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===Week Ending September 26, 2008===

====US====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>

-- Feature in InformationWeek.<br>
-- Fewer articles on enterprise topics.<br>
Focus on organizations that are educating their members on how they can better use Second Life and virtual worlds.<br> 
-- Motley Fool discussed effects of the current US economy on Second Life’s economy.<br>
-- Second Life is serving as an economical alternative to test for new products.<br>
-- Numerous non-profit groups are holding more seminars educating people about Second Life.<br><br>

Key Coverage:<br>
[http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/virtualworlds/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210602197 InformationWeek’s] Mitch Wagner presents his in-depth piece on Second Life, following his briefing with Mark. He notes Mark’s commitment to improving the first-hour experience and calls his focus on key markets “encouraging.”<br>

Re-post: [http://commonsensible.net/2008/09/25/second-life-newbie-column-done-right-for-change/ Common Sensible] blogs that InformationWeek’s piece on Second Life is solid and offers good and simple information for new and potential Second Life users.<Br>

Re-post: [http://electrogeek.com/blog/2008/09/25/second-lifes-popularity-rests-on-breadth-of-activities/ Electrogeek].<br>

[http://yourbiz.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/23/1432582.aspx Your Biz MSNBC] – Considers Second Life a dynamic and interactive environment, great for entrepreneurs in follow-up coverage to the BusinessWeek SmallBiz cover story on virtual prototyping.<br>

[http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/129/the-second-life-of-second-life.html?page=0%2C0 Fast Company] – An article on the success of major companies using Second Life for marketing.<br>

[http://metanomics.net/19-sep-2008/philip-rosedale-interview-and-expert-reactions Metanomics’] – Robert Bloomfield has published excerpts from his interview with Philip, inviting several experts to comment on Linden Lab’s history and future.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>
[http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=17&issue=20080923 Investors] – Article examining how Second Life is evolving from a place where residents shop, flirt, socialize or just hang out to an environment where large global companies such as Nissan and Sony BMG have built virtual storefronts, billboards or information booths.<br><br> 

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>
[http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/olathe/story/809655.html Kansas City Star] -- Olathe Public Library will be holding a Second Life tour and training session for the public.<br> 

[http://www.govtech.com/gt/417520?topic=117673 Government Technology] -- MySpace, LinkedIn and Second Life have established new ways for members of their online community to interact. The government is starting to take advantage of these tools to promote anticrime block watches, neighbourhood disaster recovery groups and health education.<br> 

[http://marcombroadbandnewswire.blogspot.com/2008/09/online-marketing-trends-virtual.html Marcom New Media] -- The ‘Real Life Education in Second Life’ group is studying how to leverage the benefits of learning in a virtual world in order to assist the students of today. The group consists of more than 400 universities and 4,500 educators.<br>

[http://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com/2008/09/introduction-to-second-life.html Sarah Musing] – A post on growing excitement in the business community for using Second Life for meetings, conferences, skill development and problem solving scenarios.<br>

[http://lateu.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/second-life-university-of-southampton-island/ University of Southampton] - Many schools and professionals will participate in a Second Life Seminar on September 23 held by LATEU. They will focus on how educators can use Second Life for research.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/virtualworlds/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210602194 InformationWeek] – A look at what Second Life can and will do to attract new customers and expand their reach in virtual spaces.<br>  

[http://gear.ign.com/articles/913/913506p1.html IGN] -- Vuzix VR920 software update will bring 3D stereoscopic video and head tracking to Second Life users.<br>

[http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-09-18/article/31166?headline=Berkeley-Video-and-Film-Festival-Showcases-the-Indie-Spirit Berkeley Daily Planet] – The Berkeley Video and Film Festival Showcases will feature a unique virtual world film done in Second Life by George Aguilar.<br>

[http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ny-ettel5854216sep24a,0,2813574.column Newsday.com] - ‘Gary Unmarried,’ a new CBS show, will include a character that is trying to learn about the opposite sex through Second Life.<br>

[http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2008/09/obama-for-presi.html The Click Heard Round the World] – A post that there will be a Second Life Obama Music Fest from September 27-28 in Second Life.<br> 
[http://services.jiscinvolve.org/2008/09/23/skills-day-2008-join-us-in-second-life/ JISC Service Group] – A blog post that Andy Powell from Eduserve will be talking about how virtual worlds such as Second Life can be used to support events.<br><br> 
====UK====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Focus on education and non-profit sector week, such as coverage of the Labour Party Conference, virtual hospitals, virtual religious worshipping, language benefits and music festivals within Second life.<br>
-- Focus on use of Second Life to promote other technologies.<br>
-- Coverage of the benefits of virtual worlds for employees training.<br>

Key Coverage:<br> 
[http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/news.php?id=268260 Web User] – The Manchester Labour party conference was run simultaneously in Second Life and raises the question of how the virtual world can be used to improve public service delivery.<br><br> 

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

[http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2008/09/18/232357/kpmg-to-host-48-hour-global-virtual-jobs-fair-this-month.htm Computer Weekly] – KPMG is going to use Unisfair technology to run a virtual recruitment fair. Second Life is mentioned as KPMG previously held in-world recruitment drives.<br>

[http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=22828 Macworld] -- AT&T’s collaboration with various technology companies, and its use of Second Life to help test rogue attacks on AT&T products, are discussed.<br>

[http://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=188410 TrainingZone.co.uk] – Coverage of organisations’ use of online learning mediums and the resources for learning on web 2.0.<br>


EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/news.php?id=268260 Web User] – The Manchester Labour party conference was run simultaneously in Second Life and notes the potential of virtual worlds to improve public service delivery.<br> 

[http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/celebrity/article4805487.ece Times Online] – The Civil Service Minister hosted their first conference meeting in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/17/second_life_rfid/ Register] – Full-sized hospitals are being created within Second Life by university students.<br>

[http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/section-item.asp?sid=12&iid=5672 West Yorkshire Police] – A press release, highlighting the success of its safety messages for students in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=732&catID=18 Guardian Weekly] –A language exchange project has been created by students from Dubai and South Korea in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.advertiser24.co.uk/content/advertiser24/news/story.aspx?brand=GOROnline&category=News&tBrand=GOROnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED19%20Sep%202008%2009%3A44%3A45%3A850 The Advertiser] – A report on the ancient church that has been teleported into Second Life.<br> 

[http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/content/yarmouthmercury/news/story.aspx?brand=GYMOnline&category=news&tBrand=GYMonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED18%20Sep%202008%2009%3A50%3A34%3A240 Great Yarmouth Mercury] – Presentation of a church opening in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.nwda.co.uk/news--events/press-releases/200801/launching-the-cultural-olympia.aspx NorthWest Regional Development Agency] – Coverage of upcoming events in the North west of England. A music festival named Noise 2008 is set to be held within Second Life.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/section-item.asp?sid=12&iid=5672 Times Online] – Investigation of regular changes in our language, with words such as Second Life likely to be in the next issue of the Dictionary.<br><br>

====GERMANY====
Trends we’ve noticed:<br>

-- This week we’ve seen several articles in the adult consumer section.<br>
-- Articles focusing on government-related activities in Second Life.<br>
-- A very positive article published by German press agency, dpa, was picked up many times.<br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

[http://www.suedwest-aktiv.de/landundwelt/suedwestumschau/3846012/artikel.php Südwest Presse] reported that Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany’s federal states, has left Second Life but is giving its space away for a creative laboratory.<br>

[http://www.tagesspiegel.de/medien-news/digital/Second-Life-Twinity;art303,2617674 Tagesspiegel] -- An article about Berlin in virtual worlds and compares Germany’s capital in Twinity with its appearance in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.focus.de/wissen/wissenschaft/internetfahnder-virtuelle-verbrecherjagd_aid_335667.html Focus online] – An interview with a German state detective, where he talks about the ways the police is searching the Internet for criminal activities. He also mentions that there are policemen in Second Life.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://www.fr-online.de/in_und_ausland/multimedia/aktuell/1598459_Second-Life-als-Plattform-fuers-Lernen.html Frankfurter Rundschau] --  Approximately 60 to 70 online publications picked up German this very positive article about education in Second Life, based on an April interview with Philip.<br><br>

ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://www.kn-online.de/artikel/2465941 Kieler Nachrichten] – A positive article about a theater project from students of University of Lübeck and from a school. They successfully rearranged Shakespeare’s “A midsummer night’s dream”.<br>

[http://www.computer-zeitung.de/articles/schloss_dagstuhlwo_im_web_20_die_juristischen_fallstricke_liegen:/2008039/31663744_ha_CZ.html?thes=&tp=/themen/it-services/&page=1 Computer Zeitung] -- Coverage of a conference on legal aspects of the Internet and web 2.0, mentioning Second Life.<br>

[http://www.gulli.com/news/creative-commons-netlabel-foem/ Gulli.com] – A big party is planned in Second Life for music label FOEM. They have been active in Second Life for five years now and very successful.<br><br>

====FRANCE====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>

--There were articles this week about virtual worlds use and their effect on people in real life. <br>
-- Some blogs and publications focused on Saint Gobain in Second Life, and their “tree planting” initiative This week, the focus of some blogs and publication was on Saint Gobain on SL, and their “tree planting” initiative
-- Coverage of Second Life competitors (Home).<br>
-- Articles about Second Life functionalities (scripts, SLim…).<br><br>

Key Coverage:<br> 

[http://blog.lefigaro.fr/hightech/2008/09/les-etonnants-chiffres-des-jeu.html Le Figaro’s blog] – An article about video games figures revealed by Pew. 10% of real gamers use Second Life.<br>

[http://numerik.blogspirit.com/archive/2008/09/18/google-cree-lively.html Numerik] – A note about Lively.<br>

[http://www.virtualworldsnews.fr/2008/09/18/seconde-life-vs-lively-analyse-de-popularite/ Vitualworldnews] – An article comparing Second Life and Lively, saying Second Life is still number one.<br>

