Google Wave will change how I work.  Actually, already has.  This article has been developed in Wave.  The first wave I made was named “What do I do with Google Wave?” I used it to list the wave uses I had found.  The first, blog development, is a natural fit to my work habits.  I start by collecting small units.  One idea.  The basis for one paragraph or so.  Just the size that will fit into one or two units on a wave.  Probably just right for my attention span. 

And – an aside – I have no invite authority with my copy of GoogleWave at this time.  So no point in asking me for an invitation now.  Maybe later. 

Nice tip from Chris at ReactionGrid about some 3D collaboration tools that seem to be heading in a good direction. IL Immersive Collaboration by Jeff Lowe is a small set of tools (now) that help people make the most of being in a virtual space to do project stuff. 

Chris poses the same question I always wonder: "When people come to me talking about work in 3D, I can almost guarantee I'll hear the word "PowerPoint" in the first paragraph. What is it about this particular tool and why do they want it in 3D?" Powerpoint is so 1990's -- at least use photoshop! But clearly people struggle to express their ideas (err.. when they actually have some worth sharing). Getting to good ideas is much more exciting, albeit harder work.

Goal-oriented networks need much better communication support than you need in games like World of Warcraft.  If you have long-term goals, you need communication support that keeps long-term archives.  Businesses and educators have their own systems to meet their needs.   Networks that are emerging in Second Life will have to find or develop similar communication support.   Here is a case study of one such network -- a collaboration network.  That is the kind of network that needs the most in communication support. 

Avatar Repertory Theater goes outside the (SL) box

About a year ago, some thespian friends of mine formed a repertory theater troupe.  The goal of such a troupe is to develop a repertoire of performances that they can provide on demand.   The troupe has well-rehearsed plays with each part backed up by several actors.  It has a collection of stage sets and props that must be managed and moved to a performance site by stage/prop managers. And it runs a weekly presentation in experimental theater:

Yes, they do have one.  Just started last week.   Here is the announcement in a blog by Amanda Linden.

Goal:

“To get new potential customers comfortable in Second Life and to clearly demonstrate that Second Life is not a game— but a powerful collaboration and learning tool.” 

Current topic:

Bringing enterprise or government client people into Second Life for the first time for a demo and tour of places that show potential of SL.

Amanda observes that most business people are used to browsing the web and so have point-and-click habits already.  But they don’t have move-around habits.  The orientation starts on the phone, with voice instruction that they already know how to handle.  I think that is a good plan.  Skype start is the method I have been recommending to instructors planning to bring their classes into Second Life.