html on a prim - What can it mean for the future?

It's just a beginning... but Linden Lab's new Second Life Release Candidate 1.19.1 became available a few hours ago with a feature that has a few of us in a tizzy.

What it boils down to is this: you can display a web page on a prim on your parcel of land. It's not dynamic, interactive, clickable, scrollable, and it won't refresh... yet.

As it happens, I learned the above news while I was checking out a new build and dreaming of the future with Impossible IRL'er Daemon Nikitin. She had just TP'ed me to Phil's Supermarket (teleport directly from here).



As it stands today, Phil's Supermarket - which bills itself as "the first supermarket in the rapidly-growing online world of Second Life," - is intended as a location where Residents will be able to "pre-shop for the Real World – comparing product information, nutritional information, getting recipes from our fully interactive store “shelves” and, with just a touch, sending the information directly to your Real Life email or cell phone."



The person behind the FOOD sim is Phil Lempert (aka Phil Lempert), better known to Americans as the Supermarket Guru and food editor for NBC’s TODAY Show. This is no small fry. Phil's established audience and arsenal of connections just might pull this off.

But getting back to html on a prim. Where I live in Real Life, there is a supermarket chain called Yummy.com from which I can order online and have everything delivered within 30 minutes. Now imagine walking through Phil's Supermarket one day... virtual shopping aisles, and ordering the makings for tonite's dinner.

LL's blog today said, "Interactivity is not currently enabled inworld. We’re planning on implementing interactivity and shared browsing in a later version."



Hmmm. I sure hope Phil's Supermarket will carry my brand of ice cream.

The Avatar Blanks Factory

In Real Life, Vladimir Rakosi (rez: 8/18/2006) is an American inventor. Back in 2001, he created communication robots that were kiosks used in stores and banks. The robots talked about products, provided directions and pre-programmed messages. They moved their heads, mouths and arms, but were stationary.

In Second Life, Vladimir and his wife Vrinda Rakosi (rez: 8/20/2006) have created the Avatar Blanks Factory (teleport directly from here), where... for nothing more than a few minutes of your time, you can be automatically turned into a blank robot. On paper that doesn't sound all that appealing, does it? I didn't think so either until I tried the experience, and I'm here to report that it's quite amusing.



The Xntra sim is not yet complete, but it already features the Balloon Factory (high above), in addition to the Avatar Blanks Factory. Approach the turnstile...



Follow the instructions before you go in any further...



Hop on the conveyer belt, and off you go!



The machines in the back room are whirring...



... and soon enough, you can say goodbye to your old self.



I won't spoil your fun by telling you what happens next, but in seconds, you are... decidedly different.



It doesn't end there. You still have to get colorized and networked. Said Vrinda Rokosi, "Once completed, and with a touch to your head (I'll keep the puns here to myself), you can change your Blank Avatar's color, expression, sounds, animations."

Bettina Tizzy: You can ask for tips!

Vrinda Rakosi: Yes, it has a programmed tip hand, so if Blanks are helping people they can show their tip hand.



Bettina Tizzy: And blanks can find other blanks?

Vrinda Rakosi: Oh yeah. We also have Security Blanks. There is a security button to call for help, and Security Blanks come with a HUD, a hover craft vehicle with sounds, flight, and back up rider to come to the rescue of Blanks needing help. Blanks can also chat on a private channel with other blanks.



You can customize your blank with a number of items for sale - or free - in the Upgrade Area, too, and Vladimir encourages you to create new items for your fellow blanks.



Many thanks to Impossible IRL'er Daemon Nikitin for the hot tip!