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VHA Has Entered Second Life
The Veterans Health Administration has entered Second Life, the 3-D, online virtual world to provide veterans with another means of accessing important health and benefits information. VHA has leased a virtual three-story, contemporary office building in a professional office park as part of pilot project to extend their outreach efforts.
 The office has a number of features designed to invite visitors back to information available on the VA Internet. For example, a large poster on the wall shows a map of the United States. The avatar can click on the map, and the browser will open to the VA Facilities Locator and Directory.
The office also provides many of the features found in a real-world office, such as a desk, a lounge on the second floor, and a conference area with a projector and screen on the third floor. When the avatars need a break from the daily grind, they can step out onto the balcony and look around the park.
To visit, you will need to join Second Life by creating an account and setting up your avatar (a basic account is free). You can find information on all of this at the Second Life* web site. Once you have your avatar, you will need to download and install the Second Life software. Again, you can find information on how to install the software, system requirements, and network issues on the Second Life web site.
 It's a big virtual world out there, so we've made it easy for you to find us. Once you have your account and the Second Life software installed, you can use the Second Life URL, or SLURL, below, to teleport to the office. Hope to see you there!
When you do visit, you can show your VA pride by picking up a free t-shirt for your avatar to wear "inworld", as shown at left.
Teleport inworld to the VHA Office in Second Life*
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