British Government Department Defends Use of Second Life

Earlier, it made the news that the British government’s Department of Work and Pensions, with help from other departments, was running an “Innovations Centre” on Second Life. The sim (or site as the article called it), reportedly cost 20,000 British Pounds to set up and would cost 12,000 Pounds to run every year. It is not accessible to the general public. One Member of Parliament called this a waste of money, accusing those involved of “living in a fantasy world.” “I am as excited by technology as anyone. I just don’t necessarily think in these times that taxpayers’ money ... should be spent on things like this.”A spokesman for the DWP soon responded, saying that the cost to get the sim was less than that, 6,000 Pounds. They explained the Centre was only a pilot project, but is developed to function like a real-life location. They defended the money spent, saying it will save taxpayers in the long run by allowing people to hold meetings online without having to travel, “We are currently exploring the potential use of Second Life, and have active interest from a number of Government departments. ... We believe it could help ... save taxpayers money as meetings, events, and shows can be held online at a fraction of the cost and resources.”The DWP went on to suggest they could further cover their costs by allowing companies to “showcase” a product at the sim, in exchange for paying a fee. The Innovations Centre is up for renewal in 2011. There are no plans to make the sim accessible to other Second Life residents.Sources: BBC, eWeek EuropeBixyl Shuftan

moreless