Virtual WorldsVirtually Anywhere

Dr Clare AtkinsBelma Gaukrodger

NMIT

The Plan

• Overview of SL and SL based MUVEs• Answer questions and get distracted as we go• Over to you....• Tell us where you would like to go!

What is a MUVE ?

Internet based  Multi-user 3D Virtual Environment typified by Second Lifeuser-generated content, free to access,highly immersive 

Today going to look at four 

Second Life

OpenSim, Simonastick, Kitely

Second Life (SL) terms  

• Avatar - your SL account, the manifestation of you in SL• Linden Labs (LL) - creators of Second Life• Server code - software running basic SL 'world' engine

• SL Viewer - open source software downloaded to client PC to allow user to enter SL (like a browser) 

• TPV - Third Party Viewer - non-Linden viewer for accessing SL e.g. Phoenix, Imprudence 

• Region/Sim/Island - area of land in SL (actually space on a server)• Grid - the collection of sims making up a 'world' e.g. the SL grid

• Rez - to appear (be rendered) inworld (e.g. this is taking too long to rez!)

Things to know about SLSecond Life provides:-•  Server services (US based)  

o  stores all data about the 'world'o  provides functionality for generating content o  services comes at a price!

• Viewer (downloaded to your computer - 'client')o always up to date for latest SL functionso can require updates frequently and unpredictablyo free

• Free access (but)o needs premium account for owning land (US$9.95 pm)o need to own land for permanent buildingo possible to work on 'free areas' but no future security

• Large community existso resources and peopleo it's safe, areas can be locked down!

Things to know about OpenSimOpenSimulator is open source version of SL server-side code:-• Anyone can download and install their own 'world' on their own

server• A number of not-for-profit and commercial organisations offer the

server side serviceso ReactionGrid, JokaydiaGrid,InWorldz (paid)o NZ Virtual World Grid (Auckland Uni) (free to NZ education)o OSGrid (can either pay for land on their servers or install your

own 'world' on your local machine and 'join' it to others in the grid)

• Can be accessed with the SL Viewer or TPVs• Is less advanced than SL and less stable• Less available resources but community shares!• Hypergridding allows travel between different grids

Things to know about Simonastick

• a free simple downloaded zip file that fits on a USB stick• has EVERYTHING you need to run a complete OpenSim world

i.e. all server software and a TPV• once downloaded you don't need to be online• can run on your PC or on the USB• can create and save your world and put it into your pocket!• plug it into any computer and run your world• can be configured to allow others to visit• can by made hypergriddable• can be joined to a grid like OSGrid

Quick demonstration!

Things to know about Kitely

• provides access to Kitely worlds via Facebook account• login with Facebook - Kitely does the rest • automatic download of a TPV, creation of account, plugin• can visit others' worlds and/or create your own• can set world access using Fb friends or groups• currently free to access but will be charging• worlds live on the Amazon 'cloud' so only appear when used• you have complete control over your world• can create your own or load up ready made worlds• fast and easy for visitors to use 

   Quick demonstration

How do we use them?It depends!• for community and free resources - Second Life• for a stable but fairly enclosed world - OpenSim• to create, develop - Simonastick (probably on a PC)• for running a self contained teaching environment - Kitely

I would often• develop in Simonastick on my PC, save/create a world file,

upload file to Kitely, invite others to the world.• take students into SL when I wanted them to experience

the community or pick up resources

All based on same software so easy to move between them

OK! - Time to Play - Your choice

Main activity    Belma will take you into Second Life

Also possible    Clare can support you running Simonastick         (account name Simona Stick             password 123            Gridname Localhost)

    Students can help you to access         Kitely (your Facebook account) or        OpenSim (JokaydiaGrid)        

 

Want to explore further?

• http://muves.wordpress.com• http://kiwibelma.wordpress.com/• http://vlenz.edumuve.ac.nz• http://vlenz.wikispaces.com/

or email clare.atkins@gmail.com              kiwibelma@gmail.com