3D Virtual Worlds

3D virtual worlds are hotter than ever. A few clicks of the mouse and you are able to interact with others from around the globe. These communities are much more than simple chat rooms or role-playing games. They give users a place to have fun, learn, network, and even conduct business. Virtual world’s users can have a complete alternative “virtual” life in these environments.

Bigger is Better

Second Life is probably the best and the biggest 3D virtual world on the internet today. Linden Lab, the site’s creator, reports millions of registered users, over one million of them logging in usually and with over 25,000 members online at any one time.

The amazing number of users flocking to Second Life makes one wonder what virtual worlds are all about. Users have a quick response for anyone interested in Second Life. “I can be anything and do anything in my second life. Anything is possible,” reports one Second Lifer on the site’s forum. The options you have in second Life can go beyond the ones you have in real life, the only limit is your imagination. New technology developments will be enhancing continuously the performance and possibilities of these virtual worlds.

Second Life Learning

Virtual worlds are becoming popular with educators. Online communities are being used as a successful venue for distance learning. High schools and colleges both hold classes and form study groups in Second Life. Apart from in-class training, students can make fieldtrips to see and test “live” some of their learning subjects.

Teachers also enjoy networking on the site and many groups have formed offering support for educators. One of the most popular Second Life islands is Library/Info Island offering lots of educational resources.

Second Life Economy

Linden Lab has created a Second Life economy. Members can buy and sell using Linden dollars. This currency is even exchangeable for US currency; check the exchange rates, volumes and quantities in the Market Data. 3D virtual world’s users can get a paying job, buy land, purchase incredible fashions and all kinds of stuff, and even play several games using Linden Dollars.

Large businesses have also set up shop in Second Life. IBM has created an island for employees from across the globe to network and they sometimes launch new products in Second Life. IBM even hosts seminars for their workers in the Second Life 3D environment and works closely with Linden Lab in several projects.

3D virtual worlds are being called the next big thing in technology circles. Experts predict that going in world will become as accessible as email to millions of users. More companies will open “branches” in Second Life, learning will be commonplace, and socialization will take on a whole new meaning as the word spreads about these virtual communities. Virtual worlds are growing a lot with hundreds of options available nowadays; expect them to be commonly used by most future internet users.

The trendy 3D virtual world Second Life is like your real life, only better says one Second Lifer. “It is awesome to be able to be anything you want to be and do anything you want to do. I always wanted to travel but never had the funds. Virtual life has taken me to faraway places and I have met incredible people”, stated MJ in an online forum. Don’t wait anymore, join these virtual worlds and start exploring!