The purpose of this presentation is to examine how users interact with avatars and why users create them as their identities in the virtual world.

1. Second Life:

2. Avat ars
 What is an avatar?
 An avatar is referred to as a representation of
the user in cyberspace.
 It improves social presence in SL
 Avatars can be agents, static or 3D
 SL allows you to truly customize avatars

3. Agent s
 What is an agent?
 Earlier forms of modern avatars were referred
to as the “PERSONAL AGENT” and the
“INTELLIGENT AGENT” (Johnson, 1997)
 “Agent” stands for avatar.

4. Personal Agent s
 Personal agents : fetches data and returns the
value in the form of something users can
relate to.
Source: https://help.lycos.com/dog.gif
Source: http://www.honkernet.net/images/askjeeves.gif

5. I nt el l i gent Agent s
 Intelligent agents: are designed to monitor
your everyday progress and assist.
Source: http://secretgeek.net/image/Search_over_engineered.jpg
Source: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/419547045_de7c79e6b4_o.jpg
Source: http://www.biancolo.com/jim/search_dog.jpg

6. Ref erri ng t o agent s
 Johnson says this about avatars:
 Instead of space, those zeros and ones are
organized into something closer to an
individual, with temperament, and physical
appearance. (Johnson, 1997)
Source: http://www.hit.ro/downloads/2007_07/t_Yahoo_Messenger_.jpg

7. St at i c Avat ars
 Avatars can be static images:
 These types of images can be used in forums,
instant message, or blogs.
 They represent users personality and interest.
Source: http://www.avatarist.com

8. SL Avat ars
 SL Avatars are 3D and Advanced:
 SL allows users to create “look alike” avatars
 These avatars are more controllable and
creative.
Source: http://www.2ndlook.org/

9. New Faces i n Cyberspace
 Real life to Second life
Source: http://www.secondlifemarketingtips.com
Source: http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2006/07/21/virtual_marketing

10. Soci al Presence Theory
 Social Presence is: the process by which
someone comes to know and think about
other people’s characteristics and qualities.
 As a result the presence leads to a better
person perception.

11. Soci al Presence i n act i on
wi t h SL
 SL provides the ability to communicate with a
sense of proximity and tangibility that is
accepted in the virtual world.
 SL can enhance the class room interaction
 SL can help college admissions offices relate
to prospective students
 SL can be used with employers for job
interviews

12. Sai nt Leo Uni versi t y i n
SL
 Saint Leo University contains an
informational video on their virtual campus.
 The video discusses Online Learning for
Adults
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saint%20Leo%20University/119/122/41

13. Fi rst Li f e / Second
Li f e Bringing the first life into Second Life and
vice versa.
 Avatars help us transform
Video clip key points: Loading Program / Residual Self Image / Mental Projection of
your digital self / What is real?
Load Video
Source: http://www.avatarist.com/avatars/Movies/The-Matrix/page2/

14. FromAvat ars t o
Hol ograms
 CNN broadcasted their first interviews using
hologram technology
 Will holograms transform the way we interact
with others?
 Maybe we will be able to participate in SL as
ourselves instead of using avatars…
Load Video
Source: http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6338968,00.jpg

15. Looki ng Forward
 Second Life has truly redefined the way
avatars can be used in the virtual world
 A true sense of community can be achieved
 SL has a bright future with new technology