Second Life: an interactive user interface that simulates reality. This program invites the user to explore a virtual world, uncannily representational of the world around us. Upon signing up for free, you are led to a welcome center via your avatar. You are provided a virtual person which you can personalize to resemble yourself, or anyone for that matter, with default settings. From the main welcome center you can navigate to other areas throughout Second Life by searching for them in the search bar.
Other avatars are wandering around as well--you can interact with the representations of other people from around the world who are logged into SL as well. You are able to communicate by either typing or speaking through your microphone upon approaching them.
I located the University of Delaware world from the search bar and flew to my destination. I arrived at the UD world, which strangely closely resembled the university campus. I was approached by Firery Broome, the university employee who supervises the virtual campus. She directed me to a store on SL where I could "buy" customized clothing and appearances. At this point my computer overheated, froze, and shut off for the fourth time during my journey through Second Life.
The whole Second Life experience was interesting, yet it was a bit difficult to initially navigate and explore. There is no determined goal or "winner" for this simulation, it is just another form of interactivity for self-interest. It certainly serves as a learning tool offering users to view simulated areas of the world that they do not have access to, and designated areas host meetings and lectures for informational purposes.
In the hit comedy TV show The Office, Second Life is integrated into an episode when Dwight K. Shrute is playing it during a normal day at the office: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3d_fqDcN1s
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