Comments on: The Problems with Delivering Real Goods from a Virtual World http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world Skribe Productions Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:02:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: skribe http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-441 skribe Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:29:56 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-441 Clothing has the same problems that any building does. You have to make compromises to be able to import them into SL. And seriously, how many SL avatars match their real life bodies? What may look good on the 2m size 6 avatar probably isn't going to work as well on the 1.6m size 16 player. I think we use what works the best, if it's the web, use that. If it's some other medium, use that. That doesn't mean we shouldn't continually experiment and reinvent uses for alternate mediums but we should do so with a definite plan and a well considered set of options that deal with the hurdles - not just because its cool and because we can. Clothing has the same problems that any building does. You have to make compromises to be able to import them into SL. And seriously, how many SL avatars match their real life bodies? What may look good on the 2m size 6 avatar probably isn’t going to work as well on the 1.6m size 16 player.

I think we use what works the best, if it’s the web, use that. If it’s some other medium, use that. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continually experiment and reinvent uses for alternate mediums but we should do so with a definite plan and a well considered set of options that deal with the hurdles – not just because its cool and because we can.

]]> By: Kiwidude http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-435 Kiwidude Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:24:19 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-435 I always thought the American Apparel idea had merit. Clothing seems like an ideal product line due to the way in which a Second Life identifies with their avatar. I myself bought a suit in RL that matched an SL outfit once, because after wearing it in SL I knew I would be comfortable with it in RL. However you're right Skribe, there are still many issues to overcome such as world-wide delivery, local pricing etc. Ultimately I think we circle back to the web, and the best a retailer could do would be to provide a seamless link to an online order form (with a page of disclaimers and restrictions no doubt). Thanks for raising this topic, it's aways good to ponder. I always thought the American Apparel idea had merit. Clothing seems like an ideal product line due to the way in which a Second Life identifies with their avatar.

I myself bought a suit in RL that matched an SL outfit once, because after wearing it in SL I knew I would be comfortable with it in RL.

However you’re right Skribe, there are still many issues to overcome such as world-wide delivery, local pricing etc.

Ultimately I think we circle back to the web, and the best a retailer could do would be to provide a seamless link to an online order form (with a page of disclaimers and restrictions no doubt).

Thanks for raising this topic, it’s aways good to ponder.

]]> By: Dusan Writer’s Metaverse » Virtual Pizza Leaves Us, Virtually, Hungry http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-307 Dusan Writer’s Metaverse » Virtual Pizza Leaves Us, Virtually, Hungry Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:29:52 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-307 [...] answer our question, Srkibe, the blogger at Skribe Productions out of Australia, looked into the V-Commerce this very question, looking at pizza delivery originating in a virtual world. The [...] [...] answer our question, Srkibe, the blogger at Skribe Productions out of Australia, looked into the V-Commerce this very question, looking at pizza delivery originating in a virtual world. The [...]

]]> By: skribe http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-259 skribe Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:21:34 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-259 Thank you for your comment. Thank you for your comment.

]]> By: skribe http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-258 skribe Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:20:20 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-258 It does, Peter, but it faces major obstacles and Second Life may not be the best place to do it. It might be better for Ikea to adapt their own browser-based world. Given the huge inventories involved that would require possibly thousands of hours to convert to something that can be used in SL you'd want as many people to use it as possible. Second Life doesn't have the population nor the low-barrier to entry to warrant such a major investment imho. An EULA may suffice, however governments tend to be more strict about hardware than they are with software. Consumer Protection won't tolerate a 'buggy' baby's chair that occasionally -usually without warning - crumbles to a heap and requires reassembling, but the equivalent is accepted practice in the software world. Outside the US bait-and-switch is usually penalised very quickly. Thank you for your comment. It does, Peter, but it faces major obstacles and Second Life may not be the best place to do it. It might be better for Ikea to adapt their own browser-based world. Given the huge inventories involved that would require possibly thousands of hours to convert to something that can be used in SL you’d want as many people to use it as possible. Second Life doesn’t have the population nor the low-barrier to entry to warrant such a major investment imho.

An EULA may suffice, however governments tend to be more strict about hardware than they are with software. Consumer Protection won’t tolerate a ‘buggy’ baby’s chair that occasionally -usually without warning – crumbles to a heap and requires reassembling, but the equivalent is accepted practice in the software world. Outside the US bait-and-switch is usually penalised very quickly.

Thank you for your comment.

]]> By: skribe http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-257 skribe Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:06:51 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-257 That's what we're hearing too, Jon. Privacy is a huge issue. One I think will pose a major dilemma for anyone dealing with trans-national data transmission (which is just about every web site and virtual world out there) over the next few years. Thanks for dropping by, Jon. That’s what we’re hearing too, Jon. Privacy is a huge issue. One I think will pose a major dilemma for anyone dealing with trans-national data transmission (which is just about every web site and virtual world out there) over the next few years.

Thanks for dropping by, Jon.

