I first started working in Second Life as a library assistant, helping the campus library I work for develop its virtual presence to complement the programs already being developed in distance education through the university.
As I continued working in Second Life, however, I realized I also needed friends there, as well, in addition to just working. No woman is an island, even in a virtual world.
That's when I started seeking out folks who were like me. I wanted the same environment I found at Daily Kos -- a fun mix of diverse views and strong progressive values.
The people I work with in Second Life, in organizing the Netroots Nation in Second Life convention, share my progressive values, and then some. I've learned so much from chatting with them and sharing with them. Even though I've never met these people face-to-face in real life, I get so much from them in real-time, in a virtual world.
I started volunteering to help organize the NNSL convention this year because I feel strongly that the Kossacks who can't make it to Pittsburgh should also have a space where they can participate and meet like-minded folks.
I like Daily Kos because of the stream of information, the angles on news stories that I would never have considered otherwise; what is just as important to me are the comments from Kossacks who help make the connections for me through their opinions.
On Daily Kos, however, there is no real-time conversation, i.e. chat. I like the immediacy of chat as opposed to the comment thread format, although it does have its place.
So, at this point, you might be asking, "okay, so what is Second Life?" I got that question the first time I posted to promote this year's NNSL convention. Afterwards, a bunch of the SL Kossacks puzzled over this question, because Second Life is such an extension of one's online XXXX that it becomes hard to describe.
The answer we came up with is this:
Second Life is an online virtual world which might simplistically be described as akin to a 3D video chatroom. Users can create a personality and use it to interact with other users while enjoying streaming audio and video, live musical performances, discussions, workshops, and creative opportunities. You can think of NNinSL as an attempt to provide a virtual version of the conference to people who can't be there in person - not just the content which you can get streamed over the web, but also the interactive, networking, and social aspects of the physical conference. It provides a format where shared experience feels more "real" than a flat text or video-based environment, an experience where community-building takes on a new dimension.
So, basically, like a chatroom, you create an online user name and go by that handle while you interact with others. The distinction to be made, however, is the visual component that you get along with the chat function.
The photo above is of NNSL from last year, during the last presentation of the day -- Nancy Pelosi was giving a speech and Al Gore suddenly popped in and it turned into a panel Q&A. Very neat. You can't see from the picture, but I had a chat box on the side, and everyone was joining in on the conversation. Some smart alec posted a tally board of how many questions Pelosi was asked, and how many "straight" answers from Pelosi were received. Kind of subjective, but it was funny at the time. Guess you had to be there?
Please email me or IM me in Second Life -- my avatar's name is Mala Fegte. I will be happy to answer any questions; you can also comment here and get an answer lickety-split!
You can also go to the Netroots Nation in Second Life official website for more information.