Many thanks to Carl Rios for his presenation at our last meetup!

Back in October of last year, I gave a presentation on Second Life and how real-world organizations were using it to allow doctors to get a better understanding of people suffering from mental disorders such as schizophrenia. In December, we met the organizer for an online medical center, (SL: Dr. Ann Buchanon), who was using Second life as a tool for collaboration with doctors and medical students from around the world.

Our next meetup will bring us back to the virtual world of Second Life. This time, we meet with Simon Bignell (SL: Milton Broome), whose extensive work explores the question of whether Second Life can be used as a treatment for people suffering from Autism spectrum disorder and Asperger syndrome, a high-functioning form of Autism. (to see more for the research I've done on unique uses of Second life, you can check out the Avelient BioPharm articles here.)

To join us on this unique adventure, you must have a computer capable of installing and running the Second Life client software, which can be found by clicking here. The software itself is free, and basic membership to Second Life is free as well. Follow the installation instructions and take the brief tutorial in order to become familiar with the interface and navigating your avatar throughout the world.

We are planning to run this presentation using Second Life's VOICE features, so please test and make sure you're able to at least hear what's going on around you.

If you need some assistance setting up the software, Linden Labs, the software's creator, has several resources available to help you out. You can certainly send me a question and I'll help you as best I can as well.

Once you are online, request friendship with "Lupino Benazzi," which is the name of my avatar. I will give you further instructions from there. If you already have set yourself up and requested my friendship, please be sure to send me an instant message reminding me who you are in real life!

I hope you are all well, and I look forward to your participation with me in this virtual realm!