This is Ray

Seems like almost everything on the Internet is going to open in the future. There was a lot of talk about open social graph, but now there is talk about open borders. Open borders pertains to the latest announcement by IBM and Linden Labs (who are to blame for the existence of Second Life :)) who have proposed an idea about avatar (online persona) portability on other online services. The idea is to use the avatar you have designed in Second Life (for example) and use it in the same shape on other Internet destinations. Given that it takes about an hour or so to develop your own avatar for Second Life, it is understandable to expect people to endorse such an initiative.

According to this article, such a virtual passport system may take years to develop, if it isn’t first stopped by the kind of conflicting interests that occasionally dampen efforts to draw up standards in the fast-changing technology industry. Open social graph has already hit friction, although there are legitimate obstacles to achieving such a standard.

IBM and Linden are planning on discussing this idea on the forthcoming virtual worlds conference in San Jose (where else; think SES :)) in California.

On the other hand, Second Life recently introduced audio to the service, which is a great new way to have meet ups in this virtual world. Apart from the obvious, this can be a great tool for a more serious presence in a virtual environment. Why not schedule a meeting with potential partners in a business venture in Second Life. Pick an island, be in touch using maybe Twitter, and discuss “in person”, by voice, about future projects that will change the world. Well, maybe this would be taking it too far but I wouldn’t be surprised. Too many books have been written since a long time ago talking about things that are happening now. It seemed like science fiction back then…

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