links for 2007-03-29

• World in their hands – Technology – smh.com.au

  “New electronic toys are taking children online so they can learn and play …a new wave of toys that don’t just add electronics (talking dolls, for example) or depend on technology (computer games) but instead rely on connectivity to the internet.”

  (tags: games gaming internet culture kids toys mylinkblog)

• IGN: GDC 2007: Novint Falcon Haptic Feedback PC Controller

  “The highly original PC peripheral is the first to bring “Haptic” 3D force feedback to the consumer space.”

  (tags: virtualworlds games gaming interface mylinkblog)

• VWTimeline: Bruce Damer’s Presentation on Origins and Evolution of Social Virtual Worlds

  An excellent history of virtual worlds that also looks into the future of artificial life, augmented reality and using virtual worlds to explore outer space.

  (tags: virtualworlds cyberculture mylinkblog)

• The Kids Are Alright Article (pdf)

  “In our book The Kids Are Alright: How the Gamer Generation™ is Changing the Workplace, we show how growing up playing video games actually helps kids to be more sociable, develop strategic thinking and become better leaders later in life.”

  (tags: games gaming youth kids mylinkblog)

• Croquet News: Croquet SDK 1.0 Released

  “…new “3-D Virtual Environments Software Developer’s Kit” (Croquet SDK 1.0) will promote collaboration among far-flung research teams working on everything from cancer cells to hurricanes, as well as active learning among students and their instructors.”

  (tags: virtualworlds metaverse croquet opensource software mylinkblog)

links for 2007-03-20

• Consumer electronics | Mind games | Economist.com
  Two companies are soon to release technologies that make it possible to use thoughts to control games, including the movement and facial expressions of avatars in virtual worlds like Second Life, by detecting brainwave activity.
  (tags: games gaming virtualworlds secondlife mmog interface mylinkblog)
• Qwaq Forums – Virtual Spaces Software For Secure Enterprise Collaboration
  “Qwaq Forums are unique: they are virtual spaces for real work. Like offices and meeting rooms, Qwaq Forums are places where users can go to work, to collaborate with others, and to identify and solve issues.” First business application of Opencroquet.
  (tags: 3d software virtualworlds metaverse opencroquet mylinkblog)
• GameRunner: Run or Walk Through Your Favorite Video Games!
  “Walk and steer through your games, with real-time digital accurracy and all of the other functions you need. Intuitive movements mean a short learning curve… a gamecontroller & treadmill which folds up when not in use.” Get fit not fat while gaming.
  (tags: games gaming virtualworlds interface mylinkblog)
• Interreality Project – Virtual Object System
  “The Interreality project is a collection of Open Source, Free Software projects based on the Virtual Object System (VOS) platform. The goal of the Interreality project is to develop a free and open platform for multiuser 3D virtual reality and interactiv
  (tags: virtualworlds 3d metaverse opensource software)

links for 2007-03-16

• Planet Cazmo
  “A new, browser-based persistent world, developed for the massive teen and tween market, with a focus on integrating real-world music, games, entertainment and consumer brands into one easily accessible online community.” Cashing in?
  (tags: virtualworlds 3d mylinkblog)
• Soapbox on MSN Video > Using Xbox Controller for Live Search Maps
  “You can use your Xbox 360 Controller to navigate Live Search Maps!” Are game controllers going to replace the keyboard & mouse?
  (tags: virtualworlds maps visualisation interface 3d mylinkblog)
• Rupture
  “Rupture connects you with the real people you play with online. Rupture allows you to automatically publish your character and guild profiles, share pictures, chat with friends and recruit new people to play with.” Social networking service for gamers.
  (tags: games gaming MMOG virtualworlds socialnetworking mylinkblog)

links for 2007-03-15

• Wii gamers set to battle online – Games – Technology – smh.com.au
  “Today Nintendo announced it had partnered with GameSpy, a division of Fox Interactive Media that specialises in multiplayer gaming technology, to bring online play functions to the Wii.” Nintendo’s Wii enters the MMO arena.
  (tags: virtualworlds mmog games gaming mylinkblog)
• Dell flirts with Linux – Laptops & Desktops – Gadgets – Technology – smh.com.au
  “Momentum is building for the world’s second largest PC maker to load its computers with free open-source software, instead of costly applications from Microsoft.” This could bring Linux into mainstream awareness, and maybe give Vista a run for its money.
  (tags: technology opensource software mylinkblog)
• “Twitter leaves me asking “Who the heck cares?”” from The Intuitive Life Business Blog
  “My theory: Twitter is in fact the perfect crude technological solution for exhibitionists, for people who are so convinced of their importance in the Big Picture that they believe others want to know exactly what they’re doing at all times.” Could be.
  (tags: web2.0 webtools blogging mylinkblog)

links for 2007-03-10

• amBX brings Second Life to the Real World
  “This will offer Second Life users the opportunity to experience their virtual world through real world amBX experiences, including light, air movement and rumble.”
  (tags: virtualworlds secondlife augmentation interface mylinkblog)
• GalaXseeds.com > Free Multiplayer Online Game > Find Your Place in Space!
  “In addition to exploring amazing worlds, you get to create your own character, customize your room, earn wealth and fame by raising Plants and help save the galaxy from the evil Spaceticides!”
  (tags: virtualworlds games gaming mmog mylinkblog)
• BBC NEWS | Technology | Virtual worlds set for shake-up
  “We are about to see a truly massive explosion in the quantity of online worlds of various types.” and “Five years from now a social networking site without a 3D universe will look like a dinosaur.” More like two!
  (tags: games gaming mmog virtualworlds secondlife socialnetworking mylinkblog)