Hiya,
I've only been in SL for 2 weeks or so. I love the world and the people I've met are awesome!
With a few exceptions...
Due to those "exceptions", I have heard many in-world and here in the forums complaining about the Free Accounts. Since I am so new, I can not formulate a discussion on such. The opening of Free Accounts may very well have opened the floodgates to people who just want to cause problems.
My question is what someone like me can do to get out from under the stigma of such?
I know there's no big red sign over my AV saying I'm on a Free Account, but since I can't own land, it does show to those with a slight bit of intelligence. (And I don't lie when asked)
Those I socialize with know me, are my friends and know I'm not here to cause trouble. I would love to buy a Premium Account, but simply can not free up RL income to do so. I enjoy SL to escape and relax from those RL concerns for a few. To meet and have fun with others of like minds.
So this "newbie" asks all the "oldies"; Are all Free Accounts really looked down upon or am I hearing a few grumbles just to vent steam? And if they are, what can we, who can not afford better, do to earn the right to not be looked down upon?
I don't want a free handout (well....not other than my Free Account *Grins*). I don't mind if I have to earn my place. I just want to know how.
~Jessy
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Free Account Stigma? |
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Jessica Elytis
Goddess
Join date: 7 Oct 2005
Posts: 1,783
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10-24-2005 20:48
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Whisper Lily
Ice Princess
Join date: 19 May 2004
Posts: 34
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10-24-2005 20:51
Alot of 'oldies' don't own land. There is no stigma I know of. Actually many people take pride in not owning land because they can play for free, and still make money by renting store space.
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Ashlynne Poole
Huggles Queen
Join date: 30 Oct 2004
Posts: 168
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10-24-2005 20:59
I don't consider myself an oldbie, altho in the past I have owned land I don't now.
I love the fact that more people are joining, means more friends I haven't met yet Welcome to SL! *hugs* Ash _____________________
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God
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Cid Jacobs
Theoretical Meteorologist
Join date: 18 Jul 2004
Posts: 4,304
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10-24-2005 21:00
I think most people are happy that we now get the first account free. It means a lot more people will join Second Life. And we all benefit from that.
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Beryl Greenacre
Big Scaredy-Baby
Join date: 24 Jun 2003
Posts: 1,312
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10-24-2005 21:03
This is one "oldbie" (as old as or older than many, though not as old as some) who is happy to see new people joining SL, whether or not they're on free basic accounts. Take anything you read in forums with a huge grain of salt and a healthy dose of skepticism. Welcome to SL, Jessica!
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Swell Second Life: Menswear by Beryl Greenacre
Miramare 105, 82/ Aqua 192, 112/ Image Reflections Design, Freedom 121, 121 |
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Heuvadoches Naumova
Equus Exoticus
Join date: 6 Oct 2005
Posts: 174
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10-24-2005 21:08
I'm on a free account, and personally, if a non-linden has a problem with my using the system and not paying for it, they can take a flying leap from a tall building in a high-damage sim with a no-fly rule in effect.
I'll be on the ground watching the pixellated splatter and fade to black. _____________________
Respectfully yours,
Heuvadoches [I try to be in character as much as possible.]  [left]Obligitory Advertisement: Pixel Crack Productions - Rainbow Tiger Island Mall [/left] |
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SuezanneC Baskerville
Forums Rock!
