I’ve just watched CSI:New York from Saturday night. There was a lot about Second Life in the episode so I thought I’d give it a go (again).

I used to have an avatar a couple of years ago but got stuck in the ocean somewhere; then I discovered this thing called an XBox 360 - have you heard of it? Anyway, after watching the tv and seeing how easy they made it seem to log on and create an avatar I felt I’d quite like to get myself another online persona.

Real life does not bear any resemblance to what Mac Taylor and his cohort could do!  Firstly, you have to have a first and last name - can’t just be ‘Taylor’. Secondly, after signing up, creating a new avatar, downloading, installing and getting going there’s no way Mac could have done all of that and customise his avatar as quick as he did - even with help from the office geek. I can’t even get going yet as it keeps crashing on me. As for moving around, don’t get me started. My memory isn’t what it was when I was younger but I do recall taking about 5-10 mins familiarising myself with the key presses etc before I could get moving. Even then I wasn’t that good (hence being stuck in the ocean).

I feel real sorry for anyone who watched that and thought ‘hey that looks great and easy’ - coz it aint.

It’s the same with most other  programs. Melinda in Ghost Whisperer had her laptop unplugged on the table, went to it, opened the lid and - tah dah - there was a browser window ready to search, immediately. Yeah right.

I think I might write a satirical piece when I have time about how technology is portrayed in the films and on tv. Die Hard 4.0 the other night was, like, whoa. Until you stopped to think how often the signal’s going to die (or your battery).  If anyone out there wants to pinch my idea though then do feel free