What is different about the kinds of socializing that happens in these spaces? Does the 3D aspect make much difference?
The 3D-aspect of internet changes the circumstances, as the avatar is a reflection of you. When one write simple text, one feels more secure as no one can put a face to the words, but having an avatar completely changes that! Instant message programs such as MSN, mIRC, etc. give you the possibility of doing something else while chatting, whilst when is in a 3D-world one is more into the conversation as it isn't as easy to simply flip in and out of the game as it is with a MSN-chat window.
The benefits of a 3D-world range from being able to choose what you look like to the attitude you wish you had. It gives people the opportunity to be their alter-ego. That is what I can imagine is so fascinating about the various 3D-worlds, they really give you the opportunity to easily be your perhaps "true" self without there being any (physical) consequences. You can edit everything about your avatar if you want, and at the same time you can actually choose to look like yourself in real life if you so wish.
MSN (and other programs alike) are great for simple quick chatting, as one does not have to devote all one's attention to it. I know from experience that I like to have MSN open all the time, so basically when I boot up my computer, I start up MSN as I then feel "connected". And people may write to me or I may write to them, but I would say that 8 out of 10 times I would be doing other things simultaneously. e.g. playing internet poker, other games, surfing the net etc.
Therefore I would say that I prefer IM-chatting to being in a 3D-world!
My assessment of the word and excel task:
I found the tasks very easy and knew most of them, the only one I didn't know was the Track Changes function. It is really useful when I have to add notes to my own work. Otherwise This task could perhaps have been more beneficial for others more so than myself, as I spent a lot of time on both programs.
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