BUYING "PLAY MONEY" WITH PLAY MONEY

To buy a copy of Play Money, the latest book by Julian Dibbell, you could, I suppose, purchase it via Amazon, but that seems so 20th century.  Especially when Julian's book is about the rise of the virtual economy in online worlds, and his attempt to make a living from the buying and selling of gold coins in Ultima Online.  The alternative, of course, is to buy a copy within Second Life-- direct teleport to the bookstore here.    That's where Julian Dibbell is selling copies of his book, with funds going directly to his SL account-- named, conveniently enough, "Julian Dibbell"-- with Linden Dollars, the official play money of Second Life.  Paying him 750 Linden Dollars (about $2.25, if exchanged at current market rates) gets you a virtual edition of Play Money created by resident Falk Bergman-- the entire book, which you can read from the first-person vantage of your avatar.  There's another option, and this is where it gets meta:  paying L$6250 (about $18.75, at going rates) gets you the virtual edition and a real copy.  (The purchase launches your web browser, and takes you to a site where you register your physical address, for delivery.)  To sum up, then:  On behalf of Julian Dibbell, "Julian Dibbell" is selling Play Money for play money

All of which leads to a reminder: later this week (tentatively Thursday evening) Julian Dibbell will appear live in Second Life to discuss Play Money, and autograph copies of the virtual edition.  I'll be hosting the event, which is being sponsored by Millions of Us.  If you're a member of the press or an active blogger, e-mail me to reserve a media slot.  More details to come soon.

Comments

[rikomatic]

Reading a book in-world is just silly. But I love the idea of having dual-universe objects.

Color me interested.

[Dav]

I agree, I find it hard to imagine enjoying reading a book in-world. It's a nice gimmick, but a PDF would make more sense.

Still, I'd buy a copy right now if SL wasn't down for maintenance.

[Alexander Basiat]

Try it sometime. Actually, I thought it would be silly too, until I tried reading "Someone Comes To Town, Someone Leaves Town" in Second Life. And I was hooked. It's pretty cool!

[Dav]

OK, I bought an in-world copy, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to read it. I moved it all into my inventory (scripts and objects), and when I try right-click open the book object I get a "Play in World or Locally" option, but clicking either button does nothing.

[Hamlet Au]

Dav, there's instructions at the site, but basically, you need to drag it onto your avatar and sit down, and go into Mouselook (M). Make sure you have "Show avatar in Mouselook" in Preferences.

[Debbie]

hmmm... I'm just wondering, I live in New Zealand, if I went with the 'virtual book and real book' option would I get it delivered to me? I poked around looking for information but can't seem to find any... I guess it's my fault for living at the bottom of the world eh?

[Hamlet Au]

Debbie, I believe several SL customers are getting the book shipped to outside the US, so it probably won't be a problem. Wouldn't hurt to check first with Julian, though-- send him an IM!

[AG]

Hey, if you guys have never read A LODGING OF WAYFARING MEN, you need to. Talks exactly about this scenario and where it could develop.

GREAT book. Google it and you can find a pdf.

AG

[Elise]

I hope this is still around. As soon as it ticks over 2am so I can use my off peak internet allowance I'm going to buy the virtual book to take a look. If it's readable I will use it for reference, although I think reading any lengthy digital document strains my eyes.

The main reason I am purchasing it however is my appreciation and support for Julian's work. If I can read it in length or not, it doesn't really matter- I've already read the real one I got from a library.