The Wishfarmers are working with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) on their Artificial Intelligence Learning Center in Second Life™!

IEEE is the world’s leading professional association for the advancement of technology, and continues to be a prominent influence in the development of computing, applied technologies and the internet.

The IEEE Islands in Second Life continue this legacy of research and innovation into the virtual world. Plans include resources for AI and Machine Intelligence research, educational sessions, and community events.

The first results of our collaboration will be made available soon, with more innovative developments to follow as the project develops.

To stay on top of the action, follow @IEEEVirtual and @Wishfarmers on Twitter!

Check out this excerpt from our latest article on using virtual goods to promote your business:

“In platforms like Linden Lab’s ‘Second Life’, virtual goods can take the form of any kind of clothing or accessory, vehicles, custom toys - and pretty much anything else you can dream-up.”

“But if you’ve been wracking your brain trying to figure out how to sell a virtual version of your real-world products - just stop.”

“And make something cool. Then give it away. For free!”

Read the rest of the article “Virtual Goodies” on our founder’s blog, here.

This white paper is also available as a PDF.

Educators and other virtual worlds researchers, stay tuned - you may find this work of interest!
Be sure to stay tuned to The Wishfarmers for even more upcoming innovations for education in Second Life™.

The Wishfarmers and University of Wisconsin are exploring the vast potential of medical education in Second Life™ - a growing area of development which has captured the attention of educators interested in new ways to innovate and engage. The first phase of our collaboration is “Diagnosim” - a medical education environment on the University’s “Collabs Island” in the virtual world of Second Life.

In the form of their avatars, students and instructors make use of a variety of features and environments designed to support medical education. In addition to the sort of discussion and study areas you might be expecting, several unique innovations are laying the foundation for continued exploration and development:

Simulated Medical Equipment

These virtual medical stations display a variety of simulated medical characteristics for an avatar filling the role of a patient. The flexibility of this system allows instructors to adjust it for any type or number of data points, through an extensive web-based interface.

Patient Data Interface

Users can adjust their own “simulated patient” record with a convenient web-based user interface, which provides the ability to add or modify any fields needed for a given simulation or exercise. Instructors also use it to manage student/patient records.

The Talking Stick

Group discussion and learning sessions in Second Life are common, and they work well - but you can’t see someone’s eager face indicating that they’d like to say something. Our “Talking Stick” is designed to address this.

Like the stick used in real world group therapy, the Talking Stick indicates who is talking now - while a display shows who will be speaking next. Participants wishing to speak simply touch the stick to be added to the queue, and the stick is passed from speaker to speaker in turn.

Built-in Presentation System

The “OrgLab” presentation system (designed by Wishfarmer Somatika Xiao) provides a single interface with which virtual “speakers” can present text and graphical slides, while providing integrated displays for every student - so that each is assured a perfect view of presentation materials.

And of course, the “Diagnosim” system is extensible: University staff or students can easily create their own virtual (or web) applications that interact with the virtual patient data - to simulate new medical devices, or even patient injuries and disease.

Take a look at the UoW Gallery, and stay tuned to @Wishfarmers for ongoing developments in this area, and for the UoW video clip to be released on our Youtube channel.

The Jobbit is an example of how virtual worlds support the next generation of online content and engagement.

Check out this demo clip introducing the Jobbit and basic features.

Get a free copy from OnRez (here) - or in Second Life at “Kelly Services Island” or “Wishfarmers Isle”.

The Wishfarmers continue to help clients like Kelly Services to recognize and act upon a growing range of opportunities in emerging virtual worlds.  And we can help you, too - just drop us a line to get started.

The island features several unique and innovative attractions, including the Strengths Machine - a fully interactive version of the author’s acclaimed “Strengths Inventory”. With this fun and easy system, visitors quickly discover their own principal affinities - a powerful personal insight. The process has been described as “astoundingly accurate“.

Strengths Machine users get a personalized web page to share, and an exclusive virtual outfit (by fashion luminaries like Fade Dana) that specifically reflects their strengths!

Obviously, this must be delivered by magic wardrobe . . . nothing less could be expected.

Visitors also enjoy scenic balloon tours and free-use collaborative facilities.
Check out this video tour!

The film (scored by request to Daughtry’s “Crash”), features Wishfarmers Fade Dana and Fedor McNally, and topics specific to USC’s own presentation.

We were thrilled to perform our magic for USC and one of our favorite products, XM Satellite Radio!

Watch this space for a more accessible edit, coming soon.

This second half of Kelly’s virtual spaces “one-two punch” landed in October 2007. Grand opening attractions included a live, blues concert by renowned resident Komuso Tokugawa.

Kelly’s new Virtual Headquarters is the Second Life nexus for the job placement and career development giant, serving the community with public seminars, conferences, job fairs, interviews, training and more.

We’re all very proud to serve as the premiere virtual content partner for Kelly Services, who has shown that they really do “get it” — and together we are helping them act on it.

We are proud sponsors of the convention, and would love to meet you there. If you’re going to the show, drop us a line and arrange for a chat!
Contact us or mail garyd@wishfarmers.com

See you in Chicago!

The Wishfarmers worked closely with AccuWeather to conceive and implement the “Personal AccuWeather System” (PAWS), a self-contained “weather system to go” available free to all Second Life residents.

A level beyond any “weather gadget”, the PAWS is not simply a “flat” translation of web content: It literally “renders” the weather conditions of your specified location — right over your head! When it rains in your home town, PAWS rains on you!

PAWS is completely free. Visit the PAWS distribution site in-world, or SL Exchange for your own copy. Visit the AccuWeather.com Second Life Site for more information.

Disclaimer: Rain gear not included.