SL & FB

OK, I tried Second Life but didn't get off the ground, literally and figuratively. I think I have to download the program in order to change my Avatar.

My SL name is Josie Lynkskey which I think is a real cool name. Signing up was fine and easy but then I got confused. I watched the how to change your avatar video and did think it was amazing how you can change the physical features. I couldn't help but think of that SNL skit Franz and Franz from the 90's---"I'm here to pump you up!" when the chest size changes! :)

I liked this place: Literary%20%26amp%3B%20Artists%5C%26%2339%3B%20Villageand found it so easy to export this link to my blog. I am finding sharing a site or link to be so easy on so many applications. I think the programmers are on to something here, they want it to seamlessly interface with many different apps.

Overall, I don't know if I am an SL fan because I haven't had a chance to play and fly around it. I did find everyone's comments interesting this week and was a bit put off hearing about the weirdos and stalkers and child avatars. I did think the big picture of SL, the different worlds, the way you can change yourself, how you meet people ...to be incredibably creative.

As I mentioned in a post, I think in the future, virtual worlds will be popular and more defined so I hope to have a SL world geared towards educators like wikispaces and PBwiki are geared towards educators. I would like that environment. SL seems all over the place to me right now.

FACEBOOK

(For some reason, I can't import the Facebook Logo here. This is where I find technology to be so challenging! I checked the "import photo" button and it doesn't do anything!)

I am not a regualr user of FB but I know many people who are, especially my friends who are in their 40's. I know there are heavy users of FB all out there but it is just not me. Every time I go on FB, I am on it for much longer than I wanted to be. One thing leads to another, reading everyon'e wall etc.

I first set up an account about two years ago because my high school kids were using it and I wanted to know how it worked. I orginally didn't use my full name because I was unsure of the technology and didn't want to be too public.

I do have private settings but I can't stand how I can read a friend's friend comment on their wall. The whole wall thing bothers me or maybe it is the status updates and how people feel compelled to let eveyone know that they just worked out at the gym and will be having a tuna sandwhich for lunch. I just don't get it.

Facebook is great for connecting with people from the past and I was so happy that a college friend found me as soon as I added my real name to FB. I like chit chatting with old friends but at some point, what else more is there to say? And I really don't want to read about all of their mundane activities nad see their "trail" when I log on.

FB can be a huge time sucker and that is probably the main reason I do not use it as much as other people. Maybe when I am done with this program I will spend all of my "free" time on FB? LOL! :)

I would like to learn more about how FB can be used by school libraries. I get the whole group thing (X Library Group on FB) and students /faculty could post about books and links but how can you monitor what people say or upload? That is my most pressing question and one that I am realizing way too late in the week!