Join date: 22 Dec 2003
Posts: 14,229
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10-24-2005 21:33
I'm on a free account, and personally, if a non-linden has a problem with my using the system and not paying for it, they can take a flying leap from a tall building in a high-damage sim with a no-fly rule in effect. I'll be on the ground watching the pixellated splatter and fade to black. Yeah, but what about the people near the jumper's home where they reappear after they take too much damage? Are you gonna be around to help them?  ------- We've long had lifetime basic access membership for ten bucks. That's only ten bucks for a whole lifetime, that's not much different than free. So the new free account status isn't much of a change. The free folks who don't rent some space generally don't have objects out in the world, so the only resources they consume when offline are storage space for their inventory. A minimal amount. When the free account members are online they pay their way by being pleasant companions if they are just here to chat and fiddle around. If they go into business they improve the play by making more choices available to people. If they buy lindens and use them to buy other user's product that pays their way and makes other users wealthier. If they help others that's paying their way. There's no good reason for account status to be a stigma. _____________________
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So long to these forums, the vBulletin forums that used to be at forums.secondlife.com. I will miss them. I can be found on the web by searching for "SuezanneC Baskerville", or go to http://www.google.com/profiles/suezanne - http://lindenlab.tribe.net/ created on 11/19/03. Members: Ben, Catherine, Colin, Cory, Dan, Doug, Jim, Philip, Phoenix, Richard, Robin, and Ryan - |
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Michi Lumin
Sharp and Pointy
Join date: 14 Oct 2003
Posts: 1,793
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10-24-2005 21:34
Actually, complaining about the free account users is soooo two months ago.
I'm serious. I think most people have gotten over it by now. I've been here since 2003, and I really don't even try to distinguish who is a 'freebie' and who isn't. |
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Travis Lambert
White dog, red collar
Join date: 3 Jun 2004
Posts: 2,819
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10-24-2005 22:08
Jessica - I wouldn't worry about what other people may think, and just enjoy your free account & Second Life
If anything, I think the biggest initial concern over free accounts was that they might be used by people who didn't take our world seriously ($L farming, griefing, etc). If you're enjoying your Second Life and getting something out of it - you're using your free account for exactly what it was intended for. Hope to see you in world! _____________________
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The Shelter The Shelter is a non-profit recreation center for new residents, and supporters of new residents. Our goal is to provide a positive & supportive social environment for those looking for one in our overwhelming world. |
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Cocoanut Koala
Coco's Cottages
Join date: 7 Feb 2005
Posts: 7,903
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10-24-2005 22:35
I've love having the free accounts and basic account people!
But I've always called them basic accounts. Because they are the same thing as basic accounts used to be, except you don't have to pay the $9.95 for your first one. If you get a second basic account, though, you have to pay the $9.95, so it's not free. Basic account just sounds better to me, and in a way, more accurate. coco _____________________
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Torley Linden
Enlightenment!
Join date: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 16,530
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10-24-2005 22:46
A warm welcome to SL, Jessy.
As "many" complaints as you'll hear, there are many more compliments that go unheard. And some that do get heard, and that's what you should focus on. You are, after all, HAVING FUN! BTW... Basic account Resident here. ~waves hand~ _____________________
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Bertha Horton
Fat w/ Ice Cream
Join date: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 835
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10-25-2005 00:44
I hate paying to own land and am jealous of the free accounts... but eh, I gotta build somewhere other than the sandbox, and the free accounts will have to make that choice themselves.
Welcome aboard our leaky ship of state. _____________________
 Trapped in a world she never made! |
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Lacey Fardel
Registered User
Join date: 18 Oct 2005
Posts: 87
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10-25-2005 04:17
On my one week anniversary, all I have to say is I have totally enjoyed sl thus far and plan on staying! Most everyone, especially *oldies* that I have met, have been nothing short of wonderful to me and very patient with all my newbie questions. I have already gone through my sl rite of passage and have worn several boxes on my body until a nice *oldie* noticed my delema and helped me out
.As far as the free accounts go. I am not sure how I would have felt about those had I been a long time resident. I am thinking that feeling a little resentment initially would be normal. My experience though is that if any of the long timers feel that way, they are not showing any of that towards us newbies. |
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Jesrad Seraph
Nonsense
Join date: 11 Dec 2004
Posts: 1,463
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10-25-2005 04:28
Welcome to SL ! I'll have your gift pack sent by this evening
(<=== free/basic account too) _____________________
Either Man can enjoy universal freedom, or Man cannot. If it is possible then everyone can act freely if they don't stop anyone else from doing same. If it is not possible, then conflict will arise anyway so punch those that try to stop you. In conclusion the only strategy that wins in all cases is that of doing what you want against all adversity, as long as you respect that right in others.
