I wanted to do a quick update to my Aug 25 “Virtual 3D Alternatives…” post. While visiting the Korea sim in Second Life, I overheard a girl talking about a new grid called “Inworldz” which started based on the OpenSim software, buy have now moved past this and are becoming closer to Second Life standards.
Inwordz Website: http://inworldz.com
InWorldz Where your dreams are our vision!
OpenSimulator is a 3D application server, an open source program that lets you create a virtual 3D world environment which can be viewed or “visited” using several clients (3D viewers) you can download for free to your computer.
What is a Virtual World? Many of us have seen or played 3D games on a Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation or an Xbox. A Virtual World is similar 2D or 3D computer-based environment, but more of an online community where users can interact via chat, IM or voice, design and build 3D creations which can be shared, bought or sold.
Second Life users frustrated with Linden policies or simply trying to find cheaper virtual land alternatives are exploring other Virtual Worlds like OSGrid. For example, an SL friend wanted to start Cyberbohemia Virtual Art Gallery and first tried another closed grid, because SL was too expensive and restricted for their needs, so they but found it had too many technical issues yet to resolve, so they decided to do everything on their own. This way, they would never be dependent on anyone’s good will or TOS (Terms of Service). They decided to run their own server with OpenSim as the virtual world simulator software, and connect their regions to the open virtual world called OSGrid. They never regretted this decision (“not for one second”), and are very happy with OpenSim and OSGrid. (Now, for a fraction of the monthly cost on a Second Life 65,536 sq meters SIM (simulator), they run 13 such SIMS connected to OSGrid, and can use many more prims (3D objects) for their 3D builds (depending on computer/server memory).
I can imagine that pretty soon it will be common to teleport between these different virtual world grids, I believe that a common currency is already in the works.
Below is a video of a test done by IBM and Linden Lab® researchers, the first attempt to teleport from Second Life grid to the OSGrid.
Resource Links:
OpenSim Home
OSGrid Home
Second Life Official Site
Rezzable
Dreamland Metaverse
Third Party 3D Viewers
Luc Aubret is the renowned designer of the “aubretec” and “Wyvernclaw” line of products in the Second Life® virtual world. He is offering Linden Scripting Language or “LSL” programming classes. Anyone interested in learning how to script in Second Life® is advised to visit this page and fill out a request.
I’ve been thinking about whether to invest more serious time in Second Life® virtual world as a potential source on income. I do love creating things and exploring other designers works. But, coming up with the monthly land tier payment is stressful when your trying to be imaginative, and of course, running a successful virtual store is a entirely different ball game. I do think, however, that focusing on creating quality products and a decent inventory during any of my “artistic & recreational” time, could eventually lead to creative financial independence.