If you are interested in getting into the voice communication scene, there are two simple things to consider before jumping in.

    The first thing you need is a microphone! While more and more laptops are beginning to adapt built in microphones into the configuration, if you don't fit into this category, then this entry might help you when considering purchasing a microphone. There are many microphones that can be purchased in the market for less than $25. You need to also consider if you want the microphone to be a standalone product or one that is attached to headphones; also known as a headset.

Image of a desktop microphone

Image of headset

    A great online retailer to find top quality brands such as Logitech and Plantronics at the lowest possible price is Newegg. It is the top rated online store according to http://www.resellerratings.com/ in case you need a sense of security before purchasing. Still, if you are against online shopping, these microphones and headsets can be found almost at any appropriate store nearest you.

    Now that you have a microphone and Second Life... you're almost there! Log in to Second Life with your unique avatar name and password. Once logged in, navigate to the top toolbar and click on "Edit", then "Preferences".

Once you click on preferences, a new box will pop up with different subsections. Click on "Voice Chat". Check the box next to "Enable Voice Chat". Once this box is checked, a number of different options are then enabled that you may change if desired. The following list explains these in detail:

1) You can customize the way that you hear other voice communication. There are two options at the top. One allows the user to hear voice chat from the camera position and other allows the user to hear voice chat from the avatar position. These are pretty self explanatory. The volume of the communication you hear would be based on which option you choose.

2) The second option is how you want your Push-to-talk mode to operate. Push-to-Talk means that to enable your microphone to record and transmit your voice into Second Life, you need to use the keyboard in some sort of means to let Second Life know when you want to speak or not. When "Toggle Mode" is on, when you press your designated Push-to-talk key once and release, your microphone will be enabled (recording and transmitting your voice into SL) until your press the designated Push-to-talk key again which results in the microphone then being disabled. When "Toggle Mode" is off, the user must press the designated key and hold the key down to enable the microphone. Once the key is released, the microphone is disabled.

3) At the bottom of the box, there is button labeled "Device Settings" When clicked, a new box opens displaying audio devices (input/output) and the input volume level. For the audio devices, this may be helpful in case you have more than one soundcard or microphone hooked up to your computer so that you may designate which devices you want to use for SL. Under "Input Level", you can change the volume of the input (your voice into the microphone) and it also has a bar which displays the level of the input. Remember that you don't want it too loud or it may be disruptive to others around you!

4) If you want to avoid an unwanted chatter around you and limit the voice communication you hear from others, you can check the box next to "Only accept voice calls from people on My Friends list" under Privacy Options.

5) Last, in case you are very new to all of this and feel overwhelmed with technology, there is a voice setup wizard which is very easy to follow and will help aid you in getting your voice communication set up.

Once you are done with the "Voice Chat" setup, remember to click "Apply" at the bottom right of the box and then "OK".

Enjoy chatting!

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Today I had the pleasure of getting the chance to interview two of the programers working on OneCleveland. I got a tour of the computer lab facilities (on Second Life of course!) and Ian Dash (Hye Binder) and Logan Rogers (Newmanizzl Voom) had all the answers, even to things I hadn't thought to ask.

So first up was Logan, who is the modeler. Which means he made all the prims and such that you can find in the Second Life Computer Lab. According to Logan