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Amethyst DeFarge
BWA / Mentor
Join date: 6 Dec 2004
Posts: 41
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10-25-2005 04:53
Welcome to SL Jessica.. and Lacey
im not exactly an *oldie* joined 8 months or so ago on what was then the free trial... yep i own land.. laughs ive tiered up and down and.. finally settled on what works for me personally as most people do.. i havto say the Free accounts have enabled many old friends of mine from other chats to join SL to .. like you, they simply cannot afford to own land .. do i look down on them.. NO way... I think you will find most of us enjoy you or anyone else we meet here for yourself.. not for what you may or may not own Be well and have fun.. thats what we are here for... |
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Luth Brodie
Registered User
Join date: 31 May 2004
Posts: 530
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10-25-2005 05:02
most of the "oldies" don't actually have to pay for their account. So if this stigma is there, it is the one with zero logic.
Owning land isnt that big of deal anyways.. you save or buy lindens, buy a nice piece of land to call home.. then someone builds some gastly club next door and lags out the sim. You can't sell for what you bought it at, unless its the owner of that ugly build. You have to move and rebuild only to have it happen again. There is no reason to expalin your actions to the "oldies" or anyone else for that matter. You are here to do what you want, and if someone has an issue with it (and its not against the tos) tell them to piss off. There are stuck up people in sl just like there is in rl. _____________________
"'Aarrr,' roared the Pirate Captain, because it seemed a good way to end the conversation."
The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists. Reel Expression Poses and Animations: reelgeek.co.uk/blog |
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Lecktor Hannibal
YOUR MOM
Join date: 1 Jul 2004
Posts: 6,734
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10-25-2005 05:24
Welcome to SL! No stigma here, have fun!
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YOUR MOM says, 'Come visit us at SC MKII http://secondcitizen.net '
Oh, Lecktor, you're terrible. Bikers have more fun than people ! |
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Lisse Livingston
Mentor/Instructor/Greeter
Join date: 16 May 2004
Posts: 1,130
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10-25-2005 07:16
Ah, you've probably been spending too much time over in the Land and Economy forum, where a small handful of people have been throwing around comments implying that those who cannot afford to spend US$10, $20, $30/month are doing something "wrong" in their lives.
 As one who all too well knows the issues of budgeting to be in SL, I warmly welcome you to SecondLife, and hope to meet you in world some time. Most of my friends are landless basic account holders, and they are all wonderful people. You're more than welcome to come camp out in my park in Derwent any time! _____________________
Land Developer, Builder and Real Estate Agent Come to my events! Sundays at 10:00 am: Texturing Contest Tuesdays at 5:00 pm: Land 101 and at 7:00 pm: Trivia Thursdays at 7:00 pm: Land 101 Fridays at 7:00 pm: Primtionary (Other events occasionally scheduled) Read my LiveJournal! Visit my Livingston Properties web site for your Real Estate and Building needs! |
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Jessica Elytis
Goddess
Join date: 7 Oct 2005
Posts: 1,783
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Warm Fuzzy
10-25-2005 07:58
Thank you all.
Apparently I've been hearing from the disgruntled few who speak loudly with forked tongue *Grins* But yes, 99.9% of those I meet in SL are great. They help out in little ways and, more imortantly to me, are wonderful people to be with and share this experiance. I thank you all for taking the time to repsond to one girl's nerotic posting *snickers* You gave her a warm fuzzy feeling ^.^ ~Jessy |
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Lecktor Hannibal
YOUR MOM
Join date: 1 Jul 2004
Posts: 6,734
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10-25-2005 08:00
Sweet ! Thank you for your lovely attitude ! Again welcome to Secondlife.
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YOUR MOM says, 'Come visit us at SC MKII http://secondcitizen.net '
Oh, Lecktor, you're terrible. Bikers have more fun than people ! |
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Margaret Mfume
I.C.
Join date: 30 Dec 2004
Posts: 2,492
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10-25-2005 08:40
 The default avatars for free accounts have stigmata? That ain't right.http://www.phirebrush.com/issues/issue21/submissions/photography/davenit%20-%20stigmata.jpg |
