The Second Life Google Wave Users Meet-Up is over and appears to have been a success. A chat log is posted, and edited audio recordings will soon be uploaded. I plan to listen again, first, taking notes this time. Images have been uploaded to Flickr.

My nervousness in the last few days surprised me; this was my first time managing such an event in Second Life. For every item checked off of my planning list, two more tasks had been added. Many things were left undone, some could have been done much better, and—for the moment—I am simply ignoring those that I failed to consider.

Discussion area, Lounge area, and stage and dance floor;
image taken from far away to hide the fact that my
seats were floating. (Click for full size)

I plumb forgot to install a new visual effect created just for the live musical performance. Enough criticism, though, because there is much to celebrate. Rezidents began showing up before midnight (I was still rezzed at the event site; still lining up ducks.), and as many as thirty or more showed up throughout the demonstration and discussion.

In terms of the organization of the event, I had one sure measure of success; it came midway through the discussion. I noticed that I was attending to all manner of administrative tasks; paying very little attention to what was being said. I thought that it would be nice to be able to listen and read what was going on. In other words: I would like to attend an event like this.

Success.

If you have Friendly Fire rocking your sim after an
event, be confident that a good time is had by all.
(Click for full size)

Several advances were made; this post was opened to share these achievements. Firstly, I had a powerful first lesson in virtual world event management…no small thing, I now understand. Next time I throw a party there will be a promoter, probably an event organizer, and I will likely hire out some of the content development. Maybe all of the above. At the very least, I know that my approach will be more confident, my manner emboldened.

Secondly, I learned that my skepticism is well founded in considering the integration of SL with XMPP—or wave technology. One of the reasons for having the discussion was I did not know what I did not know.

1. Is my understanding of the SL simulator and XMPP insufficient so as to leave me ignorant of what is otherwise an obvious opportunity for development?
2. Is there some facility of XMPP that can enhance the file sharing capabilities for my avatar?

I now have an answer to the first question, and few clues to help to track down the second.

Among the rezidents I hear talking about this, none of us describe a compelling scenario in which Wave-SL integration is a benefit. I just do not have a clear idea for extending Google Wave’s messaging and presence into the virtual world. Still, I am considering how Wave can supplement activities in world, supporting a process such as Studio Wikitecture’s collaborative design by providing a new tool for communication and documentation. Most importantly, perhaps, I have entered into a conversation with some who may help me to understand the potential.

As to XMPP file sharing being a boon to virtual world design? Do not look to drag and drop your OpenOffice document onto my avatar soon. But, the discussion has only just begun.

Thirdly, I am seeing the virtual world platform from a higher vantage point. The most encouraging result of the event came as a welcome surprise. The space occupied by virtual worlds such as SL or OpenSim has expanded for me. The boundaries distinguishing these virtual worlds from the larger Internet? They have become a bit more fuzzy. My experience with Google Wave and knowledge of what is “new” about XMPP suggest that more of the web will begin to seep into Second Life, adding even greater depth to that immersion.

The event brought people to an open forum, taught me a valuable lesson, and focused my own study of XMPP and the platform that is Second Life. I am dusting off my wish list, re-visiting features I feel are lacking in the platform. Virtual spaces that might be filled with new content have revealed themselves. In my next post, I will mention several; for each, I have either a solution, something in the works, or an idea worth pursuing.

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