2008.11.22 13:00 - Web 2.0

Storm was guardian for this session. The comments are Storm's.

Storm Nordwind: Hi Becka!
Becka Finesmith: Hello Storm
Becka Finesmith: On your own :(
Storm Nordwind: pft... never mind. besides, I have quality company now

Becka had skated into the pavilion

Storm Nordwind remembers to dig out his skates
Becka Finesmith: SO much faster to get around
Storm Nordwind: I think Dakini gave me a pair of skates. I think I have to switch off my ao to use them though.
Becka Finesmith: Until SL crashed again
Becka Finesmith: Grrr - Sorry
Becka Finesmith: I've been typing away with nothing happening
Storm Nordwind: Oh!
Becka Finesmith: I fI ignore you - It's only because I have crashed
Becka Finesmith: It's been very bad today
Storm Nordwind: Oh well. Welcome back!
Becka Finesmith: :)
Storm Nordwind: Why is that Becka?
Becka Finesmith: I have no idea. Many are saying the same
Storm Nordwind: hmm... sometimes it is SL. Sometimes it is my slow network connection. Often i cannot tell the difference
Becka Finesmith nods

We soaked up the beautiful atmosphere.

Becka Finesmith: it's so peaceful here
Storm Nordwind: Yes I like it.
Storm Nordwind: Do you prefer it with the fountain?
Becka Finesmith: I've spent some time at the Zen retreat lately too
Becka Finesmith: Oh - I like the sound of the fountain
Becka Finesmith: it's funny how different noises raise in us different emotions
Storm Nordwind: very true.
Storm Nordwind: What did you have in mind?
Becka Finesmith: Well, the sound of water always seems to have a calming effect no matter how loud it is
Becka Finesmith: crickets do too
Storm Nordwind: Yes. I find that so.
Becka Finesmith: oddly
Becka Finesmith: Why would we associate Crickets with peace?
Storm Nordwind: perhaps we have seen too many movies!
Storm Nordwind: Unless they are Tokyo crickets

On my visit to Tokyo last year, I found the crickets (a) to be deafening, and (b) sounding like steam escaping under pressure from a boiler. Not pleasant!

Becka Finesmith: I was in Canada once (only once ;0 ) and there was this sound at night that sounded like crickets
Becka Finesmith: It turned out to be flies frying on the overhead power cables :(
Storm Nordwind: Oh dear
Becka Finesmith: the odd thing was before I knew that- It was peace
Becka Finesmith: then when I found that out, I couldn't bear to be out there at night
Becka Finesmith: the sound was the same
Becka Finesmith: my perception had changed
Storm Nordwind: We impute onto experiences what our minds tells us to
Becka Finesmith: which is interesting I think
Storm Nordwind: Yes indeed
Storm Nordwind: perhaps things are only objective because we agree they are
Dakini Rhode is Online
Becka Finesmith: But no one discussed the cricket sound
Becka Finesmith: I just associated it with something else
Storm Nordwind nods
Becka Finesmith: when I listened after I knew, it didn't sound like that at all
Becka Finesmith: How could I have fooled myself so completely
Storm Nordwind: I suspect we all fool ourselves on a daily basis

From perception to judgement to how to make decisions...

Becka Finesmith: Makes you wonder how much you can trust of your own judgement
Storm Nordwind: I trust ... that I can't!
Becka Finesmith: lol
Becka Finesmith: SO how do you make decisions?
Storm Nordwind: Hmmm... good question. In a variety of ways
Storm Nordwind: I can make a rational decision, based on analysis or comparison to an internal value or standard...
Storm Nordwind: Or a I can make an irrational one, based on intuition...
Storm Nordwind: Or I can ask someone I trust that I suspect has greater wisdom than I have
Becka Finesmith: How do we measure wisdom?
Becka Finesmith: or even make a decision about whose is greater?
Storm Nordwind: My way of looking at it is to make a decision about whether a course of action leads to happiness or not.
Becka Finesmith: but what if the decision you make means you have less happiness but someone else has more?
Storm Nordwind: Good question. But...
Storm Nordwind: you more often have a win-win possibility in there somewhere too
Becka Finesmith nods

We briefly discussed a sub-project we both had.