[http://dilshou.blog.jeuxvideo.com/1139518/Home-et-le-nouveau-firmware-PS3-pour-fin-octobre/ D’s] – A blog post about Home (new PS3 firmware).<br>

[http://www.presse-citron.net/exitreality-une-nouvelle-experience-de-navigation-web-en-3d Presse citron] – An article about Exit reality, a new experience of 3D navigation on Web (comparison to Second Life).<br>

[http://www.xgouchet.fr/blog/index.php/post/2008/09/23/Exit-Reality-le-web-3d-a-portee-de-la-main Et C++ si affinité] – Coverage of Exit reality.<br>

[http://www.cordoleani.com/2008/09/digital-life-ac.html Olivier Cordoleani] – A note about Google Lively, a “clone of Second Life.”<br>

[http://www.traffic-internet.net/technologie/nouvelle-video-de-presentation-de-playstation-home_1222.html Traffic internet] – A new video of Home (playstation) virtual world.<br>

[http://www.numerama.com/magazine/10654-Nouvelle-video-de-presentation-de-Playstation-Home.html Numerama] – A new video of Home (Playstation) virtual world.<br>

[http://www.tecoman.info/article-22959535.html  Technoman] – A post about a new video of Home ( Sony). He remarks that the concept is very similar to Second Life.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>
Key Coverage: 
[http://www.greenit.fr/article/acteurs/editeur/saint-gobain-glass-lance-un-programme-de-reforestation-sur-second-life Green It ] – An article about Saint Gobain act in Second Life to counter the deforestation.<br>

[http://comsociale.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/greve-virtuelle-vs-greve-reelle/ Comsociale] – An article about virtual strikes versus real strikes with a mention to IBM strike on SL<br>

[http://fr.loogic.com/ideateca-comptoir-idees-eneko-knorr Loogic] -- Coverage of Eneko Knörr and its new company Ideateca (Idea counter).<br>

[http://blog.expocert.fr/post/2008/09/20/Les-salons-virtuels-un-nouvel-eldorado Foires salons congres] – A note about the fact that many companies have created their own virtual worlds.<br>

[http://mondes-virtuels.stonfield-inworld.com/bonne-affluence-a-la-conference-ecolo-de-saint-gobain-glass/ Monde Virtuels] – A post on the conference in Second Life lead by Saint Gobain Glass.<br>

[http://www.david-castera.com/2008/09/saint-gobain-dans-second-life-comprendre-le-vitrage-en-plantant-des-arbres/ David Castera] – A blog post about Saint Gobain’s act in Second Life to counter deforestation.<br>

[http://quotidiendurable.com/news/ce-matin-j-ai-plante-un-arbre-au-liban Quotidien durable] – An article about planting trees in Liban thanks to Saint Gobain on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.actualites-environnement.info/blog/?p=289 Actualités environnement] – Coverage of tree-planting in Liban thanks to Saint Gobain on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.pocarles.com/2008/09/un-jeu-cologiqu.html  Pocarles] – A note about Saint Gobains action on SL about tree planting.<br>

[http://www.itrmanager.com/articles/77378/second-life-there-com-cyworld-3d-br-avenirs-mondes-virtuels-entreprises.html ITRManager] – An article about the future of virtual worlds regarding companies, with a mention to recruitments in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.antic-paysbasque.com/index.php?2008/09/23/194-linstitut-culturel-basque-inaugure-son-espace-artean-sur-l-ile-pays-basque-de-second-life Antic-Pays Basque] – An article about the opening “Basque Cultural Institute” space, called ARTEAN, in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.paysbasquenumerique.net/l%E2%80%99institut-culturel-basque-inaugure-son-espace-%C2%AB-artean-%C2%BB Pays Basque Numerique] – An article about the opening “Basque Cultural Institute” space, called ARTEAN, on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.invworlds.fr/?p=365 Inworlds] – Coverage of Nosgoth, a Roleplay on Second Life.<Br>

[http://metalab3d.blogspot.com/2008/09/mondes-virtuels-quels-usages-pour-les.html Metalab 3D] – A video about use of Second Life for real public actors.<br><Br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://126566.blog.tdg.ch/archive/2008/09/18/rentree-sociologique-sur-secondlife.html Tribune de Geneve]  -- An article about sociology in Second Life (with sessions animated by Pierre Bourdieu).<br>

[http://karenguillorel.free.fr/?p=97 e-troubadour] – News about the Website’s group trip to the Buttes Chaumont in Paris last weekend.<Br>

[http://artemisia-terredarmoise.blogspot.com/2008/09/21-septembre-peaceoneday-cest-aussi-nos.html Terredarmois artemisia] – A note about an event the 20-21st September in SL: tree planting day.<br>

[http://portraitsdicietdailleurs.over-blog.com/article-22952129.html portraits d’ici et d’aileurs] -- Coverage of people’s real jobs in Second Life.<br>

[http://seasexsun.unblog.fr/2008/09/19/rencontres-sur-internet-version-20/ Seasexsun] – Blog post comparing social networks to dating networks.<br>

[http://artsetmondesocial.blogspot.com/2008/09/les-zozios-de-jacques-demarcq.html Arts et monde social] – A note about an event the 3rd October on Second Life: Jacques Demarcq, writer, will be in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.metaverse3d.com/2008/09/20/journee-du-patrimoine-aire-sur-second-life-semaine-bio-architecture-2008/ Metaverse 3D] – A note about the event happening from the 20th to the 26th September : BIO Architecture.<br>

[http://sun3000.blogspot.com/2008/09/sl-art-crossworlds-gallery-glyph-graves.html Sun3000] – A post about an event “SL Art” in SL organized by Nerd Bert<br>

[http://virtuelnews.com/secondlife/?p=663 Virtual News]  -- An article about the presence of Polvis Allen on SL.<br>

[http://sldirect.blogspot.com/2008/09/en-vie-relle-avec-les-e-troubadours-aux.html En direct de Second Life]  -- A note about e-Troubadours being in Les Buttes Chaumont last week end.<br>

[http://www.gamopat.com/article-23039416.html Gamopat] published an article about the fact of gaining a new social life thanks to Home (Sony).<br>

[http://www.france3d.org/evenementia/?p=111 France 3D] – A note about a course proposed on SL about typepad shortcuts.<br>

[http://www.territoire-digital.com/2008/09/taikogo-akina-virtuose-de-l%E2%80%99art-ephemere/ Territoire digital]  -- Coverage of Taikogo Akina who build scripts and textures in Second Life.<br><br>

====JAPAN====
Trends we’ve noticed:<br>

-- Free and low-cost information services on the Internet are being used for business with impressive results.  Moving-S is one of them and they have a branch in Second Life.  The business magazine Weekly Diamond featured the company in an article and quoted Second Life in it.<br>
-- Some media wrote about “The Making of Second Life” written by Wagner James Au. The viewpoint is so unique that it has attracted attention.<br>
-- The news about SLim’s release on September 3rd and Direct Slurl post on September 18th appeared in the media.<br><br>

Key Coverage:<br>
Weekly Diamond (magazine, 9/27) – A feature article on Moving-S, a moving company made famous for its innovative use of the Internet. The article introduces many Internet services the company provides including a once-a-week online consulting and estimate service held at their branch store on Second Life. The company has so far had 5 real life jobs requested through its Second Life branch over the course of 2 years since opening the branch.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

Eizo Shimbun – Nippon Television Network (NTV) Corporation will be exhibiting Second Life-related activities at the IBC2008.<br>

Asahi Shimbun, English – An advertisement appeared in this daily English newspaper simply showing a photo by the sea and “Bali Resort at Second Life, Keyword: Bali Resort.”   The resort can be found by doing a search on Second Life.<br>  

Kagaku Shimbun – Linden Lab announced their new IM program “SLim”. By using SLim, residents of SL are able to communicate with text and voice without having to start up the SL viewer.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/news/world/20080919_slurl.html The Second Times] – Linden Lab improved “SLurl”, enabling users to teleport from one SIM to the other more smoothly.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/spot/20080918_ibm.html The Second Times] – IBM built the Virtual Green Data Center on SL. Users can come here and understand more about Green IT.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br> 

Software Design – A feature article on the Open Source Conference 2008 held on August 8 in Nagoya. Hideo Yamazaki of Nomura Research Institute gave a presentation on the present and future visions of virtual worlds starting with Second Life.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

FujiSankei Business i – An article introducing the book written by Wagner James Au, “The Making of Second Life: Notes from the New World.”<Br>

Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun - An article introducing the book written by Wagner James Au, “The Making of Second Life: Notes from the New World.” The article follows, “As SL evolves, the day mankind will live in two communities simultaneously is getting closer. This book will help us grasp that concept.”<br>

Animage – A short review on SL by one of the magazine commentators. “First off, it’s very difficult to find another Japanese avatar. It also very difficult to adjust the default avatar to the looks you wish. It is easy to understand why SL lost its flame so fast. But more important than any of this, I can’t understand English.”<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/column/tour/20080922_skillup.html The Second Times]– A Gothic all girls band “Skill Up” held a live concert at the EDO SIM on Second Life. The EDO SIM is currently holding an autumn festival.<br>

[http://blogmag.ascii.jp/secondlife/2008/09/001895.html ASCII.jp – A railcar contest is being held on the Central Station SIM on Second Life.<br> 

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/event/20080919_edotsukimi.html The Second Time] – The EDO SIM will start their annual monthly event starting tomorrow. This month is the autumn festival, “Tsukimi Matsuri.” The event will have entertainment such as archery games and live bands.<br>

[http://www.ciojp.com/contents/?id=00004817;t=26 CIO] – A blog article debating how capable SL is when utilized for business use. The article covers the issue from the POV of emergencies, from auditing companies, medical and several others.<br>

[http://wiredvision.jp/blog/yomoyomo/200809/200809171310.html Wired Vision] - A blog article on “Sekai Camera” and its comparison to Second Life. The difference between “Augmented Reality = Sekai Camera” and “Virtual Reality = Second Life.”<br><br>





