On The Download: Miller Gets A Second Life
Welcome back to On The Download, your weekly dispatch on politechs: Politics, Multimedia and the Internet. If you have tips, comments, or suggestions, email us.
Let's Play "This Is Your (Second) Life"
A Democratic politician ventured for a second time into the virtual Internet world known as "Second Life" Thursday afternoon. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) held an invitation-only press conference on a virtual Capitol Hill (on an Island no less!) following the 110th Congress' swearing-in ceremony to discuss Democrat's top six priorities for the session.
Miller, in avatar form complete with white moustache and grey suit, spoke to guests for about half an hour in the virtual world about Democrat's six policy points for their first 100 hours. All questions were sent through moderator and Rocketboom videoblog anchor Joanne Colan.
Starting today, the computer-simulated chamber will permanently open its doors to the public -- or at least for Second Life users. The set-up lets avatars discuss Democrat's "Six for '06" in individual pavilions assigned to each of the policy issues. The virtual Capitol Hill was developed and sponsored by Internet marketing firm Clear Ink.
Although the California Congressman said during the conference that he practiced a few times before Thursday, that might not have prepared him to see a couple of the conference's guests float through the air of the virtual House of Representatives. At least, unlike former Governor Mark Warner, Miller retained his avatar's gender throughout the conference. Warner's second life conference is often remembered for his metamorphosis into a woman (and shortly after, back to a man) on stage.
Not Afraid Of ComMITTment
Mitt Romney launched his Presidential exploratory committee Web site Wednesday afternoon, joining fellow Republicans Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. Romney's site boasts the most features and content by far out of the three GOP candidates. It's also the only site that is updated regularly.
The site relies heavily on online video. Entitled MittTV, Romney takes advantage of one of his best assets as a candidate -- his natural chemistry with the camera.
The video platform is by PermissionTV, a commercial vendor that specializes in delivering television to the Web. The rest of the site was designed by Molecular, an internet consulting firm that seems to create sites mostly for business clients, including a Web page for one of Romney's greatest foes -- the Boston Globe, according to the Molecular's online client list.
There's notably no blog on the Web site -- yet. But Romney online director Stephen Smith is known for his work with Frist in that area, so OTD's best guess is that a blog is forthcoming to the site [SHIRA TOEPLITZ].
Honestly, what is it with second life and the press? More people sign onto World of Warcraft in 5 minutes... Mabye someone should do a town hall meeting there.