What is Second Life?

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Second Life is a 3-d virtual world which you access from your computer. With over ten million users, it is a vibrant microcosm of the real world, featuring continents and countries, and private island spaces. Users of Second Life build the world around them by creating buildings, gadgets, clothes and tools to enrich the user experience. In Second Life you can dress snappily and then take your avatar out shopping, sailing, driving, playing and learning - the options are limited only by your imagination. Add to this various communication options including text and voice chat, and you have a vibrant international community which is growing rapidly every day.

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Why should I be interested in Second Life?
The online world is changing - it is more than likely that the Internet will look more like Second Life than the Internet we know within the next five years. Indeed, Gartner predict that 80% of Internet users will have a virtual life by 2011. More than anything, Second Life is a social world where people talk, compare and recommend - and with the average user being in their late twenties and early thirties (and with high acquisitional power), this is an audience which should interest you, and one you should be mining. Whether you're an educator, trainer, manager or company owner.

How do I get started?
You'll need to create a free account at the Second Life website and download and install the SL client software. If you want to use voice to interact with others you'll need a microphone and speakers, or a headset. Once you have your account and have logged in, be sure to spend some time on Orientation Island to learn the basics, then head out to experience this exciting space.

1. Download: http://secondlife.com/community/downloads.php
   
2. Sign-up: https://secondlife.com/join
   
3. Install QuickTime: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download
   
4. Guide: http://beyondbroadcast.net/wiki/index.php?title=Beginner%27s_Guide

What can EduNation do for me?
Investing in land in Second Life is not something that most people or organisations are prepared to do without considerable research. An island costs US$1600 to buy and then a further US$295 per month to rent. Spaces such as EduNation exist to give organisations a cheap, easy and - more importantly - fully-supported entry point into Second Life. As part of EduNation your organisation will have a permanent base in Second Life, access to tools and visual aids and the support of people who have been in Second Life for a considerable amount of time, who understand the culture and who are able to make things happen - and help you acquire the skills to leverage the environment to your advantage.

How much will all this cost?
Very little in terms of financial investment, and perhaps a little more of your time than you are used to giving to Net technologies. However, if you want to join over 50% of UK universities, over 70 American colleges and over 40 other educational organisations in exploring the marketing and teaching opportunities of SL then the investment is relatively small (we're talking under US$200 per year in most cases).

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Can I try before I buy?
We're so convinced that this is a place your organisation should be that we will happily spend some time with you in SL and give you a guided tour of the facilities, including a showcase plot and building similar to the rentals we have on offer. We'll also show you some of our purpose-built teaching environments and some of the cutting-edge tools that can be leveraged in-world for seminars, workshops, classes, demonstrations and marketing purposes. If you're convinced, choose from one of our EduNation III rental packages to get started.

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Who should I contact?
Contact Gavin Dudeney via the contact form on this website - or send an instant message to Dudeney Ge from within Second Life.