virtual social worlds
DESCRIPTION
Presnted at the ACRL virtual conference Fall 2006.TRANSCRIPT
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!!