Virtual Worlds & AppsEDT 321

Porter, Amanda, & Mac

Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O62GHcIVKS4

What is the Virtual World?Online community

Computer-based simulated environment

Users can interact with each other

Creating their own objects

What is Virtual

Application?Optimized to run on virtual infrastructure

Operating system combined inside a virtual machine

Top 10 Virtual WorldsSecond Life

World of WarcraftKanevaThere

Active WorldsMeet MeMy World

HiPiHiA World of My Own

Moove

What is an Avatar?

• Digital persona that you can create and customize

• Its YOU, just only in 3D

• Resemble you or an alternate identity

• The only limit is YOUR imagination

PurposeSocial Networking

Dating

Gaming

Educational Learning

Stress Reliever

SimilaritiesShared space

Graphical interface

Immediacy

Interactivity

Persistence

Socialization/ Community

Harms of Virtual Worlds

Online Predators

Don’t know who you are really talking to

Can easily lie about who you are

Addiction

Costs of Virtual Worlds

Most are free but have to pay for extras within the game

Free Trial then monthly payments

Free Trial then yearly payment

Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_application

http://secondlife.com/

http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/10/24/top-10-online-virtual-worlds.htm

QuestionsDo you participate in online virtual worlds? If yes, which ones?

Do you think virtual worlds are safe? Why?

How many people do you know that are actively involved in virtual worlds?