One of the features of the RLC 3D community that sets it apart from Second Life is that it has a companion Web Site.  I have a Second Life account, but I have only logged in a few times.  I have not seen a companion web site to Second Life.  RLC in and of itself is a fantastic 3D community, where you can meet and greet people from all over the world.  But the web site that goes along with RLC is a handy way to communicate with your RLC friends when they are offline.

The site is built to mimic MySpace.  You can use MySpace profile editors, and comments.  There are bulletins, and individual blogs for each user.  A user can set permissions on individual parts of their profile to allow and deny people access.  You can even deny permission to your profile to anyone but friends.  It is not just a MySpace clone, though.  It goes beyond that.  In there you have can let people know more about you, if that is what you wish.  Of course, since this is an adults only site (verified by age verification), you are not censored.  That means, you can pretty much put up anything you want on your profile.

A nice feature in it is your pictures.  You can put ANY kind of picture up you want.  Show all of the skin you are comfortable with.  You can also set the permissions on an individual picture so that it is hidden, just for friends, just for VIPs (paying members), or for everyone.  That way, you can have pictures up there of the real you, that only friends can see!  :)

They also have a bulletin system.  This allows you to send a message to everyone on your friends list at one time.  And they can all see it.  Just like that other site, I keep mentioning.  Again, no censorship here :)

RLC even has its own currency, Rays.  You earn rays several different ways, you can even purchase them on the marketplace.  They are always working on new ways to earn Rays.  Here are just a few ways you can currently earn Rays:

• Logging into RLC
• Logging into the Social Center
• Viewing a profile
• Viewing Pictures
• A blog post
• Uploading a picture
• Selling your services to a VIP member (only VIP members can transfer)
• Buy them from others (on the Marketplace)

Here are some things you can do with your Rays:

• Buy a gift for someone, a few gifts include a 1 month VIP membership!
• Give them to another member (only VIPs can transfer)
• Send e-mails to non-friends (0.10 Rays)
• Comment on a friend's profile (0.05 Rays)
• Sell them for real money (on the marketplace)

You may ask why it costs rays to send an e-mail or post a comment.  That helps fight spam from spammers.  I have not received spam in my Inbox, but I have heard it used to be an issue.  You also might think, 'But, Web, why would I just hand my Rays to another member?' Some people DJ in RLC, and they accept donations to help them in RLC by selling those Rays for cash, or use those Rays to keep a free VIP Membership.  Technically, they are working for it.  Maybe you just like someone, and want to help them.  Maybe because you had an agreement for some services they performed for (or to) you, and you are supposed to pay them for it.  Think about that last one for a minute :).

So, what RLC did was combine SL and MySpace, and did it quite well.  I like how they have taken the best of both worlds and combined them, and added to each of them.  In addition, they have more flexibility, since minors are not allowed on the site or in RLC.  I hope they continue with making it better, and still keeping it simple.

Come on in, the water is warm :)
Web