The Adventures of Paige Follet in Second Life

Imagine a virtual world where residents can explore, meet other residents, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade virtual properties, and travel throughout the world… this is SECOND LIFE. This three dimensional world became an instant success in 2003 and has been making headlines ever since, and I have decided to explore this world through my avatar Paige Follet. I found a wide variety of businesses on second life and these two intrigued me the most.

Pizza in Second Life? You bet, Domino’s Pizza is an international fast food pizza delivery company with over 8,500 corporate and franchised stores in 55 countries, and in 2007 Domino’s Pizza added one more store, an online one in Second Life. Domino’s started to accept real-life pizza orders from Second Life via mobile text-based ordering services in the United Kingdom, and when I was visiting they had over 30 visitors (presumably ordering pizzas). The menu is the exact same one you would find if you were ordering it over the phone, including the latest new value deals and the Ciabatta Square Pizza. By having a presence on Second Life they are connecting to all types of cyber users without being invasive, but showing they have a modern up to date image. Domino’s went to Second Life to make money because Second Life is where Domino’s customers reside. For example, their Second Life location is strategically placed on a Manchester, UK Island next to a local Diabetes Center, a local UK University, and a “Manchester Wheel of Second Life” carnival ride all attracting the Domino’s target customer. They also chose to do business in Second Life because one in six pizza orders are made over the web and Domino’s predicts that number to grow. Second Life offers a unique user friendly way to order pizza in a not so ordinary way.

After I had my pizza fill I flew over to the American Cancer Society Island, where I found a large volunteer community with over 200 visitors while I was exploring. The purpose of American Cancer Society on Second Life is to raise awareness, hope, and money for the fight against cancer. I ventured into the relaxing “Hope Haven” room that was filled with comfortable chairs, peaceful ambience, and comforting words. To raise money the nonprofit is holding their fifth annual Relay for Life virtual campaign. Which started in 2005 and they raised almost $5,000 and 2008 has been the most successful year raising over $210,000. Avatars can donate money and volunteer without a hitch on Second Life via the Donation Kiosk in the Welcome Center or joining teams, making this event the largest contiguous event on Second Life. I spoke with Dwen Dooley, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and he explained there are around 2,000 volunteers and 118 teams that fundraise from March to July through daily events for the Relay for Life event. Dwen showed me a Sim map showing the numerous parcels with each team’s campsites, theme builds and more, it is really amazing. The actual walk for the cause is done on Second Life as well and Dwen told me it takes about an hour to complete it. The center is successful in raising awareness through interactive videos, posters, and volunteers ready to help you learn. Being on Second Life allows you to interact anonymously and find comfort with others as they might be or know someone who is suffering from cancer. American Cancer Society Island offers a calming place where you can go to learn, give, or volunteer with people like you!

After much resistance, I came to really enjoy my experience on Second Life. Prior to creating an Avatar I questioned the purpose and being of Second Life, however, I now understand why people are so addicted. Second Life is a community that encourages people to interact, explore, and learn in an alter ego. Surprisingly I thought it was hard to find businesses, I read that many businesses left Second Life like American Apparel, Emporio Armani, Ben and Jerry’s, and Harvard Extension School just to name a few. I do think it is valuable for companies in the technology sector to have a presence on Second Life if for nothing more than a virtual presence.

Shake it up baby…

Shake is a new MP3 player that can be charged by the shaking or moving of your own body. That is right, jumping and jiving can not only burn calories but can charge your MP3 player that plays all your music files. MP3 players are simply consumer devices that store, organize and play your audio and video files, in other words, it is a portable media player and they are commonly built into cellular phones. The Shake uses kinetic energy to charge and power the music device. Kinetic energy is the work needed to accelerate a mass from rest to its current velocity, in other words extra energy that is produced due to motion. The movement from your boy’s motion would be absorbed by the Shake and would be transformed into charge of the battery. This new technology even allows the Shake to charge when it is in the user’s pocket walking around. Although it would be hard to recharge the battery completely, it would act as a way to improve the play time on a single charge. It works when the “Hold” button is on and you shake your body until the battery is recharged, then you can turn off the “Hold” button and play your favorite music. Once your MP3 is playing your favorite tunes just shake to "Pause" it and then shake again to "Play".
Now you never have to worry about your MP3 player dyeing in the middle of your work out or on your long commute home from work. (I wish you could use kinetice energy to recharge your cell phone!) Also, the Shake is environmentally friendly because you do not have to use electricity to power your beat pumping player. The idea of the Shake MP3 was designed by Kenneth Tay and is based off a similar concept of a pocket watch where movement winds and provides power to the watch. This new technology is great for your personal and environmental uses!
An image demonstrating how to use the Shake.
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