Second Life
For those who don't know already, Second Life (SL) is a large virtual online community that's very similar to a Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) game, only with no game. Instead, Linden Research Inc., the "game's" creator, provides user with only:
- A virtual world to host the people and objects
- An avatar by which a user can explore, interact, and socialize
- Personal property (land) that can be built on or sold to others for profit
- Tools that can be used to create custom items, avatar modifications, and scripted actions
- An economy using Linden Dollars (game money) for the exchange of land and customizations
Because only land ownership costs money while all other aspects of the game are free, SL has exploded in popularity for people seeking something fun to do, for creative/artistic types looking to express themselves, and for entrepreneurial sorts seeking to make real-life money.
Though a harmless pastime for many, the freedom which Linden gives it's customers has brought a host of questions about how to deal with both in-game and real-world problems.
| With a virtual word comes Virtual Crime. Learn how Second Life has demonstrated how real life crime can spread to virtual ones. |
| If you want to mess with Second Life, first take the time to learn a few things first. |
| The Second Life Ultra-Primer is a detailed guide written by an experienced SL player. Be sure to check it out! |
