Jonathan,
I've been wanting to check out second life for a while now...Your
post may make me take the leap into VR! I've actually heard Kathy
Schrock speak about using SL in education just a couple months ago
and ISTE (technology-education-related international org) has an
island there so I know a place and some people to find, but time is
my issue...What's your SL identity so I can look for you if I decide
to join in?
What struck me when I read your post, though, it the possibility of
VR to open up a world of experiences for kids/adults with
disabilities that they would otherwise not be able to have. I mean,
I certainly can see the use for virtual field trips etc. for the
masses, but to use it as a way to open the world to those with
disabilities is a great idea.
From what I know, though, SL isn't exactly intuitive and you need
some decent computer knowledge and comfort to get around as there is
a pretty stiff learning curve.
Congrats on your marriage!
Linda M.
On Jun 23, 2008, at 7:44 PM, Jonathan Rand wrote:
> Does anybody here feel trapped in one place? If you don't drive a
> car, and at times, have problems with your powerchair, (or other
> assistive mobility device), do you feel icky?
>
> I'm describing myself. Even b4 I became extremely debilitated, I
> would use a flight simulator to give me the feeling I could go
> places. Or I would retreat into the "virtual" world of my
> imagination to ease the pain of my life in the real world.
>
> I got married at the age of 63, and my life is changed. I used to
> wish I could go into virtual reality and leave my yucky
> disabilities behind, meeting people, exploring etc., etc.! Now
> these worlds are beginning to appear online. I'm gonna take all
> the ships and planes, and submarines etc., I designed over the
> years, and build them in a virtual world I guess. Maybe I could
> even make some money selling stuff I design. And there's a place
> for my music there too. Songs I've written, and were lost,
> (forgotten), when I was really sick, are coming back to me now. My
> dream of a virtual band may become a "reality" in this new world!
> I guess I no longer need VR to make me feel independent. But I
> dreamt of this sort of thing for many years. A virtual world where
> people with severe physical disabilities could go, and "leave it
> all behind?" At least appear able-bodied if they wanted to. A
> place where experience-deprived people could have experiences. A
> place where anyone could go, to fill whatever void they may have in
> their "real-world" lives. Or just a place to have fun... or make
> money... or change yourself into a pussycat :)
>
> The virtual world I joined is called "SecondLife." Anybody heard
> of it? I'm in an area created for people with physical
> disabilities. If anybody's interested, google "second life," or if
> it's easier, email mee. Running SecondLife on your computer might
> be difficult... and even if you could, if your hands or arms don't
> work too well, it may be hard moving about in this virtual world,
> without some kind of help from others. You might need an assistive
> device to help you.
>
> For anyone who isn't familiar with this sort of thing, it's virtual
> reality.... or should I say, virtual, virtual reality! :) In
> full blown virtual reality, (VR), you put on a helmet and gloves.
> You see the virtual, (computer generated), world through video
> screens in the helmet... and you can touch things in this world
> with the special gloves. Other people can see you, (or the
> "avatar" that represents you), and you can see other people, (or
> their avatars).
>
> SecondLife hasn't reached that level yet, (at least not for the
> average user). You just look at a screen. You talk into a
> microphone, and listen through headphones, (or you can type into a
> lil' text window, and read what people are saying). You move
> around, using the mouse and keyboard.
>
> So that's it. (Well that's an introduction anyway!) Nothing is
> quite this "simple," that involves human beings. SecondLife is an
> actual place, with a real society. It' s not a game. You can
> create games there if you like. You can create anything. Houses,
> cars, islands...?! Spend money? Make money.
>
> So anyway, I just wanted to mention this stuff because maybe there
> are other people besides me, who feel they might get something out
> of it.
>
> I haven't had time to come to this group. I'm running at a full
> clip, trying to keep up with my new life. :( :) Before I met
> this woman, I was alone, almost unable to take care of myself,
> waiting for an eviction notice. Trying to decide how to end my
> yucky life. She came literally 3 days before the marshals were due
> to put me out on the street, (or worse).
> Now I'm trying to put my life back together. And the virtual
> reality stuff is a big part of it.
>
> Jonathan Rand
>
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