too. There’s also some place where aspiring musicians just put their music out for visitors to listen to.
My avatar is named Pagan Rayna – she’s goth punk, in black and leopard prints, with the black boots.
I guess your name can be a projection of something you would like to be. There’s definitely fantasy role-playing going on on Second Life. One of my friend’s avatar has the most drool-worthy body — which is just not happening in real life. ;p
You can be an Ewok if you prefer. Or a vampire.
I wonder if there’s chess in Second Life…?
I’ve never been on it and I don’t know anyone who has, but I think it’s an interesting concept and I’d like to hear more about it (without needing to play myself). I guess I have such a hard time dealing with the one life, that I can’t see the benefit in having a second one
Melanie/Teabird, thanks for the advice and information! I decided to have have some fun and create an alter-ego of sorts. When I’m done playing around with the way I look and learn how to get around, I’ll have to look you up!
Sylvia, I don’t meet all the specs but am close enough that it still works even if it isn’t fast and smooth. And after I figure out the basics I will investigate whether or not there is chess there
Dorothy, I’ll let you know what I find out.
Melanie, that’s why I’ve been resisting SL too. But I decided to take the plunge.
Kar, thanks for you comment! I decided to invent a whole new name and of course it was already taken. I had to try quite a few before I found one. But I like it well enough and will make the most of it. Your questions are the kind that convinced me to leap in!
Dark Orpheus, I’d be bored by nightclubs too. I decided to put aside my persona worries and just embrace the creativeness of it. I’ve not got my final look yet but I am having fun making it.
Litlove, I will let you know about what I learn and whether having two lives is better than one!
I got curious and looked it up and apparently there is avatar chess, where people form teams and play each other as the chess pieces. I believe they wear hats to identify which piece they are. Sounds confusing to me!
I don’t know the answer to any of your questions [having never visited the Second Life site] but I do know that the whole thing can become very addictive… very realistic.
I met this person in a Chapters store, and he told me about Second Life. He was a Second Life Addict.
It sounded [to me] profoundly interesting and profoundly spooky all at once.
I did not investigate further because I find living my First Life time-involving enough!
– Cip
I feel like I just walked in to a foreign country in which I only know a handful of words. I’ve never heard of Second Life, and people are suggesting ALA have a presence there? Shows how long I’ve been out of the library world!
If you are looking for some book-related events in Second Life (now that you are in), check out the Caledon Library. The Library’s web site carries a list of upcoming events: http://www.thelibrarymilitant.net/blog/
Kar, cool! Thanks!