The value of Community

Posted on: September 26, 2005


I was frequenting the SL Forums, as I often do, and came across a thread started by ReallyRick Metropolitan titled "Other 'Online Worlds' Ban Use of Term Second Life". What could this possibly be about? I dove in. Here's what RR had to say:

I came across a forum post that mentioned another "virtual world" called Active Worlds. So I decided to check it out one late morning.

All opinions on the game itself aside, a very interesting thing happened when I was speaking with some of the people in that world. It happened more than once so here is the transcript of the last occurance.

"ReallyRick": Well I found out about this from hearing it talked about it Second Life.
[Customs Aide]: You have been ejected for unacceptable language
Immigration Officer: You have been ejected from awgate

Apprently even the mention of Second Life gets you kicked off. HaHa.


Really now? I investigated further. Truth!

What's considerably mindboggling about this is, say for example, you're a Resident of SL who wants to give Active Worlds a fair shake. You download the client (as I did), come in as a tourist, and ask for help. You start to say, "Hello! I'm new here and need some help. I'm familiar with Second Life…"
 
[Customs Aide]: You have been ejected for unacceptable language
Immigration Officer: You have been ejected from awgate

Bloodied for emphasis. Not friendly at all. Curiously, typing the names of a variety of online games and several other virtual worlds failed to get me the boot, although you could say there is another.

Second Life can be like a prog-rock grower. It has intricate riffs and indelible harmonies, the momentum of jagged counterpoint balanced precariously atop a valley of bass like sand dunes. It is perplexing and can be treacherous to navigate at first, but is also self-rewarding as you learn how to do things. And, you won't get kicked out for talking about There. Or Active Worlds. You can share your past experiences and build on them?and literally build the world!

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