Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a "virtual world"?
A: A virtual world is a computer based simulated three dimensional environment where multiple users can interract with one another and with simulated objects in the environment simultaneously. Virtual worlds are a new way of interracting with other people.
Q: What is Second Life?
A: Second Life is a large, well developed virtual world owned and operated by Linden Lab.
Second Life
Millions of people have accounts in Second Life, and tens of thousands of users from all around the physical world are sharing the Second Life virtual world at at any time of the day or night for a tremendous range of activities, from entertainment to education and commerce to advocacy for social causes.
Q: Why not simply interact with real people instead of avatars?
A: Avatars are real people in the same sense that voices on the telephone are real people. Avatars in a virtual world are simply a convenient way to communicate across geographic distances.
Q: Aren't there a lot of shady and dangerous things lurking in virtual worlds?
A: The Internet seems to bring out the worst in certain people. However virtual worlds are hosted by providers that offer more control over the types of activites that may take place on their proprietary software platforms. Overall, virtual worlds undoubtedly provide a safer and more customized environment for education and business than the unregulated Internet.