Summary: This session will give an overview of OpenSim, an open source multi-platform, multi-user 3D application server that can be used as an alternative to SecondLife. For campuses looking to develop a simulated "world" for teaching and learning, or for those looking for an alternative to SecondLife. Presenter: Chris Collins, University of Cincinnati Chris Collins (SL: Fleep Tuque) is an IT Analyst in the UCit Instructional & Research Computing department at the University of Cincinnati. She currently manages the campus-wide podcasting and Second Life projects at the University of Cincinnati, and serves as the Second Life Ambassador for the Ohio Learning Network. Chris blogs about technology, education, and the metaverse at http://fleeptuque.com.

1. OPENSIM: A NEW ALTERNATIVE TO SECOND LIFE Chris M. Collins (SL/OS: Fleep Tuque) Project Manager, University of Cincinnati Second Life Project Second Life Ambassador, Ohio Learning Network UCit Instructional & Research Computing University of Cincinnati [email_address] TeachU ~ Ohio Learning Network ~ April 2011

2. Today’s Learning Objectives Why did educators start exploring Second Life? What did we learn about using the platform for education? Is OpenSim a good alternative? What is it and how does it work? How do I participate in the USO Grid pilot?

3. Map of Future Forces Affecting Education (2006) Image source: http://resources.knowledgeworks.org/map/

4. Map of Future Forces Affecting Education

5. Horizon Report & EDUCAUSE Virtual worlds convey a sense of presence lacking in other media. Virtual worlds can be used to create very effective learning spaces . Source: http://horizon.nmc.org/wiki/Main_Page

6. Evolution of the Web Web 1.0 Text Based “ Flat” Web 1990s Web 2.0 Text + A/V “ Social” Web 2000’s Web 3D Places, not pages “ Virtual” Web 2010’s

7. Photo credit: Sean Dreilinger, Creative Commons License – http://flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/2187892869/

11. Image used with permission, http://www.kzero.co.uk/.

13. University of Cincinnati

14. Bowling Green State University

15. Ohio State University

16. Miami University

17. Ohio University

18. Owens Community College

19. Shawnee State University

22. Classes, Meetings, & Conferences

23. Classes, Meetings, & Conferences Classes, Meetings, & Conferences

24. Classes, Meetings, & Conferences Classes, Meetings, & Conferences

25. Bring Instructional Materials to Life

28. Simulations

29. Second Life Revenue Model 1 “Region” = 64 acres of virtual land Max of 15,000 objects per region

30. Ohio Colleges & Universities in Second Life * Private schools ** State funded consortium Institution Regions Institution Regions Bowling Green State University 4 Miami University 1 Case Western Reserve University* 7 Shawnee State University 3 College of Mount St. Joseph* 3 University of Akron 1 Kent State University 2 University of Cincinnati 3 Ohio University 7 Wright State University 2 Ohio State University 3 Ohio Learning Network** 1 Owens Community College 1 Total 38 Regions in Second Life

32. Who really owns the content in a “walled garden”? Photo courtesy mattbuck4950 http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbuck007/2600161891/ Who really owns the content In a “walled garden” model?

34. Investment is tied to single platform Backing up a campus of thousands of objects is not an option in Second Life, moving it to OpenSim is extremely difficult, if possible at all (licensing, IP, ownership).

35. Linden Lab privately held company Sources: Daily Finance http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/second-life-owner-linden-lab-to-lay-off-30-of-its-workers/19509989 / Develop https://www.develop-online.net/news/35229/Second-Life-CEO-walks-amid-layoffs The Journal http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/11/03/linden-lab-to-end-second-life-educational-discounts.aspx

36. Pros and Cons of Second Life Pros Cons 24/7 virtual campus presence – great for distance learning, outreach, marketing Increasing Costs – Linden Lab cancelled educational discount program Higher retention in DL programs – Students feel more connected and engaged Lack of Content Portability – Hard to share or collaborate, content and investment is “stuck” in Second Life Improved learning outcomes – Simulations and roleplays increase learning No Transparency – Private company is not accountable to educators, very little leverage for changes we need Unique affordances no other platform provides - prototypes, data visualizations, meetings and conferences “feel” immersive Slow development cycle – Innovation has slowed (mesh) , major bugs yet to be addressed (group chat) Cost savings on physical infrastructure – Substantially reduces costs of meetings, conferences and potentially classrooms Uncertain Future – Seem to be moving towards more “social” uses of platform, less focus on enterprise use

37. Technology Adoption Curve Virtual Worlds

38. Brief History of the Web Web 1.0 Text Based “ Flat” Web 1990s Web 2.0 Text + A/V “ Social” Web 2000’s Web 3D Places, not pages “ Virtual” Web 2010’s Apache Web Server

39. Brief History of the Web Web 1.0 Text Based “ Flat” Web 1990s Web 2.0 Text + A/V “ Social” Web 2000’s Web 3D Places, not pages “ Virtual” Web 2010’s Apache Web Server Opensim World Server?

