Online registration closes in 2 days, this Thursday, 16 October, at 23:59 London time, for next week's Virtual Worlds London conference and expo.  It's 795 GBP to attend - unless you stick the code 'REZZABLEVIP' in the box on this registration page - the full conference and 95 GBP to attend the expo-only, but again you can stick the code 'REZZABLEVIP in the registration page. Rezzable may give away 30 29 28 FREE expo badges. These will get you into the Expo Hall during both show days, 20-21 October 2008. The pass also gains you access to FastPitch.

Virtual Worlds London, 20-21 October 2008, is the leading European event for businesses seeking to understand and maximize business strategies within virtual worlds. VW London takes place at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, two blocks from Parliament. On the speakers list are amongst others Marc 'Linden' Kingdon and our very own CEO Jon 'RightasRain' Himoff.

We love the idea of the metaverse, we think virtual worlds are really cool and have a lot of potential. Good news is that so do many other people including a wave of new virtual world platform companies that are starting to target Second Life directly. This certainly means that there will be more, better choices for where to create inworld content and deliver meaningful user experiences. In fact we are working now on some very exciting virtual world content for mainstream online users.

Metaverse: A Definition

Met"a*verse\,n [meta' beyond, over + verse short for universe] the inter-connected digital space of virtual worlds and web content accessible via avatars.

The true meaning of metaverse is more about what it will become than what it is today. The vision is of a 3D Web (or better termed 3D enhanced web) where all digital information can be acccessed and experienced via an avatar. So, it is the virtual universe comprised of all virtual worlds and interfaces to all digital data. The metaverse will also have a services such as currency exchange, trading transactions, 2D Web gateways and inventory storage.

How far away is this future--? 2010-2012 may see this vision become increasingly a reality as virtual world platforms gain users and build-out inter-connectivity. Increase in mobile applications will also drive expansion of a visually-oriented browsing experience.

 The whole idea of SL is a lot more than making avatar accessories and renting some prims. It has a whole basis in sci-fi and pop movies.  We have some ideas on the Essentials LIsts, but really we know there more, but can't think of them at the moment! I'm sure thre is Star Trek episode that is perfect to show about the Holodek, but I can never remember the episode names.

Check out the new piece at Black Swan. Go there now!. Special price this weekend! Black Swan is already known as the leading art space in the metaverse, so fly your avatar over here and see how this new piece adds to the experience. Fetus by Unreal McCoy at Black Swan Also, check out the Fashion Inspired by Black Swan event starting 16 July.

We all still miss the dinosaurs! Of course nothing is forever even in the virtual world. But, you can still get a fix of Madcow Cosmos creations over at the Garden of NPRIL Delights! Info about his creation at Madcow Cosmos' 'Heterotroph' build.

Hamlet (aka Wagner James Au irl) steps up for the virtual world post-hype crash with a great piece in Business Week. Read it here We also are regular followers of his xlent virtual world blog New World Notes. He also has an interesting new book out that is work checkin'! He rightly points to ups and downs of new technology and fact that real communities are growing in this new metaverse environment.

In this article he points to our great promotion for L'Oreal Paris as an example of how best to use the immersive 3D web environment to make an impact on visitors:

'Among Second Life's most popular locales is "Greenies," a giant living room that makes avatars seem as small as ants. It's here that a British agency launched a campaign for its client, L'Oréal Paris, not as a traditional billboard, but as custom-made virtual products discretely placed inside a lady's SUV-size purse.'

More on L'Oreal Promotion here.

Bettina's Guide for getting the most out of your visit to the Garden here. She sums up the 4 most interesting 'ways' to enjoy the Rezzable Garden of NPIRL Delights:

• Take the Grand Tour
• Wear the HUD
• Use the Nifty Landmark-Ready Notecards
• Walk down the green glowy paths

Explanation and an elaborate 'how to' for each exploring way.

The most frequent comment I hear from visitors to the Garden of NPIRL Delights is that they are "overwhelmed." I understand this. Four sims filled with the works of over 110 content creators - many of them quite complex - can have that effect. I worked alongside the artists for weeks, and I am still discovering new things. The good news is that there are several fantastic tools to make this easier for you. If I were to take you by the hand and show you the Garden myself, here is how I would do it.

C'mon, guys and girls, let Bettina hold your hand!