===Week Ending September 19, 2008===


Key Coverage by Market

====US====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Generally positive, with more coverage by local outlets and blogs.<br>
-- Continued coverage in education, for training and recruitment purposes.<br> 
-- Several healthcare stories focused on Second Life as a tool for those with disabilities.<br>
-- Coverage of the economy and improvements to the platform
-- Focus on the profit making opportunities in Second Life.<br><br> 

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://venturebeat.com/2008/09/18/qa-linden-lab-ceo-mark-kingdon-on-second-lifes-latest-evolution/ VentureBeat] - Q&A with Mark, as a result of our influencer outreach, that focuses on topics including the leadership change, Linden Lab’s strategic focus, the improvements Mark wants to make in the first-hour experience and what he sees as the future of virtual worlds.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>
[http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/64504.html Linux Insider] – Article on dynamic profit making opportunities in virtual worlds, mentioning Second Life.<br>

[http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=89606&issue=09172008 Mediacaster] - Ontario Public Service Careers Island in Second Life was named the winner of the prestigious Innovation Merit Award Ontario for its unique use of Second Life.<br>

[http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1885317/ Trading Markets] - Wipro Technologies SOA lab on Second Life is used for collaborating with customers and partners, hosts virtual conferences and provides a platform for innovation in the spheres of technology and business transformation.<br>

[http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/151191/here_come_the_millennials_are_you_ready.html PC World] - Second Life can be a powerful tool to recruit Gen Y talent.<br> 

[http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/724964ef-80ce-0971-01d1-17747add59a0 NBC 8 KOMU] -Missouri’s IT department is using Second Life to recruit young talent.<br><br> 

EDUCATION Coverage:<br> 

[http://www.suntimes.com/business/1161371,CST-FIN-ecol14.article Chicago Sun-Times] - Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital is building a virtual replica of their hospital to help train its staff in preparation for large emergencies.<br>  

[http://www.brandon-hall.com/workplacelearningtoday/?p=223 Brandon Hall Research] - Centrax Corporation is helping Children’s Memorial Hospital use Second Life for emergency preparedness.<br>

[http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/4326/1/1/ RFID Journal] - University of Arkansas is creating a facility in Second Life for health-care organizations to test RFID implementations prior to physical deployment.<br>

[http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2008-09-17-voa24.cfm Voice of America News] - Researchers are using virtual environments like Second Life as a resource to improve the living conditions of patients with physical or emotional disabilities.<br>

[http://www.northernstar.info/article/4235/ Northern Star] - Second Life provides an alternative method to engage the interests of students leading to more and more courses being offered in virtual spaces.<br> 

[http://www.hippopress.com/080911/theater.html The Hippo] - Covers a fundraiser held in Second Life to support a local drama school.<br>

[http://www.gearlive.com/news/article/q308-pay-for-your-sins-online Gear Live] - Several ministries in New Zealand have built churches in Second Life to engage the interests of younger members.<br>

[http://dusanwriter.com/?p=916 Dusan Writer] - Organizers of the AIDS Program’s 2008 AIDS Ride for Life is using Second Life as a resource to reach out to a larger donor pool.<br>

[http://www.metaversejournal.com/2008/09/19/second-life-is-my-wheelchair/ The Metaverse Journal] - Explores how Second Life can serve as a tool to help people with disabilities.<br>

[http://www.web3d.org/news/permalink/second-life-used-by-the-visually-impaired/ Web 3D Consortium] - A Colorado-based startup is developing products to assist people with different type of disabilities to utilize Second Life.<br>

[http://deoracle.org/university-showcase/classes-programs/2008-cip-symposium.html De Oracle] - The Center of Intellectual Property will hold their symposium program in Second Life in order to better collaboration between participants.<br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>
[http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/09/15/second-life-clarifies-position-ad-farming The Industry Standard] - Reports on the clarification of the ad-farming ban.<br>

[http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/Virtual-Gadgets-Selling-for-Real-Money-64504.html?wlc=1221715380 E-Commerce Times] - Reports that like a “real-world” economy, the driving force behind Second Life’s economy is the demand for people’s need to have a stylish/lavish lifestyle.<br>

[http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2008/09/15/Lifestyle/Second.Life.A.Virtual.Shot.At.An.Exciting.Life-3429904.shtml Daily Trojan] - Introduces Second Life as an activity for college students.<br> 

[http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/Second-Life-Convention-Pondering-the-3-D-Internet-64491.html?wlc=1221714164 Linux Insider] - Reports that residents in Second Life met in real life at the annual Second Life convention in Florida and discussed ways to better take advantage of what the virtual world has to offer.<br>

[http://www.marketingvox.com/virtual-worlds-are-trendy-spot-for-kids-and-teens-033296/ Marketing Vox] – Children’s and teenagers’ interest in virtual worlds is expected to jump from 34 percent in 2008 to 53 percent by 2011.<br>

[http://www.tomsgames.com/us/2008/09/17/mmos_terrorism/ Tom’s Games] -  MMO’s and other environments like Second Life do not pose any real threat to national security.<br> 

[http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/9/will-google-s-lively-turn-into-a-virtual-arcade-goog- Silicon Valley Insider] - Google Lively will further differentiate itself from its competitor Second Life are focusing more on an “arcade” theme, mentioning Second Life.<br>

[http://www.technewsworld.com/story/gaming/64444.html?wlc=1221672379 Tech News World] – The traditional model of virtual worlds like Second Life need to adapt to the growing interests of children.<br><br>

====UK====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- The coverage this week has been positive on the whole with only one negative article.<br> 
-- Some articles focused on Second Life’s use as a business tool.<br> 
-- A few articles discuss how Second Life is being used by educational establishments for research purposes.<br>
-- More enterprise articles than last week.<br>
-- Focus on importance of Second Life to the business and recruitment world.<br><br>

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.hsj.co.uk/insideknowledge/features/2008/09/nhs_in_virtual_reality_second_sight.html Health Service Journal] - Promotes the virtues of Second Life to medical research. Imperial College is mentioned as an example of a University using the virtual world.<br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

Key coverage:<br>

[http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,39288050,00.htm silicon.com] - Covers the ways in which Linden Lab is making Second Life more stable.<br>

[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/top_100_graduate_employers/article4768254.ece Times Online] - Discusses the measures the IT industry is making in attracting female graduates. IBM is mentioned as using Second Life.<br> 

[http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/09/14/47303/generation-z-new-kids-on-the-virtual-block.html Personnel Today] – Article states that younger people, ‘generation-Z’, are likely to offer employers a flexibility of approach so far unknown in the world of work, with their enthusiasm for virtual words.<br>

[http://www.finextra.com/fullstory.asp?id=18963 Finextra.com] – A report that retail banks are failing to embrace the benefits of web 2.0 technologies. Second life is mentioned as a site with potential for retail banks.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/13/healthandwellbeing Guardian] - A story about a man who had a stroke at 30, who now uses Second Life to showcase his digital art, and has sold his artwork with the help of virtual art galleries.<br>

[http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/content/yarmouthmercury/news/story.aspx?brand=GYMOnline&category=news&tBrand=GYMonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED11%20Sep%202008%2013%3A59%3A24%3A603 Great Yarmouth Mercury] - The Great Yarmouth Parish Church has been created in Second Life.<br>

[http://eursoc.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1275/Is_It_A_Bird__Is_It_A_Plane__No,_It_s_SuperS_E9go!.html Eurosoc UK] - French presidential candidate, Segolene Royal, has an avatar within Second Life.<br>

[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/17/second_life_rfid/ The Register] -Students at the University of Arkansas created full-sized hospitals inside Second Life to experiment with the use of RFID tagging in medical environments.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:

[http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=104404 PC Advisor] – Review of the 3D Connexion SpaceExplorer.<br>

====GERMANY====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Several positive articles appeared this week on enterprise.<br>
-- Coverage of Second Life as a marketing tool.<br>
-- A positive article about an Austria professor who is convinced of the success of virtual worlds.<br>


Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.daily-innovation.de/50226711/3dinternet_wird_in_fanf_jahren_standard.php Daily-innovation.de] – Covers the Forrester study about the future of virtual worlds.<br>

[http://www.internetworld.de/Nachrichten/Personalien/Linden-Lab-holt-Netzwerk-Spezialist Internet World Business] – Reports on the Frank Ambrose release.<br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

Key coverage:

[http://www.internetworld.de/Nachrichten/Praxistipps/Second-Life-Marketing-Top-Tipps-fuer-den-Geschaeftserfolg-in-der-virtuellen-Online-Welt Internet World Business] - Published an article on “top tips” for Second Life marketing.<br>

E-Commerce Magazin - Two big articles about Second Life: A by-lined article about what marketing strategies are needed to be successful in Second Life, and the two page long interview with Jean and Paul Schmid from Freggers.de.<br>

[http://www.pcwelt.de/start/software_os/online/news/179749/banken_scheuen_web_20_technologien/ PC Welt] – A report on a study which found out that financial institutes are not using web 2.0 technologies, including Second Life, due to security reasons.<br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

Key coverage:

[http://www.computer-zeitung.de/articles/virtuell_trifft_man_sich_ganz_informell:/2008038/31646856_ha_CZ.html?thes=8000,8008,9841 Computer Zeitung] - An article about an Austrian professor who describes the hype cycle and that companies will use virtual worlds like Second Life more frequently, and that other possible uses of virtual worlds will be in the education and communication sector.<br>

[http://www.klamm.de/partner/unter_news.php?l_id=17&news_id=20080915LL001583 Klamm.de] - A press release of the German company BEKO. They participate at a certain trade show but that the booth can already be visited in Second Life.<br><br>

ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.derwesten.de/nachrichten/waz/wochenende/2008/9/12/news-76151571/detail.html Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung] - A philosophical article about fantasy. At every age group people dream and have fantasies, and the latest translation of fantasy happens in Second Life.<br>

