Empire Avenue, the place to be

With all the buzz going around about the new Facebook makeover and Google+ scrambling to get a piece of the social networking pie, one would almost loose sight of how innovative the Social Stock Exhange Empire Avenue actually is.

Since I signed up for the service a couple of months ago, I have seen a lot of activity on all the different social networks. Klout did a makeover and starting sending out loyalty packages (‘You’ve been perked’), Scoopt.it launched (I curate a topic there called MobileMarketing).

Through the past 10 years I have witnessed many new social networks come, grow and go. We’ve witnessed the rise and fall of MySpace, the ascent of Facebook and Twitter, the excitement around the growth of Flickr and many more.

However I think that Empire Avenue is something else. It is the first platform that effectively federates user ID’s across many different social networks, which is a huge accomplishment in itself that deserves to be applauded. Moreover though, the interaction features that enable the buying and selling of virtual shares can only be described as ‘fun’. And that’s hard to come by. You can’t put a price on that.

Back at it right here

Time to start blogging here again, after a long long time..

Happy New Year!

Saale Nao Mubbarak, Gelukkige nuwe jaar, Gezuar Vitin e Ri, Snorhavor Nor Tari, Kul ‘am wa antum bikhair, Sheta Brikhta, Yeni Iliniz Mubarek, Shuvo Nabo Barsho, Bloavezh Mat, Chestita Nova Godina. Soursdey Chhnam Tmei, Felic any nou, Xin Nian Kuai Le, Pace e Salute, Sretna Nova godina, Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, Stastny Novy rok, Godt Nytar, Ufaaveri Aa Aharakah Edhen, Gelukkig Nieuwjaar, Kiortame pivdluaritlo, Felican Novan Jaron, Head uut aastat, Melkam addis amet Yihuneliwo, Ruhus hadush amet, Onnellista Uutta Vuotta, Bonne Annee, Bliadhna mhath ur, Nupela yia i go long yu, Masaganang Bayung Banua, Nawai Kall Mo Mubarak Shah, Sal -e- no mobarak, Manigong Bagong Taon, Szczesliwego Nowego Roku, Feliz Ano Novo, Nave sal di mubarak, An Nou Fericit, S Novim Godom, Manuia le Tausaga Fou, Nayou Saal Mubbarak Hoje, Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa, Nawan Saal Shala Mubarak, Theevay Stastny Novy rok, sreeno novo leto, Iyo Sanad Cusub Oo Fiican, Feliz Ano Nuevo, Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Gott Nytt Ar, Happy Newyear, Warsa Engga, Eniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal, Losar Tashi Delek, Noothana samvatsara shubhakankshalu, Sawadee Pee Mai, Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun, Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku, Naya Saal Mubbarak Ho, Yangi Yil Bilan, Chuc Mung Tan Nien, Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, Bo Nadal e Feliz Aninovo, Prosit Neujahr, Gikotsavt Akhal Tsels, Kenourios Chronos, Nutan Varshbhinandan, Hauoli Makahiki Hou, L’Shannah Tovah, Naye Varsha Ki Shubhkamanyen, Sun Leen Fai Lok, Boldog Uj Evet Kivanok, Selamat Tahun Baru, Sal -e- no mobarak, Sanah Jadidah, Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit, Felice anno nuovo, Akimashite Omedetto Gozaimasu, Asegwas Amegaz, Hosa Varushadha Shubhashayagalu, Somwaka Omoyia Omuya, Snem Thymmai Basuk Iaphi, Sua Sdei tfnam tmei, Saehae Bock Mani ba deu sei yo, Newroz Pirozbe, Laimigo Jauno Gadu, Laimingu Naujuju Metu, Sabai dee pee mai, Srekjna Nova Godina, Tratry ny taona, Selamat Tahun Baru, Nveen Varshachy Shubhechcha, Puthuvatsara Aashamsakal, Kum Thar Chibai, Is-Sena t- Tajba, Nawa Barsha ko Shuvakamana, Godt Nyttar, Nua Barshara Subhechha

Information Overload and How to Beat it

A couple of days ago I responded to a Plurk from Bevan about a blogpost titled ‘What’s Real..‘ by Zha.

