Second Life Meeting Venue: Ventura College site

We will be using the Ventura College site on Second Life for optional exam review sessions. You may also use it as a venue for group meetings for your Workshop 10 in lieu of physical get togethers. You can also log your group study hours on SL (not the set up time, just the time you actually chat with your classmates about the homework/ coursework).

If you already have an avatar on SL, fine, come as you are, there is no special dress code for these informal sessions. If you are familiar with gaming (such as World of Warcraft) you will have no problem at all setting up an avatar on Second Life, getting around, and communicating. If this is your first introduction to virtual “worlds” you will need to allow some time to get adjusted. Go to http://secondlife.com/ . There follow the links to register for , and download SL. Go through the brief tutorial. Chose an avatar. You can modify it if you wish or just take it as is.

My avatar is Tethys Shoreman. If you IM me be sure to mention that you are ‘vcbio’, the same notation you use in emails to me, because I probably won’t recognize your avatar just like I don’t recognize your email address. You can chose your first name but the last name is from a menu. Once you are set up tell me your avatar and I’ll plan to keep a list handy. You might also keep your own first name if you want to be easy to recognize during discussion by me and your classmates.

I will be using voice chat so make sure you are using a computer with headsets (or speakers are ok if you are at home). You have a choice of voice chat or typing in your chat. Be sure to test your sound system with voice chat with SL before the session. Type control P to get the voice chat set up box. If you do not have a computer that has the graphics capacity and the sound system for SL you can come to campus and use the computers at the Beach.

Go to the world map tab. Now to map search and enter Ventura College. Once the address comes up click teleport and it should take you there. In the upper left of your screen under the World tab there is a Landmarks option to let you mark Ventura College like Bookmarks or Favorites. You can see there is a virtual LRC building. That is where we will meet—on the roof.

I will be having a help session for anyone having problems getting set up on SL. You can save yourself time if you get done on your own what you can before then and only have to get help with a few little things rather than start from the beginning. If you are not used to moving on a screen you may find you keep bashing into walls or disappearing. Fly a lot and move in short jerks if you are having trouble. Use outdoor venues near teleport landings for meetings. (That’s why we use the roof of the LRC for our meetings.)

There are not a lot of Marine Biology locations as such that I’ve found on SL but there are plenty of “nice” meeting locations that are not too crowded and have virtual pleasant scenery. Some are private, some commercial some operated by educational groups , government or NGOs.

co2sos"-Let's decrease carbon dioxide (global warming) !! Not my punctuation, it’s part of the name. Beware the video stuff doesn’t always work but it’s a fine place for a meeting.

Etopia Eco Village - Environmental Sustainable Living Community Same as above.

Tisch Library and Wright Center Climate Change Education Center

Elucian Islands - Second Nature

Indian Ocean - TROPICAL BEACH- SCUBA DIVING- RENTALS (Mauritius island, look for the cozy beach lobby by the bar.)