How to get started with SecondLife? Get your own!

This month, in my Internet Technologies column for University Business, I discuss what SecondLife, the 3-D virtual world, can offer to higher ed institutions.

The best way to understand the possibilities of Second Life is to sign up for a free account. You just need to pick the name of your Second Life avatar (the first name is up to you, but the last name can only be selected from preset options in a drop-down menu), your date of birth (it will “validate” your adult status) and an email address on this registration page. Then, the SL client application needs to be downloaded and installed on your computer.

Once everything is installed, just open the application and… start walking (use the arrows on your keyboards), you’re on Welcome Island.

You will be offered the opportunity to change your avatar’s appearance and a few tips on how to move around and interact with objects or people. Don’t forget to try to fly and take a few snapshots.

After this initial introduction, you can find interesting places to visit by using the SL client integrated search engine or browsing the selection I’ve prepared for you, available at www.collegewebeditor.com/visitsecondlife.

You should also request a free guest membership to the NMC Campus. By becoming a NMC guest, your avatar will be able to take part in their public events. You should visit NMC campus as it is enabled to offer the integrated SL voice chat feature.

And, if you want to chat further about the possibilities of SL for institutional advancement, admissions or alum relations just send an in-world message to Karine Apogee, my avatar’s name.