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"Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 7:44:36 AM   
LadyEllen


Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
Status: offline 		Well, I signed up earlier this month for my law degree with the Open University; 20 something years after I had to give up my place at university for the same thing but hey, better late then never eh?

I was excited to see that there would be a welcome event early in the new year; "I'll book that" I thought, "it will be good to meet some other people who might be interesting and be able to give me some pointers". And then I saw that this event was virtual and would take place online in "Second Life".

Now I'm sorry. I'm 42 years old, not 12. I stopped playing computer games many years ago, and though I admire the whole field for how its developed, it really does not interest me in any way whatever to participate. "I" shall not be "attending" some virtual event.

Am I wrong? Just a daft old fuddy duddy?

E

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In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.
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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 7:56:49 AM   
ThatDamnedPanda


Posts: 6060
Joined: 1/26/2009
Status: offline
quote:


Am I wrong? Just a daft old fuddy duddy?


Whichever it is, I'm right there with you. All this revolutionary new communication and interaction technology that everyone seems so hypnotized by is a complete mystery to me. I drew a line in the sand a few years ago, and I won't ever cross it, period. In fact, I'm actually pulling back further from that line every year. I don't text, I don't blackberry, I don't twitter, I don't Myspace or Facebook, I only answer my phone when it's convenient for me to do so and just rely on voicemail for the calls i miss, and I set aside an hour or two a day two or three days a week to catch up on my e-mail. Any e-mail that comes in on Monday may not get answered until Wednesday or Thursday - or later, if I'm busy - and I only check voice mail once or twice a day. And my life works just fine. This  "Second Life" silliness is an example of how communications/interaction technology drains from us everything that makes us human. I hate it. 

_____________________________

Panda, panda, burning bright
In the forest of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Made you all black and white and roly-poly like that?


(in reply to LadyEllen)
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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 8:10:29 AM   
Termyn8or


Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline 		You may be a daft old fuddy duddy, but that doesn't mean you're wrong. Welcome to the club BTW.

I don't like virtual anything. Chats, rooms all this crap, all the diadvantages of a telephone as you must respond in real time, but you also usually have to type. Speaking of phones, I don't like them either. Absolutely nobody has my cell number. I think maybe three people have my longdistance number, the back line so to speak. And the regular house phone which I mainly keep for the DSL can ring all it wants, I'll answer when I am good and ready.

Maybe I am the King of daft old fuddy duddies. My itinerary of PC games consists of poker and chess. I want my car rewired so that the ligh comes on when you open the door, and goes off when you close it, no timers or any crap. I had a car that locked the doors when you put it in gear, drove me crazy. The car I have now of course has the ABS and the airbags all disabled, and I refuse to wear a seat belt. That's how us fuddy duddies learned how not to hit things.

Look at the phone in my picture, I would still have it if it hadn't quit working. In fact I'd like an even older one, like a dial phone. Most of my AV equipment is twenty years old, my TV was built in 1988. The only thing new here is the computers and associated equipment. There was no way of getting around it. If I had my druthers I would be running Win 3.11 on a 486, but it simply doesn't work today. So they dragged me kicking and screaming, practically in chains to buy new junk.

I hold classes on old fuddy duddyism a few times a year. The tuition is beer.

T

(in reply to LadyEllen)
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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 8:15:06 AM   
LadyEllen


Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
Status: offline 		Now I love my Blackberry I'll admit - it set me free from the office after all. But all this Facebook and Twitter nonsense and texting and all that - how do people find time for real life I wonder? CM is about the only thing I participate on thats anything like all that and even that doesnt usually take up more than an hour or so a day for me - the younger generation seem to do nothing else but be online or on their phones.

And I'm right with you on the older stuff T; what I want is a hi-fi stereo system like I used to have - a turntable, radio, tape player and CD player. Can I get one anywhere? No. I get presented with some fiddly little box that I slot in another fiddly little box. "its improved technology" I'm assured, "it plays thousands of tracks and you can take it anywhere you want". "I dont want to play thousands of tracks, I want to play these tracks that arent on f'in download. I dont want to take it anywhere, I want it in my living room, and for it to be big enough that the slightest draught wont knock it on the floor".