Newmanizzl Voom: If you don't already know, I'm the modeler, he is more of the brains behind the operation.
Mir Benelli: So you're the one making all the prims and such? Impressive.
Mir Benelli: I've been up here before and seen all the computers, but what's with the little planes?
Newmanizzl Voom: Haha, well, this isn't where they go, but they are for the last room on your right in the hallway, they are going to help represent the Immersion Room, which has a 3d projector.
Mir Benelli: Huh. Interesting. So they'll be what's being projected?
Or will can you actually make a 3D projector in here?
Newmanizzl Voom: They will represent the projection, by making them somewhat transparent it will give relatively the same effect as a 3d projector.
Mir Benelli: Smart. So what are the other rooms along here?
Newmanizzl Voom: This is the music room. It's also not finished, and missing some prims, but it represents the room in the lab where students can come and use music equipment along with technology to produce...well...music.
Mir Benelli: Haha. But in here you can only play pre-programmed music I assume?
Newmanizzl Voom: Sadly, yes.
Mir Benelli: That's too bad.
Mir Benelli: So do all of the rooms in here actually exist in the Real KSL as well?
Newmanizzl Voom: Well, no. The lab is actually in another building. But they have chosen to place it here in SL.
Mir Benelli: Ah. Haha. Where is it, in Real Life, and if students came here is there a notecard that tells them where or something?
Newmanizzl Voom: Yes, there will be, we haven't completed the welcome station yet. But it will give a lot of information about the Virtual Worlds Lab and where it is located In real life.
Mir Benelli: Awesome. =)
Newmanizzl Voom: The way we are doing the tour is with this craft....
Newmanizzl Voom: Visitors are going to be able to board this, and the monitor by the handlebars there will give them a visual and audio guide, through the voice of Professor Buchner.
Mir Benelli: Wow. That's impressive. Do you have it up and running or is it just a prototype?
Newmanizzl Voom: Well, thats the model, so my part is pretty much done I guess, the rest is up to Ian.
Newmanizzl Voom: He needs to work on some things longer than I do, so I'm somewhat ahead of him in some places. My job is.....shorter I guess?
Mir Benelli: So your job is making these gadgets and his is what, coming up with the concepts and making them work?
Newmanizzl Voom: The concepts and ideas we work together on, but since I don't really know much about programming, that's where my help ends usually.
Mir Benelli: Ah. That makes sense.
Mir Benelli: What's your favorite part or favorite thing that you've made so far? Or favorite concept you're creating?
Newmanizzl Voom: Well, I was originally really proud of the sculpties I had made, specifically this chair. It allowed me to work in an environment I was familiar with(3dStudioMax) and import it into Second Life.
Newmanizzl Voom: But recently I've grown fond of this hovercraft.






Newmanizzl Voom: I would say the chair is still my favorite, because it is only one prim, which is quite incredible.
Mir Benelli: So are there any really huge problems you've had to overcome in bringing your Labs to life?
Newmanizzl Voom: There were quite a few problems with sculpties. I had to pretty much learn an entirely new way of modeling.
Mir Benelli: What's the difference between Sculpties and Prims? Or is it just a different way of making Prims?
Newmanizzl Voom: Well, you see that chair there?
Mir Benelli: Yup.
Newmanizzl Voom: It is only one prim.
Newmanizzl Voom: Creating that chair within second life only would take... around 8 prims at least.
Mir Benelli: Impressive. So can anyone make sculpties or do you need special programs?
Newmanizzl Voom: What the sculpties allow you to do is create an object by molding a cylinder within a modeling program such as 3dStudioMax or Maya. Then you add a special texture onto that deformed cylinder. Then, you have to add a special mapping system to that cylinder.
Newmanizzl Voom: The end result is an image... one second, I will show you.
Newmanizzl Voom: That image on the side of that box is the chair you see in front of the desk.
Mir Benelli: It doesn't look anything like it -- just like colors.
Newmanizzl Voom: Second life uses the different colors to tell different vertices, or points, where to place themselves. The texture sort of 'wraps' around and points go inward or outward depending on their color.
Newmanizzl Voom: It's somewhat hard to explain, does that make sense?
I'm sort of a terrible teacher
Mir Benelli: That's pretty cool. Haha. I don't think I'd be able to make one, but I think I know what you mean.
Mir Benelli: So are there any other rooms beyond the 3D room, the Computer Lab and the Music Room?
Newmanizzl Voom: Yes.
Newmanizzl Voom: This way, please.
Newmanizzl Voom: This room , or hallway, whatever you wish to call it, is for gaming.
Newmanizzl Voom: You can borrow any game for the newest systems and test them out here via the projectors on these very comfy couches.






Newmanizzl Voom: We will be taking short clips from top video games and placing them on the screens. Probably each screen representing a specific console.
Mir Benelli: So you can actually watch game clips or can you actually play little bits?
Newmanizzl Voom: I wish they could play them, but unfortunately Second Life doesn't support playing the newest and best games.
Newmanizzl Voom: So what we are going to do is make models of all the controllers, and have the avatars using the controllers as they sit and watch clips.
Newmanizzl Voom: So their avatar would appear to be playing, but it wouldn't really be interactive.
Mir Benelli: Nice.
Mir Benelli: Do the cones and boxes on the floor have a purpose?
Newmanizzl Voom: That's something Ian is working on at the moment.
Newmanizzl Voom: It has to do with the hovercraft and the tour. Newmanizzl Voom: Click on the box a few times, if you'd like. It represents the hovercraft, and will move from checkpoint to checkpoint when clicked in a certain area.
Mir Benelli: Oh cool.
Mir Benelli: Hm. Do you guys have anything else planned once you finish the tour?
Newmanizzl Voom: Well, not within Second Life really.
Newmanizzl Voom: There has been some talk about additional projects at Case, but nothing has been set in stone yet.
Mir Benelli: Ah. Right on.
Newmanizzl Voom: But school is back in session soon, and that takes priority. :)
Mir Benelli: Agreed.
Mir Benelli: So have you actually seen the facilities you're creating or just photos?
Mir Benelli: Like the lab and all.
Newmanizzl Voom: I've seen and interacted with this Lab a few times, and also have photos.
Newmanizzl Voom: Also, this is a representation, so the structure and equipment should be dead on, but a lot of it is left to our imaginations.
Mir Benelli: Of course. =) Well it all looks very spiffy.
Newmanizzl Voom: Thank you very much.
Mir Benelli: Thank you for the interview.
Newmanizzl Voom: Alright, thank you as well, I hope you got the information you needed, and enjoyed yourself as well.
Mir Benelli: =) I did, it was very enlightening. Thanks again.
Newmanizzl Voom: Not a problem. :)