My comment: “Some past write-downs are essential and deserve not to be left behind on the ever faster spinning saucage machine of content creation”.

So it got me wondering: What are those essential write-ups? What are the most pronounced write-ups that have helped you to shape your vision for the future?

When you look at the (last years) video above, in which it is stated that:

“It is estimated that 4 exabytes (4.0×10^19) of unique information will be generated this year.”

How do you find and deal with the information relevant to you personally? And how do you make optimal use of new technology without drowning in the sea of information?

Try listening to the static signal on a radio for a while and try to make sense of it if all if you need a starting point.

Considering that websites are typically designed to keep you there as long as possible, and considering that websites are designed to make you click as often as possible, how do you best prevent yourself from getting distracted from the daily tasks at hand?

Anyways, Zha’s Virtual Musings provide a good starting point from where to even begin to consider what’s important: You are.

Dusan Writer’s Metaverse: The Future of Enterprise

If you are interested in learning more about the use of virtual worlds in the enterprise, you should follow the blog of Dusan Writer.

In this episode of Metanomics you can learn more about the Future of Enterprise collaboration.

The video elaborates on the research goals and collaborative engineering environments used at the Naval Underseas Worker Center and at IBM.

That’s right. Virtual Worlds are already being used for immersive learning, simulation and procedural training.

Neil Katz from IBM talks about their use cases of virtual worlds, and how at IBM meetings and large events can provide valuable immersive collaborative experiences that can not be otherwise had by other means.

Dusan blogs about the metaverse and identity, education, visualization, and collaboration. His real life identity is Doug Thompson, CEO of Remedy Communications.

Virtual Worlds as Green Workplaces?

At a recent panel discussion in Second Life, hosted by the US Department of State, experts from industry and the non-profit world pondered some fairly topical questions: to tele-commute OR not to tele-commute? Are 3D worlds a good place to do serious work? Are Avatars with yellow faces a provocation for management?

Draxtor Despres was on site, expecting answers.

Draxtor is an award-winning machinima blogger. Produced over 100 news reportages. Always busy trying to bridge virtual and physical worlds.

Slim Warrior and Digistar Brouwer: Rezzday-surprise by Chantal Harvey

Doubledown Spinning!

The surprise Rezzday party was a great surpise party celebrating the fact that Slim Warrior, first UK artist ever to perform live in Second Life, turned 4 years old (became a member of second life exactly 4 years ago) and my own 3rd rezzday.

Many thanks to everybody, and for all the the great virtual gifts of course!

Chantal couldn’t come up with a gift, and decided to make a machinima instead. It’s much better than a postcard, thank you Chantal!

Virtual Nokia Job Fair

GJ Jarvinen presents Nokia vision for the future and the role of the IT organisation.

In this episode of Connecting Worlds we collaborated with the people from Future Talent @ Nokia and acutally experienced our first recruitment event in Second Life, where we brought together talent from all over the world, recruiters and Nokia employees for a 2-hour virtual event.

And so we all (41 people in all) immersed into the new auditorium.

The new auditorium at Nokia Island in Second Life

First we listened to a keynote presentation from GJ Jarvinen, after which we had a panel discussion moderated by Hydra Shaftoe. All was captured in real time by the crew from Treet.TV.

Judging from the feedback received, a good time was had by all. You can still apply for open positions here.

Roll the Tape >>

Inside The Avatar’s Studio

Bevan Whitfield moderates this panel discussion

Yes yes, the movie Avatar is going to break all the records. But does it tell you the real story about the role of the avatar on internet today? I think not.

When speaking with Bevan about the meaning, purpose and destination of virtual worlds the one thing we always agree about is that it’s all about the people.

The other thing I’ve been saying for years is that it’s all about the avatar. As winner of the Avatar of the Year 2007 she tends to agree. In the video below Bevan takes you inside the Avatar’s studio together with a crack team of experts who will try to provide you with some unique insights as to what the avatar is all about.

Roll the Tape >>

Do You Gnomi Yet?

Having very quickly checked out the GnomiVerse I must say it’s a handy tool that lets you send IM’s to and from your friends on MSN, Gmail and Second Life, all in one application.