[http://de.blog.weblin.com/2008/09/unterwegs-mit-meinem-sl-avatar.html Weblin-Blog] - A blog post about a user who teleported her Second Life avatar into a Weblin avatar.<br><br>

====FRANCE====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>

-- Articles about the future of virtual worlds, about Second Life competitors and functionalities (scripts, SLim).<br>
-- Focus on Second Life use for training.<br><br>

Key Coverage:<br> 

[http://www.generation-nt.com/second-life-client-voip-telephonie-messagerie-actualite-148891.html Generation-nt] - Published a dedicated article about SLim.<br>
[http://maconsl.free.fr/index.php/non-classe/blue-mars-ou-le-second-life-du-riche/ MaconSL] - Blog post about the future virtual world “Blue Mars”, with mention of Second Life.<br>

[http://helenezuili.blogspot.com/2008/09/les-volutions-des-mondes-virtuels.html Mon BizNetBlog] - A note about the evolution of virtual worlds according to what was said in Virtual World Expo in L.A. and Second Life convention in Tampa.<br> 

[http://www.pgon.ca/scripts-secondlife-pour-faire-magique Project Galaxie OeilNoir] - A post about its creation of a script for Second Life to make magical effects.<br>

[http://sldirect.blogspot.com/2008/09/jour-historique-cration-de-lle-biblio.html En direct de SecondLife] – Blog article about the creation of Biblio Island on Fracogrid in Second Life.<br>

[http://nicolasalfonsi.com/2008/09/13/du-reel-au-virtuel-twinity-emule-de-sl-ich-bin-ein-berliner/ Nicolas Alfonsi] – The “little world” blog posted a news about Twinity, an online virtual community as Second Life.<br>

[http://jeux-ligne-gratuit.blogspot.com/2008/09/lively-le-nouveau-second-life.html Jeux-ligne-gratuit] - A note about Lively, a new competitor for Second Life.<br>

[http://webnroll.blogspot.com/2008/09/le-virtuel-cest-le-futur.html Webnroll] – An Article saying virtual is the future according to Venture Capitalists investments in start ups proposing services linked to virtual worlds and social networks.<br>

[http://all3d.canalblog.com/archives/2008/09/16/10539741.html All 3D] - A note about Solipsis a new French 3D Univers, peer to peer and open source.<br>

[http://nessy.canalblog.com/archives/2008/09/16/10607626.html Nessy] - About the Agical world in Second Life – Immortal Island.<br>

[http://www.virtualworldsnews.fr/2008/09/12/vers-une-extra-operabilite-des-univers-virtuels-avec-myrl/ Virtual world news] - A news piece about Myrl, a new service offering interoperability of virtual worlds.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

Key Coverage:<br> 
[http://sl-virtual-world-news.com/index.php/News/Stock-Market/Developpement-de-ACE.html SL Virtual world news] - A note about the development of Ancapistan Capital Exchange (ACE), one of the most active trade market on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.pocarles.com/2008/09/saint-gobain-gl.html Pocarles] - Covers Saint Gobain in Second Life.<br>

[http://pages.usherbrooke.ca/kmiron/wordpress/?p=121 E-commerce, Web 2.0 et e-tourisme] - An article about brand image capitalization on virtual worlds.<br>

[http://business-tools-online.blogspot.com/2008/09/photo-week-sur-orange-island-aprs-le.html Business tools] - Post about a “photo week” in Orange Island.<br>

[http://www.parismatch.com/parismatch/blog-de-reporters/philippe-legrand/diner-dans-son-aquarium  Paris Match] - An article about the fact of having an aquarium at home. With a mention of Tetra on Second Life.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://timmiat.blogspot.com/2008/09/ateliers-de-design-ou-le-projet-vu-par.html Timmiat blog] – About the experience in Quebec during the group’s Architecture Study. Mentions a project on which he will have to attend courses on SL and built places on SL.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

Key Coverage: 
[http://www.informer-autrement.fr/post/2008/09/16/Incontournable-INOP-2008 Informer- autrement] - An article about INOP 2008, a meeting about Public innovation and electronic administration. A conference about 3D representations and virtual worlds will be broadcasted on Second Life the 24th September on métalab3D on Second Life.<br>

[http://gromike.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/version-virtuelle-du-temple-daphrodite-dans-second-life/ Gromike] - Blog post about the creation of Aphrodite’s temple in Second Life.<br>

[http://ecolonet.blogspot.com/1999/09/essai-intro.html Ecolonet] - Blog about best ecological practices on the web and mentions that a user of SL consumes as much power as a Brasilian.<br>

[http://www.invworlds.fr/?p=352 Inworlds] - A note about fashion on Second Life and particularly about Elemiah Design.<br>

[http://kameyoko.blogspot.com/2008/09/hbo-avance-sur-le-dossier-du-trone-de.html Fant’asie] - Blogger posted a note about the future adaptation by HBO of the serial “Trône de fer”, and mentions Second Life as the place where David Benioff and Dan Weiss talked about the project in June 2007.<br>

[http://vade-mecum.over-blog.fr/article-22724446.html Vade-mecum] - Post on the island created to promote the new book of Terry Pratchett.<br>

[http://www.fredcavazza.net/2008/09/11/un-concert-virtuel-de-motorhead-dans-entropia-universe/ FredCavazza] – A note about Motorhead in association with Mindark to launch Entropia Universe. Mention of Second Life because numerous artists have already offered a concert on it.<br>

[http://ficanas.blog.lemonde.fr/2008/09/12/septembre-la-photo-dans-le-%C2%AB-on-%C2%BB-et-le-%C2%AB-off-%C2%BB/ Ficanas] – Blog post about Ficanas gallery on Second Life.<br>

[http://mediascritique.blogspot.com/2008/09/11-oct-dbat-autour-de-freedom-not-fear.html Media critique] - A note about a conference in Second Life about “Freedom not fear”.<br>

[http://3dxplorer2.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/partenariat-cube3-et-altadyn-pour-delivrer-des-salons-3d/ 3dxplorer] - Posted an article about the partnership between Cube3 and Altadyn (Mention of Second Life as cube 3 has designed lots of place in SL).<br>

[http://www.top-referer.com/2008/09/11/second-life-accueillera-terry-pratchett-pour-la-promo-de-nation.html Top referer’s] - Posted a note saying that Terry Pratchett will promote its new book.<br><br>

Weekly REPORT: w/c September 15, 2008  

====JAPAN====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Almost all articles were positive last week.<br>
-- Recently most new businesses in Second Life were small, medium-sized and local companies.  However, Konica Minolta Holdings’ “Konica Minolta Area 5151” is a big company’s new SIM, the first in a while and the company has entered SL to enhance its corporate image, not for product marketing and promotion.  We should watch its future progress.<br>
-- Environmental benefits of Second Life and virtual worlds.<br>
-- Universities and colleges that have been utilizing Second Life for their research and classes are increasing.<br><br>

Key Coverage:<br>

Nihon Jimuki Shimbun (newspaper, 9/8) – Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. opened “Konica Minolta Area 5151”, a SIM on Second Life.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

[http://japan.zdnet.com/release/story/0,3800075480,00037154p,00.htm ZDNet] – A portal website for Second Life and 3Di related news, “The Second Times” has registered on the eco friendly Internet service “green sight license” provided by RAUL Inc.<br><br> 

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>
[http://japan.techinsight.jp/2008/09/suzuki0809120852.html Techinsight japan] - Takarazuka University of Art and Design held their annual school festival in both real and Second Life.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

Nishi Nippon Shimbun (newspaper, 9/5) – The “Tenjin Blue Moon Festival”, a fashion show on Second Life, will be held on the 23rd of September.<br>

The Daily Yomiuri (newspaper, 9/7) – An article on the expanding business of online “gold-farmers” in East Asia, farming and selling online currencies used in MMOGs such as World of Warcraft, and Second Life, for those players who don't have time to spend 8 hours a day in front of their computers.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/special/001/20089014_frenzoo.html The Second Times] – An article introducing “Frenzoo”, a new Second Life like metaverse.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/news/japan/20080912_slmamework.html The Second Times] – Metabirds Co., Ltd. which runs metaverse portal website “SLMaMe,” started a metaverse-related employment search website called “SLMaMe Work”.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/spot/20080911_alice.html The Second Times] – A clothing store from Kobe Japan, “Tokimeki Alice,” celebrated their first year since starting business and opened a branch store on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/news/japan/20080911_ibc.html The Second Times] – Japanese television program recorded on Second Life and broadcast on real life television, “Digital no Konjo” joined the International Broadcasting Convention held in Amsterdam from the 12th to the 16th of September.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/event/20080910_gago.html The Second Times] – A live rock concert will be held on the “Fontana Music Town” SIM, known to Second Life users as the holy ground of classical music.<br><br> 











===Week Ending September 12, 2008===


====US====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Generally positive, especially in the growing educational sector.<br> 
-- Limited coverage from national media outlets; more coverage by local media.<br>
-- Entrance of more competitors like Hangout.net.<br> 
-- More corporate adoption of Second Life.<br>
-- Local education coverage.<br>
-- Sociological studies conducted in Second Life.<br><br>



Key Coverage:<br>
 [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/BUSINESS/809100327/1003/BUSINESS Indianapolis Star] - The Kelley Executive Program at Indiana University will open an island in Second Life to enhance their training program and provide a low cost alternative for students.<br><br> 

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br> 

[http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/Parks-Associates-Michael-Cai-Business-Gets-Done-in-Virtual-Worlds-64450.html Linux Insider] - In an interview with Parks Associates’ Michael Cai, he says he expects corporations to invest heavily in virtual worlds like Second Life in the future.<br>

[http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/news.asp?id=49854 itBusiness] - Businesses are turning to virtual worlds like Second life to help their recruiting efforts of top young talent.<br>

[http://www.quicklybored.com/2008/09/second-life-mobile-beta-proving-successful/ Quickly Bored] - Vollee’s mobile beta app for Second Life Residents has been a great success.<br> 