Next is Ian, who did the programming side of things.

Mir Benelli: How would you explain what you do here?
Hye Binder: Well...
Hye Binder: I would say I add interactivity and behaviors to the many objects that Logan creates.
Hye Binder: Many times, I've sort of been an advisor as to what's possible and impossible with the scripting language.
Hye Binder: Have you played with LSL at all?
Mir Benelli: I don't think so. What does LSL stand for?
Hye Binder: Linden Scripting Language.
Hye Binder: It's the code that the Lindens created for user programming in Second Life.
Hye Binder: It's probably the easiest language to learn that I've experienced this far. Yet, not exactly the easiest to read up on or debug. It's been a fun learning experience.
Mir Benelli: So what's your favorite script that you've made so far?
Hye Binder: Haha. I like my exploding box because it's the only time I've used multiple particle effects and because it's the only thing I've coded that turned out to be completely useless. It was supposed to be for a demonstration but Sue and I didn't connect in time for her to demonstrate.
Hye Binder: Would you like to see it?
Mir Benelli: Sure!
Hye Binder: There are three effects in the explosion and then the table, pc, monitor and chair shoot up and land behind the black smoke screen.
Hye Binder: It resets itself.
Hye Binder: click it :)
Mir Benelli: That's really nifty.
Hye Binder: Haha, thanks.
Mir Benelli: Have you come upon any big problems so far?
Hye Binder: I would say communication between Logan and I and our bosses.
Hye Binder: As far as coding goes, though... video is giving me the run around. Prof. Buchner wants the tour to have streaming video... but, as far as I've been able to tell, video streams based on the property and who owns it.
Hye Binder: You can't just have objects with videos everywhere. It's a whole association of video with a segment of land I think they call it deeding.
Hye Binder: I'm not sure exactly how to handle this but we'll probably have to pull some strings to get video in the lab.
Hye Binder: It may also conflict with the video screens right outside in that "amphitheater" I'll call it.
Hye Binder: Otherwise, no :).
Mir Benelli: Haha. Sounds like a bit of a problem though, I hope you get that figured out. =) Is there anything else you think is of interest?
Hye Binder: Did Logan show you the prototype tour?
Hye Binder: The cool part, is it uses checkpoint names instead of fixed locations.
Mir Benelli: So it'll go to the cone no matter where it is?
Hye Binder: Well... it's not smart enough to go around walls... yet :)
Mir Benelli: Haha. I'm sure you'll figure that out with a little work though. =)
Mir Benelli: Logan said after the tour was done you didn't have any upcoming projects, is that true of you as well?
Hye Binder: Not that we've heard about. Professor Buchner said that he did have some things we might be able to do for him.
Hye Binder: Not necessarily in Second Life. He was unspecific.
Mir Benelli: Haha. Well that's fun.
Mir Benelli: Alright. I don't think I need anything else from you.
Thanks a lot for the interview.
Hye Binder: Sure.

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Here are some short tidbits that might be helpful or interesting:

1) The Virtual Worlds Lab in Second Life is located on the 2nd floor of the Kelvin Smith Library.

2) If you click on any of the 18 Alienware PCs in the computer lab, they will actually give you the option to teleport to a different location in Second Life which corresponds with what is being shown on the respective screen.






3) The Virtual Worlds Lab in Second Life is a 100% recreation of the actual Virtual Worlds Lab in real life. The only limitation holding back an identical experience is the complete interaction you would actually have if you were to visit the lab in person (ie. playing a video game on one of the many consoles)

    In Cleveland's small part of the vast Second Life world, the Second Life team has been hard at work transforming the land into a huge Halloween Party! It will be held this Friday, November 2nd, 2007, from 9PM-11PM on the ClevelandPlus island in Second Life.

