3pointD.com

We knew that IBM had two researchers officially poking around in the virtual world of Second Life, but now comes news from CNet that the company is setting up a business group specifically to address opportunities in Second Life and other virtual worlds. It seems the effort is being led by Irving Wladawsky-Berger, IBM’s vice president of technical strategy and innovation. This could be a seriously interesting development, as it will bring IBM’s weight to bear on the challenge of making Second Life and other virtual worlds and similar platforms into more useful and functional places. (IBM has also mentioned it will be working with the Multiverse world-building platform in some form.) If you ask me, that’s one of the most important things that virtual worlds still need to bring to the table; they need to demonstrate ways they can be easily useful to broad numbers of people. So far, we haven’t really seen it happen, except as entertainment. Here’s hoping IBM’s move helps make these places a useful part of more people’s lives.

The Electric Sheep Company is hiring. The Sheep are apparently looking for everyone from entry-level builders and texturers on up to project managers and the like. Only the excellent need apply, of course: no wind-up sheep or steam-powered sheep will likely get in the door. If you think you’ve got what it takes to become an eSheep, help build the metaverse and work with Sheep clients like NBC, Edelman, Major League Baseball, the Sundance Channel and all the rest, drop a line to contact@electricsheepcompany expressing your interest. Good luck!