This page features comparisons in different ways of three different Virtual Worlds. Currently these worlds are Active Worlds, Second Life, and There (alphabetical order).
This is meant as a non-partisan comparison of these three VWs and their features. It is an attempt to be helpfull to anyone who want's to know more about these different VWs and find which one is best for them. I do encourage you to try each one out however to find for your own self which you prefer. Each VW does offer a free trial of some sort.
I use the term Virtual Worlds although several other terms could be used to describe these types of software. Virtual Realities, Metaverses, 3D Internet, and many other terms are amongst those that could be used.
There are many other VWs that could be listed here and compared against. However I do not list them on these pages because of a few reasons. One of these reasons is I know AW, SL, and There the best. Another is these three seem to be the most popular VWs currently. Yet another reason is that alot of the other VWs are in some form of Alpha or Beta testing, and while I think they have great and awsome potential, to compare them here and now wouldn't be exactly fair. If you're interisted in currently in testing VWs I recommend checking out Open Source Metaverse Project, Croquet Project, and Interreality Project, all of which are very cool. There is also IMVU which is a combination VW and IM Addon, it is being developed by some of the same people who worked on There, I would not call it a VW 100% because it is mostly 1 on 1 or a very small ammount of people in a conversation at a time, however it does share some same charistics.
The Comparison Chart page shows a simple and easy to read (or atleast I tried) chart comparison of the different features. The feature is on the left side with the answer to whether or not the VW has it on the right. Clicking a feature catagory will take you to the details page with that catagory, clicking the answer for each VW will take you directly to the explination on the details page for that VW.
The Comparison Details page shows a more detailed and explained version of the chart, with the same rundown and order of features. Clicking the feature catagory or the VW title in that catagory will take you back to the Comparison Chart page and to that catagory. I have tried to give as much detail towards the feature without being too wordy or otherwise annoying, as well as being as honest and factual about the feature as possible. If you have anything you think should be added, or changed, or dissagree with, or whatever, contact me however you're most comfortable.
Comparison Details