Does web surfing isolate you from other people? I would say no, especially when you have a look at German based startup Weblin.com (former Zweitgeist)

“Weblin builds a bridge between first and Second Life” says Christine Stumpf co-founder of Weblin. With your 2-D Avatar you can meet, chat and gesticulate with other Avatars at the bottom of your browser screen. “It’s like in the real world – people meeting in the same “Room” can interact and speak to each other”. It’s really socialising.I liked Weblin from the very beginning cause it’s a kind of good mix of instant messaging, meeting people by chance and even flirt or get recommendations about the sites your are browsing right now. It’s kind of “avataring” but in the real web space.

I admit, that sometimes it takes a while meeting other avatars while surfing, but every now and then I have quite interesting conversations. And if I’m annoyed of too much talking and moving Avatars I just get quickly out of it. So Weblin is a very interesting startup which also offers new way of advertising too. Teams of corporate Avatars might pop up and offer you new products. First advertising partners are about to sign contracts. I found it interesting that Weblin.com has lots of similarities with 2nd Life. In the future it will be possible to buy a virtual currency and buy and sell Avatars. I wonder when Weblin and 2nd life will have switch capabilities between 2nd Life and the “real virtual world”.