Why should I become a paying member?

Very good question indeed. I'll have to snoop around and see what I can find when I have more time (at work).

Thanks for giving optimism a chance, Dook. LOL

But, back to the point:

Cresten, only buy a premium account if you feel that it will add to your SL experience. I have only been part of SL since March, and have been having plenty of fun on my free basic account. Personally, I have no need to own land at the moment, and the 500L stipend per week really doesn't mean much to me, as there are other ways to make money in SL. (I worked as a live bartender at a club for a spell, and am currently an equal partner in a new club that's been open for about a month... still bartending in SL. Good way to meet interesting folks, but I digress...) If nothing else, there is always the Lindex exchange to purchase linden dollars with US dollars, thereby supporting Linden Labs with RL currency. So, if you are having a good time, and don't think that having a premium account can add to it, then why bother with it?

Just my take on the situation, take it for what it's worth.

I have been in Second Life for about a week. I'm having a BLAST!! I'm learning the building tools, I've got a massive inventory of stuff that was absolutely FREE! The places that charge $1L for stuff usually have someone there who gives out a few $L's to newbies such as me so that they can buy their "free" boxes (why do they charge $1L for "free" stuff anyway?) I have been dissappointed to find EVERY money tree empty, but I really havn't needed to buy anything yet anyway. Way too much to look at right now to make any purchase decisions. Sure I don't "look" as good as all the members who have nice skins, designer clothes and shoes, and great hair-do's, but I havn't really found that people treat me any differently because of it.

I have seen a few job opportunities if I want to dress scantily and shake my booty in front of someone but I'm not so sure anyone would hire me unless I was able to get a new skin, some scanty clothes, buy some sexy dances/poses, and get a better hair-do.

I don't have land so I have no need for furniture or a house.

Right now I understand paying members get $500L a week and the right to hold land, but from what I've read on the forums and web sites, some big changes in the amount of $L's non paying members are recieving have taken place. Lots of people want paying members to stop recieving their stipend, and the way Linden Labs responded with cutting the $L's that non-paying members get makes me think that the $L's that paying members get will be reduced or gone before too long.

I don't think $10 a month, $23 every 3 months, or even $72 a year is worth the right to own land that you have to pay even more for. And unless there is more of a guarantee in the amount and continuation of the paying-member weekly $L's I can't see spending the money for a paid account and land ownership costs.

So please convince me to become a paid member. I'd really like to get some land, but if I have to pay for the right to get land, but I still have to pay for the land and pay extra if I want more than 512 sqm why should I pay a membership fee also unless I am guaranteed some spending $$ also?

What can a paid member (if there was no stipend) do that a non paying member can't do?

didnt read what was said 6 months ago was too busy playin in sl , i dont usually go round forums ,,

When you do, could you please IM me in world? At work, too, and leaving for a week after I get off from here.

Sure thing

Have a good trip... I'm jealous!

I'm just going to Cape Cod and Boston MA, the liberal bastions of the world (if by "the world" you mean "USA". It's sadly not Florida, and cold water makes me cold and wet.

Your whole post is centred around getting free stuff and complaining as to why you would bother buying anything when so much is free.

You even complain about paying a measly $L1 for stuff so I don't think anyone should bother trying to convince you to become a premium member.

Are you one of those people who sends begging IM's to random members?

I worked as a live bartender at a club for a spell, and am currently an equal partner in a new club that's been open for about a month... still bartending in SL.

I have been in Second Life for about a week. I'm having a BLAST!! I'm learning the building tools, I've got a massive inventory of stuff that was absolutely FREE! The places that charge $1L for stuff usually have someone there who gives out a few $L's to newbies such as me so that they can buy their "free" boxes (why do they charge $1L for "free" stuff anyway?) I have been dissappointed to find EVERY money tree empty, but I really havn't needed to buy anything yet anyway. Way too much to look at right now to make any purchase decisions. Sure I don't "look" as good as all the members who have nice skins, designer clothes and shoes, and great hair-do's, but I havn't really found that people treat me any differently because of it.

I have seen a few job opportunities if I want to dress scantily and shake my booty in front of someone but I'm not so sure anyone would hire me unless I was able to get a new skin, some scanty clothes, buy some sexy dances/poses, and get a better hair-do.

I don't have land so I have no need for furniture or a house.

Right now I understand paying members get $500L a week and the right to hold land, but from what I've read on the forums and web sites, some big changes in the amount of $L's non paying members are recieving have taken place. Lots of people want paying members to stop recieving their stipend, and the way Linden Labs responded with cutting the $L's that non-paying members get makes me think that the $L's that paying members get will be reduced or gone before too long.

