Virtual Social Worlds

The VBI Project: A Virtual Social World

Presented by Mark D. PuterbaughWarner Memorial Library

Eastern University

ACRL Fall Virtual Institute

November 9, 2006

Why should we do this?

World of Warcraft

Reports over 7 million users world

wide

Why should we do this?

Maple Story

Claims over 43 million users world

wide

Why should we do this?

Second Life

Claims over 800,000 users world wide

What is a Virtual World?

A virtual world is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface. Virtual worlds are also called "digital worlds," "simulated worlds" and "MMOG's “

Betsy Book, Virtual World Review

http://www.virtualworldsreview.com

Features of a Virtual World

1. Shared Space2. Graphical User Interface3. Immediacy 4. Interactivity5. Persistence 6. Socialization/Community

Betsy Books identifies 6 features of a Virtual World

Features of a Virtual World

Shared Space:

The virtual environment allows for many users to share the experience simultaneously.

Features of a Virtual World

Graphical User Interface:

A virtual world is an extension of the virtual desktop metaphor, users experience “space visually.” The environments can be expressed by a 2D cartoon type world or fully “immersive” 3D universe.

Features of a Virtual World

Immediacy

Most of the interaction is in real time!

Features of a Virtual World

Persistence

The virtual world exists whether the user is present or not.

However, unlike the “real” world, if a virtual tree falls…. Hmmm….

Features of a Virtual World

Socialization/Community

Betsy Books says, “the world allows and encourages the formation of in-world social groups like teams, guilds, clubs, cliques, housemates, neighborhoods, etc.”

I say, “It’s a place to meet others and have fun hanging out on-line!!!!”

Types of Virtual Social Worlds

• Gaming– EverQuest (http://eqplayers.station.sony.com)– Lineage (http://www.lineage2.co.kr/)

– Maple Story (http://www.mapleglobal.com/)

Types of Virtual Social Worlds

• Online Communities – Activeworlds (http://www.activeworlds.com)

– Second Life (http://secondlife.com/)

– There (http://www.there.com)

Copyright 2006, Linden Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2006, Linden Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2005. There Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2005. There Inc. All rights reserved.

Types of Virtual Social Worlds

• Distance Learning (Education)– Adobe Atmosphere (http://www.atmospherians.com/directory

)

– Activeworlds (http://www.activeworlds.com/)

• Entertainment Universe• Education Universe

– Second Life (http://secondlife.com/)

VBI ProjectObject:

1. To provide instruction and information to students and faculty in the use of the research resources available in Eastern University's Warner Memorial Library within a virtual 3-D environment.

2. To provide instruction and information in the use of web-based research databases and other resources available in the Warner Library.

Phase I

Created a virtual tour of the library resources using an interaction between AW world and the web browser. The virtual world presented a walk-through map of the library highlighting areas important to the Eastern University's community.

Phase II

Designated certain locations in the virtual world to interactively present bibliographic instruction in selected subject areas.

Also, VBI included web-based information describing the use of online databases.

Phase IIIVirtual Bibliographic Instruction

• Live chat

• Voice chat

• Bots

• Librarians

• Etc.

PHASE IV

VBI - A Virtual Social World

Phase IV was implemented to focus on the social aspects of the virtual 3-D world.

Major change was to open the world for others to build.

Students, faculty, staff and others are welcome to build the community.

Mandi’s Place

Fred’s Place

Kristin’s Place

Matt’s Place

Teresa’s Place

Ted’s Place

Mi Young’s Place

Main Street for the Librarians

Reference Central

Database Central

Book Central

Journal Central

Conference Center

The Future Is Now!!