I have been testing various outworld networking tools to see how adequately they can replace SL groups for various purposes.  For one purpose, I think I have found a replacement: 

Blog/reader can supplant  group notices for motivated users. 

Vio has a website where it regularly posts (blog fashion) notices of upcoming events.  I have subscribed to it with my Google Reader.  As result, I get all Vio notices in a place where I routinely look.  Since I subscribe to several other blogs, I check my Google reader contents several times a day. That is quick and convenient because I can immediately see any content that has been updated.     

The blog notice is better for me than a group notice in SL because:

• I get the information when I want it. 
• I can access again whenever I want.
• I can easily pass it on to my friends.

The blog notice works better for Vio because

The Y Touring Theatre Company asked us to make machinima clips for part of the live action in their Starfish production.  As you can see in this photo the actress, Danielle Calvert, playing Shannon uses a laptop and headset to interact with the virtual world as part of the drama. The set is a giant laptop and the scenes from our areas shot on the Second Life grid are projected on the screen. It is a very original concept and the show is great.

The show is being presented right now through March 13th across the UK to the 14+ audience. One of the goals is to educate teens about the issues around clinical medical trials.  It's an engaging way to make a not so exciting topic relevant for people. The show ends and then there are some cool survey type gadgets used to spark debate and discussions. This whole program was funded by the Wellcome Trust.