Jnana

There is a new and interesting software in town, by the name of Jnana. According to the description at its offical website, Jnana offers non-programmers to build applications that provide guidance and advise online. This is actually tapping into the power of congregated expertise and putting them in consultant booths online for greater accessibility by the general public. Everybody is an expert in something, some in C++ development, some in accounting, book keeping, cooking pasta, baking cookies, sex, hitching a ride, kung fu, sweeping the floor, ballet dancing, complaining to your credit card company, cars, dogs, reptiles, etc, etc. And by allowing such individuals to create applications that web sufers can called-up and tap into, this will really bring the internet into a higher level of content provision.

Now what makes this all the more interesting is that Jnana is now available in Second Life! Yes! That is great news to us Second Lifers. According to the this writeup of the Second Opinion newsletter, Jnana in SecondLife will allow players to build virtual booth, selling real life products and providing advices and research to buyers. Taking a quote from the article in Second Opinion newsletter :

"Let's say you're advising someone who wants to buy a digital camera in your store in Second Life," Fred says. "They're trying to decide which camera is right for them. As it happens, you're passionate about digital cameras and have done copious research in the process of purchasing your own." Jnana allows you to upload your own research as an interactive questions/answers system which then prompts visitors with questions related to your topic.

In the case of the digital camera store, Jnana asks your new buyers questions such as: "Will you be using the camera for business or personal photos?", "Will you be taking photos mainly indoors or outdoors?", and "Will you be filming action sports or still-life?". All of those questions help identify the right kind of camera for the person making the purchase decision. So that individual benefits from all the research you've done. It's like a personal recommendation coupled with expert knowledge, which is what makes it so valuable."

My guess is that this will open up more business opportunties to business who wants to exploit virtual active worlds, and Second Lifers who wants to cement their virtual assets to real world operations.

Of course, in my next login, Limkopi will be flying down to the Jnana Island for a look. Hopeful I can fixed up a booth of some sort and start my operations.