Becka Finesmith: Did you get the email Piet sent about doing something by way as an intro for the Kira sims?
Storm Nordwind: Oh yes I did. :)
Storm Nordwind: How do you want to play that?
Becka Finesmith: I have to admit I haven't given it too much thought. But it might be an idea to exchange a few emails about ideas as to how we can approach it
Storm Nordwind: Sure
Becka Finesmith: Rather then taking up your time in-world initially
Storm Nordwind: Please email me directly
Becka Finesmith: OK.
Becka Finesmith: I'll put some ideas down and we can decide which way is better
Becka Finesmith: Yes we are
Storm Nordwind: That'll be great

And the subject moved to something taking up much of my time at the moment!

Storm Nordwind: We are on the same time zone I think.
Becka Finesmith: For now :)
Storm Nordwind: haha!
Becka Finesmith: When is the day?
Storm Nordwind: Well, 8 days ago US Immigration approved our petition. They tell us that in a couple of weeks or so they'll be informing the London Embassy
Becka Finesmith: Congratulations :)
Storm Nordwind: So I'll have tp fly down for an interview and get medical tests etc
Becka Finesmith: OK. formalities :)
Storm Nordwind: When the ink is dry on my passport, Glasgow will not see me for dust
Becka Finesmith: Will you have to do a citizenship course?
Becka Finesmith: Sorry about spelling
Storm Nordwind: In due course, perhaps...
Storm Nordwind groans at his own pun

We talked about meeting special people in Second Life.

Becka Finesmith: OK. Can I ask you a personal question?
Storm Nordwind: If you don't mind a personal answer!
Becka Finesmith: You can reserve not to answer of course
Becka Finesmith: Did you meet in SL before RL?
Storm Nordwind: Yes we did
Becka Finesmith: Cool. I think SL romances that cross the divide are so beautiful
Storm Nordwind: I agree
Becka Finesmith: :)
Storm Nordwind: I've known one or two
Storm Nordwind: But so often people like to hide behind their keyboards
Becka Finesmith: yes. I'm not much of a social person to be honest - But I do get out enough ;)

Second Life and Real Life: separate, or is one an extension of the other for us?

Storm Nordwind: For me... I think it might even say so on my profile... there is little difference between SL and RL
Storm Nordwind: SL is just another means of expression for RL
Becka Finesmith: That's interesting. I've always said SL is an extension of RL for me.
Storm Nordwind: I suspect there are not many of us who think that!
Becka Finesmith: I look different here. I can't tell you why really. I just acquired this look and it stuck. Much like RL :)
Storm Nordwind: Rather like me. This is more how I looked 30 years ago!
Becka Finesmith: At least - I don't think my AV looks like me in RL
Storm Nordwind: Though my hair was darker
Becka Finesmith: lol
Storm Nordwind: I tried making an avatar in its mid-50s and failed dismally!
Becka Finesmith: Someone else told me that. If you asked me in RL what I would change about myself, I would say nothing. Yet I did when I came here??!
Storm Nordwind smiles
Storm Nordwind: Sure
Storm Nordwind: I sympathise
Storm Nordwind: Think of it perhaps as artistic expression
Becka Finesmith: yes :)
Storm Nordwind: I'll even try and believe you if you like! :)
Becka Finesmith: lol

It struck me that I was driving my avatar around Second Life, but I was also doing the same in Real Life.

Storm Nordwind: Anyway, if someone wants to see my RL avatar they can always look at my profile
Storm Nordwind: or the Kira website
Becka Finesmith: yes - My profile had a pic of me but it was a little fuzzy so I just changed it :)

And we turned to social networking aids.

