Thinkerer Challenge Announced at Symposium - A new award has been announced that will reward avatars who are developing creative products and services that use Second Life capabilities to enrich or empower experiences in Real Life.

Thinkerer Studios - a network of residents in the virtual online world of Second Life - today announced the launch of an awards program to identify and encourage the development of creative products and services that use Second Life capabilities to enrich or empower experiences in Real Life. The first Award recipient will be made known at the end of September, 2007.

Recipients of the Thinkerer Challenge Award will receive 30,000 Lindens - the currency of Second Life - and the use of a parcel of virtual land (or an equivalent arrangement) for one year. In addition, they will be invited to become judges of future Thinkerer Challenges. Source: Second Life’s “Thinkerer Challenge” Awards to Foster Tools from the Metaverse That Benefit Real Life

Criteria

• Creative synergy. The product or service results from an innovative combination of ideas from the real world and capabilities offered by Second Life.

• Collaboration. The product or service results from the collaboration of two or more people who have made distinct and recognizable contributions.
• Outfacing. The item (or a significant aspect of it) is accessible and of value to some people outside of Second Life.

The Jury and the Process

Members of the Jury will be individuals with ample real-world and Second Life experience, representing a range of creative and technical fields. Judges will identify Second Life groups that are dedicated to related and meaningful endeavors and invite them to submit nominations. In addition, a group may identify itself to any of the judges who will then determine whether or not to invite a nomination from them. A list of the groups which may submit nominations will be published on the first day of each cycle on the organization’s website, here.

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