Second Life? I’m having enough challenges with this life!
I’ve heard about Second Life and even checked it out but I never really got it. I mean, why spend hours every week creating a virtual life, which can never become real, when that investment in your real life could be more rewarding? What was I missing? Plenty it seems. Glenn Fisher CEO of Second Life dished our some amazing stats about the Second Life business at LeWeb 3 this afternoon:
1.6 million current registered residents. To reach 2 million in the next couple of weeks.
500,000 active residents.
10 million objects in the virtual world.
900 events each day.
900,000 unique items traded or sold in October this year alone
The top ten businesses transact a real US$25,000 a month.
The next 100 businesses transact, on average, US$6,300 monthly.
Half of the time in Second life is spent by females, average age is 32.
55% of the residents live outside the US.
Most important of all was the realization that Second Life, for many inhabitants, is like a local café or pub or club. People go there to meet other people. It’s social. Sure it’s commercial for some, but for most, it’s social. The commercial operators are there to support those there for the interaction.
This new way to soclialise is a challenge for those of us with businesses involving social interaction and which rely solely on the bricks and mortar world. Fisher’s presentation today had some important takeaways for me and the Find It and related social media sites we’re developing but I’ll save those for a more private place. In the meantime, if you’ve never been to Second Life, go and see what close to 2 million residents see in this new world.
Peres surprised me. He was passionate, engaging and well informed. He came across as honest in his comments and answers – maybe they are traits of a politician out of office. He sees the blogosphere as vital for democracy and breaking down borders. He sees it as crucial to transparency and essential to a more peaceful world.
At the end of his time at LeWeb, Peres was delivered a spontaneous and long standing ovation. Delegates were honored to have him speak and moved by his words. His presence at a blogging conference adds to the credibility and importance of the blogosphere. He sees blogs as a legitimate – and two-way- communication channel.
Dave Sifry from 
Take 1,000 IT people involved in online businesses from around the world – from developers to venture capitalists – and you’re bound to get reality checks on a range of fronts. 
One other surprise today looking at how newspapers and magazines are sold in Paris is the lack of rules. Here’s a foreign newspaper stand at one of the Presse kiosks – it’s easy to browse. The local dailies are close to the counter with the full cover viewable. Back in Australia we have all sorts of rules – how close to the front of the shop, the type of stand to use, the amount of space to give etc. Sometimes these rules get in the way of our customers. Here, with newspapers especially, it’s about easy access.
Here are some random retail-related observations from a day wandering around Paris.
These are the most common ‘newsagencies’ on the streets of Paris and suburbs from what I have seen today. These ‘kiosks’ are efficient – they allow for the display, Parisien style, of 250 magazine titles, all major dailies and another 20 or so imported newspapers. They also offer tobacco, candy and, in some cases, calling cards. Newspapers, magazines and tobacco products account for 80% of all sales. High street newsagencies have not been forced to retreat to these kiosks – I’ve been told this is how it’s always been for the sale of newspapers and magazines. It’s certainly efficient. These Presse kiosks are everywhere.
Off the main thoroughfare and tucked into small spaces of between 20 and 30 sq metres are these presse shops – newsagencies French style. I’ve been into five so far an their range of magazines is excellent – at least 800 titles. In a fan type display along shelves – no full face displays here, not even for the high volume titles. Their lottery products take up much of the counter with tobacco products behind the counter. No stationery. No greeting cards. They don’t have room – each of the shops I have see so far is tiny. If I had paid more attention during French classes in high school I might have more to say about their trading terms. One owner I spoke with said “business no good” but his wife then jabbed him as if to say he always says that. What has been consistent is their shingle PRESSE is bold and clear atop each one.
Partworks are popular here in France. I took this photo of one issue of a Mr Magoo partworks which republishes the 1960s TV Series. It’s a title I never expected to see as a partwork series. But now that I think about, there are plenty of series from this era which would sell. Maybe we will follow Europe on this like we do so many other partwork titles.
I arrived in Paris this afternoon and the first business I happened to see was La Poste, the French Post Office. This one I visited sold stamps and postal products. No books, calendars, cards, soft toys, wine coolers, picnic sets – none of the items which Australia Post and the Government seem to think are essential to Australia Post’s operation.
To recover sales lost this week when the current issue was pulled from sale due to a production fault, next week’s That’s Life comes out Monday – two days earlier than usual. Based on comments across our counter, customers will be happy. One consequence of That’s Life being unavailable is a lift in sales of Take 5.