Tutorial Task 5: Internet field trip

I think the only major difference between virtual worlds and other communication technologies is in how people perceive them, and the way people are invested in them psychologically. They are similar to social networking cites in that people create an identity, and IM in the way communication is less inhibited. As apart of the tutorial task I became a member of habbo hotel and it included features such as being able to buy furniture, and go to events, however i dont think it differed greatly from Instant Messaging. Im guessing if i spent more time in the world maybe the content of communication might differ to that in IM, people might talk about their experiences in the online world rather than whats going on in real life.