Contents:
New beginnings
Meet the resident
Out and about
Through the keyhole
View from the allotments
What lies beneath?
Focus on...
Monday, 1 June 2009
Focus on...
Starting off our regular series of articles each focusing on one of the Open Life islands landmarks is...
This elegant three-storey building was originally located on our previous base, Schomebase, and is now situated at the southern end of the Open Life island. Its position right next to the landing point for the Open Life island allows it to make a striking first impression on those who arrive.
Situated in the foyer of the nOUbie centre is the buddy board. This board allows anyone requiring help to ‘page’ an online buddy who will endeavour to teleport to the centre and provide help if possible. To the left is a seating area with a fountain and a board full of free stuff for anyone to ‘buy’. To the right is another seating area with information boards on display giving information about studying with the OU.
The first floor is home to the orientation room and the bookings room. The orientation room houses an interactive book which gives information and tips on basic Second Life skills and was created by two OU students. To move to the previous or next page you simply click on the left or right pages of the book. The bookings room provides OU staff with information about the availability of the five teaching/learning areas on Open Life. A series of boards informs people about whether the area is currently in use and when the next booking for that area is.
The second floor is currently empty but one half of it has been reserved by the OUSA and is sealed off and under construction.
This elegant three-storey building was originally located on our previous base, Schomebase, and is now situated at the southern end of the Open Life island. Its position right next to the landing point for the Open Life island allows it to make a striking first impression on those who arrive.
Situated in the foyer of the nOUbie centre is the buddy board. This board allows anyone requiring help to ‘page’ an online buddy who will endeavour to teleport to the centre and provide help if possible. To the left is a seating area with a fountain and a board full of free stuff for anyone to ‘buy’. To the right is another seating area with information boards on display giving information about studying with the OU.
The first floor is home to the orientation room and the bookings room. The orientation room houses an interactive book which gives information and tips on basic Second Life skills and was created by two OU students. To move to the previous or next page you simply click on the left or right pages of the book. The bookings room provides OU staff with information about the availability of the five teaching/learning areas on Open Life. A series of boards informs people about whether the area is currently in use and when the next booking for that area is.
The second floor is currently empty but one half of it has been reserved by the OUSA and is sealed off and under construction.
What lies beneath?
LOL! dons its snorkel and flippers to explore the vast watery expanse that is Open Life Ocean.
Nestled between Open Life and Open Life Village is the tranquil-looking Open Life Ocean. With the sun reflecting off its clear blue waters and the sandy island glistening in the middle, the ocean is as inviting as any place on Open Life. But what exactly is under those calm waters? It’s time to find out!
Armed with a waterproof fun camera a highly-trained underwater reporter (well, me, Eshala) descended into the Open Life Ocean to see what she could see, see, see. After swimming around aimlessly for a few moments my eye came upon a fearsome looking shark. There had been reports of unfortunate residents being attacked by bloodthirsty creatures in the ocean so I wasn’t keen on getting close. After bravely swimming a little bit closer to take a snapshot I retreated to a safe distance to watch the shark circle round and round in almost mesmeric fashion. Many other fish, eels and stingrays passed by but I was most taken by the appearance of our old friend Olivia! For those who don’t know Olivia is our resident octopus. As she glided by I’m sure she smiled, though it may just have been a spot of wind.
Further exploration of the ocean revealed a couple of shipwrecks and sunken submarines along with the usual ocean bed junk of discarded anchors, oil barrels and shopping trolleys. The seabed itself has a wealth of coral and plant life living on it which makes for a very pleasant landscape. After taking a couple more snapshots I surfaced and made my way to the sandy island in the middle of the ocean to relax on the warm, soft sand and look out over our marvellous water.
Nestled between Open Life and Open Life Village is the tranquil-looking Open Life Ocean. With the sun reflecting off its clear blue waters and the sandy island glistening in the middle, the ocean is as inviting as any place on Open Life. But what exactly is under those calm waters? It’s time to find out!
Armed with a waterproof fun camera a highly-trained underwater reporter (well, me, Eshala) descended into the Open Life Ocean to see what she could see, see, see. After swimming around aimlessly for a few moments my eye came upon a fearsome looking shark. There had been reports of unfortunate residents being attacked by bloodthirsty creatures in the ocean so I wasn’t keen on getting close. After bravely swimming a little bit closer to take a snapshot I retreated to a safe distance to watch the shark circle round and round in almost mesmeric fashion. Many other fish, eels and stingrays passed by but I was most taken by the appearance of our old friend Olivia! For those who don’t know Olivia is our resident octopus. As she glided by I’m sure she smiled, though it may just have been a spot of wind.
Further exploration of the ocean revealed a couple of shipwrecks and sunken submarines along with the usual ocean bed junk of discarded anchors, oil barrels and shopping trolleys. The seabed itself has a wealth of coral and plant life living on it which makes for a very pleasant landscape. After taking a couple more snapshots I surfaced and made my way to the sandy island in the middle of the ocean to relax on the warm, soft sand and look out over our marvellous water.
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