Scripting.

Scripting can be quite difficult especially for those who are new to programming in general. The basic thing to understand is that computers aren't genius objects that can do anything. Technology today is advanced enough in order to self-direct it's actions. Every computer needs to be told what to do in order to perform specific task, thus programming languages were created. Each language in mainly instructive that gives computers parameters and instructions on how to specifically perform each task. Technology is advanced enough today where all the thinking is behind the veil so that users can focus on their own tasks. The computer is a tool, and the programmer is what makes that possible.

In this case, Second Life allows users to script in the environment to enhance and alter other's experinces along with their own. If someone were to interact with an object within the Second Life environment a script can be made to tell that object to perform an action. I can make a box in Second Life that will expand as soon as it's touched by a user, or maybe the user just has to walk by it in order for it to perform. Maybe the box can simultaneously send a message while it grows in size. The possibilities are endless as long as you have a grasp on the scripting language.

Below are some of my favored sources for those new to scripting.

LSL Example Scripts: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Category:LSL_Examples
LSL Script Library: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/LSL_Library
** Ann Enigma's EZ Autoscript site: http://www.3greeneggs.com/autoscript/
*** MIT's Scratch For SL (Lego Approach to Scripting): http://web.mit.edu/~eric_r/Public/S4SL/