Storm Nordwind: Though I eschew Facebook :)
Becka Finesmith: Yes? I'm a big Facebook fan
Becka Finesmith: what don't you like about it?
Storm Nordwind: Hmm...
Storm Nordwind: Let me see...
Becka Finesmith: oooh - long list coming?
Becka Finesmith: ;)
Storm Nordwind: No not really. Perhaps I have never been presented with anything I'd see as a benefit that is worth the investment of time
Storm Nordwind: You can try selling it to me
Becka Finesmith: Sure. OK. I use it because it allows me to keep in touch with what people are passionate about and I can give that information to my friends too
Becka Finesmith: People that are close to me not just anyone like you would get in a general forum
Storm Nordwind: Wouldn't I already know what they are passionate about?
Becka Finesmith: Of course - which is why mostly you would have them as friends
Becka Finesmith: But for instance
Storm Nordwind listens carefully
Becka Finesmith: My friends would know that I attended a MICA event today. They will see that, ask me about it and maybe attend themselves because they are probably interested in similiar things to me

We were joined by Tarmel.

Storm Nordwind: Hello Tarmel
Becka Finesmith: Hi Tarmel
Tarmel Udimo: hello
Tarmel Udimo: are you wanting to have a private session
Becka Finesmith: Then I get to know about things from them that I am interested in
Storm Nordwind: No, please you are welcome to join us
Tarmel Udimo: thanks
Storm Nordwind: Have you been here before Tarmel?
Becka Finesmith: No Tarmel. We are just generally chatting about Web 2.0
Becka Finesmith: :)
Tarmel Udimo: yes I was here yesterday
Tarmel Udimo: web 2.0?
Becka Finesmith: Yes - things like Facebook and social networks
Tarmel Udimo: ahhhh
Tarmel Udimo: I'm on facebook
Becka Finesmith: There you go Storm
Storm Nordwind: Becka was trying to convince me about why I might find it useful or interesting
Becka Finesmith: So network gradually grows
Tarmel Udimo: I think it really works for some people
Storm Nordwind: The network will grow anyway. Surely these things are a mere reflection of that growth more than a progenitor?
Becka Finesmith: Yes - I agree. For me, it's like an aggregator. everything in one place
Tarmel Udimo: yes I agree
Becka Finesmith: they are - It's an enabler but so is all forms of online communication
Becka Finesmith: like where we are now
Tarmel Udimo: perhaps it works better for some people who don't like SL for example
Storm Nordwind is secretly a member of LinkedIn
Tarmel Udimo: ahhhhhh
Becka Finesmith: Mmm. I like SL but i'm also a big fan of facebook
Tarmel Udimo: my friend keeps wanting me to join Lindkin
Becka Finesmith: aha - So do you see the benefit of linkd in?
Storm Nordwind: Benefit - only marginal
Storm Nordwind: But at least it's secure and non-spammy
Becka Finesmith: Yes. It is a bit limited,.
Becka Finesmith: More and more I think people are blurring the boundaries between professional and personal
Tarmel Udimo: yes i agree
Becka Finesmith: if you want to keep them separate, then having something like FB and Linkedin is the way to do it
Tarmel Udimo: there was a book that came out called popcorn?
Tarmel Udimo: which talked about new trend - they are futurist'

I looked in my inventory for popcorn but, sadly, I must have eaten it all. And I had no way of telling the world at large that I was in search of more. What am I talking about? Those that Tweet will know! ;)