    A lot of innovation has been implemented into the planning and execution of the upcoming event. Expect a lot of interactive areas where the you will be able control the environment and have a different experience than you might expect. Some things to look forward to are a live DJ, whose music will be streamed live in real-time through an external application and into Second Life.
In addition to the live DJ, there will be a dance floor floating midst the air where you can "fly" up and get your groove on while enjoying the music.

    What's Halloween without a costume? The Team has also been hard at work to create a variety of different outfits free to the public to try on, wear, and keep! Once in your new costume, you will feel more in the mix of things with the completely decked out Halloween island. Also, there will be scary videos streamed throughout the island, a haunted house, and other Halloween filled goodies. Much more is to be expected, but it's up to you to see for yourself!

    The team is really happy to open their hard work and creativity to the public and this is a great chance to not only see how CWRU's campus in Second Life has evolved, but also to have a great time participating in a not so ordinary Halloween party.

Don't have Second Life? Get it here

Simple tutorial for new users to get started

    Paul has brought in a new aspect of mapping texture with the use of Blender Importer. The packages he used along with Second Life can be found here. Detailed instructions on his work

    Craig's main focus has been on a working scoreboard for a soccer field and scripting and building new items for the upcoming Halloween Party. The scoreboard changes on the fly as a goal is scored for either team and counts up to 9.

    He has also been busy working on Halloween costumes. He created this fake lighting effect for the inside of a carved pumpkin.

    Jacob's focus has also been on creating Halloween costumes. With the use of invisiprims, he was able to manipulate the physical appearance of an avatar by "hiding" normal prims with the invisiprims.

    Josh is currently in the progress of implementing a lab for Chem 113 students which could be taken through Second Life. Actual lab instructions that will be seen in a thinkbook in SL will be up once they are approved.

    Of course Sue is busy as well. She is spending time making a prim cape which will flow fluidly with movement. An inventory script has also been created which is much easier to newcomers in SL. In this script, when the object of focus is touched, all of the contents will be moved automatically into the user's inventory.

Come back soon to learn more about the exciting things being accomplished!

-Case Second Life Team

One of the concerns mentioned in a blog response was that there didn't seem to be anything to do once you got to the onecleveland island.
All I can say is, "You haven't seen us lately!".

April 14: Red{an orchestra} Simulcast in Second Life

Let's make history....
The very first American live digital-simulcast of a classical orchestra in Second Life. Red {an orchestra} along with a very talented group of volunteers from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, OneCommunity and the New Media Consortium (Austin, Texas) made history on that Saturday night.
Experiencing the concert in Second Life was awe inspiring and exhilarating... what a way to participate in a classical music concert. The weather was perfect, the stars were shining and a full moon was visible on the horizon.

Before the concert we gathered in the martini bar under a large flowing tent for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. As the concert was about to begin we wandered over to our seats in the outdoor Amphitheater in front of the Kelvin Smith Library.

The amphitheater was surrounded on all sides by 6 large screens. We could see and hear the orchestra tuning their instruments. The audience in Second Life was not disappointed. The live stream was exceptional.

The constantly changing camera angles provided by 10 cameras and the superb audio quality from 22 audio channels presennted a feast for the eyes and ears.
The pictures I included can't do the concert justice. You just had to be there.

For a behind the scenes look at the production crew take a look at this video.

August 3rd: Cleveland IBMer Spirit Group Meeting

ClevelandPlus hosted a 2.5 hour in-world meeting for the Cleveland IBM Spirit Community. The agenda was jam packed with 4 speakers in 3 different locations. As guest avatars arrived at the SPIRIT welcome tent, they were offered meeting souvenirs and virtual refreshments. They also had an opportunity to practice animated gestures and enter a raffle for real life prizes.

The meeting’s main event took place at the outdoor amphitheater on ClevelandPlus where Lev Book (avatar of Dr. Lev Gonick, VP, Information Technology, CWRU and Ilike Mayo(IBM’s Dave Liederbach's avatar) gave engaging presentations using streaming media and PowerPoint slides.

To heighten the virtual experience, the avatar attendees were teleported, in a matter of seconds, to two breakout sessions -- one in the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center operating room given by Docmom Marsala, avatar of Dr. Anita D. Misra-Hebert, M.D., FACP, Cleveland Clinic

We recieved excellent feedback from the participants including this quote from Dave Liederbach.

"It was informative, engaging, and social -- well beyond what a conference call and/or a webcast can provide and should be replicated for other IBM community meetings." Dave Liederbach, GM, Public Sector, GTS Americas and Executive Sponsor