2020 BIZ: #VWEDU: Virtual web-worlds are close to serving as virtual offices. Two web-worlds are matched against requirements set by a well known commentator on Virtual Worlds.

Virtual web-worlds are close to serving as offices.  
Two web-worlds are matched against requirements 
set by a well known commentator on Virtual Worlds.

These web-worlds easily meet most of the requirements for virtual offices.

Click image to enlarge

• Here I am in my web office/conference room.
• Behind me is my Google Docs poster.
• I am in a browser page--nothing installed.
• Do I look like a gamer?

Virtual worlds as virtual offices?

• That is the question pondered in an article by Wagner James Au:
• What Virtual Worlds Need To Become Real World Offices, Post-Coronavirus
• That question is highly relevant in these days of physical distancing.
• The article lists seven hurdles for virtual worlds to be accepted as offices.
• Here I show how web-worlds measure up.  

Two web-worlds available as online offices

• Web-worlds are virtual worlds that run in a browser.
• Nothing to install--you just go to the web page and (virtually) walk in. 
• Here are links to two of them:
• CybaLOUNGE
• 3DWebWorldz 
• Try them out--you can enter as a guest without registering.  
• Chat with me weekdays: 12:-12:30 pm Central time (US)
• Web-worlds, 3D virtual worlds running in a browser. Summary

• Update 3/26/2020 VWBPE 13th Annual Conference, March 26-28 2020. VWBPE conference is immune to COVID-19 VWBPE Immersive events started March 15

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Seven hurdles

• Sevel hurdles cited in the article

Non-human avatar options

Wagner thinks human avatars give the impression that they are for a game.  I think that depends on the clothing, just as it does in the physical world.  A person in business attire does not look ready for a game and an avatar does not look so either--at least not to me.
CybaLounge has avatars in business attire.  3DWebWorldz may not, but easily could if needed. 3DWebWorldz used to have non-human avatars and could have them again if a customer wanted them.

Extremely cross-platform

Web-worlds run in all widely-used browsers, so have the same platform range as those browsers.  That includes smart phones and tablets.  I think that counts as extreme.

Extremely thin client

Web-worlds run in a browser.  So nothing to install. That's as thin as it gets.

Immersive, spatial audio

Web-worlds do not have this.  I doubt that this is a critical requirement for many businesses.  There is a need to see who is speaking and the web-worlds I know about do lack this feature, but are working on it.

Tight integration with cloud-based services

Web-worlds are still web pages, so they support Iframes.  You can embed another html document in an iframe. The poster in my web-office pops up in editable form when you click on it.  Could the integration be tighter?

Google Doc page in the 3D scene

Editable

Frictionless firewall/access support

If the firewall accepts the browser, it accepts the web-worlds.

Buy-in from virtual world companies

Do virtual world companies use their own product for virtual offices?  Both web-worlds do.  Check it out--I I have "office hours" in both of them every weekday at noon Dallas time.

Both web-world companies mentioned above use their own worlds for meetings and events.   CybaLOUNGE has a users meeting every other Friday at noon California time.  
3DWebWorldz  has a musical event most fridays at 6 pm California time.  Anyone is welcome to come to either of these events.  Enter as a guest: no registration needed.

Conclusion

• Web-worlds are well suited for use as online offices.  
• They can serve as public-facing offices since people can enter with no preparation and no registration.
• They can serve as private offices since they can be made as secure as any web page.

Related

• A list of features needed in virtual worlds to support remote collaboration and distance learning

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Visit me on the web

• Drop by my web offices Weekdays: 12:-12:30 pm Central time (US)
• I am available for free consulting on any topic in this blog.
• Cybalounge and 3DWebWorldz (Orientation room)
• I will be in both places, so you may need to speak to get my attention.
• Web-worlds, 3D virtual worlds running in a browser. Summary
• And we can visit the Writer's Workshop on the Web
• Don't register -- enter as guest.  

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License

• Original text in this blog is CC By: unless specified public domain.
• Use as you please with attribution: link to the original.
• All images without attribution in this blog are CC0: public domain.
• Second Life, Linden, SLurl, and SL are trademarks of Linden Research Inc.
• Annotated screenshots made with Jing
• This blog is not affiliated with anything.   Ads are from Google.
• Selby Evans in Kitely and hypergrid, Thinkerer Melville in Second Life.