With the advent of 3-D imaging technology, practically everything that can be done in the real world can now be done online. One of the key advantages of the virtual world is its cost-reducing capability. In today’s business world and current economic climate, cost reduction is the ultimate goal of every business establishment. Therefore, engaging in business activities that would otherwise present additional costs in the real world online represents an amazing opportunity for companies to focus on their cost reduction goal. It is safe to say that companies are indeed taking advantage of Second life’s 3D virtual realm by doing everything from cross-border real-time collaborative meetings to conducting interviews for real-world positions. For the sole purpose of understanding just how well companies are utilizing the virtual world medium, I took on the personality of the punk-rock-fashion-addict Bukky Core, the young lady you see in these pictures.

This brings me to TMP Worldwide, which is a real world recruitment-focused advertising and communications company. With a global network that consists of employees and alliances in more than 20 countries, the company has received a sizeable number of accolades for its creativity in finding and selling strategically-sound solutions to organizations with talent acquisition and retention problems. What does this have to do with Second life? In 2007, they hosted NiW (Network in World), the world’s first 3D virtual interactive job fair – on Second life.

http://tmp.com/about.aspx
http://networkinworld.jobs/default.aspx

G.E Money and Accenture are examples of companies that participated in the 3-day NiW event. Each company had a virtual set-up on Second life that made it possible for potential job seekers all over the world to interact with recruiters and hiring managers from these companies. TMP Worldwide catered to the recruiting needs of their clients by utilizing information technology in the form of Second life’s virtual world. Fast-forward to 2009, this kind of events have become common-place, thanks to the continuous improvement of 3D technology.

G.E money's welcome area.

A closer shot of resume drop box;simple drag and drop of a copy of your resume from your inventory guarantees receipt by the company.



Accenture's welcome area with a powerpoint showing open positions and job locations around the world.





Another company that I found utilizing the amazing capabilities of Second life is Pulse Point Marketing, LLC, a smaller marketing and public relations consulting company based in Louisville, Kentucky. Its Second life subsidiary is called Soul Creations Design and Building, an SL developing company that specializes in helping other organizations use Second life as a new medium for tapping into the marketplace. Their services range from internet image consulting (reinforcing brand and supporting CRM initiatives) to marketing and public relations and they pride themselves on their ability to integrate effort in the virtual world with what their clients already have going on in the real world.
http://pulsepointmarketing.blogspot.com/

Microsoft surface aka Milan

Let me start by saying that I’m the least technologically savvy person I know – just in case you didn’t detect the hint of sarcasm in the name of my blog. Having said that, I’m also a little bit behind the times hence my new found interest in multi-touch surfaces. I think the iPhone is genius, so imagine my fascination with Microsoft’s “Milan” project; a coffee table that doubles as a computer…a computer that allows collaborative, hands-on work…..a computer that recognizes other gadgets/electronic appliances on contact.


The surface of the coffee table has a diffuser with an infrared LED light source aimed at it. This turns a mere acrylic surface into something that responds to contact at multiple points and is able to recognize objects placed on it based on their shapes. Its CPU which is under the surface has all the components of a regular desktop computer but with WiFi, Bluetooth and RFID. What really blows my mind are the amazing things that can be done with this computer. First of all, it can be customized/configured to come in any shape. It can also be mounted on the wall (especially since one of my initial concerns was the backache that would inevitably result from bending over the coffee table).

How many times have you embraced your spontaneous side and ordered a novel dish at a restaurant? And how many times have you thought “goodness! I should have stuck with a good old plate of pasta” upon seeing your food? Imagine walking into restaurants with Microsoft surface computers set up as tabletops so you could browse the menu and see pictorial representations of what your order is going to look like or even ‘google’ the dish before ordering.

As clueless as I am when it comes to IT, I can see the advantages that surface computing will contribute to a lot of activities both business-wise and for personal use at home…..especially when it becomes affordable enough for everyone to own one….or two.

In recent news…..Microsoft is launching a modified version of Windows Vista called Windows 7, in a couple of months. According to Business Week's Stephen Wildstrom, the new operating system is said to relieve all Vista-related headaches in terms of compatibility and performance issues.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18936536/
http://video.popularmechanics.com/services/link/bcpid932579976/bclid932553050/bctid933742930