OK, I stole this title from Dannette Veale over on the Cisco Virtual World Blog where she writes about communication vehicles, and where Second Life fits in and how it must be recognized that people learn and communicate in very different ways. She cites three examples of the many communications vehicles that Cisco uses and where Second Life fits in:

a Netpro discussion forum you can take part in Cisco to you, you to Cisco and peer to peer interactions but not in real time. In say a Cisco TechTalk webcast you can take part in Cisco to you and you to Cisco interactions real time but no peer to peer interactions are possible. In a virtual environment you can take part in Cisco to you, you to Cisco, and peer to peer interactions and all in real time. So figure out what you are looking to glean and how quickly, then choose your accordingly.

She is absolutely right. Second Life commuications and experiences do take an investment of time and effort. If you are looking to be spoon-feed information, then this is NOT the world for you. If you are looking for passive education and interaction, this is NOT the place for you. But, if you are looking for an interactive and global experience - and have the time - then Second Life is a great communications experience and resource.

And it is carbon friendly…..

And for the record, I am a developer for Cisco in Second Life, but this was NOT a paid advertisement!