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<big>You can now sign up to for one or a
series of free courses taught by OPLIN staff in the virtual environment
of <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.secondlife.com/">Second
Life</a>.
If you have been interested in learning more about this virtual
platform but never tried
it (or want to know more than how to make your avatar walk), this is
your opportunity to get hands-on, personalized instruction in a
comfortable environment, <i>at no charge!</i></big>
<p><big>You'll need a computer with sound, a broadband connection (no
dial up) and the Second Life <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://secondlife.com/support/downloads.php">software
</a>installed. You'll also need to go through a short tutorial before
you
will be able to go through the OPLIN courses (more information will be
sent out after registration). <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong> </strong><strong></strong></span></big></p>
<p><big><i>To register for one or more of the following sessions,
please email Laura Solomon (</i><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:laura@oplin.org"><i>laura@oplin.org</i></a></big><i><big>)
with the course(s) and date(s) you'd like to attend. <b>Registration
is
limited!</b> <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.oplin.org/secondlife">See
the full schedule at http://www.oplin.org/secondlife.</a></big></i>
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alt="" height="312" width="502"><br>
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<font color="#000000"><i>FAQ (Frequently-Asked Questions) About Second
Life:</i></font><br>
<br>
<b>Q: Isn't Second Life a game?</b><br>
A. No. Second Life is specifically a virtual world and is considered
to be a platform for other activities. Common uses of SL include
remote/distance education, virtual meetings and conferences and for
providing information in interactive ways not possible on the regular
Web. The confusion occurs usually not only because there are also
recreational uses of SL, but because SL uses the equivalent of a game
rendering engine to run, it <i>looks</i> like a game.<br>
<br>
<b>Q: Doesn't Second Life cost money?<br>
</b>A: In short, no. Paid accounts are only required if you want to
own certain types of land. The vast majority of activities in SL are
also free. Many people do spend real money to make their avatars look
different or to purchase items like custom scripts, but these things
are not in any way required to enjoy Second Life.<br>
<br>
<b>Q: But I heard that Second Life is dead?</b><br>
A: I always laugh when I hear this! The number of active users logged
in at any given time has nearly doubled in the past year. The problem
is that the <i>hype</i> about SL is over. It's on the other side of
the Hype Cycle, specifically just coming out of the Trough of
Disillusionment. (<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle">See
graph here.</a>) For a "dead" platform, it suspiciously has a lot of
activity.<br>
<b><br>
Q: Libraries can actually do "real" work in a virtual environment like
this?</b><br>
A: Yes, and many do! One of the more advanced courses we offer is a
tour of some of the more established and unique library projects and
areas in Second Life. <br>
<br>
Got another FAQ? Email <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:laura@oplin.org">laura@oplin.org</a>.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<title></title>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western"><b>Laura Solomon, <tt>MCIW,
MLS</tt></b><br>
<i>Library Services Manager</i><br>
Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)<br>
2323 W. 5th Avenue Suite 130<br>
Columbus, Ohio 43204<br>
614.728.5252 (voice)<br>
(614)728-5256 (fax)<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:solomola@oplin.org">solomola@oplin.org</a><br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="http://www.oplin.org">www.oplin.org</a>
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