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For the first time in quite a few weeks, I checked in to Second Life today and spent a half hour visiting a few places of interest (including CC Chapman's digs - nice development).

As this was my first visit since the security scare a couple of days ago, which resulted in all user passwords being reset, I had to create a new login password. Easy enough: visit a page on the Second Life website, enter your SL name and the system emails you a link to click on to reset it and create a new one. Took about five minutes in total.

Plus a new build of the SL application you run on your computer has been released which needed installing before logging in. It auto-downloads and installs so, again, simple enough.

Taking a visit to Podcast Island - where I'd set up the original FIR store (it's currently out of action) - I could see a great deal of entrepreneurial activity going on since I was last here.

For instance, Podcast Pickle now owns the vast majority of developed property on the Island, much of which is available for rental either in whole or as units. The Podtech Network is also building a sizeable presence.

A teleport over to Podshow Island. Again, more signs of entrepreneurial activity in the new buildings going up in the surrounds of Curry Castle. Plenty of places to rent.

There is increasingly more talk on the big-picture aspect of why companies and others are getting involved in Second Life:[] There's already one politician said to be a possible US Presidential contender campaigning in Second Life, you can participate in American Cancer Society fund raisers, hang with the American Library Association or participate in substantial daily commerce. There are major corporations launching advertising initiatives in Second Life and consultancies forming to facilitate such activities. Acts of violence in a game that prohibits it are being reported with increasing frequency. This is serious stuff.Whether Second Life does turn out to be the place for business in a virtual world or not, it's clearly a place where plenty of people and organizations are investing significant time and energy and, for some, money.

As I've said before, don't ignore Second Life.

Related posts:

• Second Life: Reality not escapism
• Real-world opportunities in Second Life
• How to understand Second Life's potential

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Neville Hobson is the author of the popular NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology. Neville is currentlly the VP of New Marketing at Crayon. Visit Neville Hobson's blog: NevilleHobson.com.