Virtual Lab Tasks 6 & 7

Hello Group!

Here is everyones portion of task 6 & 7, which we signed up for in class. 

Task 6 (1-2 pages)

1. Why would an org. and its members select virtual worlds based on social information and objective media characteristics to meet its communication needs?

-Peter (When completed, send to Jake)

2. What are the structural and individual considerations in implementing virtual worlds into organizations?

-Erin (When completed, send to Jake)

Jake - Question 1 & 2 on task 6 need to flow together and meet the 1-2 page guidelines. Then please send task 6 to Brittany so she can edit the paper and make sure it is in APA format. 

Task 7: (1-2 pages)

Discuss societal implications of virtual worlds?

-Carla and Danielle 

Brittany - In class today, we divided the tasks as we did before. Both papers are going to be sent to you, which need to be reviewed and edited. Could you also check for proper APA formatting please?

Any questions, let me know!

 

Virtual Lab 2: Task 5

Virtual Lab 2: Task 5

Numerous communication technology channels have been implemented into organizations to maintain and improve communication. These communication technology channels include email, phone, Internet, and even Second Life. Various organizations have incorporated Second Life into their communication style.

First, IBM. IBM owns numerous Second Life properties. Peter Westermann did some exploring and found that the IBM site he visited is co-sponsored by a company called Eagle. He found information kiosks offering information to developers. He found the architecture and design of this Island to be fantastic. There are giant glass buildings, ecodomes, and a huge auditorium. There are even futuristic-looking vehicles around the island that you can try out. Oddities include abstract, animated sculptures and even a Time Machine. Everything was very professional, yet relaxed and inviting. It seemed as though there usually is staff at the Island to answer questions and help out.



Secondly, Westermann was transported to H&R Block’s Second Life Island. Just like the IBM Island, it is very stylish and futuristic. The green color used in the logo is featured all over the place. There was a map in the welcome room with orange circles to click, each one teleported you to main sections of the Island. Strangely enough, a prominent feature of this corporate Island was a Ballroom. There is huge dance hall with a disco floor and fountains. H&R Block employees are available to ask about tax or any other questions. H&R Block went even a step further by giving you Second Life inventory items to download which gives you H&R Block branded clothing and such.

Lastly, Westermann visited Geek Squad Island. This is the Island representing the computer repair and support section of Best Buy. Westermann was greeted by two Geek Squad representatives. Upon arriving there was a tall black man using some extremely inappropriate language. The geek squad employees immediately threw him off the island, which was a bit entertaining to watch. It was interesting to see that even in the cyber business world people acting inappropriately are asked to leave. The Miller article we read in this unit talked about how many communication media filters out cues that would be available in face-to-face interactions. In this situation, this can be seen as benefit rather than a downside. The employees were able to easily remove a problem created by a customer’s poor behavior without any face-to-face interaction, which can be very stressful or possibly damaging to an employee.

The Geek Squad Island was very fun and inventive. There were many bright colors and different elements to play with. There are scavenger hunts and prizes the Island gives out for participating in quizzes and surveys. There are even tests to take to see if you are “Geek Squad Material”, presumably for hiring purposes. Westermann sat down and talked to some of the employees because they looked rather bored, and found them to be very friendly.

One of the reading summaries for this unit nicely explains, in a broad sense, the power Second Life is giving corporations: “In summary, new communication technologies offer organizational participants a wide array of interaction and decision-making options that can differ substantially from traditional ways of working. “

Virtual Lab 2: Task 4

Virtual Lab 2: Task 4

Second Life. What once seemed impossible is very usable today. Usable for entertainment, networking, and education. Second life is a virtual world used over the Internet that anyone can use because it's free. You can create a person, change their appearance, buy land and clothes and other items using the Second Life Linden Dollar. Second Life went online publicly in 2003 and has been increasing in popularity since then. Last month, accounts registered totalled over 13 million. Some participants view it as a game, though it's without point totals, levels or losers. In Second Life, and its many capabilities, all participants are winners.

