I’m on a rant today, no question, but I ran across the following quotes:
“(Virtual worlds are important) because they provide a level of human interaction and experience that is increasing important in this disconnected world we live in; plus they provide a platform for enhanced learning and collaboration.”
“(Because of virtual worlds) I have learned to do my job far better, far faster and for the first time in 10 years of working now am part of a community of peers. And I feel any discipline can do the same in here, doctors could meet famous doctors they never would otherwise be able to. Students could be taught occasionally by top experts. It makes these things affordable. Like the printing press made books common through lower cost.”
“Virtual worlds are the future of interfaces IMHO. They are the conduit through which we will achieve human interaction without the major friction of actual physically relocating.”
These quotes are from Zain and Kyle of Microsoft and G-Squared.
Philip: take notes.
Meh. I feel this kind of description is too vague. What needs to be articulated, especially to those not familiar with virtual worlds, is how they really improve upon other modes of non-face-to-face communication. Why is a meeting in a virtual world better than a teleconference with a web-meeting tools, for example? How do we develop metrics of this feeling of being connected with others in a virtual world?
I don’t disagree Pais but at least these quotes as headline snapshots are better than calling it a terrarium. What I’m on about is the elevator pitch not the metrics.
OK, OK… you’re right, it better than nothing. It is quoting some Smart Techie Guys. I’d like some analogy or reference that connects with a concept we can all relate to allow us to understand what makes the virtual world better.
I *know* from my experience that there is something compelling that happens in SL that goes beyond the obvious, but I have yet to put my finger on what it is.
It is just beyond my words, but I know it could be described in an elevator speech. I am saying we need to find it.
@pais I took a shot at listing the problems with some of the competing technologies in http://peterquirk.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/reasons-to-use-opensimrealxtend-for-team-meetings-inside-the-enterprise/.
Peter:
Thanks for that, I keep meaning to link to it since I saw it the other tday. Found it a really useful round-up and a nice supplement to the Microsoft interview.
I do still think we need the elevator pitch.
You know like “Why meet in a virtual world again?”
“Think sphere versus square: Web and audio conferences are square, flat, transmission-based. Virtual world meetings are relational, space-based, give a sense of being there.”
Something like that. My imagination needs to fire up a little more however. Hehe