AOL's first foray into SL is the incredible build called AOL Pointe, which features among other things, an amphitheater where residents can listen to the latest bands; a movie theater featuring both cinema and television content; a skatepark, where residents can grind perform numerous tricks for actual ellz; and many many other fun little activities.

While AOL logos and affiliated branding is everywhere to be seen, it's somehow made as unobtrusive as possible. The entire complex is colorful and well-planned, with one area leading to the next. AOL has clearly mandated that Exploration be the primary function of the build, and may be one of the first Big Companies to contribute more to SL as a whole than mere presence.

The island is still in Beta, meaning that it's not accessible to the average resident, so I won't tease you with an SLURL. However, I will bury you in photos taken from the site instead, just to whet your appetite for its eventual opening.Here's what I found, in no particular order:

First, the Amphitheater, with a stage built to show video, but which might also be modified to hold live bands. An informational placard (not shown) displayed the name and running time of content. A wonderfully open area.


Adjoining the Amphitheater is this skateboard store. I picked the default AOL deck just so I could test how the ramps and ledges worked. The default was free and held a number of tricks built-in; I imagine the for sale decks will incorporate more tricks and perhaps better physics. Spoiler Alert: I can't skate to save my life.


On the other side of the room is found clothing merchandise. Stylish, too! On the upper-right-hand corner, you can just make out the AOL Yellow Guy. If he has a name, it's lost to me. This is just me, but if I were AOL, I'd make a Yellow Guy avatar available for purchase. Ch-CHING!


Somewhat removed from that building is the Starlane, much like the Walk of Fame, where I did a double-take when reading the names of the 'celebrities': Sim Bassinger? Camera Diaz? Chat Eastwood? I won't go on, but the walk sure does! There's a metric tonne of clever puns for names there, and what's more fun is you get to have your own star, with appropriate hand-, mech- or pawprints!


Here's the Scooplex, which had a video available to watch of various celebrities leaving some sort of club. Nice Deco-y seating. Apparently the video player will be user-controllable, but for the moment it's locked. Yes, that's Paris Hilton, displaying the expression she must think is her moneymaker -- insouciant indifference. I'm sorry, that has nothing to do with AOL or AOL Pointe. Some people have issues; I have a subscription. Let's move on.


The Quiz Time Lounge. I didn't play, so I'm not sure how it works. Like many such games, however, it's probably better with more than one person in attendance. I thought briefly of getting my imaginary friends to play, but they were all off elsewhere being cool. My high school days flashed briefly before my eyes, then I left the room.


The Main Screen. Lovely muted blues and, dare I say, ecru tones provide a soothing atmosphere in which to watch movies. You can see me in the second floor balcony, where there were a few choice luxury seats. Even though this build is brand-new, still the floors were sticky. With spilled soda, you degenerates!


Snaparazzi Palace! Where you can get your photo taken against a number of different backgrounds, including an extremely useful Green Screen for easy editing. I briefly tried one of them out, striking pose after pose, imagining the flashing lightbulbs strobing, sending my image out to the world. Unfortunately, I imagined it so well I gave myself a seizure.


The is the outside dining area of Club AOL, with videoscreens in evidence. A sign inside reads 'Intimate, in-studio performances.' Dinner and a show!


The Centrifuge Skate Park, also with videoscreens. It should be noted that these screens are everywhere, and offer a vast range of content. So even if you're not engaging in the myriad of activities to be had, there's still a lot for you to experience. Well done, AOL!


Extreme sports videos are to be had at the Shreditorium. Time to Warehouse Crate: 1 second.


And last but not least, the Sticky Wall! Words alone cannot describe this; to paraphrase Morpheus, it must be seen to be believed.