So what is the big deal about Second Life anyway? Well, we are all still trying to figure that one out! But, without question, there is tremendous potential value for us to use the virtual space to improve or create new lines of service delivery at the local level.
For those of us who spend time in-world, we have seen the value that such a rich and detailed
interface could offer us. We've spent time exploring the world and seeing how governments are capitalizing on the potential that the virtual world has to offer for things such as marketing, public information, recruitment, teleconferencing and teleworking, etc.
But how do we get the powers that be to look beyond the video gamesque interface and see that potential? The MuniGov2.0 group meets weekly within SL to discuss all things Web2.0 and that is exactly the question we recently asked ourselves. How do we show the value? The answer - We need to create a concrete (well virtually concrete anyway) example of how we can use SL on the local level. We are going to put our heads together and collaboratively design and virtually build a facility, simulator or similar project that can be used by all member localities as both a dog and pony show for peers and administrators AND could also be used as a practical tool for citizen interaction. We need to be thinking in terms of the things we all have in common: public safety, taxes, recruiting, public information, etc. and draw some ideas from there. The trick is, we want to create something that we all could use to as an example for our administration and that we could actually ultimately offer to our citizens.
I'd love to hear your opinions on this topic. You don't have to be a member of MuniGov2.0 (although I strongly encourage it), you don't have to be exploring SL (although I strongly encourage it) and you don't even have to be a government employee (although I strongly encourage it). I'd love to hear any opinions or suggestions you may have on the subject - just add a comment to the blog below. Once the group has reviewed the suggestions and picked a collaboration project, I'll keep you posted on the progress!
Virtually Yours,
Greever
Hi Bill,
It's exciting to see others beginning to explore Government 2.0. My city has a vibrant online gov2.0 community where city officials, residents and businesses connect. We launched in June of 2007, and what the residents/members tell me is "Thank you". Literally. You are welcome to visit our community at http://www.DaculaGA.gov. Anyone interested in ideas or advice is encouraged to contact me through the site.
Now, let me say this... I seriously doubt that SecondLife or any virtual 3-d technology will be able to be used in a government-sponsored local online community. Why? Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (http://www.section508.gov). Unless the agency is willing to expend enormous sums of money to make their use of the technology "508 compliant", or until the developers of such technology begin building accessibility features into their products I would steer any government official away from such platforms and towards more accessible ones such as WordPress, DruPal, or Joomla!
Hope that helps!