First there were the SIMS, then neo-pets and a host of other virtual world games aimed at children and teens. Then came Second Life – a virtual online world that attracts residents of all ages. “Residents” buy and sell real estate, go to school, raise families and pets and attend live concerts. In fact, just about everything you can do in real life, you can do in your Second Life.

This morning I read an article on Media in Canada about a Toronto band that’s planning to simulcast a live real-world show on November 25th with a virtual ‘in-world” show on Second Life. They’ll be the first band to perform live in front of their virtual fans at the same time as their real ones.

Second Life’s 1 million plus residents have also attracted the attention of major advertisers who are flocking to the site – there’s a Reuter’s news bureau, an American Apparel online store, an ad agency to help brands maximize their Second Life media spend – and of course plenty of advertising for real world products.

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Dear Aunt May,

Lately, my email newsletter seems – well – flat. And my readers aren’t responding to sales offers the way they used to. I don’t understand it! What can I do to rekindle the spark in our relationship?

- High Expectations, North Vancouver, BC

Dear Expectations,

You’re not alone. Lots of once great relationships fizzle out over time – usually because someone isn’t working hard enough to keep the home fires burning. Let me ask you a question. Are you putting less effort into the relationship than you used to? Sending newsletters that are 75% promotion and 25% information.

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Ever feel as though technology has eradicated customer service? I spent most of today struggling to get our contact management system to spit out a particular list of customers for a sales promotion. Basic contact management stuff, right? Wrong!

First I tried the obvious - but of course it wasn’t. Obvious that is.

Then I read the User Manual - a 150 page PDF because the software company finds printing too expensive. I found plenty of oblique references to apparently non-existant tables and menus but nothing about how to create the kind of filter I needed.

When that didn’t work, I tried the website. Every technology company offers users an online knowledge base these days. It’s there - but I can’t access it until I cough up more money for a subscription.

Finally, I gave in and phoned tech support.

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