IBM Launches Developers' Resources In Second Life

IBM on Wednesday launched Codestation, an area in Second Life where it can provide developers with training and information, as well as teach developers about the benefits of collaborating in Second Life. Read on for more information and images.

The centerpiece of the island is a labyrinth where developers can program robots to solve the maze, and run races with each other, as a means of learning to code within Second Life.

The island also features a code library, with objects associated with the code on display. Developers can download the code and interact with it, and IBM will be inviting developers to contribute code to the objects as well.

The island features a pavilion where IBM will host technical presentations and training.

"We see this as a new platform. Three-D environments are like interacting with people in reality. They provide a way to bring developers in who may not be in the same location. We can do training and let them interact with each other in ways they haven't been able to do until recently," said Kathy Mandelstein, director of worldwide development and Rational programs for IBM, in an interview.

Second Life is a three-D virtual world with about 200,000 regular users. Almost all the content is created by users, with 3-D design tools and a scripting language called LSL.

InformationWeek sister publication Dr. Dobb's Journal is working on its own plan to offer developer resources in Second Life.

Major companies, including Adidas, Circuit City, Dell, IBM, Sears, and Toyota, have all set up beachheads for business in Second Life.

Second Life recently has been struggling with growing pains.