Last week, we noted the savings Microsoft was seeing from hosting its developer events in Second Life instead of physically. The experience prompted members of Microsoft's community to work on a more robust version of OpenSim that integrates with Microsoft services. According to a Reuters interview with Microsoft developer/evangelist Zain Naboulsi, the company may be getting involved, which, since Linden Lab is looking at OpenSim as a potential market, Reuters points out could put the two in a form of competition.
Naboulsi's interest isn't in fantasy virtual worlds with anonymous avatars, but those tied to reality. He hopes to add Windows Live ID as a way to handle that identity management to a shipping version of OpenSim that also comes ready to run on MySQL and develop with C Sharp Express. It's worth noting that, at a larger level, Naboulsi's interest in virtual worlds for work is shared by Microsoft's Chief Researcher, making the play seem even more likely. [via Reuters]
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