[http://venturebeat.com/2008/09/08/tc50-youth-and-culture-session-roundup/ Venture Beat] - Hangout differentiates itself from Second Life by targeting users with low end computers, which lack capacity to run Second Life.<br>
 [http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/09/koinup_to_expand_presence_in_s.php Virtual Worlds in Motion] - Koinup will expand its presence in Second life.<br>

[http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/09/09/obama-fundraiser-be-held-second-life Game Politics] - A Barack Obama fundraiser will be held in Second Life.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>
[http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=99422&catid=509 9News.com] - Cigna will open a nutrition zone on their Second Life island to help educate Residents about food choices.<br>

[http://www.unr.edu/nevadanews/templates/details.aspx?articleid=4552&zoneid=40 University of Nevada, Reno Nevada News] - The Health Care Ethics Program at the University of Nevada is the first University group to hold a simultaneous virtual discussion in Second Life.<br>

Re-post: [http://www.beatenetworks.com/blog/index.php?/archives/414-Education-Program-in-SL-Ethics.html Beaten network]<br>  

[http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/8773.html Indiana University] - Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business will expand their campus through Second Life, allowing them to admit more students into the programs.<br> 

[http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/BUSINESS/809100327/1003/BUSINESS Indianapolis Star] – The Kelley Executive Program at Indiana University will open an island in Second Life to enhance their training program and provide a low cost alternative for students.<br>  

[http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2008/09/10/news.qp-6390703.sto Herald Times Online] – Coverage of the Kelley Executive Partners Program’s virtual campus.<br>

[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080909/COLUMNISTS/809090176&title=Students_warp_to_class_in_Web_s__Second_Life__Gainsville.com] - Students at the University of Florida will have the opportunity to attend their professor’s lecture about virtual environments from Second Life.<br>

[http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/09/05/03teachwebinar.h28.html Education Week] - Teachers and technology consultants are working to incorporate new and interactive technology like Second Life into everyday life for students.<br>

[http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base//library-155/1221111324253660.xml&coll=1 Nola] - Internet tools like Second Life can substantially help people with disabilities.<br>

[http://cit.duke.edu/ideas/projects/2008/09/11/exploring-second-life-for-language-learning/ Center for Instructional Technology] - Second Life is being used as an additional resource for foreign languages instruction.<br>

[http://www.massively.com/2008/09/09/albright-streams-into-second-life/ Massively] - A discussion with Madeleine Albright on the demands of the 21st century will be streamed in Second Life. Also, this event will help the University of Texas launch the school’s new Master of Global Policy Studies degree.<br>

[http://blog.mindblizzard.com/2008/09/pratchett-to-touchdown-in-second-life.html Mind Blizzard] - Terry Pratchett, author of the comedy Discworld series, will make an appearance in a Second Life island.<br><br>

ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br> 

[http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/09/09/second-life-bans-ad-farming-relief-its-users The Industry Standard] - Second Life will make advertising forbidden on the “Linden Mainland” unless users have a written licensing agreement with Second Life.<br>

[http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/sep/06/me-off-the-screen-and-into-the-real-world/ Tampa Bay Online] - Second Life residents will have an opportunity to meet one another in person at SLCC.<br>

[http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/09/08/daily81.html St. Louis Business Journal] - St. Louis is one of the first cities in the U.S. to develop a virtual replica of the city on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/008491.html World Changing] - Argues that virtual worlds like Second Life create new forms of interaction to the extent that users from different cities, countries or even continents can intermingle and form their own online community.<br>

[http://www.pr.com/press-release/104237 PR.com] - Virtual Worlds Press Club plans to release a media directory of if media outlets that are in virtual worlds like Second Life. This will give advertisers and journalist a resource to decide which medium fits their needs.<br>

[http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2008/09/getting-slim-th.html New World Notes] – Claims that SLim is very similar to Skype.<br>

[http://www.linux.com/feature/147569 Linux.com] - Linden Lab will recognize the accomplishments of outstanding individuals in its open source community.<br> 

[http://ostatic.com/173215-blog/second-life-recognizes-its-open-source-contributors Ostatic] - Linden Lab will recognize seven outstanding open-source developers.<br>

[http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2008/09/10/catalyzing-a-gospel-planting-movement-in-second-life/ Reaching the Online Generation] – A group of people is trying to establish a Christian group in Second life.<br>

[http://reason.com/blog/show/128740.html Reason.TV] - Drew Carey’s video guided tour of Second Life.<br><br>


====UK====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Coverage has been positive on the whole with only one negative article. A very positive piece was in Computer Weekly.<br> 
-- There has been more coverage than last week.<br>
-- A number of the articles focus on Second Life’s business uses.<br>
-- There has been discussion of the ability to communicate to other Second Life Residents both in and out of world.<br> 

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2008/09/04/232123/second-life-boosts-communications-support-for-enterprises.htm Computer Weekly] - Second Life users can now communicate both in and out of world.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/31354/Second-Life-mobile-beta-soars Mobile Entertainment] - Discussion of mobile phone access to Second Life.<br>

[http://www.designweek.co.uk/Articles/139568/Southbank+event+explores+future+of+digital.html Design Week] – Investigation of whether smell will ever be available in virtual worlds.<br>

[http://www.nccmembership.co.uk/pooled/articles/BF_WEBART/view.asp?Q=BF_WEBART_305510 National Computing Centre] - Recruitment opportunities for businesses in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.smeweb.com/management/top-tips/keeping-afloat552241.html SME Web] – Note that businesses should capitalize on tools such as Second Life.<br>

[http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/analysis/2225322/looking-future-4202287 Computing.co.uk] – A look at Dell’s presence in Second Life.<br><br>

ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://www.sundaymercury.net/entertainment-news/computer-games/comp Sunday Mercury.net] - A new mouse gives gamers more freedom in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.thebookseller.com/news/66341-page.html Bookseller.com] - Virtual exhibition in Second Life promotes e-books.<br><br>

====GERMANY====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Several articles about the Twinity launch last week.<br>
-- Virtual worlds as a collaboration tool.<br>
-- A positive article about the potential of Second Life as a research space.<br>

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.gamezone.de/news_detail.asp?nid=65914 Gamezone.de] - Article on the SLim release, as did PC Praxis and Elhabib.at.<br>

[http://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article873582/Das_doppelte_Berlin_die_Stadt_als_virtuelle_Welt.html Berliner Morgenpost] – A report about Twinity’s open Beta phase launch.<br>
 
[http://blase2null.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/twinity-hasse-mal-125-mb-frei-und-10-euro/ Blase2Null] - A German blogger writes sarcastically about Twinity. Most of the German bloggers don’t see anything new coming up with this new virtual world.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

Key coverage:

[http://www.pcwelt.de/start/software_os/online/news/178652/ibm_ermoeglicht_kollaboration_in_virtuellen_3d_welten/ PC Welt] - IBM’s new collaboration tool called Sametime 3D is well suited for open sim environments and 3D platforms like Second Life. This news was picked up by most of the PC magazines.<br>

[http://www.e-commerce-magazin.de/ecommerce_magazin_presse.html?presse=4884&do=showDetail E-Commerce Magazin] - A short news piece about a cooperation between the University of Heilbronn and the software company Businessmart. They want to explore the potential of Second Life for marketing, especially for lifestyle and fashion products.<br>

[http://www.pbosetti.de/newswriter/article.php?article_file=1220373336.txt&showtopic Peter Bosetti] -  A German blogger reports that there are already 100 virtual worlds in the Internet, hosting over 300 Million people.<br>

[http://www.computer-zeitung.de/articles/chefprophet_sieht_expandierende_virtuelle_welten:/2008037/31635502_ha_CZ.html?thes=8008,9838,9840,9841,9843,9845,9844,9848,9849,9839,9842,9846,9847 Computer Zeitung] - An article about Phil McKinney from HP who predicts that 3D worlds like Second Life will be the main collaboration tool of the future.<br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br> 

Key coverage:<br>

[http://www.focus.de/wissen/wissenschaft/psychologie/psychologie-rassismus-in-der-virtuellen-welt_aid_332076.html Focus online] - Article about psychological research in Second Life, where the scientists found out that the social behavior of people doesn’t change in the Internet compared to real life.<br><br>

ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://internet.magnus.de/surftipps/artikel/coole-websites-lively-com-music-yahoo-com-egosurf-org.html Magnus.de] – Comparison of Google’s Lively to Second Life in its surf tips, stating that Google tries to separate from the “commercial” Second Life.<br>

[http://www.derwesten.de/nachrichten/nrz/niederrhein/2008/9/9/news-75393981/detail.html Der Westen] - About two Second Life Residents who lived next door to each other and ended up writing children’s books together.<br><br>

====FRANCE====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Talk of SLim’s release.<br>
-- Overall outlook is averages this week.<br> 
-- Some positive articles about companies in Second Life (such as IBM, TETRA).<br>
-- Posts about expositions and galleries in SL.<br>
<br>

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.01net.com/editorial/389759/un-client-voip-pour-second-life/ 01net] - An article about SLim.<br>

[http://mediamus.blogspot.com/2008/09/et-pendant-ce-temps-dans-les-mondes.html MEDIAMUS] - A note around the large number of virtual worlds apart from Second Life.<br>

[http://toutifrouti.viabloga.com/news/et-pendant-ce-temps-dans-les-mondes-virtuels-video-de-la-semaine-42 Touti Frouti] - A note about the many other virtual worlds.<br>

[http://sun3000.blogspot.com/2008/09/localisation-du-client-en-franais.html Sun 3000] - An article about the future Second Life in French (and the search of Linden Lab for translators).<br>

[http://www.fredzone.org/multiverse-des-mmo-gratuits-pour-passer-le-temps.html Fredzone] posted a note about Multivers, a platform letting any user build its own virtual world (such as SL) and proposing lots of MMO

[http://fr.mashable.com/2008/09/06/la-guerre-des-mondes-3d-second-life-vs-there/ Mashable France] – An article about the “war” between Second Life and There, saying that Second Life is THE leader.<br>

