ZDNet has released a couple videos that reinforce the idea that Second Life is something businesses—and business communicators—need to understand and, perhaps, embrace. The first looks at a convention center built in SL by new-media whiz-kid Eric Rice, which includes the ability to project video and audio into a meeting space. Rice is planning on renting the facility to organizations interested in meetings in the virtual world. The second looks at efforts by the University of California at Davis to use the simulation functionality of SL to train emergency workers. Here’s a look inside Rice’s convention center with a video playing on the screen:

Meanwhile, I finally got around to some of my backed-up podasts and heard Karl Long interview two representatives from Electric Sheep (which builds SL venues) and one from Linden Labs (which built and operates SL). The trio talk about the future, which includes seamless integration between the real-time 3D world of Second Life and the asynchronous, 2D world of the web. It’s a revealing conversation that shines an even brighter light on the metaverse’s business potential.

Finally, I learned that Lee Hopkins—initially an SL skeptic—has worked to outdo our paltry “For Immediate Release” storefront in the mall on Podcaster’s Island. Compared to our two boxes, Lee has created a table, chairs, umbrella, and bookshelf. I guess once you dip your toe in, it’s not long before you take the full plunge!