Web GIS in practice V: 3-D interactive and real-time mapping in Second Life.

Area of Science:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Virtual Worlds and Metaverse Technologies

Background:

• The increasing availability of real-time data feeds (news, KML, GeoRSS) necessitates advanced visualization methods.
• Virtual worlds offer immersive environments for data interaction, but integration with real-world geospatial data is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe technologies enabling the mapping and access of live, real-world data within the 3D virtual environment of Second Life.
• To explore the potential of virtual worlds as platforms for geospatial data display and interaction.
• To investigate the convergence of virtual worlds and mirror worlds (e.g., Google Earth) for future 3D internet applications.

Main Methods:

• Development of technologies to plot and update real-world data points on an in-world globe within Second Life.
• Linking plotted data points to relevant information and resources for user interaction.
• Enabling bidirectional data linking between virtual world map annotations and web-based platforms (Google Maps, Google Earth).

Main Results:

• Successful integration of live news and geospatial data feeds into Second Life, allowing users to visualize and interact with data in 3D.
• Demonstration of a seamless bridge between mirror worlds (Google Earth) and virtual worlds (Second Life).
• Users can navigate and interact with geographically mapped data within the virtual environment.

Conclusions:

• Virtual worlds hold significant potential for displaying and interacting with geo-data, facilitating a convergence with mirror worlds.
• These technologies could enable novel applications, such as real-time virtual situation rooms for emergency and public health management.
• Further considerations regarding user interface accessibility and data privacy are essential for widespread adoption.