Topic: Virtual Worlds

Facebook privacy concerns may dampen IPO

A new poll says that only 13 percent of Facebook users trust the service, while GM has announced they are pulling ads from the website.

World of Warcraft unites mother, son miles apart

World of Warcraft online role-playing game kept a mother connected to her son – and strengthened their relationship – when he moved 1,00 miles from home. When her son moved 1,200 miles away from home.

Norwegian murderer Breivik had planned even more sweeping attack (+video)

During testimony today, Norwegian murderer Anders Behring Breivik revealed that he had planned to bomb more than one building and to decapitate the former prime minister. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2: facial recognition unlock, other Ice Cream Sandwich perks

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 to be introduced in Britain in March, then rolled out elsewhere. The successor to the Samsung Galaxy Tab will be one of the first tablets to run Android Ice Cream Sandwich system. 

Deng Fei goes beyond journalism to right wrongs in China

Once a top investigative reporter in China, Deng Fei now writes a popular microblog that moves readers to action.

Top 10 highest paid authors of 2011

Forbes has just released their 2011 list of the world's highest paid authors (based on earnings from May 2010 to April 2011), and some of them may surprise you. We'll tell you how much each author made, why you should know their names, and how they beat the recession's effect on the fiction industry.

9 best books of August: Amazon editors' favorite picks

Some of this summer's most interesting books will pull at your heartstrings and pull you across time and space – from Beijing today to 1930s Manhattan to planet Earth in the year 2044. And that's just for starters. Here are nine of the August 2011 titles that are drawing the most enthusiastic thumbs-up from the editors at Amazon.com.

Man makes record $335,000 in virtual real estate deal

A user of Entropia Universe, an online game, earned $335,000 in a record breaking virtual real estate deal.

A virtual world that breaks real barriers

In Second Life's Al-Andalus, a virtual world patterned after medieval Andalus in Spain, avatars of Muslims mix with avatars of Jews and Christians to strive for a more perfect union.

Bestselling books the week of 9/9/10, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.

Moonbase Alpha: New NASA game lets you run a virtual lunar station

Moonbase Alpha has players working together to restore oxygen flow and critical systems on a virtual lunar base after a meteor strike.

Is "Bree Tanner" failing to fly off the shelves?

Some bookstores say "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" isn't selling at "Twilight" speed.

"The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" poised for release tomorrow

Threats of "malware" do little to dampen enthusiasm over "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner," the new novella by "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer.

Finding balance in life and finance

Role playing games like World of Warcraft can start to take over your life; when they do, it's import to take a step back and learning to live in moderation. The same can be applied to any part of your financial life.

A new Twilight book, plus Harry Potter under a different cover

A new Twilight book and a redesigned look for Harry Potter should spell good news for book sales.

'Avatar' reality: It's just a show, people

The 'Avatar' blockbuster has raised hackles for its portrayal of marines and worship of environmentalism. But it's the 3-d that's the real message as physical and virtual worlds merge.

Internet addiction center opens in US

Internet addiction is not recognized as a separate disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, and treatment is not generally covered by insurance. But there are many such treatment centers in China, South Korea and Taiwan — where Internet addiction is taken very seriously — and many psychiatric experts say it is clear that Internet addiction is real and harmful.

Will WoW fans stop playing long enough to read a Warcraft magazine?

Now that's smart business: Sam Raimi to direct 'Warcraft' flick

She's got game: Report says more girls are playing video games

Germany: Help for computer 'addicts'

How is Sony's Home better than Second Life?

When is an online fad over?

Horizon highlights – Geek culture edition

By the numbers: teens and video games