Caleb Booker

Four separate platforms got the nod of approval from the USDA recently:

• web.alive (recent AVAYA acquisition)
• Vastpark (wow, they’ve come a long way!)
• OLIVE (nice one guys, way to survive!)
• Teleplace (workspace, used to be named QWAQ)

This is just great to see. Not only are these four solid platforms completely worthy of the business, but it’s also a great response to the doom and gloom prophesy that so many were indulging in a few months ago. Welcome to the new workspace guys, it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Further reading:

Thanks for the links Joe.

May 7th, 2010 | Tags: platforms, virtual worlds | Category: platforms, virtual worlds | Leave a comment

Here’s a quick breakdown from the last month or two:

• Google Maps goes 3D – In-browser 3D is the holy grail of virtual spaces, always has been.
• Second Life users are angry at Linden Lab – In other news, spring came this year and summer could be next…
• OpenSim is becoming a serious contender – We always hoped it would, but did we expect it?
• ASSEMB’LIVE releases devkit – It’s getting even more awesome every day, worth a look. video
• web.alive releases a content development kit – looks like AVAYA is going ahead with development.
• Wonderland is alive and kicking – Project Wonderland became Open Wonderland, and they’re some shocking good.
• IMVU is a monster – $40 million coming in for 2010, and they’re hiring.
• Worlds.com and NCSoft lawsuit settled – … and I hope they got next to nothing the lousy thieves…
• Blue Mars hasn’t closed yet – I already own a copy of Final Fantasy XIII so I’m good, thanks.
• Apple is planning a virtual world store – After the idiotic iPad, I’ve zero sense of anticipation here…
• Second Life bigger than ever – Any speculation on my part as to why will result in a boring, boring debate… consumer PCs are generally fast enough now, that’s why.
• ProtonMedia, On24, and InXpo are all still doing big business
• Dozens of new government and private sector projects launched over the last few months for procedural training, prototyping, therapy, education, conferencing, etc…

Now you know.

May 4th, 2010 | Tags: news, platforms | Category: new media, news, platforms | Leave a comment

Laura P Thomas, Social Media Strategist, Dell

Events are a great way to create word of mouth marketing, but taking them to a worldwide audience is expensive. Using immersive virtual world technologies you can expand your local event to a global audience without breaking the budget.

Today at 2pm Pacific Virtual Worlds Keynote will be host to Laura Pevehouse Thomas, strategist for social media at Dell. Profiled as one of five “social media mavens” in the March 2009 issue of Austin Woman Magazine, she’s worked in and around the Dell family for nine years, primarily in the areas of corporate communications, employee communications, public relations, community affairs, branding and online communication.

Laura has earned the designation of Accredited Business Communicator from the International Association of Business Communicators, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Louisiana State University. Before joining Dell Financial Services in 2000, she worked at the Texas Workforce Commission and PepsiCo Food Systems Worldwide.

—

To join us in Second Life:

1. Go to SecondLife.com, create an account, and install the software.
2. Log in through the Second Life software using your user name.
3. Click here to be teleported to our studio before 2pm Pacific.

April 5th, 2010 | Tags: business, content, customer service, economics, new media, virtual environments | Category: business, content, customer service, economics, new media, virtual environments | Leave a comment

Ernie C Young, Head Coach, SalesTeam East LLC

Want to know how to leverage Second Life to get new clients? Today’s guest is sales guru Ernie Young presenting: “Moving From Contact to Client in Second Life – Finding a Sales Process to Gain and Keep Customers for Life”. If you’ve ever had an interest in getting new clients, do not miss this rare opportunity to hear a true expert speak on the topic!

Today at 2pm Pacific Virtual Worlds Keynote will be host to the Head Coach of SalesTeam East, Ernie Young. He started his selling career by opening his own business at 12 years old and operating it door to door throughout his teenage years before leaving for college. Over the past 35 years, Mr. Young accumulated vast experience and accomplishment in professional sales, sales training, and management. He has consistently led his sales teams to record-setting company performances in both large and small business organizations, and has been repeatedly awarded recognition for his personal career sales performance and for the sales levels achieved by the sales professionals under his management.

His teaching of and adherence to the “3 Factors of Sales Success” formula typifies his ability to clearly impart an understanding of selling as both an art and a science. Mr. Young is certified by Integrity Systems, Inc. as a sales coach, trainer, and facilitator. SalesTeam East LLC is licensed by SalesTeam USA to deliver sales training programs utilizing its tool kits, including SalesMap©.

Before his long career in professional sales, Mr. Young served 10 years on active duty as a U.S. Naval Officer after which he continued to serve for 10 more years on a part time basis in the U.S. Naval Reserve. During his military career, he developed seasoned management skills, managing and training organizations of hundreds of military personnel. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Management from the U.S. Naval Academy and the rank of Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve.

—

To join us in Second Life:

1. Go to SecondLife.com, create an account, and install the software.
2. Log in through the Second Life software using your user name.
3. Click here to be teleported to our studio before 2pm Pacific.

March 29th, 2010 | Tags: business, content, customer service, new media, virtual environments | Category: business, content, customer service, new media, virtual environments | Leave a comment