Recently, we discussed the merger of social networks with virtual worlds, amid some buzz generated by ActiveWorlds' embeddable Facebook app. Now we look at the enterprise side of the issue, as eWeek has an in-depth article on the phenomenon, discussing some ways that big players are getting on the train.
One example is IBM's work integrating virtual reality tech into its Lotus Connections social computing software, a combination that might allow avatars to pull info from the user's Lotus Connections profile, like their professional background, skills, interests and recent projects, or even showing user info, opinion or expressions on in-world billboards where that avatar is present. In another example cited by the article, an avatar might enter a virtual library and be able to access their social bookmarks through a card catalog.
IBM VP of social computing Jeff Schick told eWeek the company's been wondering what a bookmarking service like del.icio.us might look like in 3D. IBM's not yet announced any official launch dates for concrete products along these lines, though.
The article notes another company, Unisfair, who is also working to incorporate social networking features into virtual conferences, to help skip the often-awkward process whereby avatars exchange contact info by typing it; instead, the contact info from a user's social networking profile could be automatically integrated with the virtual world.
The article also covers non-enterprise approaches to this issue, such as Second Life Link, the recently-launched Facebook app that lets users network with their Second Life friends, and says that these kinds of mergers are the key to making virtual worlds a mainstream phenomenon.
