iTechNote

Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by over 1.5 million residents. It is digital community where members interact, buy and sell goods, and build property worth real money. 250 of the in-world currency the Linden dollar can be converted to one US dollar at online currency exchanges, LindeX.

Recently, the virtual world began to face nasty troubles - crimes inside and outside the virtual world. The BBC reported that it had to close its doors for a short time on Sunday (19 Nov) after a worm attack called grey goo. The worm is presented as a golden ring inside the virtual world that replicates by user interaction slowing down the game servers.

The troubles do not stop here. A program that is designed to quickly copy characters, objects and buildings are eroding the value of people’s virtual property. A growing numbers of mafias and gangs in the virtual world are also seriously disrupting the law and order in the virtual world.

The virtual community is calling for an official system of law and order in a discussion held inside the virtual world chaired by “El Presidente”, the creator of Second Life. They are also requesting to hold free trials until the completion of major server capacity upgrades. The current servers barely handle 15,000 concurrent residents.

On Nov 14, in a Second Life press conference, Dell has officially opened a retail store for the virtual resident to buy PC and get it delivered in real life. Other big names such as Sun Microsystems, Adidas, Toyota and even Reuters have their presences in the virtual world before Dell. The latest development is the staging of hit reality TV show Big Brother in the online virtual world. With real businesses inside a virtual world, law and order should be put on the first priority.

It is time for the online virtual world to get a second life itself.