Virtual Harlem to open in Second Life
Media Advisory
Faculty Contact: Bryan Carter
660-543-4027
University Relations: Jeff Murphy
660-543-4640
Press Event: Virtual Harlem: Bringing the Jazz Age to Life
2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, Central Time on the Island of Virtual Harlem
If you are an educator or someone interested in the Jazz Age of the 1920s, wouldn’t it be exciting to visit or take your students to locations where jazz of the period could be experienced? Harlem, NY or even Montmartre in Paris would, no doubt, be included among those stops. Learning the Charleston or taking in a show at the Cotton Club, checking out a Rent Party to experience how more “common folk” enjoyed the period, visiting a 1920s fashion museum, wandering the cobblestone streets around “Place Pigalle” in Paris, or even taking in a show at the Apollo Theater would make the experience all that much more meaningful.
Through funding received from the National Black Programming Consortium in New York, the Government of Norway, and the University of Central Missouri College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, visitors to the virtual environment, Second Life, can experience a representation of Harlem, NY and Montmartre, Paris as they existed during the heyday of the Jazz Age, circa 1920-1935.
The development team consisting of students from the University of Central Missouri, builders from Pleiades Consulting in Canada and a group of dedicated librarians will host the grand opening of Virtual Harlem 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4. Area press are invited to join in this online event, or they can view a large-screen presentation by student participants at the same time in the the James C. Kirkpatrick Library Computer Commons, Room 1224.
About Virtual Harlem/Montmartre
Virtual Harlem was conceived in 1997 by Dr. Bryan Carter during his doctoral program at the University of Missouri-Columbia and originally constructed by The Advanced Technology Center on high-end super computers using complex virtual reality software and programming. Since then, the environment has evolved and is now located in the virtual world of Second Life. Instead of it being a passive experience as it once was, Virtual Harlem/Montmartre is now an interactive environment where visitors can interact with one another and their surroundings. In addition to the visual experience, real educational content is being developed and will continue to be added to the simulation, giving Virtual Harlem/Montmartre the visual and interactive appeal that
–more–
most wikis lack. In addition to the educational, entertainment and social aspect of Virtual Harlem, a unique partnership is being forged with several real-world businesses and residents interested in “living” in Harlem or Montmartre, thus creating a unique community of learners, business owners, educators, researchers and Second Life residents interacting with one another in virtual space.
Practical Issues and Attending the Event
Each journalist must be represented by an avatar. If you are unfamiliar with creating an account on Second Life, please follow the step-by-step instructions below. It is highly suggested that new users log in to Second Life a few days prior to the event to acclimate to the environment and learn basic navigation and communication. We will be using audio during the event so please have speakers or headphones/headsets on so you can hear the presentations. This event will last approximately one hour with the more formal introduction/information being 20 minutes and 40 minutes for you to wander around Harlem and interact with students and others in attendance.
If you are not new to Second Life, you may skip steps 1 – 12. Log in and search for “Virtual Harlem”
Creating a Second Life Account:
1. Go to: http://secondlife.com
2. Click on “Support” near the top of the page
3. Click on “Downloads” on the bottom left-hand side of the page and download the client for your operating system
4. Once the client is downloaded and installed, it’s time to create your account.
5. Go to: https://secure-web21.secondlife.com/join/index.php/Choose-Name?form%5Baction%5D=Skip+This+Step
6. fill in the information for your first name and select from the list of last names. If you like, you may check the name for availability. Then enter your birth month, day and year, and your email address on the form. Click “Continue”
7. Next, you will select your “initial” appearance, male, female, furry, etc…. (you can change this later if you like). Click “continue”.
8. On the next page, enter your real first and last name, gender and country. Enter a password and a security question and select any of the newsletters you may like to receive. You may optionally enter Bryan Mnemonic as the person who referred you (that’s Dr. Bryan Carter in real life) and then enter the code in the bottom window and check that you agree to the terms of service. Submit this form.
9. On the next page, you may select to sign up for a premium account or you may skip this step if you like.
10. Finally, (almost finished) and you will receive a confirmation via email that your account has been created. Once you receive this information, launch the Second Life client that you
downloaded and installed earlier and enter your newly created first name, last name and password. If you are on a “shared” computer, it is suggested that you “deselect” the “remember password” checkbox.
11. Click “Connect” and you will enter Second Life
12. The location you enter will be “Orientation Island” where you will learn basic navigation, communication and interaction options. Don’t be surprised to see others who look very much like your avatar, they are “newbies” too. You will be wearing a “Hud” (heads up display) on your avatar to help you navigate. Select your language of preference and click the flashing arrow to continue. Follow the initial on-screen instructions. To detach the Hud from your avatar, right click on it and select “detach” in the selection wheel. You will also be shown how to change the look of your avatar.
–more–
Once you feel comfortable enough with moving about your new surroundings, click “search” at the bottom of your screen and select the “places” tab at the top of the search window. Enter Virtual Harlem and select “Teleport”. You will appear in the Harlem Welcome Center where you can obtain information about the area and teleport to any of the locations on the island using the “multi-sync” map. Walk out the door and turn left. Walk past the brownstones on your left all the way to the last corner and turn right. There you will see a podium and other avatars gathered for the start of the event.
We will begin at 2 p.m. Central Time. It is suggested that you log in at least 10 minutes in advance so that we may begin on time.
We hope to see you there for the launch of this very exciting project.