Second Life is aimed at people who are too scared to take risks in the real world. Over a million players are now involved, creating a new social space and building engaging new scenarios.

Characters known as 'avatars' are created by users of the site who then interact with each other, even spending virtual money known as 'Linden dollars' (which can be exchanged for real currency) on property, clothes and other items.

Essentially you can recreate yourself as an avatar in a simulated environment in cyberspace, and can then live the life you want to live, doing things that you'd never do in reality.

This could be something as simple as experimenting with types of clothing that you'd never normally choose - or starting a new business.

According to BBC News, a number of people are now trading successfully and generating an income within Second Life.

As The Guardian reports, a virtual newspaper is soon to be launched by Axel Springer, the German publisher of Der Bild, and it will be sold by subscription in the virtual universe where avatars spend around £260,000 daily on a variety of cultural pursuits, including attending concerts.

So if the idea of a virtual business appeals, this could be the way to try out a new idea.