Today, as I was browsing through my website, I discovered this old post. The site Second Life has apparently been taken down. So as you read this post, you will notice that I have removed all the links. But I like to keep this post up so others will know that this site no longer exist. The experience, however, has been interesting. …
When I was first introduced to second life, I had no inkling as to what “secondlife” might mean. I gave it a wild guess before responding to my friend’s message on twitter. “@hiannie Are you joining second life? #secondlife.” a friend shouted on twitter.
My respond to that was, “I am enjoying my second life.” I started listing down words that start with the letter ‘s’. Words like “sweet, singing, satisfied, songs, singer, sassy, surreal, serene”. Then the hashtag discussions #sl keeps appearing on my twitter timeline as friends begin to speak about their second life parties and meetings. I thought, “Wait a second. Am I missing something here?”
So I went about finding more information with my friends on twitter. Apparently, it is a sort of virtual environment that allows the user to transform into an animated figure, socialise and explore in that environment as they would in real life when they go out shopping, dancing, studying or attending a meeting. I was unimpressed at first because I had to first learn some new technical jargons before I could start to enjoy myself.
The steps are easy as pie, once you have got it installed:
1. ** No downloads are needed.
Download the application to your desktop. Be warn, it is huge. I have already got lots of Mandarin programmes loaded on my laptop, so when I got the application installed and started using it, the programme crashed a few times while I was in second life.
2. Oh this should be step one. You have to create an account first of course. You can choose to look like anyone or anything with a handsome avatar. Your name on second life is different from your real name. It is imagination unlimited.
Here’s the childlike bit. You can fly from places to places (I forgot to stop flying and was caught hovering over my friend when I met her. ) or be teleported to another location. The next thing you know you are sitting at a campsite with your friend, like how I did today with @barbaska.
Watch this video If you think you are bored with all the chatrooms that don’t let you do the walking, writing, typing, chatting, drinking (not sure that would be possible in the virtual world), and flying, check out second life. You may feel you are in an arcade at first but this is way better than the arcade. Less noise, more activity which spark your imagination in ways that even a kid would want to site beside you while you play.
I have yet to meet the other fellow English teachers who have been waiting impatiently for me to get in secondlife: @Aniya and @ShellTerrel.
Do I need to be on?
I mean – if you already have a first life with (with a loving family etc – like I know you have) – why do you need a second life?
Also – what does the application download do ? If I download to 1 pc – does that mean that I can’t log in on any other?
Hi, the application works from your desktop. After launching it, you will taken to the virtual environment. The browser is not need here.
You cannot login from another pc. The application is launched locally. Yet it does allow other to meet you virtually as well. It’s unlike the case when you are the host of a virtual meeting room. Every user who launches their secondlife application software has full control of their movement and activities.
It is good to give a try. If its not for you, you can delete it.
It was great to meet you in Second Life today! I look forward to many more adventures–promise to take you to the Chinese speaking areas 🙂
One clarification for Jonathon. Once you’ve created a Second Life account, you CAN log on from any computer (like checking your email on gmail, for example). But, you will need to download the Second Life software for each of those computers.
One of the best things about Second Life is that it allows me (in Japan) to do things together with Annie (in Singapore), and if we’re lucky (or unable to sleep) we can also meet up with friends in Italy and Germany (or anywhere else) and attend a concert, or visit a museum, or attend a teacher training workshop. Second Life allows us all to be in the same place while living far apart.
And, it’s fun!
Hi Barbara, it sure feels like we could have gone on talking all day at the campsite. See you real soon.
Well – I downloaded and got started but it looked extremely complicated…
Maybe I need to arrange to meet you guys (if I knew how to do that!) so you can show me?
It’s not as complicated as it looks, although there is a learning curve. You will need to create an account, choose a name and an avatar (Annie knows all about that, now!).
Once you get past that very little bit, it’s easy to show you the rest. I think Annie and I are going to try and meet on Friday. I don’t know what time she has in mind, but if you’re free to join us, we can go over some basics and then play 🙂
That can certainly be arranged!
Hi Annie, what a surprise reading about your Second Life experience, I have been waiting for you for ages and then find out you have been on all on the quiet, tut tut that is not good enough!!! 😉 Please read my recent blog post http://www.theenglishteacheronline.com/teaching-on-second-life-part-2/ and let your readers know that your computer needs to be powerful, so usually a laptop is out of the question, I know mine is too slow so I use my desktop which is fine. I hope to see you soon along with @shellterrell btw I am @TheEngTeacher on Twitter 😉
@jonathan the question why do I need a Second Life? Our main aim as educators is to teach students, we are not looking for a SL to be better than our first, you need to use SL to see the benefits first and most people give up before they even try. You are right it is quite complex to start with, so make sure you enter with a guide or friend to show you around, maybe we will see you around too, there is never a dull moment if you learn and interact with the right people 😉
Hello girlfriend. Thought I’d spring a surprise. Since our timezones differ greatly, I was only so glad that @barbaraska was available within an hour difference in time. So I jumped in straightaway on tuesday. No not intending to leave you guys out. The last time you had a party, I was in bed sleeping. 🙂
Glad you had such a great time! Lynn helped me along the way as well so I know you were in great hands. Hope you didn’t step on her head like the first time I met her! She will have to take you to the photo booth. It is a great place for pictures and was a lot of fun!
I have to deny myself the chance to go in again today because the application cannot run on my laptop smoothly. Hope to get going next week again.
Hi Annie, like I said you won’t get far on a laptop, unless it’s a really powerful one, do you not have a desktop pc? Hi @Shelly you’re not following me again are you? lol Hi @Barbara 😉
Hi, there. The desktop pc, is not enough at the moment as we have not loaded with enough memory to handle a big application like secondlife. No worries, I will get there.
Your friends will all be there waiting for you when you do make it more “stably” into Second Life 🙂
Thank you for your compliments. I write what I know, what I don’t know, I find out.