E

< Message edited by LadyEllen -- 12/24/2009 8:19:48 AM >

_____________________________

In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.

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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 10:11:57 AM   
SL4V3M4YB3


Posts: 3506
Joined: 12/20/2007
From: S.E. London U.K.
Status: offline 		This thing has the wrong name because a second life would mean living twice as long not dividing the limited time you do have in this world between numerous existences.

The success of this thing indicates how little input people think they have into the society that surrounds them in the real world.


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Memory Lane...been there done that.

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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 10:36:52 AM   
ThatDamnedPanda


Posts: 6060
Joined: 1/26/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

You may be a daft old fuddy duddy, but that doesn't mean you're wrong. Welcome to the club BTW.

I don't like virtual anything. Chats, rooms all this crap, all the diadvantages of a telephone as you must respond in real time, but you also usually have to type. Speaking of phones, I don't like them either. Absolutely nobody has my cell number. I think maybe three people have my longdistance number, the back line so to speak. And the regular house phone which I mainly keep for the DSL can ring all it wants, I'll answer when I am good and ready.


I don't even have the ringer turned on for my landline phone. It's strictly a DSL line, and I'll occasionally make an outgoing call on it to save cell phone minutes. My only phone is my cell, which i use the way most people use to use a landline. I carry it with me in the car for emergencies, and often forget about it and leave it there for a day or two at a time.



quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or
Maybe I am the King of daft old fuddy duddies. My itinerary of PC games consists of poker and chess.


Asteroids. That's the only one I need. Just as much fun as it was 30 years ago.


quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or
Look at the phone in my picture, I would still have it if it hadn't quit working. In fact I'd like an even older one, like a dial phone. Most of my AV equipment is twenty years old, my TV was built in 1988. The only thing new here is the computers and associated equipment. There was no way of getting around it. If I had my druthers I would be running Win 3.11 on a 486, but it simply doesn't work today. So they dragged me kicking and screaming, practically in chains to buy new junk.


Brother! Separated at birth! The heart of my sound system is older than half the members here. Two Carver amps, an M-500 and an M-500t, and a Carver C-1 pre. A Kenwood turntable, a Carver TX-11 for FM, and a TX-2 for AM. The amps and the tunrtable are about 25 years old, the pre amp a little younger, and the tuners about 15 years old, I would guess. The tower speakers are a year old, but only because my living room is too small for the vintage ribbon amps I'd really like to have. The disc players, of course, are new, because the technology is new, but the old gear is the meat of the system, and most of my friends say they've never heard better sound. This "newer is better" mentality will be the death of us all.



_____________________________

Panda, panda, burning bright
In the forest of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Made you all black and white and roly-poly like that?


(in reply to Termyn8or)
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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 1:11:24 PM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		MIT offers free classes online.

It is not me- as I rebel against ANYTHING structured.

But one thing for sure- a mind is a terrible thing to waste-- stop learning and may as well die.   So learn in what ever form suits.


Never die before it is time!

(in reply to ThatDamnedPanda)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 3:15:26 PM   
Missokyst


Posts: 6041
Joined: 9/9/2006
Status: offline 		If you wouldn't do a class online, second life is not for you. Virtual classes are very much the same only there is an avatar present. I have been in offices where people have virtual meetings, and observed what sort of interaction goes on in the virtual world.

Learning is learning which ever way you choose to pursue it. I don't play games, but I do enjoy second life for the creative potential on occasion. Watching a virtual meeting take place in a real life office was fascinating and no one had to buy donuts.

(in reply to LadyEllen)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 9:04:14 PM   
MissBeautiful2U


Posts: 98
Joined: 12/5/2008
Status: offline 		Hi there, I googled Open University as I was not familiar with it.  It sounds like their curriculum is conducted to a large extent online rather than in a classroom setting.

I would say that if there are a significant number of people participating in the welcome event, you may be missing out on the opportunity to get to know others.

Whether you like it or hate it, our society is becoming more virtual.  Personally, I prefer real life interactions, but it is what it is.  I would attend online.  You might even find someone else who agrees with you on not liking it and develop a new friendship/study partner.

Good luck to you.

