Topic: Accessibility in SL
Thesis: In Second Life all different types of people are able to experience the many physical aspects of real life; roaming, traveling, and exploring.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Exploration Assignment
In real life before embarking on a journey, there are many things to consider. For example, having transportation, directions, purpose, and knowledge of the people that will be at the destination. When setting off on a Second Life adventure all the normal thoughts are disregarded. Since I am a new user, I had no idea what to expect. There were no familiar street signs, landmarks, or even roads. Teleporting is the way to get from one place to another. Waiting for images to load is the only delay while traveling.
When I first arrived at Info Island I noticed all the different places that could be explored. There was a wide variety of information located on the island. The four locations I visited on Info Island were; the jazz cat, the art gallery, philosophy and psychology, and the fantasy portal. I met up with Keely and we took pictures in front of all of these. The jazz cat was a place to interact socially with others and be entertained. The art gallery’s objective is to showcase art and provide decorative elements. The objective of the philosophy and psychology is to learn more through a virtual world. Lastly, the objective of the fantasy portal is a way to experience unrealistic sights. The library also has interesting information and events that avatars are able to participate in.
Hoshikuzu is a shopping center different than all the other ones that I experienced on Second Life. The layout is more organized and more futuristic. The items displayed are more interesting. Surely they would make an avatar stand out. The people that I interacted with here seem to be serious shoppers. They were focused on outfits and buying what was necessary to complete the latest virtual world trends. I trust this type of mall with its styles because the others here had very hip apparel. The purpose of this store is to expand wardrobes and influence style.
When my avatar first arrived at Chakryn Forest I was surprised by the beauty. I did not expect an animated place to be so gorgeous. I could almost smell the pine trees. My favorite thing was the birds that I could hear chirping in the background. I did not see many people here. This added to the peaceful experience. Although, when I did finally see someone they were riding a horse. This was appropriate for the nature filled place. Flying around and admiring the landscape I could clearly see the reason for this location. It acts as a way to admire nature through a virtual world. In Second Life it is nice to explore and take in a variety of places that someone might not be able to in the real world.
Apocalypse is another shopping center. However, after going through many stores in the search for free clothes, I can appreciate the set up of this one. The clothes are not free, yet I am still interested. It is set up more like the real world with displays and different images of clothing. The whole area looks entertaining also. This court area in Second Life seems much more tasteful than many outdoor malls in real life. I could easily see my avatar spending the day here. That is exactly what I think the purpose of this place is. An amusing hangout where clothes can be looked at and purchased.
Themiskyra is a very relaxing place and that is its main objective. The real world can be very stressful at times. It is beneficial to those on Second Life to have a place to escape to. It is almost like a rehab center. An environment to meditate and unwind. There are many comfortable places to sit and lounge. The creators are people who want an escape from the fast paced world.
When I first arrived at Info Island I noticed all the different places that could be explored. There was a wide variety of information located on the island. The four locations I visited on Info Island were; the jazz cat, the art gallery, philosophy and psychology, and the fantasy portal. I met up with Keely and we took pictures in front of all of these. The jazz cat was a place to interact socially with others and be entertained. The art gallery’s objective is to showcase art and provide decorative elements. The objective of the philosophy and psychology is to learn more through a virtual world. Lastly, the objective of the fantasy portal is a way to experience unrealistic sights. The library also has interesting information and events that avatars are able to participate in.
Hoshikuzu is a shopping center different than all the other ones that I experienced on Second Life. The layout is more organized and more futuristic. The items displayed are more interesting. Surely they would make an avatar stand out. The people that I interacted with here seem to be serious shoppers. They were focused on outfits and buying what was necessary to complete the latest virtual world trends. I trust this type of mall with its styles because the others here had very hip apparel. The purpose of this store is to expand wardrobes and influence style.
When my avatar first arrived at Chakryn Forest I was surprised by the beauty. I did not expect an animated place to be so gorgeous. I could almost smell the pine trees. My favorite thing was the birds that I could hear chirping in the background. I did not see many people here. This added to the peaceful experience. Although, when I did finally see someone they were riding a horse. This was appropriate for the nature filled place. Flying around and admiring the landscape I could clearly see the reason for this location. It acts as a way to admire nature through a virtual world. In Second Life it is nice to explore and take in a variety of places that someone might not be able to in the real world.
Apocalypse is another shopping center. However, after going through many stores in the search for free clothes, I can appreciate the set up of this one. The clothes are not free, yet I am still interested. It is set up more like the real world with displays and different images of clothing. The whole area looks entertaining also. This court area in Second Life seems much more tasteful than many outdoor malls in real life. I could easily see my avatar spending the day here. That is exactly what I think the purpose of this place is. An amusing hangout where clothes can be looked at and purchased.
Themiskyra is a very relaxing place and that is its main objective. The real world can be very stressful at times. It is beneficial to those on Second Life to have a place to escape to. It is almost like a rehab center. An environment to meditate and unwind. There are many comfortable places to sit and lounge. The creators are people who want an escape from the fast paced world.
