It: Second Life

What is Second Life?
Second Life is a virtual world developed by Linden Lab that launched on June 23, 2003, and is accessible on the Internet. Second Life is for people aged 18 and over, while Teen Second Life is for people aged 13 to 17. It is a communication tool which provides a multi-user virtual environment allowing users to interact in these online worlds in real time. The residents represented by a 3D avatar create everything in this virtual world. Residents interact with each other through avatars by using a free client program called the Viewer. They can explore, meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade virtual property and services with one another, or travel throughout the world. People who have no experience in the Second Life world might think it as a game. Though some residents have created entertainment activities within Second Life, it is more accurately described as an interactive social network where users engage in a variety of social, economic and educational activities. (Wikipedia, 2007)

How does it work?
Second Life users install an application that runs locally and communicates with servers that host the virtual world. Once registered, users can establish and customize their own avatars. They can be modified from time to time by using current built-in options, creating new options or buying new items created by others. (Beth Knittle, 2008)To use Second Life is free of charges but there is some exclusion, such as for owning land, residents need to pay a Second Life land use fee from US$5 to US$295 based on the size of land. All users can buy Linden dollars to participate in the Second Life economy. The Linden dollar can be used to buy, sell, rent or trade land or virtual goods and services with other users. Once in the virtual world, users are free to explore for places, people, and activities. Avatars can teleport to any location in Second Life and navigate by walking or flying...