[http://www.allscoop.net/Internet/la-guerre-des-mondes-3d-second-life-vs-there/ Allscoop] – Another mention of Second Life vs. There.com, stating Second Life’s lead.<br>

[http://www.jaiteste.com/index.php/2008/09/06/jai-teste-le-monde-virtuel-de-journey/ Jaitesté.com] - Article about the test of “Journey”, a new virtual world. The author was disappointed.<br>

[http://www.mybloglog.com/buzz/members/FredCavazza/newwith/me/?eid=1220905448_17_107975341 Frederci Cavazza] - News about There.<br>

[http://pierre-philippe.blogspot.com/2008/09/journeys-voyages-gratuits-en-3d.html PPC’s] – An article about the test of “Journey”, a new virtual world across Second Life and Yahoo Maps.<br>

[http://mon-site-en-premiere-page-de-google.blogspot.com/2008/09/ma-vie-avec-google.html e-business solution] - A note about Google and Lively.<br>

[http://blog.jeux.video.free.fr/?p=972 Blog.Jeux.Video] – A note about Second Life on Mobile phones, through an application developed by Vollee.<br>

[http://bleebot.com/blog/2008/09/07/top-10-de-lactu-web-20-summer-2008/ Bleebot] – An article about the news of this summer and the arrival of Google Lively, an “online game” like Second Life.<br>

[http://pablog.comitet.eu/2008/09/08/mes-actus/ Pablog] - About VR Wear and their new way to move avatars.<br>

[http://www.invworlds.fr/?p=332 InWorld] – A post about the non-protection of personal Data on France-Pittoresque.net.<br> 

[http://wangxiang.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/second-life-lintelligence-artificielle-des-avatars/ Mondes virtuels] - Article about the artificial intelligence of avatars on Second Life. Fairyverse medieval village on Second Life is a good example.<br>

[http://veillepedagogique.blog.lemonde.fr/2008/09/09/au-dela-du-web-20/ Le Monde] – A blog post about Web 2.0 and beyond, with a mention of Second Life and virtual worlds.<br>

[http://www.journaldunet.com/solutions/breve/systemes-reseaux/31020/un-client-voip-bientot-disponible-pour-second-life.shtml Journal du Net] – An article about SLim.<br>

[http://www.indicerh.net/article.php?sid=3657 IndiceRH] - Information about Slim.<br>

[http://www.commentcamarche.net/actualites/breve-un-logiciel-de-messagerie-instantanee-pour-les-residents-de-second-life-5847279-actualite.php3 Comment ça marche] - News piece about SLim.<br>

[http://www.cyberworkers.com/news/actu_38235.html Cyberworker] - News about the “war” between Second Life and There, saying that Second Life is the leader.<br>

[http://www.scoopeo.com/technologie/second-life-depasse-les-15-millions-d%E2%80%99utilisateurs Scoopeo] - A piece about the growing number of residents on Second Life rising up to 15 million.<br>

[http://www.parismatch.com/parismatch/blog-de-reporters/francois-bourboulon/anniversaire-de-chrome Parismatch] - An article about the 10 years of Google and the arrival of Chrome.<br>

[http://www.virtualworldsnews.fr/2008/09/08/there-veut-marcher-sur-les-plates-bandes-de-second-life/ Virtualworldnews] - An article about There, trying to compete with Second Life.<br>

[http://www.heaven.fr/archives/2008/09/levelhead-jeux-en-realite-augmentee/ Heaven] - A piece about 3D game Levelhead, with a mention to VR-Wear (new tool to move avatars in SL).<br>

[http://www.vedocci.fr/index.php/archives/2008/09/10/crvs-delicious/ Vedocci] - Article about “Delicious” a website proposing to save bookmarks and make them accessible from anywhere. Mention of Second Life as a “solution” using web 2.0.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>
 
Key Coverage:<br>

[http://mondes-virtuels.stonfield-inworld.com/la-formation-dans-second-life-est-elle-la-voie-de-lavenir-2/ Stonfield Inworld] - Article about the future of Second Life, specifically regarding trainings.<br>

[http://126566.blog.tdg.ch/archive/2008/09/06/nouveautes-d-ibm-pour-secondlife.html La tribune de Genève] - An article about the new features of IBM on Second Life.<br>

[http://ntic-pme.blogspot.com/2008/09/ibm-greffe-des-univers-virtuels-en-3d.html NTIC au service des PME] -  Blog post on IBM new tools (with a mention of its island on SL).<br>

[http://secondlife.blog.tdg.ch/archive/2008/09/08/inauguration-de-tetra-sur-second-life-dans-liberta.html La Tribune de Genève] - Article about the opening of TETRA shop on SL (selling aquariums).<br>

[http://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/ibm-greffe-des-univers-virtuels-en-3d-a-ses-outils-de-communication.146035 L’Usine Nouvelle] – News of the new features of IBM on SL.<br>

[http://evenementia.mabulle.com/index.php/2008/09/07/155939-lundi-8-septembre-a-14h00-conference-creer-et-developper-son-site-internet-en-toute-confiance Evenementia] - A post about a conference “Create and develop its Website in confidence” which will be held simultaneously on SL and in Lille.<br>

[http://www.tecoman.info/article-22666021.html Tecoman] – Note of Altadyn, a company proposing to companies to built their virtual worlds.<br>

[http://www.innovationlejournal.fr/spip.php?article3232 Innovationlejournal] – An article about the virtual Berlin existing on Metaversum. The author explains that Twinity is a replication of reality (on the contrary to SL).<br><br>

ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

Key Coverage: [http://www.atelier.fr/e-marketing/10/09092008/les-objets-en-3d-rendent-l-e-achat-interactif-37119-.html Atelier.fr] - An article about the fact that 3D objects make the purchase interactive, which is not the case on SL according to Rieko Kadobayashi, responsible for the project.<br>

[http://secondworld.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/secondlife-en-memoire-de-laire-culturelle/ Univers Virtuel.com] - A note about AIRE proposing an exposition on SL (Ecologia Island) from September 11th  to October 10th 2008.<br>

[http://www.rome-en-images.com/2008/09/la-semaine-de-rome-en-images-01-07.html Rome en Images] - A note about the copy of Rome on Second Life.<br>

[http://typote.fr/wordpress/?p=47 Le blog des Zoisos] - About the passage of e troubadours in the “Tournicoton gallery” on SL (showing some pictures and drawings).<br>

[http://tournicoton-art-gallery.blogspot.com/2008/09/e-troubadours-rptitions-de-levent_4293.html Tourniconton art Gallery] - A post about e-troubadours future event in Tournicoton on SL.<br>

[http://www.elbakin.net/fantasy/news/8099-Le-Livre-Electronique-Fait-Sa-Promotion-Sur-Second-Life Elbakin.net] - A news piece about the promotional campaign of Random House Group on SL.<br><br>

Weekly REPORT: w/c September 8, 2008  

====JAPAN====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Articles and quotes are positive this week.<br>
-- The media, particularly IT related publications, tend to write about new products and technologies that have a high probability of becoming popular and setting off new trends.  SLim is one such topic.<br>
--SLim is a major current topic—9 stories total covering SLim release.<br>
-- Chugoku Shimbun wrote that some big car manufacturers had entered SL in order to regain Japanese young generation’s interest in car culture.<br>
-- Emphasis on education initiatives, with Tokyo University’s recent project in Second Life.<br>

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0809/05/news028.html ITmediaNews]<br>
[http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/23070.html BB Watch]<br>
[http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080905-00000034-zdn_n-sci Yahoo! Japan News] - Linden Lab released “SLim”, their new Instant Messaging system. “SLim” will enable Second Life users to enjoy voice and text chatting between users without having to launch the SL program.<br><br> 

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

Chugoku Shimbun (newspaper, 8/27) – An article on the Japanese youth generation losing their attachment to car culture, and the effort of car companies to regain it. Companies such as Toyota, Nissan and General Motors have created SIMs on Second Life, which the article describes as “an online 3D virtual world popular among youth.”<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/event/20080908_machidukuri.html The Second Times] – Tokyo University is accepting applications for the second Second Life Collaborative City Planning Project.<br> 

[http://www.secondtimes.net/news/world/20080829_eikoikegami.html The Second Times] – Hideko Ikegami, professor at The New School University, presented a paper comparing Second Life to the people’s culture of the Edo Era in Japan.<br><br>

ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

Dengeki Playstation (magazine, 9/12) – It was thought that no matter how much time was spent on video games, virtual currency would never cross over to real life. Those days have changed, and now the time and effort you spend on video games will actually come through to real life. Take SL for example, where you can exchange their virtual currency (L$) into real money, and rumor has it that there are people making lots of it.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/news/world/20080903_vwc.html The Second Times] – Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo starts September 3rd (U.S. time zone). 3Di, Inc. will be giving a presentation on “Avatar Portability” and the “3Di Open Viewer”.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/event/20080908_jazzfes.html The Second Times] – The Jazz and Art Festival will be held on Second Life October 17th to November 14th. During the 30 days of the event there will be many jazz musicians from around the world performing on 4 SIMs and art exhibitions in 4 galleries.<br>

[http://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000030.000000408.html PR Times] - Alaska, a long established restaurant that has been in business more that 80 years, has opened a new branch on SL.<br>

[http://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000029.000000408.html PR Times] - Yamanaka-tei, a fish store that sells fresh fish from the Japanese sea to top-class hotels and restaurants as well as individual customers, opened a store on SL. They are planning to enable the purchase of fresh fish through SL using L$ in the future.<br>

[http://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000031.000000408.html PR Times] - Famous wine retailer specializing in German wines, Nicholas Japan, has opened a virtual winery and retail store on SL.<br>

[http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080904-00000010-isd-game Yahoo! Japan News] – Korean Coffee shop franchise “Java City” opened a store on SL. They will be handing out coupons usable in real life.<br><br>




