Web GIS in practice V: 3-D interactive and real-time mapping in Second Life

Abstract

This paper describes technologies from Daden Limited for geographically mapping and accessing live news stories/feeds, as well as other real-time, real-world data feeds (e.g., Google Earth KML feeds and GeoRSS feeds) in the 3-D virtual world of Second Life, by plotting and updating the corresponding Earth location points on a globe or some other suitable form (in-world), and further linking those points to relevant information and resources. This approach enables users to visualise, interact with, and even walk or fly through, the plotted data in 3-D. Users can also do the reverse: put pins on a map in the virtual world, and then view the data points on the Web in Google Maps or Google Earth. The technologies presented thus serve as a bridge between mirror worlds like Google Earth and virtual worlds like Second Life. We explore the geo-data display potential of virtual worlds and their likely convergence with mirror worlds in the context of the future 3-D Internet or Metaverse, and reflect on the potential of such technologies and their future possibilities, e.g. their use to develop emergency/public health virtual situation rooms to effectively manage emergencies and disasters in real time. The paper also covers some of the issues associated with these technologies, namely user interface accessibility and individual privacy.

Figure 1

A simple KML file for Google Earth.

Figure 2

An example RSS feed.

Figure 3

Automatically generated KML file from BBC News RSS feed.

Figure 4

Accessing the NewsGlobe web service through a REST model interface.

Figure 5

'Network link' file.

Figure 6

NewsGlobe in action. Google Earth displaying BBC News stories for 10 November 2007.

Figure 7

Google Maps showing bird flu news. Google Maps showing bird flu news stories for 11 November 2007 using NewsGlobe.

Figure 8

DataGlobe in action. DataGlobe [24] displaying the Discovery Channel KML Feed and Mt Rushmore image inside Second Life.

Figure 9

Interactive 3-D Earth globe for accessing Web-based, geographically-indexed information. An interactive 3-D Earth globe offering access to Web-based statistics and information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV/AIDS from 53 European region countries (compiled by the WHO's Regional Office for Europe). The globe is part of the University of Plymouth Sexual Health SIM in Second Life [62]. Usage: In the public chat box, type: '/8 where is country-name' to find country-name in a list of 53 European region countries and plot it on the globe as red marker. Once plotted, touch the marker to access the latest STIs/HIV/AIDS statistics and information for that country on the WHO's Regional Office for Europe Web site.

Figure 10

GeoGlobe in Second Life.

Figure 11

Daden's airplane tracking demo in Second Life.

Figure 12

Snapshot of Play2Train in Second Life. Play2Train is a US federally-funded bioterrorism preparedness virtual training space in Second Life designed to support Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), Simple Triage Rapid Transportation (START), Risk Communication and Incident Command System (ICS) Training. This virtual environment spreads over two islands in Second Life, Asterix and Obelix (65,536 × 2 square metres and not open to public access), with one island dedicated to a virtual town and the other a virtual hospital. The design of this virtual environment is influenced by dioramas frequently used by emergency services to support their tabletop exercises [34]. Play2Train has been used in an Alternative Care Facility Mobile Quarantine and Healthcare Facility 'Sidewalk Triage' for a simulated avian flu pandemic. Similar technologies can be used to develop real-time emergency/public health situation rooms in the bridged mirror and virtual worlds, especially with the advent of virtual world features like sculpted prims, improved physics and 'HTML on a Prim' in Second Life [63] and application/desktop sharing in Sun's MPK-20 [64].

Figure 13

Snapshot of NESIM in Second Life. Snapshot of the Emergency/Nursing Education Simulator (NESIM) in action, showing both the student and instructor HUDs (insets). NESIM was developed by John Miller and colleagues at Tacoma Community College, WA, USA.