'Internet Field Trip'

Well, this week we were encouraged to delve into the online realms of 3D IM....and all I can say is that I was less than impressed.
First, I tried 'Activeworlds'. Not only did the first few attempts leave me staring at a blank screen after probing for a credit card number, I was inundated with billions of screens telling me about programs I simply must download in order for it to work. After my 4th try, I managed to do something right, and I got in. However, by this stage I had lost interest and really couldn't even be bothered working out which character I was.
The second site I went to was Haboo Hotel. Although it was significantly easier to get into, I wasn't really keen on the plain graphics. I also failed to get really keen on the fact that I could 'visit the cinema in this virtual world!!'. Yay :
After taking my little Lego-lookalike body for a stroll down these make-believe streets I found myself losing interest again.
Clearly, I wasn't fully enthusiastic about this Internet field trip.
Lastly, I decided to give the world of 3D IM one last chance, and tried IMVU.
I thought I had made a breakthrough. The registration process was easy, and I liked having a pretty detailed say into what my avatar looked like.
But once I was in....no one wanted to talk to me. I was the definition of a virtual loner.....It could have maybe had something to do with the fact that even if someone were to talk to me, I wouldn't really know how to respond, but still it's more fun to be dramatic.
So, yet again, I logged out of the labyrinth of screens and felt relieved to make it throught the 3D IM trauma unscathed.
I reallly think I'll just stick to Msn. It's simple, no fuss, I know exactly who I'm talking to because you have full power when it comes to who ends up on your contact list, and you don't have to worry about messing around with little Avatar lookalikes.
Maybe 3D IM is taking it a little too far....is it really necessary to have a virtual world inside your computer, when you can just step outside?