Becka Finesmith: I'm happy to be the complete person for people. So that's why I use facebook
Storm Nordwind: And that's why I hide nothing on SL
Becka Finesmith: Indeed :)
Tarmel Udimo: that essentially said it would be more like this more virtual and more individualistic
Storm Nordwind: And of course, my SL profile is available on the general web
Becka Finesmith: But we can only learn about what you are up to by talking to you here and now
Tarmel Udimo: yes true becka
Storm Nordwind: I haven't got the patience for twitter!
Becka Finesmith: lol
Tarmel Udimo: okay
Tarmel Udimo: face book - dare it say it works for younger people
Becka Finesmith: I tweet but it gets fed to Facebook so I don't have to do things too many places
Storm Nordwind: Actually I say patience - it's something else entirely
Becka Finesmith: I'm 46 Storm - is that young?
Tarmel Udimo: point taken
Storm Nordwind: It's younger than me!
Becka Finesmith: lol
Tarmel Udimo: and me
Tarmel Udimo: no its great - I connect with a number of friends on face book and its an easy way to set up events and meeting up
Becka Finesmith: But most of my Facebook friends seems to disprove the facebook demographic
Storm Nordwind: The point with twitter is this: if I tweet then I am missing experiencing Now in that time. Given the choice of documenting a past "Now" and experiencing the current one, I know what I choose
Becka Finesmith: this is true. I would choose that too but if I did that with all my friends, I would do nothing but socialise
Storm Nordwind wonders if that's where the day goes
Becka Finesmith: lol
Becka Finesmith: It would be a nice life but doesn't pay the bills :(
Storm Nordwind agrees

So was I convinced?

Tarmel Udimo: sorry i am on the phone be right back
Becka Finesmith: So not convinced?
Storm Nordwind: Nothing has changed so far. I am already doing all of what you suggest with other media I think
Becka Finesmith: yes. I think it's got to be something that works for you hasn't it.
Becka Finesmith: Facebook just does for me
Storm Nordwind: I like that approach. It's adult rather than the evangelical.
Tarmel Udimo: I'm back
Storm Nordwind: wb
Becka Finesmith: Wb Tarmel - I have to go in a second :(
Tarmel Udimo: does Storm need more of a social network
Becka Finesmith: lol - I doubt that
Becka Finesmith: #:)
Storm Nordwind: Storm has more social network than he can handle already thank you!
Tarmel Udimo: :)

We finished with a demo of personal chat logging set-up, and then skated off to our respective homes.

Tarmel Udimo: by the way how do you save our chats
Storm Nordwind: I am naturally gregarious, so I accumulate people. Although true and deep friends are rare
Storm Nordwind: Let me show yo how
Becka Finesmith nods
Tarmel Udimo: yes that was a true and deep friend on the phone
Storm Nordwind: Do you have a PC or a Mac Tarmel?
Tarmel Udimo: mac
Storm Nordwind: hmm...
Tarmel Udimo: i used to be a PC girl
Storm Nordwind: Well stop me if this doesn't work
Tarmel Udimo: so understand both systems
Storm Nordwind: ok
Storm Nordwind: ctrl-P for preference
Storm Nordwind: You should get a pop-up
Tarmel Udimo: okay
Tarmel Udimo: yes
Storm Nordwind: Click on Communication tab on left
Tarmel Udimo: yes
Storm Nordwind: You need to check the relevant boxes
Storm Nordwind: according to the permutation you want
Storm Nordwind: But Log Chat is the most important
Tarmel Udimo: okay i see that it is already being saved
Storm Nordwind: Cool
Corvuscorva Nightfire is Online
Becka Finesmith: OK - Leave you to it. Thanks a million for the chat :)
Storm Nordwind: I am not staying
Storm Nordwind: Great to see you Becka
Tarmel Udimo: bye becka
Storm Nordwind: Looking forward to the email
Tarmel Udimo: bye storm
Storm Nordwind heads off in the direction of Skype
Becka Finesmith: and you Storm, Tarmel
Tarmel Udimo: ahhhh
Becka Finesmith: lol@storm
Becka Finesmith: remember your skates next time and we'll skate around the pavilion ;)
Becka Finesmith: Night :)
Storm Nordwind: great idea
Storm Nordwind: bfn!
Becka Finesmith: Bye
Storm Nordwind: Bye for now Tarmel
Tarmel Udimo: bye storm
Storm Nordwind: See you again I hope