I have to admit that I knew almost nothing about Open Sim (OS). I heard many times that many educational sims were migrating to open sims because Linden Lab decided not to give discounts to educational sims but I was not interested in OS at all. I have been so comfortable teaching and learning in Second Life that I refused to change. My students have been learning in Sciland, Nanoland and Illinois State University sandboxes for free so I didn't bother to think that it was free because other people had to bear the cost of maintaining sims in Second Life.
I skipped any information about OS, including Kitely, I got from my Facebook group. Then yesterday, I was involved in a dispute with my friend, James O'Reilly (;p). He thought that it was time for me to learn about Open Sim, especially Kitely. I thought that accessing Kitely was nerve wrecking and the whole idea of Open Sim was a waste of time. I was wrong.
As soon as I discovered my own way of accessing Kitely from my Facebook account-YES, you access Kitely from your Facebook account-, I was inside Kitely virtual world in no time. (James, admit it! Your Kitely instruction is brilliant but not user friendly) My first Kitely experience was in James's sim. Not enough being in someone's else island, I created my own sim for free.
Here's how you can access my sim in 3D virtual world Kitely if you do not have SL viewer in your computer:
1. Download and install this Second Life viewer - Viewer for advanced resident is recommended: http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/?lang=en-US
2. Login your Facebook
3. Go to this link and click LOGIN with Facebook button: http://www.kitely.com/virtualworld/Ines-Puspita/Deutsche-Internationale-Schule
4. Download and install Kitely plugin as it pops up.
5. Click ENTER WORLD
6. A warning window will pop up, choose ALLOW access.
7. Second Life viewer will load and you will be logged in automatically.
How simple is that?
I have so many things to learn about Kitely. Hmm....Open Sim is a very interesting species indeed. No wonder more and more people buzz about it. Having my own sim is like a dream come true to me. Now I can fulfil my students' dream of having their own house or appartment in the school complex. I still fall in love with Second Life, the great builds, the people, the networks, but I will give Open Sims a chance.
Go to www.kitely.com to learn more about it.
(Thank you for the FEUD James O'Reilly)