I don't think $10 a month, $23 every 3 months, or even $72 a year is worth the right to own land that you have to pay even more for. And unless there is more of a guarantee in the amount and continuation of the paying-member weekly $L's I can't see spending the money for a paid account and land ownership costs.

So please convince me to become a paid member. I'd really like to get some land, but if I have to pay for the right to get land, but I still have to pay for the land and pay extra if I want more than 512 sqm why should I pay a membership fee also unless I am guaranteed some spending $$ also?

What can a paid member (if there was no stipend) do that a non paying member can't do?

As I understand it, if it's free they don't get a record of the transaction. By charging $1L, they can then track what's being purchased.

LOL - You're coming to my neck of the woods. I live 35 miles southwest of Boston, almost into Rhode Island. Oh, and we have red tide up here too, so don't drink the ocean water.

Dwight, I commend you.

I have been in Second Life for about a week. I'm having a BLAST!! I'm learning the building tools, I've got a massive inventory of stuff that was absolutely FREE! The places that charge $1L for stuff usually have someone there who gives out a few $L's to newbies such as me so that they can buy their "free" boxes (why do they charge $1L for "free" stuff anyway?) I have been dissappointed to find EVERY money tree empty, but I really havn't needed to buy anything yet anyway. Way too much to look at right now to make any purchase decisions. Sure I don't "look" as good as all the members who have nice skins, designer clothes and shoes, and great hair-do's, but I havn't really found that people treat me any differently because of it.

I have seen a few job opportunities if I want to dress scantily and shake my booty in front of someone but I'm not so sure anyone would hire me unless I was able to get a new skin, some scanty clothes, buy some sexy dances/poses, and get a better hair-do.

I don't have land so I have no need for furniture or a house.

Right now I understand paying members get $500L a week and the right to hold land, but from what I've read on the forums and web sites, some big changes in the amount of $L's non paying members are recieving have taken place. Lots of people want paying members to stop recieving their stipend, and the way Linden Labs responded with cutting the $L's that non-paying members get makes me think that the $L's that paying members get will be reduced or gone before too long.

I don't think $10 a month, $23 every 3 months, or even $72 a year is worth the right to own land that you have to pay even more for. And unless there is more of a guarantee in the amount and continuation of the paying-member weekly $L's I can't see spending the money for a paid account and land ownership costs.

So please convince me to become a paid member. I'd really like to get some land, but if I have to pay for the right to get land, but I still have to pay for the land and pay extra if I want more than 512 sqm why should I pay a membership fee also unless I am guaranteed some spending $$ also?

What can a paid member (if there was no stipend) do that a non paying member can't do?

I think if you can't come up with a reason to become a premium member, it's just not for you. When you need the land, you'll make the decision then.

It's like having a banana and saying "Why should I eat this banana?"

Well, are you hungry? No? Well, okay then.

I have been in Second Life for about a week. I'm having a BLAST!! I'm learning the building tools, I've got a massive inventory of stuff that was absolutely FREE! The places that charge $1L for stuff usually have someone there who gives out a few $L's to newbies such as me so that they can buy their "free" boxes (why do they charge $1L for "free" stuff anyway?) I have been dissappointed to find EVERY money tree empty, but I really havn't needed to buy anything yet anyway. Way too much to look at right now to make any purchase decisions. Sure I don't "look" as good as all the members who have nice skins, designer clothes and shoes, and great hair-do's, but I havn't really found that people treat me any differently because of it.

I have seen a few job opportunities if I want to dress scantily and shake my booty in front of someone but I'm not so sure anyone would hire me unless I was able to get a new skin, some scanty clothes, buy some sexy dances/poses, and get a better hair-do.

I don't have land so I have no need for furniture or a house.

Right now I understand paying members get $500L a week and the right to hold land, but from what I've read on the forums and web sites, some big changes in the amount of $L's non paying members are recieving have taken place. Lots of people want paying members to stop recieving their stipend, and the way Linden Labs responded with cutting the $L's that non-paying members get makes me think that the $L's that paying members get will be reduced or gone before too long.

I don't think $10 a month, $23 every 3 months, or even $72 a year is worth the right to own land that you have to pay even more for. And unless there is more of a guarantee in the amount and continuation of the paying-member weekly $L's I can't see spending the money for a paid account and land ownership costs.

So please convince me to become a paid member. I'd really like to get some land, but if I have to pay for the right to get land, but I still have to pay for the land and pay extra if I want more than 512 sqm why should I pay a membership fee also unless I am guaranteed some spending $$ also?

What can a paid member (if there was no stipend) do that a non paying member can't do?

Don't they make most of their money on tier, anyway? And I buy plenty of lindens which goes right in their pockets as well. I just don't see the big incentive to be a premium member, 512 of land surrounded by spinning cubes, casinos and tringo on the mainland? If they want premium members, they need to sweeten the pot, for me.