"Emerald Viewer" for Encrypted Chat in Second Life

[Shawn Ware-Avant]

Today I finished out the three day of the CESL conference. I appreciate so much how technology provides a simple and convenient way to connect to others we might no otherwise have the opportunity to network with. My avatar “Tymeless Sands” enjoyed the opportunity to be informed on recent research, counseling and teaching methodology, without the hassle of travel, hotels or organizing my family to accommodate my absence for three days. Bravo to Dr. Marty Jencius and Debra London for being pioneers for the counselor profession and organizing a well presented and fluid conference.

During DeeAnna and Kate’s presentation on OTI, the question was posed relative to the security of communication using Second Life. The scripting for Linden Labs viewer (the one you download to use SL) is “open source” which means they have allowed anyone to recompile it to create newer, more advanced versions of the software. Modular Systems has enhanced LL version with their own “Greenlife Emerald Viewer”which in fact does allow communication via instant messenger that is private and also verifies the users (so that someone does not hack into a conversation purporting to be you). This is done using “Off The Record Messaging” Technology (http://www.cypherpunks.ca/otr/). Use of OTR is also not recorded by Linden Lab so it is not backed up and stored to their servers as are conversations in local chat or IM using their viewer.

For a review of the software (and some screen shots) from a regular SL user check out Nalate’s Things & Stuff Blog (http://nalates.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/greenlife-emerald-viewer-review/).

For more information and/or to download the Emerald Viewer for free, visit http://modularsystems.sl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=8

Digitally Yours, (smile)

Shawn
“Gen X” Clinician

[John Norris]

This sort of encryption/verification seems to be just the thing SL needs for private conversations. Thanks for bringing it up. I'll spread the word around too.