Synopses & Reviews
Get your group on the GridThis complete reference will guide your organization toward a successful and compelling presence in the amazing virtual world of Second Life. Written by an innovative, expert Second Life Solution Provider who has helped corporations, educational institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and others establish and maintain their Second Life presence, this official guide walks you through the entire process of creating, refining, and maintaining your organization's presence in Second Life.
You'll explore the infrastructure of the Second Life Grid and decide whether you should go it alone or work with a Solution Provider. You'll learn about Grid features and how to best take advantage of Resident-created tools. You'll see how to manage your virtual space, staff, and inventory; run well-attended events; and launch effective marketing campaigns. Written with the full cooperation of Linden Lab, this book also reveals how to integrate your organization's culture into SL's culture, while providing valuable insights into how organizations such as NASA, University of California Davis Medical Center, IBM, and others have thrived in Second Life.
- Understand the Second Life Grid: Explore the platform your organization will inhabit
- Study what educators are doing: Try remote learning, lectures, simulations, and collaboration
- Learn from NASA and other government agencies: See new ways to inform, educate, and get feedback from the public
- Get virtual business sense: Find out how nonprofit and for-profit organizations conduct real business in SL
- Marketing in the virtual world: See what works and what doesn't
- Take control of events: Set up and publicize successful in-world events
- Design and build effective learning environments
- Hold in-world conferences, meetings, and classes
- Understand Second Life's diverse culture
Synopsis
Corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions will welcome this official guide that shows how to establish and maintain a successful virtual presence in Second Life. Written with the full support of Linden Lab, this is the perfect resource for organizations entering Second Life. Topics discussed include the technical and social issues of participating in Second Life, including integrating corporate culture into Second Life, in-world marketing techniques, selecting a solution provider, and how to conduct real-world business in Second Life. Plus, you’ll get hands-on solutions, smart tactics, and practical techniques, such as setting up useful meeting spaces and planning and moderating events. The book is filled with actual case studies of how top organizations have leveraged Second Life and offers analysis of their SL presence.
About the Author
Kimberly Rufer-Bach founded and operates The Magicians (www.themagicians.us), one of the oldest and most innovative content-development companies in Second Life. She has worked with NASA, British Council, University of California Davis Medical center, and Wiley Publishing, Inc. Kim also coauthored Creating Your World: The Official Guide to Advanced Content Creation for Secong Life, also from Wiley.
Table of Contents
Part 1: How Your Organization Can Use Second Life.1. What You Can Do with the Second Life Grid.
2. Teach and Train.
3. Government Agencies on the Second Life Grid.
4. Nonprofits Reach Out.
5. Conduct Business.
Part 2: Cultural Fusion: Your Organization and the Second Life Grid.
6. Navigate Second Life.
7. Understand Second Life.
8. Keep Up with Current Events.
Part 3: Doing Real Work in a Virtual World.
9. Manage Your Infrastructure.
10. Set Up a Virtual Office.
11. Market Your Product.
12. Run an Event.
13. Select a Solution Provider.
14. Work in Teen Second Life.
15. Resources.