===Week Ending September 5, 2008===

====US====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Overall positive press, though minimal coverage from larger publications.<br>
-- Focus on SLim’s release, the success of Vollee and the potential impact of Global Kids investment into Second Life.<br>
-- Second Life is seen as to competing w/ Cisco’s Telepresence platform.<br>
-- Health care providers are branching out into Second Life; Second Life is being implemented as a training tool for employees of various industries.<br>
-- More coverage in the consumer sector compared to previous weeks due to the release of new tools for Residents.<br><br>

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://video.zdnet.com/CIOSessions/?p=310 CNET] - CIO Series interview with Joe, in which he describes SL’s use for enterprise collaboration, the success of voice in-world, and the benefits of open sourcing the viewer.<br>

SLim coverage:

[http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/09/3d-virtual-worl.html WIRED] - Launch of SLim.<br>

[http://www.cnbc.com/id/26543552 CNBC] - SLim news in a wrap-up of the Virtual Worlds Conference.<br>

[http://mashable.com/2008/09/04/secondlife-slim/ Mashable] – Positions SLim as a response to There.com’s launch of external IM, but also as an exciting step forward for virtual worlds.<br>

[http://www.marketingvox.com/second-life-breaches-real-life-with-voice-enabled-im-040759/ Marketing Vox] - Linden Labs will release SLim, a lightweight client that will enable instant messaging and voice chat between the real world and Second Life.<br> 

[http://www.betanews.com/article/Linden_Labs_Second_Life_adds_VoIP_client/1220476310 Beta news] - Linden Labs and Vivox are releasing SLim, a messaging (VoIP/IM) client that complements onscreen interactions or can communicate with others not necessarily running the Second Life application.<br>

[http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-article/17751/second-life-chat-crosses-to-real-life Digital Trends] – Notes the release of SLim.<br> 

[http://www.massively.com/2008/09/04/second-life-removes-voip-client/ Massively] reports that Linden Lab is yanking SLim from its website temporarily due to some connection problem.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br> 
[http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/09/02/linden-lab-positions-second-life-more-cost-effective-solution The Industry Standard] - Second Life can be a cost effective solution for small companies on a tight budget.<br>

[http://techinsider.nextgov.com/2008/09/getting_started_in_virtual_wor.php NextGov] - Agencies interested in conducting business in virtual worlds can watch a video online about how the National Defense University's Information Resources Management College invested in Second Life.<br>

[http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2008/09/virtual-job-can.html Virtual world News] - Virtual Job Candy is launching a space in Second Life for employers and job seekers in the virtual worlds and 3D design industries to hold interviews and job fairs and prepare for virtual interviews.<br>

[http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/9/ibm-drinks-second-life-kool-aid-makes-more-for-lotus-users-ibm- Silicon Alley Insider] - IBM’s integration of Second Life into Lotus Sametime.<br>

[http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003844640 MIMigasite] reports that Digitell is releasing an electronic meetings venue called Virtual Convention Center to compete against Second Life in the enterprise sector of virtual worlds.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2008/9/4/Health-Care-Providers-Begin-To-Branch-Out-Into-Second-Life.aspx?topicID=55 ihealth Beat] - Health care professionals are using Second Life for a variety of purposes, including hosting continuing medical education sessions and actually seeing patients for group or individual sessions.<br>

[http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6590046.html?industryid=47087 School Library Journal] – An article recommending that schools should invest in virtual worlds like Second Life as a new medium for learning.<br>

[http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2008/09/quick-stat-seco.html Virtual World News] - Second Life can help boost the scores of trainees, as evident with the 28% increase in scores by the Canadian Border Guard Training program.<br>

[http://www.holymeatballs.org/2008/09/global_kids_groundbreaking_sec.html Global Kids] reports that Global Kids Online will begin a Second life Curriculum tour for educators interested in implementing virtual worlds at their school.<br> 

[http://nyblueprint.com/articles/view.aspx?id=439 NY Blueprint] - Independent developers have constructed a Second Life Israel that includes all the famous landmarks from the real world country.<br> 
[http://dusanwriter.com/?p=882 Dusan Writer] - Linden Lab will be pushing collaboration and education at the LA Conference discussing our partnership with Rivers Run Red Immersive Workspaces, Global Kids and San Diego State University.<br>

[http://blog.mindblizzard.com/2008/09/what-works-in-second-life.html Mind Blizzard] – Article states that Second Life is becoming a great medium to train employees.<br>

[http://www.designingdigitally.com/blog/2008/09/our-finished-projects/we-broke-ground-on-american-business-college-in-second-life/ Designing Digital] – The American Business College and American Business High School are being built within Second Life.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://www.cnbc.com/id/26543552 CNBC] reports that Vollee, a 3D streaming provider, is seeing great success with its mobile open beta application for Second Life as evident in the mass amounts of downloads.<br>

Re-post: [http://www.wirelessweek.com/article.aspx?id=162680 Wireless Week] 

Re-Post: [http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/2008/sep/04/news5.html Wireless Developer Network]

[http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/09/there-and-back.html Wired] - There.com will also release Facebook plug-ins and new instant messaging applications to compete with Second Life.<br>

[http://venturebeat.com/2008/09/03/roundup-irobot-co-founder-moves-to-new-robot-venture-botnets-surge-ipos-come-and-go-and-more/ Venture Beat] - There.com will begin supporting the MAC OS, comparing it to Second Life.<br> 

[http://www.projectchainsaw.com/blog/?p=166 Project Chainsaw] - Second Life is doing a great job of creating a world that enables virtual proximity, especially in real estate.<br><br>

====UK====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>

-- Mixed coverage, positive articles discussing the place platforms such as Second Life have in the corporate world.<br>
-- Discussion of the importance of Second life to the corporate world and the benefits Second Life brings to educational establishments.<br> 
-- Second Life being used for higher education, including research and teaching.<br>
-- More articles than last week and more focus on corporate benefits of the virtual word.<br>
-- Focus on educational activities within the virtual world.<br><br>  

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/media-marketing-news/2008/08/31/getting-real-with-online-worlds-at-midlands-conference-65233-21644002/ Birmingham Post] - Discusses the international conference being held in the city to promote the uses of virtual worlds in business.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>
[http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/media-marketing-news/2008/08/31/getting-real-with-online-worlds-at-midlands-conference-65233-21644002/ Birmingham Post] - International conference being held in the city is promoting the uses of virtual worlds in business.<br>

[http://www.callcentre.co.uk/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=259723&CMPI_SHARED_articleId=540262&CMPI_SHARED_CommentArticleId=540262&CMPI_SHARED_ImageArticleId=540262&CMPI_SHARED_ToolsArticleId=540262&CMPI_SHARED_articleIdRelated=540262&articleTitle=Future%20customers%20need%20new%20contact%20platforms CCF Online] - Consumers of the future will demand to interact with contact centers.<br>

[http://www.dofonline.co.uk/economy/digital-looking-strong2396541.html Director of Finance online] - Analysis of the predicted continual growth of digital media companies and the expansion of virtual worlds such as Second Life.<br>

[http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=11238 Digital Arts] - Discusses the place virtual worlds have in the corporate world.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://www.citywire.co.uk/personal/-/personality-finance/bricks-and-mortar/content.aspx?ID=312844 Citywire] - University of Houston has purchased land in Second Life so students can enjoy better facilities.<br>

[http://www.medicexchange.com/news.aspx/14928/Modeling-health-care-logistics-in-a-virtual-world Medic Exchange] - University of Arkansas researchers are using Second Life to model efficient health care delivery.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://www.lrb.co.uk/v30/n17/turn03_.html London Review of Books] – Review of the book Move your head and the picture changes which discusses issues of privacy and publicity online in areas such as Second Life.<br>

[http://blog.iwr.co.uk/2008/08/information-pro-8.html blog.iwr.co.uk] - An Interview about blogging. The interviewee is a regular reader of the Second Life blog.<br>

[http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article4636657.ece The Times] – Article about ‘gold farming’ within online platforms. Second Life is mentioned as an activity that has millions of devotees.<br> 

[http://www.developmag.com/news/30410/Why-has-the-industry-been-so-slow-to-catch-on-to-user-made-content Develop] – Discussion of why some games developers have been slow to develop user-made content. Second Life is described as being way ahead at developing these opportunities.<br><br>

====GERMANY====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Google Lively has been picked up by two articles, one saying that Lively rekindled interest in virtual worlds and the other saying that Lively is dead, unlike Second Life.<br>
-- New e-learning and translation services appeared

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.heute.de/ZDFheute/inhalt/14/0,3672,7300142,00.html Heute.de] - Article about how alive virtual worlds are. The author mentioned that it has become quiet around Second Life but that it is still very much alive.<br>

[http://www.it-times.de/news/nachricht/datum/2008/08/27/googles-lively-entwickelt-sich-zum-flop/ IT-Times.de] - Lively has failed to attract the interest of users, unlike platforms like Second Life or World of Warcraft.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

[http://ostseeklick.de/artikel,8702faba Ostseeklick.de] Article about solution provider Second Interest which has started to create content for Twinity formerly created content for Second Life.<br>

[http://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/top-downloads/hot-papers-in-vwl-und-bwl;2030256 Handelsblatt.com] - A list of several scientific papers which can be downloaded in the Internet and one deals with business models in Second Life.<br>

[http://blog.oliver-gassner.de/archives/3151-Marketingberater-2.0-Podcast-Virtuelle-Welten-fuer-den-Mittelstand.html Oliver Gassner] - German media expert on Web 2.0 interviewed in a podcast about the marketing potential of virtual worlds.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br>

[http://www.idw-online.de/pages/de/news275267 Informationsdienst Wissenschaft] - Article about an e-learning workshop, where virtual worlds like Second Life are a topic, too.<br>

[http://cp27.xsadmin.de/redicon/index.php?cat=5&group_id=104001001&id=7582&content_id=147 E-Punkt] – Article about the “Natural Language Translation" from IBM, a translation software running in Second Life.<br><br>