Let Me Introduce My Second Self
Adjusting my personal appearance on Second Life was very different than the usual ritual that I go through in the real world. Instead of rummaging through my closet and drawers; I searched through folders and browsed a new world of clothing options. After many attempts at finding free clothes I realized that there were some similarities between the two worlds. For example, I am broke in both and indecisive when it comes to anything fashion related. I did not want to settle on an ensemble that I was not pleased with, so I created my own. My overall avatar appearance reflects my real life look with a more polished surface.
The default woman that showed up after I set up a Second Life account was doomed from the beginning. I knew nothing about virtual worlds; except that I did not want to be portrayed as a default. The first thing I focused on was my avatar’s hair. The generic brown hair was nothing compared to the fiery red hair I had envisioned. Trying to change the hair was a difficult task for me. I spent a significant amount of time being bald. This resembled my real life struggle to maintain my unruly curly hair. Finally, I found a free hairstyle that was red and straight. In the real world it takes me about 45 minutes to straighten my hair. So I could not pass up the opportunity to have easily styled hair. Another factor in picking my avatar’s hairstyle was the bangs. I just recently got my real life bangs cut. While, I do like my new bangs, they fall into my eyes a lot. The bangs on Second Life stay out of the avatar’s face. My real world hair is unpredictable and bothersome. Although, on Second Life I can expect my hair to be the same stylish up do, no matter when I log in.
The face and body were the next priority in adjusting my avatar’s appearance. Trying to closely match my natural features; I noticed I was enhancing them. My Second Life eye color is richer, I am taller, and my lips are fuller. This is when I discovered the difference between how I see myself and what I wish I saw. There is where another real life and second life dissimilarity emerges. Instead of buying colored contacts, wearing high heels, and getting collagen injected in my lips; I just make a few clicks of my mouse. Second Life allows people to take their personal appearance and go much, much further with it.
Lastly, I decided to create my entire outfit. I tried on many colors and textures. I asked my roommate about every slight change I made. Beginning to resent her constructive criticism, I focused on what I wanted my avatar to look like. I wanted her to be fully clothed, unlike some of the skimpy clothes that were sold in Second Life stores. I also wanted a retro vibe. This resulted in a leopard print top, under a gray cardigan, with a black poufy skirt. The red leggings under the skirt brought some color to the one-of-a-kind creation. To top of the look I added some black ballet flats. In the real world I usually wear flip flops; however, my avatar is more sophisticated than my everyday style.
Keeping high standards in personal appearances is much more feasible on Second Life. That is why I took the opportunity to create a fancy, yet fun style for my avatar. My appearances in the real world and on Second Life are not that similar but they both reflect my personality.
The default woman that showed up after I set up a Second Life account was doomed from the beginning. I knew nothing about virtual worlds; except that I did not want to be portrayed as a default. The first thing I focused on was my avatar’s hair. The generic brown hair was nothing compared to the fiery red hair I had envisioned. Trying to change the hair was a difficult task for me. I spent a significant amount of time being bald. This resembled my real life struggle to maintain my unruly curly hair. Finally, I found a free hairstyle that was red and straight. In the real world it takes me about 45 minutes to straighten my hair. So I could not pass up the opportunity to have easily styled hair. Another factor in picking my avatar’s hairstyle was the bangs. I just recently got my real life bangs cut. While, I do like my new bangs, they fall into my eyes a lot. The bangs on Second Life stay out of the avatar’s face. My real world hair is unpredictable and bothersome. Although, on Second Life I can expect my hair to be the same stylish up do, no matter when I log in.
The face and body were the next priority in adjusting my avatar’s appearance. Trying to closely match my natural features; I noticed I was enhancing them. My Second Life eye color is richer, I am taller, and my lips are fuller. This is when I discovered the difference between how I see myself and what I wish I saw. There is where another real life and second life dissimilarity emerges. Instead of buying colored contacts, wearing high heels, and getting collagen injected in my lips; I just make a few clicks of my mouse. Second Life allows people to take their personal appearance and go much, much further with it.
Lastly, I decided to create my entire outfit. I tried on many colors and textures. I asked my roommate about every slight change I made. Beginning to resent her constructive criticism, I focused on what I wanted my avatar to look like. I wanted her to be fully clothed, unlike some of the skimpy clothes that were sold in Second Life stores. I also wanted a retro vibe. This resulted in a leopard print top, under a gray cardigan, with a black poufy skirt. The red leggings under the skirt brought some color to the one-of-a-kind creation. To top of the look I added some black ballet flats. In the real world I usually wear flip flops; however, my avatar is more sophisticated than my everyday style.
Keeping high standards in personal appearances is much more feasible on Second Life. That is why I took the opportunity to create a fancy, yet fun style for my avatar. My appearances in the real world and on Second Life are not that similar but they both reflect my personality.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Introduction
My name is Mary Dueker. My friends call me Mattie. I am from Saint Louis, MO. I am currently enrolled in my second composition class at the University of Central Missouri. I am majoring in Public Relations with a minor in International Studies. This is the first blog that i have ever created. My favorite thing to do on the Internet is to check my Facebook account. For fun i like to hang out with my friends, go to movies, listen to music, read occasionally, and shop. Some of my favorites are: movies, P.S. I Love You, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Clueless, and Titanic; music, Jack's Mannequin, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Taylor Swift; books, The Great Gatsby, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Angela's Ashes, and My Sister's Keeper.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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