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Metaplace virtual worlds now blog-embeddable

Metaplace is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, or MMORPG, that runs in Flash. It doesn't have nearly as many users as Second Life, nor the cult following of World of Warcraft.

But in an announcement that could go a long way in helping the service expand beyond its 6,000 active users, Metaplace worlds can now be embedded into a blog.

Once that embed is complete, Metaplace users can play in the world right on the blog. If the blog author adds multiple embeds of different worlds, the gamers can be in each of them simultaneously.

Is Metaplace really the kind of service that would make you want to create a world and embed into your blog?

I had the chance to try out Metaplace. And although it has some issues, for the most part, the service is well worth a gamer's time.… Read more

Overly-complicated stopwatch

Virtual Stopwatch attempts to be the most diverse time-keeping device you computer has ever seen. With an amazing array of options, it certainly reaches for that goal, but most users will probably find it overly-complicated.

The program appears to users as a small rectangular box with red digital numbers representing hours, minutes, seconds, and hundredths of seconds on a black background. Below the stopwatch are buttons for starting and resetting, along with a lap counter. Each button should be intuitive for anyone who has used a stopwatch, virtual or physical. Virtual Stopwatch's simplistic design takes a nosedive once users … Read more

Second Life to host first college graduation

It's the time of year for college graduations--students don caps and gowns, degrees are conferred, and commencement speakers stir graduating seniors' emotions--even in the virtual world.

Second Life on Wednesday is hosting the commencement ceremony for online students graduating from Bryant & Stratton College, and appropriately, Second Life founder Philip Rosedale will be the guest speaker.

"These graduates are pioneers, overcoming life's obstacles to pursue their educational goals through online education and start a new life," says Scott Traylor, director of admissions of the 150-year-old college. "It is particularly fitting and gratifying that they celebrate … Read more

Precise timekeeper

Ever wonder how many seconds you've been alive? Or how many minutes until school starts next month? Date Time Counter is a simple program that calculates every conceivable time angle on an event, whether it is in the past or the future.

Despite its simplistic layout, this program's interface is a bit confusing at first because it lacks any user guidance. A blank grid sits under a row of command buttons. The icons include New, Save, Calculator, Modifier, and other commands. Users will want to start with the New button. A simple box pops up when a new … Read more

Making an Internet list, and checking it twice

NICE, Calif.--Over the last few days, I spent hours with my wife's parents, Tyler and Donna, helping them adapt to the first Internet connection they've ever had. For them, living on top of a mountain at 4,000 feet, in the middle of a national forest, and entirely off the grid--this has been a big step.

For my wife and I, it's also been a big project, at least in terms of teaching them the basics, and helping them get ready to learn on their own. While their Internet proficiency is still low, they are learning … Read more

Second Life cracks whip on adult content

Virtual world Second Life has put in effect some new measures to keep adult content away from users who might not want to run into it. Or fly into it, as avatars might do.

Later this year, parent company Linden Lab will create a standalone "continent" for adult content, and members who don't purchase private "land" will be asked to migrate there if they wish to partake in adult-related activities. Second Life is an 18+ environment already, but stricter age verification policies will be put in place. You'll need a "verified" account, … Read more

Second Life's economy is the envy of the real world

Virtual world Second Life is out with its Q1 2009 Economic Report and things are looking up. In fact, Second Life economics look much better than the real world.

Users are spending much more time on the site despite a drop in land ownership. In an interview with CNET News, Linden Labs CEO Mark Kingdon estimated "user-to-user monetary transactions in Second Life may hit $450 million in 2009, up from $350 million."

An overall mood of increasing optimism - A number of factors drove the growth in the Second Life economy in Q1 2009: an increase in active … Read more

Second Life strives for a second wind

Updated at 6:15 p.m. PDT with correct list of companies that have signed on to test the software.

After it made headlines last week for yet another executive leaving the company, you'd really think things couldn't get much worse for virtual world Second Life and its parent company Linden Lab.

The marketing hype--it's the next Internet!--bottomed out long ago. There was a wave of unflattering press, from virtual terrorism to technical problems to banking scandals. Even the NBC sitcom "The Office" jumped on board, lambasting Second Life with an episode in … Read more

Webware Radar: 12seconds launches the 'tweetable video commercial'

12seconds, a service that lets users tell others what they're up to in 12-second videos, announced Thursday that it has launched a new service called, 12omercial. The company hopes the service will become the "tweetable video commercial." Brand sponsors and companies will be asking users to create 12omercials on their behalf. Those who record the best video will receive "12 seconds of fame to goods and other prizes, as determined by the sponsor." All the videos can be added to Twitter, uploaded to Facebook, or embedded into a blog.

So far, 12seconds has signed on … Read more