What is VRWorkplace?

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Permalink Reply by Ken Walters on October 17, 2007 at 5:15am

I'm disabled, and following a stroke 2 years ago I now produce 2D digital modern, contemporary and abstract artwork. Considering I had no interest in art prior to the stroke, I find this new desire to produce artwork odd but rewarding, both spiritually and financially.
I can reach out through various worlds and sell my work as art, textures, skins, mattes etc and as art,patterns and designs in the real world.
When working I can become wrapped up in my work and don't like being disturbed, so work from home. this new dual core technology and virtual worlds have given me a business which I can work at whenever I like 24/7.
Ken

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Permalink Reply by Jack Ryker on October 29, 2007 at 4:23pm

Im looking forward to mixing Real World activities with Virtual Activites. Something along the lines of
work one or two days in the office, the rest online. Perhaps, internationally distributed companies
will have clearer points of communication, and more 3d visual information.( I dont know, perhaps
a warehouse in Singapore can have a 3d equivalent that can be assessed elsewhere.)
As things get more automated, we are goiing to be left with sales of creative stuff to each other,
you know like Granny G's Special Hot Sauce or Sailor Joes windchimes.


The scary thing is disconnecting. If one needed to disconnect in the future, hewould have to turn
off TONS of gadgets!

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Permalink Reply by Ken Walters on October 30, 2007 at 4:44am

True, but think of the electricity bill as well:-)
On the plus side though it means less travelling around the world so will probably get government grants to set up for it, no commuting grief, more flexible hours etc
I think, like any technology it is a duble edged sword, but with the right equipment and training the 1st world will turn more to services while their manufacturing declines and the 3rd world will swiftly leapfrog us. So time to learn another language I think, that way we could get jobs in training or maintenance irregardless of who comes out top dog.
The need to keep on top of all new advances in software and equipment is a must.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Ryker on November 25, 2007 at 8:57pm

I think the Virtual Workplace development needs to speed up... tremendously.
1
In most cities traffic makes it impossible to honor appointments without setting aside a whole day.
2
Most good are so far apart, that accessing the inventory right from internet is much easier.

I realize these are really basic points but they're becoming a fundamental truths. It seems to me
that the VR workplace could have a tremendous impact on small businessess and could
really really bring down costs.

And for those without a storefront, a 3d representation of OFFice would give a psychological sense of place..
and be cheaper then renting an office.


I would like to see a bundled product along with an 3d office.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Elchoness on November 25, 2007 at 9:00pm

Well that's what I'm hoping. Just completed my sim in SL (search for VRWorkplace.) I think it makes a ton of sense. Think about auto traffic, air travel, globally distributed workforces, farflung associations and customers. Lots of opportunity. Add in VR training, socialization.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Ryker on November 25, 2007 at 9:14pm

Yes. Currently I live in LA. And its impossible to go anywhere without losing a lot of time in traffic. If my business were strictly confined to LA, a VR Office would still be of great help in creating a presence for my business. I see it
as a cheaper, extremely efficient, fun( 3d graphics is fun) way to conduct business. I think that these packages are offerred on TV for like one dollar. I would like to see a more polished, more professional version. The 3d office that should come with the package will give the sense of place and destination that does not exist with 2d stores. (it helps too that people are aware of VW"s and serious games) Maybe the product can be offered at MBA schools as a step on the way to opening a storefront.

I'll check out the sim sometime soon

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Permalink Reply by Dave Elchoness on November 25, 2007 at 9:18pm

Great thanks Jack. If you ping me before you go, I'll give you a tour. I'm Da Etchegaray in-world. My sim has offices, meeting places, amphitheater, coffee house, amusement park. The concept is to offer opportunities for both work and play so that regardless of geographic separation, people can be "together." d

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Permalink Reply by Dick Davies on January 6, 2008 at 5:17pm

Dave,

Get real - what enterprise is going to use Second Life to share their corporate secrets with the strange guys who inhabit SL? What enterprises need is secure, stable ownership and control of their workspaces. Whilst I applaud the green argument around travel reduction the reality is that it is not going to happen in SL. Let me give you an alternative that does what it says in the tin... I will mail you.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Elchoness on January 7, 2008 at 12:32am

Dick: Terrific let's see what you've got. I've tried to contact Forterra many times and never received a response. Very frustrating, since I am an eager partner for them who has been in the corporate trenches and knows both from an HR and global IT perspective how this could work.

As for "getting real" there are many enterprises that are experimenting in SL and the reality is that it represents the best we have today in public worlds. Strange guys? One can maintain the privacy of a sim, but more than that, IBM, Cisco, Sun, Accenture are all "in town." I don't think your argument about strange guys succeeds.

Yes, companies would like secure, stable spaces, and that will happen with open sim/interoperability etc. Long term, we will have public and private spaces. Short term, the average guy can get into SL inexpensively and without a large degree of hassle, can build his/her own thing, and can benefit from the prolific ingenuity of thousands of SL residents. Is it possible for a user to get into any other virtual world on a Monday, rent office space on a Tuesday, and actually work collaboratively with remote employees in a realistic setting on a Wednesday? The answer today is no.

I find that on this forum, we're constantly biting at eachother about platforms, uses, etc. and I think perhaps we have to step back a bit, recognize eachother as pioneers (i.e. compatriots) in this effort. I am very passionate about this work, having managed 1000s of global employees and witnessed the obstacles to success when people don't work together collaboratively. Dave

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Permalink Reply by centurian on October 6, 2008 at 12:50am

This issues comes up in conversations with colleagues and administrators in my environment (academia). On the other hand, the same issues come up when discussing any form of computer mediated interaction, see discussions of online learning for examples.

In my environment, virtual environments have been a bottom up phenomena. Individual professors are introduced to virtual worlds, explore their value, then decide whether to integrate them.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Wright on September 8, 2008 at 12:13pm

Having managed virtual teams for over 6 years on webex, conference calls and e-mail I expect the virtual world collaboration tools will be an excellent improvement. Typically I'd have engineers, sales people, lawyers and other staff on a call while we spoke with e-mailed handouts about the customers requirements and the various solutions we could develop. With virtual world technology I should be able to see who is on, who left, who was sending non-verbals and we could all share exhibits (doc's, powerpoints, pictures) to facilitate the discussion. I left that corporate position last fall, but I am now looking to start a test with my former co-workers with a VW collaboration environment. Has any one else done so...and what were the learnings?

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