NUS Second Life

1. How did NUS Second Life come about?

Ans: The NUS Second Life project was explored, brainstormed on the interest and awareness, and conceptualized by staff of Computer Centre way back since early 2007, when Second Life awareness was quite new and caught up only in Singapore in late 2006. In Nov 2007, Computer Centre started recruiting students interested in having a go on NUS Second Life, to form a team to further brainstorming the facilities and activities required, and students' wishes and wants in an online virtual world beyond imaginations.  Pioneered by a group of passionate students, and staff of Computer Centre working very closely round the clock since, and armed with abundant enthusiasm and desire to see the birth of NUS Second Life. 

What makes NUS Second Life unique is our mantra to 'Co-Design, Co-Build, & Co-Own' entirely by the students, faculties, staff and the Computer Centre.  

1. How long was the planning for NUS Second Life?

Ans: From the initial ideation, exploration, brainstorming, and research on Second Life on a casual basis started since March 2007, until the creation now, almost a year. But the actual intensive work started only in Nov 2007, involving planning, requirement analysis, project proposal, evaluation & award, and student recruitment, well, about 4 months.  

1. What can staffs & students benefit from NUS Second Life? 
   

Ans: NUS Second Life will enable learning, teaching, sharing, social interacting, playing and working in a 3D online virtual world where creativities thrive beyond imaginations and with endless possibilities. As a member of the NUS community, you can either create or attend tutorials (if lecturers/tutors are game enough to conduct one in the in-world), make friends and widen your social network, design the interactive 3D facilities, buildings & gadgets, attend official or public lectures, take part in social events or parties, hang out at cool joints, be an entrepreneur to construct building objects/structures and make Linden dollars (convertible to USD) and even meet international visitors visiting the island. In this 3D online virtual world, you are only limited by your own imagination.  

1. Why 'RidgeCats'?

Ans: RidgeCats - uniquely NUS, is our very own mascot in the virtual world. It was first mooted by a group of 9 passionate students who are the early pioneers in the NUS Second Life's involvement, creation and development, with an identity. RidgeCats comprises a few member categories, starting from an ordinary RidgeCat Member -> RidgeCat Senior -> RidgeCat Mentor -> eventually RidgeCat Guru. The RidgeCat community will basically form the virtual identity of the NUS Second Life. 

1. Where will the launch be held at? Time?

Ans: There will be a road show held in conjunction with the NUS Green3 campaign on 12 Mar 2008 running till 14 Mar 2008. Time will be from 9am to 5pm at the Central Library entrance. 

1. During the launch on March 12, what can staffs & students anticipate/look forward to?

Ans: Together with the Green3 campaign, the NUS Second Life will be conducting 2 orientation sessions daily (morning & afternoon each) from 12-14 Mar 2008 for those new to Second Life. There will be attractive prizes and freebies to be won in conjunction with the in-world activities planned. 

1. Do you see the launch as a milestone for NUS?

Ans: Definitely, NUS Second Life is "Co-Design, Co-Build, & Co-Own" entirely by the University community. With strong interests from the students, and academics such as the Centre for Communications and New Media, and the School of Computing whom have spearheaded in conducting tutorials in NUS Second Life last month is an unprecedented milestone. We hope that the coming road show will captivate more students' awareness, participation, and interest to explore, and to ensure that our in-world activities thrive with NUS Second Life in the years to come, and that it will be our primary online virtual world for the University community. 

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