An interesting slide show

Definition of Virtual Worlds

View more OpenOffice presentations from Mark Bell.

Virtual World News and Reviews

I'm doing the obligatory thing and just mentioning that I've started an LJ community. This one's called Virtual World News and Reviews and you can find it here: vw_news. Like to to look at different Virtual Worlds, not just second life, and got tired that there wasn't an active community where people could post news and reviews that weren't just for one system (there is one, moderated, but which has never been used). This will only succeed if people contribute to and read it, but that's the story with all LJ Communities.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduces gay marriage bill

From the Herald Sun:

SAME-SEX couples will be allowed to marry if a Bill introduced in the Federal Parliament is passed.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced her private member's Bill, proposing to grant gay couples equal marriage rights, into the Upper House on Wednesday.

The Bill seeks to remove all discrimination based on sexuality and gender from the Marriage Act.

It will also allow same-sex marriages legalised abroad to be recognised in Australia.

Senator Hanson-Young tabled a petition of more than 30,000 signatures supporting gay marriage rights, saying: "The Rudd Government can no longer hide behind the lame excuse of the community not being ready for same-sex marriages in Australia."

Debate on the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 was adjourned.

I don't know how much chance this has of succeeding, but at least they're giving it a go.