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Intelligent virtual agents (IVAs) are animated characters that interact with humans and with each other using natural modalities such as speech and gestures. Creation of successful IVA applications is challenging since development requires integration of a broad range of specialized tools and skills. We present a discussion of the advantages and technical challenges of using the Second Life pro...

In this paper we report on our experiences in creating presence for our university in the Second Life environment. After a brief explanation of our motivation(s), we will describe our approach, which resulted in creating a virtual campus acting both as a portal for information, and, more importantly, as a meeting point, offering the opportunity to create a virtual community of learners, in line...

Software agents help people with time consuming activities. One increasingly popular application for software agents is electronic commerce, namely having agents buy and sell goods and services on behalf of users. We recently conducted a real-life experiment in creating an agent marketplace, using a slightly modified version of the Kasbah system [Chavez96]. Approximately 200 participants intens...

The decline in religious identification and corresponding increase in the unaffiliated has been one of the most important religious changes in the United Kingdom (UK). The emergence of the “religious nones” is the most obvious sign of continuing secularization and the declining social and cultural relevance of religion. Yet while the religiously-unaffiliated often form the plurality — if not so...

PROGRESS REPORT OF REDTOL: THE RED ALGAL TREE OF LIFE Yoon, H. S. Sungkyunkwan University, Republic Of Korea, [email protected] Bhattacharya, D. Rutgers University, USA, [email protected] Boo, S. M. Chungnam National University, Republic Of Korea, [email protected] Fredericq, S. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA, [email protected] Hommersand, M. University of North Caro...