Newbie threads? Guides? Faq's?

Hello everybody. I've been hearing a lot about SL lately and decided to join up and give it a try. I created my account a little while ago but won't be able to actually get online and play until much later on tonight. So, I have been looking throught the forums trying to get some "Hints & Tips" on what exactly there is to do. I looked quite a bit and have not really seen anything like that and I was hoping that some of you could recommend particular threads that would be interesting and/or helpful.

I guess things i'm particularly interested in are where are the "Must see" places? How do I make money when I'm new? What are some fun things to do when you are new?

Yes, I know, I know... I need to just play, but unfortunatly that's not possible till later and I just want to be able to read up some first.

So, please, any help would be great. Good threads you have read? Suggestions on what to do?

Thanks!

Donk

Oh, another thing would be a list of the commonly used in-game abbreviations. Like, SL = Second Life. (heh, I assume anyway)

I'll give you a great tip for later:

Check out the Ivory Tower of Primitives in Noyo. It'll teach you everything you need to know about building in SL. Really a great resource for one of the most critical skills you can have in-world. Maybe someone can post exact coords, but it's pretty easy to find.

I'd recommend when you are able to get inWorld, that you spend some time with a greeter ... I believe when you log in for the first time you are offered a choice.

They have lots of information, and even "stuff" that you might find useful. They can take you on a tour of places to see so you can get an idea of what the world is like.

Its well worth the time.

And .. Welcome ... it can be a blast. (The first few days after an update excepted, LOL!)

I will drop you a folder with a ton of tips and hints in it, as well as 4 notecards called Pathfinders Picks, which are lists of great places in SL to explore...

Thanks so far everybody!

Isablan, thanks for the information. Can't wait to logon and see it.

Also, don't forget the SL Support Wiki

Great link! Thanks, didn't know about the Wiki.

Look around and say Hi to people. Use Find to look up things you're interested in and, if they're public groups, join them and say Hi to people. Find places you're interested in and see who's around there, or right-button objects that you think look awesome/are fun and say Hi to their creators. I'm sure you see the pattern by now!

Don't sweat that your avatar will probably look a bit pants to start with. That gets sorted out pretty quickly once you decide to focus on it. Equally, don't panic too much about earning L$ - as a newbie, it seems you need loads and it's a scramble to get them (been there, done that), but in fact once you've got some good friends and a look or two you like you realise that you don't actually need, um, any (unless you want to go into business).

Learn stuff. Learning is fun. Whenever there's nothing to do, go to a sandbox, make a prim, go to the object pane, hit the controls randomly, and see if it looks like you could make something out of what you get. And if you think you can, make it.

Never ask "why can't I do X?". Always ask "How can I do X?".

StoneSelf posted some great threads regarding places for new residents to get help a while back.

Some of the information might be a little dated by now - but hopefully these are of use:

Places for New Residents to get help

What groups out there help players?


Welcome to Second Life, Donk!

Thanks again everybody, I finally got to get on and check it out last night. Seems pretty interesting! I only got to mess around for a few hours, so I still have not even chipped tip of the iceburg.

Travis, was nice meeting you last night, you have a great place there. I'll be back for the trivia contests for sure!

I recommend Yadni's Junkyard for free stuffs.

There is all this fantastico schtuff scattered under the stars but more organization would be prime. I keep hoping a, or some specialists with obsessions in this area will have the fire.

DONK A WARM WELCOME TO SL and if you'd like some fun FAQs and freebie gadgets you can play with (most have instructions otherwise it's pretty self-explanatory once you are more familiar with SL), just IM me inworld even if I'm not logged on.

As for "Must See" places you can ask each Resi for their unique recommendations. I have a diary of travels at www.torley.com if you'd like to see where I've been since September 2004! Lots of colorful pictures courtesy of Snapzilla. Snapzilla is basically this: take photos in SL, share 'em with friends! Fun! WHEEE!

And o you may wanna check out Roam Regions and SL Maps too if ye art interested in the fine geography of this place.

Cheerio!