====FRANCE====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br>
-- Overall mood of this week’s press is good and coverage has been positive.<br>
-- Some articles about SL, Open Sim, Mono and new virtual worlds such as VSide.<br>
-- Some positive articles about companies on SL (such as Peugeot or Didorel Parquet).<br>
-- Coverage presents VR Wear, a company proposing to go further than the simple use of Virtual Worlds. They propose to create facial recognition on SL and its avatars.<br>
-- Questions raised about technologies and their affect on people, and the future of Second Life in terms of tourism.<br><br> 

Key Coverage:<br>

[http://www.virtualworldsnews.fr/2008/09/02/bientot-des-virus-et-trojan-pour-les-univers-virtuels-et-les-mmorpg/ Virtual World News] - Article about the possible arrival of viruses and Trojans on virtual worlds like SL. This article is built on last McAfee report.<br>

[http://domeu.blogspot.com/2008/08/second-life-et-mono.html Explore away from Delphi] - Article about SL and Mono.<br>

[http://daneel-ariantho.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-order.html Daniel Ariantho] - Article about OpenSim.<br> 

[http://www.vagabondages.org/post/2008/08/29/Une-visite-au-coeur-des-univers-virtuels Vagabondages] - Proposes a video of other virtual worlds than Second Life.<br>

[http://leblogducorps.canalblog.com/archives/2008/08/30/10396579.html Le blog du corps] - Article about the interaction of Informatics with our corps and our home. The article explains that it is going to invade our lives and that Second Life is just the first example of that.<br>

[http://www.pgon.ca/second-life-builder-helper Projet Galaxie Oeil Noir ] - A note about Builder Helper, Java Tool helping to create houses an other structures on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.david-castera.com/2008/09/lively-google-chrome/ dé signes] - Blog proposes a note about the incompatibility of Lively and Google Chrome and that Second Life is not accessible through the new google navigator.<br>

[http://126566.blog.tdg.ch/archive/2008/09/02/liberta-le-continent-francophone-se-developpe.html  La Tribune de Geneve] - Article about the expansion of Liberta, the European continent on Second Life.<br><br>

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br> 

[http://www.metrofrance.com/x/metro/2008/08/29/Bhn1yLbUz9s0c/index.xml MetroFrance] - Article about the future of Virtual Worlds and particularly with companies such as VR Wear, which is working on facial recognition on Second Life.<br>

[http://veilles.canalblog.com/archives/2008/09/02/10437603.html Veille Techno] – A post about Volkswagen website “Beautiful Place” looking a bit like Second Life. The blogger also mentions a design contest organized by Peugeot on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.econologique.info/index.php/2008/08/31/57684-didorel-parquet-s-implante-sur-liberta-dans-second-life-tribune-de-geneve Econologic] - A note about the arrival of Didorel Parquet on Second Life via Liberta Island.<br>

[http://mondes-virtuels.stonfield-inworld.com/les-univers-virtuels-pour-faire-de-la-formation/ Stonefield Inworld] - An article about the use of Virtual Worlds to get trained. Mention of Second Life and VR Wear, the company trying to create avatars’ movements with the movements of the user own body.<br>

[http://www.axdo.info/barack-obama-est-passe-par-second-life/ axdo] - A note specifying that Barack Obama has been on Second Life and that if he is elected he will be the first resident who would have used virtual world during its campaign.<br>

[http://j3m2.blogspot.com/2008/08/vr-wear-travaille-sur-la-reconnaissance.html Le journal du 3eme Millenaire] - A note about VR Wear, a company working on facial recognition on Second Life. Movements of your avatar would start with the real player movement.<br>

[http://www.tecoman.info/article-22326435.html Techoman] - Post about VR Wear, a company working on facial recognition on Second Life. Video is also available.<br>

[http://www.flatpop.com/blog/2008/09/02/fr-vr-wear-va-rendre-la-realite-virtuelle-plus-reelle-2.php Flatpop] - Post on VR Wear, a company working on facial recognition.<br>

[http://gromike.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/apprendre-java-dans-second-life/  Gromike] - Note on the possibility to learn how to use JAVA thanks to Second Life.<br>

[http://secondlife.blog.tdg.ch/archive/2008/08/31/pme-second-life-didorel-parquet-sur-liberta.html Tribune de Geneve] - Article about the company Didorel Parquet which implements itself on Second Life via Liberta Island.<br><br>

CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

[http://pages.usherbrooke.ca/kmiron/wordpress/?p=41 E-commerce, Web2.0 et e-tourisme] - News about the possibility of a tourism 3.0 thanks to virtual world such as Second Life. Numerous hotels are already present on SL and some tourism offices are building themselves.<br>

[http://161258.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!A650B2090C64EB5A!8400.entry ghis aimes les anges!] - Blog posted a note about a future conference on Second Life about Telethon.<br>

[http://karenguillorel.free.fr/?p=93 e-troubadour] - Next steps in Second Life are described in this post.<br>

[http://sun3000.blogspot.com/2008/08/mer-dreier-je-crois-que-la-cration-est.html Sun 3000] - Blog posted a note about the arrival of the artist Mer Dreier in the Amani Gallery on Second Life.<br>

[http://www.bim-manners.com/?p=209 bim manners] - Post about Come in my World, a new concept between Second Life and meetic.<br>

[http://wangxiang.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/le-ramadan-dans-second-life/ Mondes virtuels] - Note about the Ramadan in Second Life set up by IslamOnline.net.<br><br>
====JAPAN====

Trends we’ve noticed:<br
-- Almost all articles and quotes are positive.<br> 
-- Discussion of future possibilities of Second Life and virtual worlds.<br>
-- Japanese business, industry and media believe that virtual worlds and Second Life are the front-runners for best new IT trends.<br>
-- Monthly ASCII’S dialogue is favorable for Second Life because it mentions that SL is a Web 2.0 trend, a view beyond the virtual world image of SL.<br>

Key Coverage:<br>  
Denkei Shimbun (newspaper, 8/25) – Feature article on metaverses – referred to as the new trend in the Internet world. The general perception of metaverses is that they are an extension of video games in which you control an avatar and play in a virtual setting. But the essence is in filling the gap between Internet and the possibilities of reality. For example, there are online bookstores. However, you can only order a book online by first knowing what you want to buy, whereas in reality you can let serendipity lead you to new finds.<br><br> 

ENTERPRISE Coverage:<br>

[http://www.news2u.net/NRR200835990.html News2u.net] – Splume Corporation will offer new promotional contents starting the 1st of September where they will open the virtual rooms of Japanese idols to users. Users can visit their rooms as though in real life.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/news/japan/20080829_slmame.html The Second Times] – METABIRDS has started providing a service which enables you to upload blogs to your own domain through “SLMaMe”, a blog portal website service METABIRDS provides specifically on the topic of metaverses such as Second Life.<br>

Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun (newspaper, 8/28) – A large feature article analyzing exactly what SL is. The article concludes that there is criticism that SL has lost momentum but the addition of “open source” to its original equation of “3D + Internet” will open new paths. In addition, there is much potential in the expansion of terminals through which SL can be accessed, for example the merging of 3D Internet and digital broadcasting is one example, but there is more potential to come with the evolution of 3D Internet. 

[http://www.gizmodo.jp/2008/08/shapeways3d.html GIZMODOjapan] - Shapeways has started a service where you can send via e-mail a 3D image, and they will create and send you a real life sculpted version of that image. The technology is still being perfected but there are many possibilities ahead, such as sending in 3D items or avatars from Second Life.<br>

[http://japan.internet.com/release/2425.html Japan.Internet.com] – Japanese new and used car sales company Uchida Auto hosted a music event on Second Life aimed at automobile fans.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/event/20080828_demietage.html The Second Times] – UNY Co., Ltd. is holding a contest for a concept video using Second Life for their new private brand Demi Etage.<br><br>

EDUCATION Coverage:<br> 

Monthly ASCII pt.2 (magazine, October) – A dialogue between Tsuguhiko Kadokawa and Lawrence Lessig on the future of business. Web 2.0 became what it is now based on three types of economic activities. First came the basic commercial economy, second came the “sharing economy” seen in “Wikipedia” exchanging values other than money, and third is the “hybrid economy” seen in Second Life whereby currency and new ideas and values from individual users are both being exchanged.<br><br>
ADULT CONSUMER Coverage:<br>

Monthly ASCII pt.1 (magazine, October) – A feature article on the shifting of trends, from “3D metaverse services” like SL, to “online avatar services.” Rather than separate individual metaverses, the trend now is to browse existing web2.0 contents through the body of an avatar rather than straight through the PC monitor in order to gain a more realistic and lively sensation.<br>

25ans (magazine, October) – 25ans community on Second Life held its annual bridal photo contest. The winner received 3,000 L$.<br>

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/event/20080827_medicam.html The Second Times] –“Medicam2008”, a film contest for students, will be held on Second Life from August 28th to the 30th.<br> 

[http://www.secondtimes.net/metaverse/spot/20080826_hanamatsuri.html The Second Times] – A club in Roppongi “Hana-Matsuri” will open a store on Second Life. The owner of the club is planning to login as well.<br>

[http://japan.cnet.com/blog/secondlife/2008/09/01/entry_27013344/ CNET Japan] - A blog article talking about the loss of influence TV once had on culture. Instead, media such as YouTube and Second Life, in which there are more user participation and activity compared to the more passive television, will start having more influential power.<br>

[http://japan.cnet.com/blog/sasaki/2008/08/31/entry_27013330/ CNET Japan] – Second Life was mentioned in a blog article about the “digital divide,” a discrepancy between people who are capable of accessing and using the Internet and people who are not. There is also a discrepancy between Internet users who are not familiar with web2.0 services such as Second Life.<br>

[http://blogmag.ascii.jp/secondlife/2008/08/001838.html ASCII.jp]– The largest virtual reggae festival was held on SL on August 30th and 31st.<br><br>

[[Category:Linden Lab PR Update| 2008-09]]