]]> By: Peter Quirk http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-255 Peter Quirk Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:41:27 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-255 The IKEA idea has a lot of merit, but I foresee the corporate lawyers inserting a click-through EULA on every piece of furniture to warn me not to copy the IP in any way. <abbr><em>Peter Quirk’s last blog post..<a href="http://peterquirk.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/sensor-networks-and-virtual-worlds/" rel="nofollow">Sensor networks and virtual worlds</a></abbr></em> The IKEA idea has a lot of merit, but I foresee the corporate lawyers inserting a click-through EULA on every piece of furniture to warn me not to copy the IP in any way.

Peter Quirk’s last blog post..Sensor networks and virtual worlds

]]> By: jon himoff http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-254 jon himoff Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:03:59 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-254 more interesting perhaps is what things would work well from a virtual online environment. I think the virtual experience and micropayments can accelerate ad hoc, impulse buying. Issue is that you need to know the real human logistics info. We are now selling a real world t-shirt for virtual world people, but that is a web thing not inworld because we need shipping details. In fact, we hear that a lot of people do not want to link their avatar to their real person details on a 3rd party system for privacy...er...lack of privacy concerns. <abbr><em>jon himoff’s last blog post..<a href="http://rezzable.com/blog/rightasrain-rimbaud/why-do-we-call-it-black-swan" rel="nofollow">Why Do We Call It "Black Swan"</a></abbr></em> more interesting perhaps is what things would work well from a virtual online environment. I think the virtual experience and micropayments can accelerate ad hoc, impulse buying. Issue is that you need to know the real human logistics info. We are now selling a real world t-shirt for virtual world people, but that is a web thing not inworld because we need shipping details. In fact, we hear that a lot of people do not want to link their avatar to their real person details on a 3rd party system for privacy…er…lack of privacy concerns.

jon himoff’s last blog post..Why Do We Call It "Black Swan"

]]> By: epredator http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-252 epredator Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:00:45 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-252 The only way we get to the best solution is through some less than idela ones. Without the attempts or demands to use certain technologies (as John points out with ealry ecommerce) we are not going find the patterns, models and business ideas that work. Virtual worlds are not just about another product advertizing medium in the traditional sense. However they can be a component. They can also incorporate other people, that is actually way more important than the particulars of the visuals. It should be easy, accessible, quick when needed to be quick, in depth when needed to be indepth. Various solutions will solve each of those attributes, but just as there is not one website answer to engaging with people and products there is not one virtual world one. Also you should not forget the important potential of using the virtual world as the design and distribution channel. Software is virtual already, as is music and phone ring tones. There is value in 3d content and talent in creating it. We then also have the exciting extra of being able to make the virtual real again with 3d printing/rapid fabrication. Again, its not perfect yet, but you can produce what you need when you need it, not mass produce things in remote places and ship inventory around the world. The virtual world platforms can act as a catalysts for this dramatic change in manufacturing. The only way we get to the best solution is through some less than idela ones. Without the attempts or demands to use certain technologies (as John points out with ealry ecommerce) we are not going find the patterns, models and business ideas that work.
Virtual worlds are not just about another product advertizing medium in the traditional sense. However they can be a component. They can also incorporate other people, that is actually way more important than the particulars of the visuals.
It should be easy, accessible, quick when needed to be quick, in depth when needed to be indepth. Various solutions will solve each of those attributes, but just as there is not one website answer to engaging with people and products there is not one virtual world one.
Also you should not forget the important potential of using the virtual world as the design and distribution channel. Software is virtual already, as is music and phone ring tones. There is value in 3d content and talent in creating it. We then also have the exciting extra of being able to make the virtual real again with 3d printing/rapid fabrication. Again, its not perfect yet, but you can produce what you need when you need it, not mass produce things in remote places and ship inventory around the world. The virtual world platforms can act as a catalysts for this dramatic change in manufacturing.

]]> By: Bret Treasure http://www.skribeproductions.com/2009/01/28/the-problems-with-delivering-real-goods-from-a-virtual-world/#comment-251 Bret Treasure Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:25:23 +0000 http://www.skribeproductions.com/?p=744#comment-251 Interesting comment about large-ticket items but the problem is this: business is time-poor. Purchasing Managers have no desire to spend a dozen hours in a virtual world learning the ropes in order to evaluate one competitor's aeroplane. When you are selling something you want to make it easy for the purchaser, not difficult. Not contingent on their graphics card. Not contingent on their firewall. Not contingent on them spending lots of hours learning the interface. The user experience is not sufficiently compelling to compensate for these hurdles; buyers will not bother. It's up to the seller to make the case in a format that is widely and easily accessible to the buyer. That's video, text, personal presentations and the web. Interesting comment about large-ticket items but the problem is this: business is time-poor. Purchasing Managers have no desire to spend a dozen hours in a virtual world learning the ropes in order to evaluate one competitor’s aeroplane.

When you are selling something you want to make it easy for the purchaser, not difficult. Not contingent on their graphics card. Not contingent on their firewall. Not contingent on them spending lots of hours learning the interface. The user experience is not sufficiently compelling to compensate for these hurdles; buyers will not bother.

It’s up to the seller to make the case in a format that is widely and easily accessible to the buyer. That’s video, text, personal presentations and the web.

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