Apps and Virtual Reality: The Future of "Second Life"

When you think of a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, you probably think of "World of Warcraft" or "Elder Scrolls Online." What you may not automatically think of, though, is "Second Life." This is not a game per say, but more like a virtual world. Users can interact with other players and build houses or even whole towns in a 3-D space by using open source tools. With just under 1 million users, this game is one of the most popular in the MMO space, so here's a deeper look into this online world:

Community

What makes "Second Life" unique compared to other MMOs is that there isn’t a game component. There aren’t quests to finish or enemies to kill. Instead it is all about building a virtual life and interacting with those around you. In this online community, you can find like-minded people and interact with them in a different way than a purely text-based forum can provide.

Mobile

As of yet, there isn't a first-party way for users to log into "Second Life" through a mobile app made by Linden Lab. However, because so much of the technology behind the game is open source, independent developers have created apps that give you varying levels of access to the world. Here are just a few:

·         Lumiya: This is one of the largest of the third-party apps for accessing "Second Life." Originally, the app was designed to run on devices in the generation of the Galaxy S3. However, it is still available in the Google Play Store and is still supported on newer Android phones like the Galaxy S6. And, because the hardware has gotten considerably better, the performance of the app is even smoother. Priced at just under $3.00, it puts it in reach if you want basic functionality, such as chatting with friends and managing inventory.

·         Mobile Grid Client: This app is another Android-based app that gives you many of the same features as Lumiya. Mobile Grid Client strives to be extremely lightweight by keeping data consumption rates low. Whereas Lumiya gives you a 3-D representation of your character, Mobile Grid uses a top-down map that lets you see yourself relative to your surroundings and other players without being data intensive. The trade off with Mobile Grid Client is cost, though. After a 14-day free trial, you can unlock a standard or pro version for L$250 or L$450 per month, respectively. These are priced using "Second Life’s" internal currency, which roughly translates to between $1-2 per month depending on the exchange rates.

·         Pocket Metaverse: If you are a "Second Life" user on iPhone, then Pocket Metaverse is the place to go. This is another top-down style app rather than one that simulates the actual look of the game. Pocket Metaverse has designed its interface to be as close to the iPhone's design as possible, which makes it easy for you to understand how each tool works.

Future

With VR technology becoming more popular and affordable, there may be a resurgence in "Second Life." Because so much of the appeal of "Second Life" came from the world building and community rather than fighting, this is a perfect place for VR. With VR technology, "Second Life" could truly become a place where communities interact with each other.

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What Tech-Savvy UK Teens Are Doing This Summer 2016

image borrowed from morguefile.com

Summer is quickly approaching and teens are getting set to have a bit of fun and adventure. However, some are looking to move forward with their lives in order to prepare for university which also means learning to drive. From hi-tech apps and gaming systems to online learner driving tests, many teens throughout the UK will be just as busy as they are entertained. Here is what is expected of tech-savvy UK teens for the summer of 2016.

Top Trending Apps for Social Media

Teens are the most social demographic of any age group. From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram, you will usually find your teen glued to his or her mobile phone messaging away the hours of the day. Well, move over top three apps as there’s a new kid in town, Snapchat. Last year this cool little app came in fourth to the expected top three but this year tells another story. In the US as well as in the UK, Snapchat beat out the previous top apps by at least one percentage point in a survey by banker Piper Jaffray. This summer expect UK teens to be snapping and chatting the hours away.

Studying for Their Driver Tests

Some teens are in their last year of school before going off to university and are studying for their driving test. Since they have to pass the theory first before they can take the practical, this is where they will be found a good bit of the summer. There are even online sites like Toptests where learner drivers can practice taking the theory part of the test to see what’s in store for them when they are ready to take the real thing. If you have a home PC or laptop and internet access, you might want to show your son or daughter where they can get the extra practice they need so they can ace the theory test when they take the official one.

Gaming the Hours Away

Gaming is no longer what it was when most parents were teens. Now it is all about an online community and all the leading gaming systems require internet access to reach the higher levels of the games. Kids are no longer solitary individuals gaming from a console in their living rooms cut off from the rest of the world. Whilst they are physically in the same location, they are also connected to a global group of kids playing the same games either as team members or in competition with one another. Worrying about your teen spending too much time alone? Maybe you needn’t worry as they may just be connected with hundreds of others their same age!

So what are tech savvy kids doing this summer in the UK? You will probably see them attached to their mobile phones or iPads but you probably shouldn’t worry if they are getting the proper socialisation skills. They aren’t alone in their digital world and many will actually be learning something. If you are concerned, check out what they are doing and what sites they are frequenting, but when all is said and done, you’ll see they’re probably just having a bit of summer fun.

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How to Make Your Business be one of the Best In Second Life- Piers Diesel Reporting...

Having or starting a business in any worlds can be a tough, with long hours, dedication and most of all the will to make your business if not the best but one of the best in the business world.

So where do you begin? There are a few steps in achieving the goal of becoming a successful business and here is a few steps to get you started.

Get a website

If you don’t have a website then you need to consider one. As 99.9% of your customers will check your website out to see what type of business you are by just the way the website is designed and the information you provide, even if you do not sell anything on it. Make sure your website delivers results. So it looks attractive, functional and has the ability to attract new customers to it. Appearance, organization and first impressions are very important because they represent your business.

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