While exploring this virtual world, you can walk, run, fly, and, basically, teleport anywhere in Second Life. It's also easy to communicate using the many options available to the user. You can text based chat with your keyboard or you can voice chat using a headset and microphone. Email is also available within Second Life. You can even eavesdrop on others’ conversations by simply walking up next to users who are talking. Finally, you can invite others to be friends and keep in close contact with them.

Educational institutions have taken steps to use Second Life. Montana State, Harvard, Ball State, Bradley University, Cal State and UCLA, just to name a few, have either talked about or have used Second Life in their classes or have immediate plans to use it for educational purposes. Some campuses already have full virtual replicas of their current campuses on Second Life for their students. This is very informational for students or student prospects to find their way on larger campuses.

From a technical standpoint, Second Life is used over the Internet. While running the program, most users need to limit the amount of applications they have open at the same time. By doing this, Second Life runs more smoothly. The program itself takes up over ten times as much memory as Microsoft Word. The best part about Second Life is the ability to explore. While tutorials are very helpful, the best way to figure out this is to simply browse.

When comparing the characteristics of Second Life to an alternate Web 2.0 Technology like Facebook, it is obvious how much richer a medium Second Life is. As was previously stated, Second Life gives individuals the opportunity to communicate. Through Facebook, people communicate on a leaner level due to the delay time between messages sent. On Second Life a user is given the opportunity to communicate instantly via voice or text chat. That being said, Second Life has more capabilities than Facebook to handle emotional messages. Facebook has given many people the chance to display themselves in the way they choose to be represented. For example, people may exemplify themselves to be conservative, driven, and sharp when in reality they may be far from it. Second Life is somewhat similar to Facebook in this characteristic because it allows users to not only portray themselves as they choose, but allow them to create an entirely new identity!

Second Life allows individuals to communicate virtually, almost physically. As previously stated, one has the ability to fly, walk, run and interact with others in Second Life. Facebook has limited interaction ability in this aspect as it does not allow immediate response.

When comparing these two mediums, both Second Life and Facebook are computer-based. Facebook has few glitches and is able to be downloaded onto any computer. Second Life states it is not compatible with computers unless minimum system requirements are met.

Although Facebook is a small part of the Internet, it has its advantages and disadvantages which are both similar to and different from those in virtual worlds. Both virtual worlds and Facebook are attractive because they are interactive, free, fun, and easy to use and navigate. Virtual world applications like Second Life can attract businesses by portraying the way your business is viewed by the public and can be used as an educational tool. Both Facebook and virtual worlds allow users to interact with other through sharing pictures, posting notes (IM, wall posts or videos, etc), or using the technology as a networking device.

Disadvantages of virtual worlds and Facebook are that they can be time consuming and distracting. You also have to be careful of Internet privacy issue. Although Second Life does a better job of keeping your identity hidden through the use of a fake name, you still have to be careful not to give away too much personal information about yourself. Posting a Facebook picture, writing a note on someones public wall, or making a comment on someone else’s wall could hurt you. Even if the information or picture is later deleted, it still exists in a backlog file. Many employers are now conducting background checks that include Facebook before deciding to hire or even interview a job candidate.


http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~mpepper/slbib
http://terrya.edublogs.org/2006/07/17/an-educator-discovers-his-secondlife/

TITO SPIRT

Hello All!!! My name is Tito Spirt, I’ve done the causal appearance, blue jeans and white shirt, mostly because I want to get used to 2nd life before I spend money to look a little different. I would like to get a better feel for it. So far the challenges and first impression have been the same, a struggle. I’ve tried on multiple computers in different settings, work, school and home and have had struggles logging on consistently. Both at school and work I’ve been blocked while at home it has made my computer crash. No excuses I will find a computer that works. Hope all is well and the little I’ve done, It’s been fun. I mean who doesn’t like to FLY!

Another look around second life

Well guys, I got my computer back, and was able to walk around a bit more. I also learned how to: change the length of my hair, body type, eyes, etc... 

I visited the apple store, but, no one was there, and there didn't seem to be too much going on. I also visited the statue of liberty, however, no one was there either.

I could not figure out how to take a snap shot with me in it? Help?

