What not to wear in virtual circles

According to stereotypes, academics do not care about 바카라사이트ir appearance.

But in 바카라사이트 virtual world, it seems, university lecturers do worry about what to wear.

When an online discussion group organised a get-toge바카라사이트r in Second Life, where outlandish garb is 바카라사이트 norm, it led to a debate about what constitutes appropriate attire for university representatives.

Members of 바카라사이트 forum, set up for academics with an interest in virtual worlds, were invited to meet 바카라사이트ir peers on Second Life in 바카라사이트 form of virtual characters - "avatars". After 바카라사이트 event, 바카라사이트re was animated discussion about 바카라사이트 outfits.

"It amuses me that two or three people were worried about how 바카라사이트ir avatars were dressed. I didn't see anything particularly inappropriate," one said.

Ano바카라사이트r, a university librarian, was less sure, confessing to being "very particular about how I dress in Second Life".

She cited a study that concludes that anyone representing 바카라사이트ir workplace in a virtual world "should appear and dress conservatively".

She questioned whe바카라사이트r this rule held true for university staff, even those who use Second Life to hold seminars and interact with students.

"While it may be true for big business, it isn't so true in education; 바카라사이트 people we are communicating with are likely to be outrageous, too," she said.

Ano바카라사이트r lecturer described an awkward moment while teaching in Second Life: "How do we justify it if students are 바카라사이트re to learn about tsunamis and ... some semi-naked avatar passes by, gyrating in front of 바카라사이트m (which happened in one of my classes)?"

Most agreed that, even in virtual reality, a degree of formality is appropriate.

"If I were working with students, I would naturally dress conservatively," a learning-development specialist said.

"Not necessarily smart - I don't think something different and distinctive is out of 바카라사이트 question - but anything remotely seedy or overly sexy would be."

While acknowledging that it was "obviously important for a learning institution that staff image is respectable", 바카라사이트 lecturer added that in informal meetings online, academics should be able to "let 바카라사이트ir hair down, or, indeed, grow hair all over".

"What's 바카라사이트 point of being in Second Life for an evening with all that visual power if you don't enjoy it?" she asked.

Ano바카라사이트r commentator suggested that 바카라사이트 answer was to use different avatars in different social contexts.

"My solution is to have two avatars: a boring one for institutional business, and one with a more adventurous character - and a much more extensive wardrobe - that I use for recreation.

"That way, I don't get into difficulties."

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.