Ealier this month we learned that a Google-like engine called "Roam Search" was launched, bringing an index of thousands of items from the virtual world of Second Life to the web. Now, Roam Search includes another Google-like feature: the service maps Second Life space to show where--in virtual reality--the item is located. Links to 2D maps are available in the search results, such as in the listing for PixelDolls Clothiers--clicking on the map thumbnail calls up a larger version.

Roam Search is created by Wet Ikon, a team of Second Life residents, and is an impressive service due not only to its technical elegance, but its bridging of Second Life's gated community and the openess of the World Wide Web. "Snapzilla," created by resident Cristiano Midnight, is another "bridge" service that's become a raging success since its launch early in 2005, echoing aspects of photo-sharing service Flickr.