Virtual worlds

Taking a look into virtual worlds, they can be simply described as a computer generated environment for users to inhabit. Within these worlds, users can collaborate with others through use of text, images, gestures and sound.
Some examples of these virtual worlds include Second life, IMVU, Entropia Universe as well as many Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games (World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Guild Wars and Ragnarok Online just to name a few).

These virtual worlds such as second life are a great idea for collaboration, for example, in an architectural project with more than one client or architect, they can use this virtual world to collaborate on ideas and work in real time.

[1]

Virtual worlds can also advantageous in several ways such as

• low cost and maintenance
• accessed from any location in the world
• user-friendly environment
• multiple users can collaborate in real time

And of course, come the disadvantages such as

• training to use the program or interface
• internet access is required
• loss of facial expressions and gestures
  

Virtual Worlds are used by professional businesses to interact with the public and gather feedback. They are a great cost effective way to communicate with users all over the world on ideas and new technology.

A NASA research center set up a Space CoLab on the Second Life Grid that allows NASA scientists and engineers to collaborate with each other and work remotely with public, private, and international partners. [2]

The following video suggest alternatives to face to face confrontation in situations such as office meetings and lectures. The video demonstrates the flexibility of virtual worlds and the extents to which they can be used, even large companies such as IBM, Sony and Wall Street Journal
[3]

In our group I don't think it would be necessary to access a virtual world to communicate with each other, although it could be useful when trying to convey thoughts and ideas using 3D worlds to build something in real time.


Links
NASA - CoLab - accessed 01/04/08
Wikipedia - Virtual Worlds - accessed 01/04/08

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[1] Youtube - Architecture on the Double (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7bXu2ozXo0)
[2] NASA CoLab (http://colab.arc.nasa.gov/)
[3] Joe Sanchez - Exploring Virtual Worlds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R1SrZua5ww)