Needed: A Potterverse Presence in Second Life

[msbeadsley]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Tonks" <tonks_op at ...> wrote:
> I have never done anything like this. It would be really neat to 
> create a wizard world. Can we do that?  I would sign up for the free
> one or join with you all.

We'd be creating wizarding characters in a world that already exists.
Second Life has malls, casinos, dance clubs, private residences,
museums, art galleries, wooded areas, mountains, apartments for rent,
kiosks, and somewhere around 150,000 members (although much like
HPfGU, only a fraction (4000+ today) are actively participating at any
given time). All of the things that are already there (like the malls)
were created by members. There are social groups that exist in Second
Life as well that are drawn together by their mutual interests. Unless
one of us Potterheads became a landowner, we'd be a roving band of
whatever we are...but there's always a pleasant spot by a lake to hang
out and talk. And no inclement weather. The virtual reality nature of
the place means that flying and creating and reshaping objects
(including oneself) are common--even expected. Script-building (for
the more ept) means that you can animate just about anything to do
just about anything. Sounds like magic to me.

Starting a SL "group" within that world means that someone pays a fee
and opens membership to anyone who wants to join; but at least three
SL people have to accept (join for free) in 24 hours, or it becomes
defunct before it even gets started. Once it's established, all Second
Life members can then look up info on the group and its members and
join if they want to. Members of the group have the option of being
labeled with their group's name as well as their avatar's name, and
the groups they belong to are reflected in their profiles (public
documents with some info anyone can access). Second Life is all in
real time, unlike a group like HPfGU. It's all chat all the time with
whoever you know who is online (your friends' status is indicated) or
whoever is in the same "geographical" area you are. Or you can hang a
do not disturb sign out and go climb a mountain. ;-)

It is confusing because we're talking about two different things:
firstly, membership in Second Life (which Tammy and I and now Ceridwen
and her daughter have and which other HPfGU members might like to
check out). The second thing is an HP group I'd like to see started
within the world of Second Life.

I hope that's clearer. If you Google or Yahoo search Second Life,
there's a lot of information available online, including articles
written by people reporting on but not participating in the phenomenon.

Sandy et al

P.S. Warning: it's at least as addicting as any part of HP I've ever seen.