40. Open Source Simulator Software = Apache of Virtual Worlds?

41. Open Source Simulator Software Image source: Clark-Casey, Justin. (2010) “Scaling OpenSimulator: An Examination of Possible Architectures for an Internet-Scale Virtual Environment Network”. http://justincc.org/downloads/docs/justincc-dissertation.pdf

42. OpenSim - Scalable Architecture Image source: http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Configuration

45. Pros and Cons of Second Life X Pros Cons 24/7 virtual campus presence – great for distance learning, outreach, marketing Increasing Costs – Linden Lab cancelled educational discount program Higher retention in DL programs – Students feel more connected and engaged Lack of Content Portability – Hard to share or collaborate, content and investment is “stuck” in Second Life Improved learning outcomes – Simulations and roleplays increase learning No Transparency – Private company is not accountable to educators, very little leverage for changes we need Unique affordances no other platform provides - prototypes, data visualizations, meetings and conferences “feel” immersive Slow development cycle – Innovation has slowed (mesh) , major bugs yet to be addressed (group chat) Cost savings on physical infrastructure – Substantially reduces costs of meetings, conferences and potentially classrooms Uncertain Future – Seem to be moving towards more “social” uses of platform, less focus on enterprise use

46. University System of Ohio OpenSim Grid USO Grid School 1: Hosted Region School 2: Hosted Region School 3: Self-Hosted Region School 4: Hosted Region School 6: Self-Hosted Region School 5: Hosted Region

48. OpenSim – Portable XML Assets Can pack whole regions into a single .OAR file that can be Imported into any OpenSim system! Can pack user inventory into a single .IAR file that can be Imported into any OpenSim system!

49. University System of Ohio OpenSim Grid – Mixed Model Self-Hosted = Simulators run on school’s own hardware, but optionally accessible to the entire grid. USO Grid School 1: Hosted Region School 2: Hosted Region School 3: Self-Hosted Region School 4: Hosted Region School 6: Self-Hosted Region School 5: Hosted Region School 6: Self-Hosted Private Region School 1: Hosted Private Region

50. Major Companies contributing to OpenSim development Image source: http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2010/09/intel-science-sim-breakthrough.html

51. Grids Popping Up Globally Image source: http://immersive-worlds-tool-ranking.grouply.com/message/323

52. Integration with Moodle Image source: http://immersive-worlds-tool-ranking.grouply.com/message/323 No Blackboard integration… … Yet!

53. Important Caveats! Issues with OpenSim OpenSim is in ALPHA stage – frequent updates mean things change often and sometimes radically. Not all features we’ve come to expect in Second Life work well or exist yet in OpenSim. Much of the content we’ve bought/used in Second Life will NOT be transferrable. OpenSim doesn’t have a well established content marketplace yet – have to make much of what we need. User community is still relatively small, miss some of the social aspects of Second Life with its plethora of places, people, and activities. But this will come in time!

54. USO Grid in Planning Phase April 2011 June 2011 August 2011 Currently testing system architecture options for scalability Working with OLN and OARnet to run USO Grid on Virtual Machines (hosted at OARnet) Goal: Grid Services up and running, test hosted and self-hosted config options Select institutions for pilot phase Goal: Regions ready for 2011-12 academic year for pilot institutions 0.7.1 release expected in Fall/Winter 2011 (?)

55. Pilot Participants & Testers Needed! University System of Ohio institutions are invited to participate! Email: [email_address]

56. Questions? ? ?

57. OPENSIM: A NEW ALTERNATIVE TO SECOND LIFE Chris M. Collins (SL/OS: Fleep Tuque) Project Manager, University of Cincinnati Second Life Project Second Life Ambassador, Ohio Learning Network UCit Instructional & Research Computing University of Cincinnati [email_address] TeachU ~ Ohio Learning Network ~ April 2011