Bono U2 online Avatar
With a decent broadband connection and a computer, laptop or i pad you can live in your own virtual world. Television can be downloaded via various providers straight onto your computer at your convenience. Facilities like Sky+ and Virgin + enable you to store programme onto a hard drive and not only can you watch TV when you like and freeze live TV you can also fast forward through the adverts.
In addition to online communities, forums, virtual worlds, online gaming and virtual DJ ing you can also experience virtual concerts. ‘Live’ music made available online to an audience – even in a simulated concert hall.
In the virtual world of Second Life, an online 3D digital world, which is imagined, created and owned by the residents. More than 370,000 people have Second Life characters, called Avatars, who exist in the world. Bands like Duran Duran have announced a virtual world presence in the game and will perform gigs on their island in Second Life.
Radio 1 have also sponsored virtual festivals on a rented island in the Second Life simulated world so people could take part with their avatars attending the virtual gigs. I’m not sure it is really the same as jumping up and down in the crush of a real live concert being deafened by the bass and actually ‘seeing’ your idols in the flesh. However it is easier getting home from a virtual gig than fighting through the masses onto the Tube or train and getting home in the early hours on a work night!
You could also get a virtual programme and T shirt which your avatar could wear or a virtual wristband to show your avatar has been to a popular festival. There is no particular goal in Second Life, people simply become part of various communities and the 3d technology enables the avatars to build things in their virtual world. Residents can talk to each other using instant messaging or private messaging while the avatars are off line – perhaps living a real life.