Managing the Gray – Positive Advice That Everyone Can Use to Succeed

I woke up this morning and the first thing I saw on the web was this blog post from Mitch Joel talking about virtual worlds and it got my mind rolling as I brought the kids to school. When I got home rather then sharing my thoughts in a blog post I thought it would make a better podcast so I could just rattle off my thoughts about how the usability of virtual worlds must get better, how kids are growing up on them and how more people need to start thinking about virtual worlds as social networks.

Some links mentioned on the show in case you want to find out more:

• Webkinz
• Second Life
• Littlest Pet Shop VIPs
• Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

I also briefly mentioned at the end of the show two client projects we are working with on Facebook. One was the online trivia game from Trivya and the other was the aerie kissing booth.

Feedback always welcome at 206-309-4729 or drop me an e-mail.

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Machinima is the art of filming inside of video game engines. I’ve watched everything from short films to music videos done using it.

As computer processors get faster and the tools get easier to use I believe we are going to see more of this. With built in tool inside of Second Life I’ve seen even more of it lately. Crayon even has a little trailer for our island that we had someone put together for us.

Today I saw this new piece of machinima released from the team behind the Silverscreen island as a wrap up for the press event that they held for the movie 300. Full disclosure that crayon was involved a bit behind the scenes on this event, but had nothing to do with this video. I found it this morning while going through Bloglines.

What I like about this is that it’s not just straight up footage from the event. It is very nicely mixed up with a comic book theme and intercut with some footage from the movie. Overall it provides a very nice presentation that gives you a feel for the event but also drives home that it was more then just a press event. The shots at the end showcasing the island are more powerful then some of the other shots. I think I would have mixed those in or moved them up front so that people don’t miss them.

I look forward to seeing more companies and individuals mixing the mediums to take machinima to the next level.

Posted in Video, Virtual Fun, second life | View Comments

Jeff over at the Amazon Web Services Blog has screenshots and commentary on his first shopping experience inside of Second Life with an integrated Amazon.com store.
I have not had the opportunity to check it out for myself, but just reading the account made me smile. Sure, it’s baby steps towards what can ultimately done, but it’s a huge first step.

I’m looking forward to the day that I can have magazines or books sitting on my coffee table or desk and individuals could click on it and buy it right there. Either with real world money or Lindens. THAT is going to be a cool day.

Posted in Virtual Fun, second life | View Comments

I knew that it wouldn’t take long before the “real” world began to cross over to the “virtual” world. We’ve still got a ways to go, but it’s going to happen.

I’ve been out of the loop for a week so I’m a bit behind, but I just read about Amazon investigating the possibilities of a bridge between Second Life and their products. This is where it gets interesting as a business is looking at this as a direct extension, a new market, for an already established company. That is where people and companies need to look. It’ll never be a replacement for a line of business, but rather another arm that can reach out and get more people.

American Apparel also took a step into this area by opening up a store in Second Life. I’m not sure if this will work because do people really want to wear the same style fashions in virtual worlds as they do in the real world? I’m sure some will, but I personally like the freedom of being completely different with my avatar. I don’t want to wear the same stuff. I want to have fun and be different and I imagine others do as well.

Pay attention which companies start jumping in and more importantly HOW they jump in. That is where it gets interesting. Big deal if someone opens up a shop and treats it just like a regular shop. That won’t work. It’ll get some PR splash, but long term will fade into the matrix and no one will care. But, how could you treat it differently? What is the next evolution? THAT is the meat of the question and the fun part of the puzzle.

Posted in New Media, Virtual Fun | View Comments

Tonight the show is about one thing. Second Life.

I’ve been in too many meetings and conversations where it quickly becomes apparent that people either don’t know enough or they think the wrong things about Second Life and I wanted to clear it all up with what I hope is a good overview of what Second Life is and isn’t.

Virtual worlds and new media go together like the infamous chocolate and peanut butter. Sure, right now everyone might not see the connection, but we will all look back someday and shake our heads at the doubters.

This picture is one of the meetings that I mention on the show where like minded individuals gathered at my house to discuss marketing. Doesn’t it look more fun then the same old boring chat room?

One thing that I completely forgot to mention on the show is to thank Eric Rice for introducing me to this and for being completely forward thinking. That guy continues to tap new corners of this world and pushing forward to help out everyone. Not only is he a great guy, but damn is he fun to watch. And I mean that in a completely business manner.

If this introduction to Second Life isn’t enough and you want to discuss further I’m only an e-mail away.

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This weekend I had the privilege and the honor to be guest hosting Across the Sound with Joseph Jaffe.

We talked about a WHOLE bunch of different topics. We hit on music, the evolution of podcasting and of course some interesting winners and losers of the week.

Thank you Joseph for allowing me to come on the show and reach out to your listeners. I’ve been a fan and a listener of the show for a long time so I’m still smiling from this opportunity.

Posted in Announcements, Virtual Fun, second life | View Comments