Building Communities in Second Life: Are you ready to MUVE in?

Jill Hurst-WahlHurst Associates, Ltd.

Oct. 30, 2007

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

www.eNetworking101.com/ppt/jhw_d202.ppt

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

Web-Native Phenomenon

• Text-based 3-D virtual worlds – Impact of new hardware

• # of virtual worlds– TechCrunch– Virtual Worlds Review

• You + Community = Fun

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

Is In-World Enough?

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

Guiding Principles for Online Communities

• Software that promotes good discussion.

• People who are willing to discuss and share information.

• Discussions that can be of any length and that can easily include pointers to additional information.

• Conversations can be kept for future reference, if necessary.

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

• The ability for the community to set its own rules.

• A place where the memory of the group can be stored (institutional memory).

• The ability to promote – and ensure – safety, privacy and confidentiality.

• The capacity to handle crises by the community pulling together to help.

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

Result: Distributed Communities

• Can’t rely solely on a MUVE– Limited communication options

• Need other tools– Email & discussion lists– Social networking sites (e.g.,

Ning)– Blogs, wikis, photo-sharing, etc.

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

Libraries Communities

• Understand MUVEs – Read, explore

• Help staff & users make informed decisions about MUVEs– Informed, unbiased opinions

• Understand & support role-playing aspects

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

Trends

• Take clues from gamers• Develop more capabilities

– Tools, add-ons, applets & widgets• Lessen the learning curve• “Lighter-weight” virtual world• Cross-world interaction

Hurst Associates, Ltd.

Jill Hurst-Wahltools@eNetworking101.com

AIM: jillNYS / Skype: jill.hurst.wahlwww.eNetworking101.com