We knew this was coming since CIA backed In-Q-Tel sold Sketchup to Google…along with Google Earth formerly, known as Keyhole- I think. Never can keep up on that sector. Don’t act surprised- it is plain sight folks.

Google Going Grid?

The Multiverse Network is announcing a partnership today that will allow you to create a virtual world using Google Earth and Google’s 3D Warehouse, a repository of 3D models created using tools like Google Sketchup. So, say if a city has 3D models built of it’s buildings, you could create a virtual world from them, almost instantly using this new technology. They are planning on showing Architectural Wonders at the Virtual Worlds conference tomorrow in San Jose, California.

Wonder what Second Life folks think? I’ve noted some ex-Lindens in the Google officer’s mess. Yet I am not so quick to throw in their towel (although at times…)- Google does not like to create content, they really don’t like controversy, and really I don’t think they like to police content either (hint- it doesn’t scale)…still I take their Grid over Second Life’s anyday who knows…perhaps it won’t be so proprietary and “grid crasher” will come to fruition ala Open Sim.

I also have to wonder if Second Life saw a bit of light encryption coming…or if they wonder what might be coming next since this is just a light warm up I am sure. Yeah I am really, really sure more is coming. 100%…and this is important. Not object-to-object- person-to-person or avatar to avatar. Your nomenclature may vary.

Second Life Encryption- weak like mint tea- but the concept is there.

What You Get: The Chevalier Encoder HUDS come in packs of 2, 5, 10 and 20. One for you and one for whomever you want to chat with securely, each avatar is required to have one to be able to join the chat.

How it works: The HUD, or heads up display, includes an on-screen keyboard, which you attach from inventory. It will attach itself to the top center location of your screen, which of course, you can change as you do you other HUD’s, and place it somewhere other than the top center.

To use the Encryption Keyboard HUD click the “Menu” button and select “New Chat” or “Add To Chat” from the dialog that pops up, you will be given a list of avatars in range (96 Meters), then select the avatar with whom you wish to speak to (or add to an existing session) in encrypted form and a notice is sent to their HUD, which they must be wearing. A random pass-code is generated and swapped between HUD’s, and then you can safely communicate with that avatar or avatars.

You may also choose a pre-determined pass phrase that everybody wearing the Chevalier Encryption HUD knows, by keying in the group pass phrase and clicking the “Set Pass” button, and everyone can talk in group chat- encrypted.

Communication works Sim wide once pass-codes/phrases are swapped and chat begins.

NOTE: This version of the HUD uses simple encryption so while no other avatars can read it, the text is still visible to Linden Labs. It is also notable that the keying in of information is slow using the screen keyboard; you can also enable a chat channel to speed up encoded chatting, although this is not as secure. A high numbered random channel is selected each time you enable this feature, but using presets can help, and the look of the faces of the enemy is priceless.

I tried it- it is slow as stated, but for emergencies- it works, and fun to hit channel scanners with. Really….plus SOX, HIPPA, e-discovery- remember all that kids? VoIP or IM, e-mail or chat, no matter how ephemeral the medium it has to be archived if you are a publicly traded company. Not sure how encryption fits in there.

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