Technology in Mind

I’ve been experimenting with the Second Life 2 Beta Viewer and I like it a lot. The greatest   thing about the viewer in my opinion is the newly implemented Shared Media. This began of course last year with the introduction of ‘web on a prim’. But this was limited to one per parcel, via the parcel media controls. It did permit web pages to be shown on a prim, but it was really limited.  There were developers such as Damani that really pushed the technology to it’s limit and tried to make it simpler in bringing up various web pages and  selecting various videos to display.

With the new SL Viewer 2.0 beta that has all changed.  Any object face can have a media texture. It’s not limited to parcels, and any prim can have a different shared media texture.  Individual avatars can carry their own shared media object, without even renting or owning land.

Currently I have the Damani MediaPRO Viewer in my virtual office which allows me to display YouTube videos and provides limited website viewing functionality. But with the introduction of the shared media in the new viewer, I believe that this viewer will soon be obsolete. That’s not to mention, a lot of my office inventory that runs on note card systems and RSS hovering text will soon be rendered obsolete as well.

I’ve also been experimenting with creating shared media objects that will permit someone to send me an IM from in-world to my Yahoo Messenger or other IM client using simple URL’s that point to flash sites.  However, it seems that the zoom in on these objects is limited and that causes the fonts for these applications to be to small in the display.  The idea is to permit someone who visits my virtual office to be able to IM me using the display. If I’m not online, then Yahoo would redirect the IM to my mobile phone and we could still connect to have a conversation.

  Another way to access Second Life via an Android device with more functionality is using remote software.  Recently I downloaded SoftwareForMe.com’s PhoneMyPC software and it works VERY well.  There is a $9.99 introductory price while it’s in Beta, but I’m not sure how much longer it will stay at that price. There is no free version to try, but do remember that Google Checkout gives you 24 hours from the time of purchase to request a refund if you find out the software isn’t what you expected.

Of course PhoneMyPC wasn’t specifically built for accessing Second Life, but I logged in, looked around my office, looked at inventory, etc.  Navigating isn’t easy as there are no dedicated arrow key, so I turned on the visual ones in the Second Life viewer.  I could read and type in chat and utilize it as if I were sitting in front of my computer.

I’ve only tried it over WIFI, but it should work over 3G as well. I’m not sure it would work that great over EDGE.

To me, the mobile software is of great use as it enables me to not only access my virtual office, but my computer and network at home as well.  Currently the software will permit you to connect to 3 different PC’s as well.

*** Update: One problem I’ve come to realize with this program is the fact that that if your workstation is locked then the program can’t be used. I always leave my workstation locked when not in use so this poses a problem. The developer says that this is to be fixed in the future, but until that happens I can’t use this program.

I’m currently trying out a 14 day free trial of the Mobile Grid Client on my Android phone which allows me to access a number of common in-world functions within Second Life.  I can use in-world chat, review profiles, teleport, and even provides a region map of wherever I’m logged in.  I won’t go into detail since their own website in the link above details all the features quite well.

My initial gripe was the fact that the software is not a one time purchase, as it is with similar applications in the iPhone market (i.e. Sparkle IM and Touch Life).  However, the Mobile Grid Client is currently the only option in the Android Market filling this niche, and their subscription prices are quite reasonable. After the 14 day trial, the subscriber can opt for either the 250L$($1 USD) for the standard version or their professional version at $450L$ ($1.75 USD) per month.

The primary features that differs the standard subscription from the professional is that the standard does not permit you to change your active groups, make payments, and the application only remains idle for 15 minutes in the background versus 8 hours for the professional subscription.

As an ‘Augmenter’ versus ‘Immersionist’ in Second Life I tend to look for tools such as these to compliment my real life Internet presence without having to remain tied to my computer at home. This application seems well designed and it appears that the author is actively adding new features and functionality.

Not only am I blogging again, but I’ve also re-established my Second Life virtual office, this time on the mainland continent of Gaeto. This is the first time I’ve chosen to use mainland versus a private island.  I am leasing my land rather than purchasing, as I’ve decided there’s really no difference with the exception of who you’re paying your money to.  Also leasing means no upfront cost of a land purchase and doesn’t require that you become a premium member. One of the first things I noticed with renting an Oceanside parcel is that I’m now next to Linden Water rather than what is available with  the private estates. This makes it possible to sail around the entire continent and there’s supposedly a channel that will permit crossing over to another Linden continent.

I’ve also setup an irc channel in my office that permits me to monitor what’s going on in my  SL office when I’m not logged in. I can now monitor activity using any IRC client and have even installed the AndChat IRC client on my Android phone for when I’m not near my computer.  It permits me to view conversations and even chat with the people within range of the IRC device.  This is using QuickFox’s SL Gateway Service.