Second Life launches SLim instant messaging

[Jeff]

When most people think of virtual worlds, Second Life comes to mind. The virtual goliath has gobbled headlines since launching and drawing thousands of virtual entrepreneurs to its 3D world. Not to be done by There.com's announcement of an instant messaging client that let's users chat with others even when they aren't signed into the 3D world, Second Life has unveiled their own instant messenger called SLim™ (Second Life Instant Messenger) that also works across the 3D and 2D worlds.

The big differentiator is that SLim also provides voice chat.

Unfortunately for us, it appears that neither ThereIM or SLim will permit cross-network chat with other IM systems such as AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo! or Windows Live Messenger.

What's with all the recent announcements about virtual worlds? Most of this came about as a result of the second annual Virtual Worlds Expo held in Los Angeles last week.

Source: Mashable

[Gandalf]

If it doesn't support cross-network chat, what's the point?

[Dermot]

Because it's a run down version of their existing service in the "Virtual world" so would be pointless having it connect to other services, slim was built for SL users that dont want to enter the world but talk to their friends that are in the world.

I actually use second life and dont use SLim.

[Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Dermot

Because it's a run down version of their existing service in the "Virtual world" so would be pointless having it connect to other services, slim was built for SL users that dont want to enter the world but talk to their friends that are in the world.

I actually use second life and dont use SLim.

I agree with Gandalf. Why wouldn't you want to be able to stay in touch across networks (unless when you are IN world, you don't want the distractions of the real world).