Social Networking with Face and Place

For me Second Life is social networking - plus. 

But I had my doubts at first. Let's face it, I was far from a computer geek and my idea of video games is Ms. PacMan. Could I learn about a new world?

First step was orientation where I learned to walk and talk and dress myself, though I still walk into walls sometimes. A big step was buying hair - and shoes that didn't make my feet look like clubs. I went to famous landmarks by myself, took fun photos and listened to great music. Next came meeting other people.

And it was the interactions with other people - far and away above everything else - that have been the key. Sitting in a virtual room interacting with a group of people I know from twitter, Second Life, or elsewhere in the real world is an amazing thing.

To be quite honest it's not about geek abilities, To thrive in Second Life I call on my corporate wife skills and need good taste and good judgment more than I need skills with a joystick or programming. I use the same arsenal of information and instinct I honed as a mom or an advertising manager or a program evaluator. 

So to those of you in doubt. If you're able to navigate real life, read a map, look up information in a directory and ask questions you'll do fine in Second Life. 

And if you need more help I'll be glad to point you in the direction of some great realistic looking skin!

Comments

[Susan]

OK, I'll come clean since Andy and Rob have. I'm pretty shy in real life as well until I feel like I know who I'm dealing with. In SL I usually have a reason to interact - and I think it's easy to find interaction as a woman in SL in any case :^)

And Des' point about search function is a bone of contention to me as well. I do know some folks I can introduce you to though Des, so you'll be able to get a feel for what's being released.

If you haven't met Nick Wilson of http://metaversed.com I'd highly recommend any of the events he organizes. In fact I'll write a blog post about that very issue as soon as I can.

[Des Walsh]

I had the advantage of having a FL friend on SL who helped me dress so I didn't look like a noob and showed me around a bit. So far have not found interesting conversations and find the search function less than helpful. My current interest is in seeing what's there so I can join the FL conversation about SL/metaverses and business possibilities with some first hand knowledge.

[Rob Clark]

I originally popped into SL to evaluate it as a communications tool, and it has quickly become a primary source of entertainment and social fun.

I've noticed the same thing as Andy. I struggle at the traditional networking because I am fairly shy. I'm lousy at the whole 'small-talk' thing. But in Second Life I'm a total extrovert and the life of the party. I can walk up to anyone and strike up a conversation.

I figure if I can discover what it is that causes me to drop the blocks in SL and open up to people, my real professional life will benefit enormously.

[AndyCast Andy]

Second Life is really what you make of it. I know many, many people who sign up, login and are expected to be entertained. These are the same people who ask "Ok, so now I'm in Second Life, what do I do?" My favorite response has always been "Anything you want to do?"

I use Second Life in many different ways. I too use it as a social networking tool to keep in touch with Twitter friends, Podcast Friends and friends I've made in Second Life. I also use it a game in that I have a very curious nature and I enjoy just opening up the Second Life map, and teleporting anywhere I see the green dots (other SL people) and just visit and explore and interact. In real life, I am a very shy person, in Second Life I am not...I'm gregarious and outspoken and I'm finding that the successes I'm having on the Grid are bleeding into my real life. I also use Second Life as a creative outlet. I've built a few things here and there and have even begun to tinker with the scripting that's available. I find it very easy to be totally consumed in the creation of my home/studio in SL that hours just simply pass unnoticed.

I really have no interest in the commercial side of SL since I detest shopping there due to overload, primarily. This is a case where too much is really too much.

Lastly, I use Second Life as out and out entertainment. I enjoy the time I spend on the Grid and the time I spend with the people there is just as important to me as the time I spend with real life friends...

Oh wait..I have no RL friends...;-)

See you on the Grid!

Andy Bilodeau (aka Dude Rust)
http://duderustradio.com