Hopefully this won't turn into an addiction...!!

My Avatar's name is Carla Hiess. Downloading was definitely an obstacle...my comp techie was out of town. While I tend to think things comparable to SL are ridiculous, I think Second Life is far from it. While so many of us complained about how people took on obsurd actions, I think it's hilarious...almost makes me want to be that person. :) Going through it was definitely interesting. I changed my Avatar to have somewhat similar features to me, with the exception of hair. My favorite outfit created is called "Carrie/Charlotte"(referencing sex and the city)...I consider it to be rather chic. My Avatar is as tall as possible (bc I'd do anything to be a few inches taller) and has an athletic build. What impressed me most was how much you could actually change your character!! Fantastic :)

Tasks 1-5

The name of my avatar is Bianca Lutwag. I changed everything about my appearance (hair color and style, type of clothing, makeup style, painted my nails, lips, skin color, eyes, eyebrows, legs... you get the idea) because I wanted the avatar to look more like myself. I tried to upload a picture of my avatar, but she seems to be shy and always looks away when we're face to face and the blogger site said there were internal problems with uploading my screen shot.

I didn't have many challenges in getting oriented to Second Life. Once I used and uploaded the program on a different computer I was finally able to log in. Once I got use to walking, everything else seemed fairly easy. My first impressions of Second Life are that it seems like an interesting program. I think it's interesting how you can "play" around in the program, but other than listening to classes or lecture, I have yet to learn, understand, and see first hand how this program could help companies.

dano Freese

My Avatars name is dano Freese. Going into this, I was very confused what I was doing and what exactly second life was. I was not able to do much because my desktop does not have the right system requirements, and my labtop is at the apple store in Tennessee getting fixed. I was able to walk around a bit, however, when I tried to communicate with anyone or change my appearance, my computer froze up. The other problem I encountered, was the computers on campus don't allow you to download the program. So for now, my avatar is the "girl next door."

Second life seems pretty neat, and I am interested in learning more when I get my labtop back sometime this week.

My picture finally posted...this is where I went yesterday. Hooray! (I'm in the middle chair.)

My Avatar -

(Note: I tried to load a picture a few times and it wouldn't work. I ended up visiting CNN.)

My avatar's name is Odette Rozensztrauch.

The features I changed are as follows:
1) the shirt (I got a new one for free from two knights)
2) lightened/shortened the hair
3) lightened the skin
4) darkened the eyes
5) shortened up the nose
6) increased the height
I changed these features because they are, in general, more like me...though it looks nothing like me and I'm probably shorter.

I had a challenge at first with getting onto Orientation Island. I found a few naked bodies and a just grey landscape. I struggled because I worried I didn't have the right video card; however, I got out of it, reinstalled the software, and it ended up being just fine. After that, the tutorials and orientation were a snap.

I found Second Life to be a pseudo-pickup joint. I don't know how many guys walked up to me and tried to talk or whistle. I would respond with a "hi" and that's as far as it went because the next girl came along. One guy asked for help and I asked for what and then moved on, too. Very easy to navigate, walk, and get to where I wanted to go. Pretty cool. Though, I did get a little bored after a while. I just don't understand the purpose yet but that's the point. Also, I was the only one at CNN. That was funny to me...

first post

My Second Life avatar's name is Chino Oh. I think it is a man but I'm not very sure. Either way, Chino isn't a very attractive individual.

I changed the shape and facial features of my avatar to be confusingly ugly. In real life I am a fairly normal and appropriately dressed person, so I thought I would try going in the opposite direction.

I found Second Life to be very confusing at first. There are a lot of controls and options and it takes a while to find everything. The time it takes for the new areas to load is a little disorienting as well. When I warp to a new part of the map its hard to tell whats going on for quite a while.

My first impression of second life is that it's very superficial. I found people seemed unwilling to talk to me because I am so ugly. I was the only ugly avatar, everyone else seemed like they were trying to look as hot as possible. I also felt like there was way too much commercialism going on. It was almost hard to find a spot in Second Life that wasnt overrun with ads and stuff for sale.