The Free Dictionary defines a handler as someone who “handles or deals with certain articles or commodities.” In 2009 I coined the phrase “avatar handler” to cover my responsibilities in developing and managing the 3-D graphical representation of myself in the virtual world of Second Life®. My goal in doing so was to keep my identity separate from that of my avatar. Since then, business colleagues and friends have asked me to help them set up their avatars and presence in that virtual environment so I’ve expanded my meaning of avatar handler to include managing the 3-D graphical representation of others.
After three years of researching the business and educational installations in immerse 3D environments, particularly that of Second Life, my avatar has proven to be one valuable “commodity”.