(in reply to LadyEllen)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 10:03:53 PM   
outlier


Posts: 1111
Joined: 10/22/2005
Status: offline 		LadyEllen,

First of all congradulations on choosing to go to school.
Yes it will be a pain sometimes, yes it will be worth it to
achieve your goal.

My first instinct would be to agree with you. But some of
the other posters here have made me reconsider.  Why not
sign up, log in at the appointed time and then just lay back
and observe to see what happens. 

You might learn something valuable or you might be moved to
participate more than you plan to.  One thing is sure, you will
miss everything if you don't at least check it out. 

All the best with your studies.
Outlier


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Avatar from xkcd.com

"A happy sex life may take years to achieve, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Worth the time, the thought - or rather, the thoughtfulness - and, often,
the waiting." Pete Seeger

(in reply to LadyEllen)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: "Second Life" university - 12/24/2009 11:14:46 PM   
Real0ne


Posts: 21189
Joined: 10/25/2004
Status: offline 		Sovereigns in lower canada are ripping up the courts with this;

http://www.1215.org/

and its free :)


_____________________________

"We the Borg" of the us imperialists....resistance is futile

Democracy; The 'People' voted on 'which' amendment?

Yesterdays tinfoil is today's reality!

"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session

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Profile   Post #: 11
RE: "Second Life" university - 12/25/2009 5:00:53 AM   
amaidiamond


Posts: 1793
Joined: 2/6/2006
From: Watford / London
Status: offline 		I've played second life - but mainly for just that, virtual meetings. It's interesting and easier than a conference call (I HATE conference calls)

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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/25/2009 5:23:18 AM   
Kimveri


Posts: 783
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Vegas
Status: offline 		~FR~

Second Life is not just a "game". It's a whole virtual world, full of most anything people can imagine. Yes, there's roleplay areas (called "sims") but there are also displays of cutting edge graphics & tech that's mind-boggling. There are LOTS of non-"play" uses, such as your welcome meeting, that allow those who can't meet actually to do so virtually.

I love NPR radio's Science Friday & they do a live simulcast show in Second Life. There's a whole economy, as well, that makes actual real currency for the participants.I've heard that various artists, from musicians to painters, have performed live, with their own avatars, in Second Life. I wish I could have seen U2...

Ya never know what it's like until you try it...

Good luck,

~Kimveri

_____________________________

"You get what you accept."

"It is always wise to examine the facts from all angles before one renders a summary judgement."~_Marcus_

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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/25/2009 9:58:04 AM   
Real0ne


Posts: 21189
Joined: 10/25/2004
Status: offline 		HA!

jokes on me!

Second life is one of those virtual games huh!

LMAO


_____________________________

"We the Borg" of the us imperialists....resistance is futile

Democracy; The 'People' voted on 'which' amendment?

Yesterdays tinfoil is today's reality!

"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session

(in reply to amaidiamond)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: "Second Life" university - 12/25/2009 6:09:12 PM   
corsetgirl


Posts: 824
Joined: 5/22/2004
Status: offline 		Lady Ellen:

Congratulations on going to school! I got my bachelor's degree at 43 years old and it took me five years because I had a full time job. I took some online classes and did very well. However, I can understand your views about not going to an online course but this has taught me the discipline to focus on the course. Sometimes, I found the online courses were easy to manage because there were some individuals who I avoided, especially the drama queens.

It is nice to be with people when you go to a traditional class setting and from my university, there are also professors and graduate assistants who are there to help students.

I, too, am going back to school this summer and will be getting a master's degree. The counseling advisor asked me if I would like to go for a Ph.D. I told him I would be known as OLOC (Old Lady On Campus) if I went that route. I will also have hybrid courses, that is a mixture of tradtional class attendance and online classes.

You might also want to see if the university has a computer support staff or system to help guide you through these virtual classes. Give it a try!




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RE: "Second Life" university - 12/25/2009 6:17:57 PM   
sophia37


Posts: 1433
Joined: 2/7/2006
Status: offline 		Lady Ellen, Im just excited that you signed up to finish your law degree! I think that's amazing. Good for you! All the best! xo xo Sophia

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Profile   Post #: 16
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