AMAZON INSIDE
So a Resident scripter named Hal9k Andalso has created a search engine that helps you find objects in SL via a heads-up display, and that's cool. It also enables you to search for SL objects on the Web, and that's cool, too. Even cooler, he's implemented Amazon's Web Services tools into his engine, so you can search for products in the Amazon database while inside Second Life-- you do that by wearing a copy of Andalso's HUD, and typing in “/411 amazon: [keyword]” on the chat line. Here's what came up when I typed “/411 amazon: play money”:
Cooler still, these search results are embedded with web links, so clicking on them launches your Web browser, and takes you right to the specific page:
But the coolest thing of all? Amazon already has an informal development lab in Second Life. (Unsurprising in itself, as company founder Jeff Bezos is an investor in SL.) So when Hal9k Andalso creates his search tool with Amazon functionality, Amazon's actual Web Services Evangelist is already in-world to notice-- and hugely impressed, blog about it.
My business parner opened up a new store in the Big O! Mall in Baekje (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Baekje/35/190/102) yesterday, and we added a search engine earlier today.
Taking advantage of the 3D nature of Second Life, the search results aren't displayed in a list, but are displayed 3 dimensionally with the closest matching result closest to you (which is a design I never envisaged when I wrote the code) .
Take a look at the store, comments and suggestions are welcome!
Posted by: Hugo Dalgleish | Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 06:49 PM