tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020417.post8326173815509239012..comments2024-02-19T05:09:00.099-06:00Comments on Lutheran Confessions: Do you know how to go to church?Clint Schneklothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707900080657719369noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020417.post-76090186853134829632011-03-14T19:43:14.101-05:002011-03-14T19:43:14.101-05:00Teens under 18 and above a certain age (can't ...Teens under 18 and above a certain age (can't remember it right now) can join SL, but they are restricted to areas that are rated for PG content and they have to get their age verified. Once they turn 18 they can go anywhere in SL. <br /><br />Regions in SL are rated as either PG, Mature or Adult based on the type of content the operator of the region wants to be able to offer. To access adult rated sims/regions, you have to get "age verified" by submitting proof of your age to Linden Labs, the operator of SL. <br /><br />They used to have a completely separate grid called Teen SL or Teen Grid, but Linden Labs closed it last fall and moved all the accounts of teens over 15 to the main grid with the restrictions as described above. There was just not enough use of it for them to justify keeping it going as a separate grid. (Accounts of those under 15 were put on hold until they turn 15.)<br /><br />There is also a server program out there called Open Simulator, which is an open source version of SL. You can deploy it on your own server (I have gotten it running on my laptop) on a hosted server, and in some cases you can attach your region to a larger grid. OSGrid is a good example if this. It is not nearly as popular as SL, and is more of a do it yourself virtual world and therefore not as stable technically as SL. There are also some grids that are focused on educational activities. <br /><br />http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Grid_List<br />http://www.osgrid.org/<br /><br />OSGrid does not have any restrictions on the age of who can participate, but then also does not have the controls that the SL maturity rating system offers, so in some ways, it is more like the internet in that it is up to the surfer to decide where they surf too. But this is similar to Facebook in that teens can create accounts, but it is up to parents to ensure that they are using it appropriately.<br /><br />Then of course there are the games like World of Warcraft and Everquest!<br /><br />~Caoilin GalthieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020417.post-89154867258967354282011-03-12T17:15:13.843-06:002011-03-12T17:15:13.843-06:00The list of virtual worlds is long. They are gear...The list of virtual worlds is long. They are geared towards young children, tweens, and teens. I don't know them at all, and I don't know if any particular teen-centered world dominates. I can't say whether they are like Second Life, but if they are teen-centered, then probably not. Are they suited to youth ministry? Perhaps! I don't have the experience to say. <br /><br />I guess that's a round-about way to say "I don't know" in response to your question! :)<br /><br />JayzzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020417.post-2976292613174501842011-03-12T15:08:26.988-06:002011-03-12T15:08:26.988-06:00I'm curious, is there a sim like Second Life t...I'm curious, is there a sim like Second Life that is geared towards teenagers, and is it widely used? <br /><br />Thanks for the responses and availability to help folks navigate and get introduced to SL!Clint Schneklothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00707900080657719369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020417.post-5480206591663667702011-03-12T14:52:09.837-06:002011-03-12T14:52:09.837-06:00"Come and See"--I really like that, too...."Come and See"--I really like that, too. I am also willing to help anyone get oriented to SL. My avatar is Jayzz Joubert, and I can be reached at julie.johnson@normandale.edu.<br /><br />If you are interested in working with youth within SL, you should be aware of the age restrictions in the Terms of Service: http://secondlife.com/corporate/tos.php#tos2 <br /><br />Cross-denominational interactions seem to happen much more naturally in SL than in FL. It helps that we are not restricted by time and especially space in SL. <br /><br />JayzzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020417.post-63350248383376623232011-03-12T08:49:05.197-06:002011-03-12T08:49:05.197-06:00Hi Clint,
That is what I say to people in FL (firs...Hi Clint,<br />That is what I say to people in FL (first life) about SL....come and see!<br />The Bible study was a great success and also brought together people from across denominational lines including by my count Lutheran, both ELCA and LCMS, Episcopal and Mennonite.<br /><br />I will also extend the offer to help anyone who wants to try SL to get started. Just search for me in world and offer me friendship or send me an email at caoilingalthie@gmail.com<br /><br />I agree with your comment that it is not necessary to focus on modifying your avatar right away but to instead focus on the experience. I used SL for my first few months with a starter avatar, and it was just fine!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com