SL Technology Problems

I do not mean to make a sweeping generalization here, but I think that Second Life is about to be taken over by some other major online virtual worlds. I think this for two major reasons.

First, Second Life is just too complicated for me. If it weren't for Dr. Essid, I would have no idea what I am doing with this program. They have a very mediocre tutorial stage, and do not give proper direction on how to change clothes and appearance. I still only know how to move, fly, chat with people, and teleport. People who don't have a teacher explaining how to go about SL will just give it up from the start. Along with this, it is hard to find people to communicate with. I still do not really know how to teleport to places other than the landmarks given to me in my inventory. Second Life took too long to get used to, and there are many other virtual worlds that are simpler and provide better instructions.

Second, Second Life takes a certain kind of person to really accept. Having a virtual world where people definately do not create their own true selves would "creep" many people out. Usually when you communicate with someone, you know who you are talking to and can hold a serious conversation with them. If your talking to a naked woman on Second Life, for all you know it could be a large hairy fat man. Facebook does a better job with that because you can at least get an idea of the person's appearance and interests, even though people tend to modify themselves and make themselves look a little better than normal. Also, Second Life does not have enough users to begin with, so it will never get the attention that Facebook or Myspace has. Along with this, with using a communication device, people usually want to communicate with friends; SL has no real way of adding and finding friends like Facebook or Myspace.

Second Life, hate to say it, but you could be doomed....