As if one life weren't enough!

There's another 3-D virtual world out there called "Second Life." It's run by a group of developers called the Lindens. It has virtual money that can be bought with real money for pennies on the dollar or converted back to real money on the "LindeX Exchange." I've heard of real estate agents making millions of dollars selling virtual land, and others making thousands selling virtual clothing, "skins," hair, jewelry, etc. Sound crazy? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Avatars can be animated with facial expressions and body movements (go to a nightclub and click on a dance "poseball" to make your avatar the envy of Fred Astaire were he alive). Everyone in Second Life can also fly, although some choose to attach wings to make it look a bit more consistent.

There is voice chat and music capability, also, so that virtual concerts and discussion groups also take place in Second Life. Discussion comments are usually typed in, as in a "chat" room, but some people can speak out loud if their computers have microphones. You can attend a real-time concert by a live musician performing at home or at a nightclub somewhere else on the planet. The musician's avatar even appears to be playing the instrument in question.

One of the most interesting aspects of Second Life is virtual counterparts to real-life corporations. You'd better believe they have a presence: Circuit City, H&R Block, Kelly Services, Sears and Sony, to name just a few. Are they making money in Second Life? It depends. A recent LA Times article said many are pulling out. Maybe they haven't figured out how to get people interested in buying whatever they're selling in the virtual world. And it does cost real money to have a commercial business in Second Life.

But the Second Life software itself and a basic account are free. You download it from www.secondlife.com (there are both Mac and PC versions), and you don't ever have to spend a dime to "teleport" to different places, discussions, lectures, concerts and other events or to learn how to use the software to enhance your avatar or build and develop a community.

There are few limitations in Second Life, and, as with the first life, just about every taste, preference and interest is represented. People can act out whatever they want to between consenting adults. Non-consenting acts can lose you your account.

If you find yourself spending too much time in Second Life and your spouse is giving you glances askance, well, there's a support group in Second Life for people addicted to Second Life!