Do we need an LL made meeting area/ hang out?

Thanks Blaze!... I like Meins too precisely for the same reason.

In response to Robin, I think something that looked like a real life hangout spot might encourage people to use it as such. Check out Lordfly's pub and warehouse place in Grignano south, that's sort of what I'm talking about. I can only assume it's because people don't know about it that there aren't more people there. Or because they feel uncomfortable about being on someone else's land. I've been there quite a few times wandering around and LF has been most welcoming by the way. Nice place for pictures too.

I think clubs definetely appeal to alot of players. But there's alot of players they don't appeal to at all. I want somewhere I can go in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.

I'm in the process of something similar at PANDA*POP. Very low key, some hip music and fun people. Even though it is half finished, a bunch of us have been having a ball (not a sex ball or a money ball by any means). Everyone is always welcome!

Ingrid, I'd hope that at my place, you'd be most welcome in jeans and a sweatshirt. We spend a lot of energy making everyone feel welcome, and making the atmosphere the kind that you wouldn't be embarassed to show your family at home.

A "simple neighborhood hangout spot" is exactly what the Shelter is intended to be.

I know that *in general* clubs have a reputation for being meatmarkets.... but they're not *all* that way. If you're looking for someplace that isn't all about sex, or bling, or Tringo.... I wish you'd check us out - I think you might be surprised.

Travis

blaze, the market in Brown is being redone by Jack Linden and it looks good. Maybe they will do the same on Boardman.

I"m not sure even phantomizing the roof at Waterhead will help because it's a psychological constraint, too, emerging and having to fight your way out of a structure, even if it turns out you can fly through it.

Alexandre's build looks awesome!

I think we shouldn't ask the Lindens to build public spaces, but players should build them. There are enough good architects in SL. Businesses and philanthropists should sponsor them.

I try to make gathering spaces in all the communities, and I have started to sponsor some builds. I find that unless there is an activity, especially a merchandisable activity like buying and selling (boardwalk stalls, yard sale, freebies, etc) people don't tend to gather. It's hard to get people to just go stand in a field and stare at somebody's public modern art sculpture. That's why they go to clubs or malls, as much as you all hate that. It gives them more to do and they feel more comfortable than they do in a public space generated in an architectural-school style that can often be oppressive to the ordinary mortal.

I put things like coffee, chess, tic-tac-te, mahjong, freebies, scripts, etc. around and I suppose some people meet that way but I think people tend to meet more in places where there is a shared activity whether an aerodrome or shooting game or tringo.

It's hard to imagine how the Lindens could make a gathering place that wouldn't be laggy, avs cause lag.

Good points. I've noticed in Waterhead that one simple problem is a lack of places to sit. People stand around in the open area right in front of the telehub, and I've heard a number of people say "where are the benches?"

Clustered sitting areas allow people to form visually obvious "groups." I think that fosters joining conversations.

And someone mentioned central "art"...I think that's key, too. Having something in the center of a place that is visually stunning will naturally bring people to it. Where they will find other people. And start talking.

Looking at the *new* WA, I see these things have been addressed..lots of nice places to sit in groups...and an artisitic fountain in the middle. Reminds me of a lot of old European public places. It's funny how all we need to do to find how to build "successful" meeting places in SL is to look at famous and historical places in RL. Human nature follows ancient paths.

Quick thoughts....

1. Make Waterhead an additional welcome area, or make it attractive (and easy to get to) for new people (free stuff, hints, tips, interactive fun etc..). A steady stream of new people helps keep things fresh.

2. Give older residents a reason to visiti the place too. Perhaps a game/gimick that changes regularly to attract return visitors, plus other attractions (interactive things, free things* that can only be found at waterhead etc..)

3. Get Waterhead (and why this would be a good place to visit) into people's head. This doesn't mean crass spamvertizing, but think of ways to remind people...

4. Check out other diverse gathering places and see what the attraction is. Asthetics? Places to sit? Gimmicks? Games? Easy to find and approach?

*these free things could be anything- toys, clothes, gadgets or knickknacks, and you could probably get them cheap or free from volunteer residents. To make the non-newbie stuff more "valuable", they'd have to be limited-time only unique-to-Waterhead things.

The new Ahern looks great. The roof can be constricting, but due to its transparent glass nature that will limit the closterphobic feel roofs sometimes have in SL.

I'm not sure where the help stations will fit in with the new one, looks more built for socializing right now than helpness.

I wish they'd incorporate the trolly pick up as well, it just kinda looks "there" now, cast off to the side to be ignored. A pathway going to it would be nice.

I personaly love Waterhead, although the roof can be annoying when teleporting in. Waterhead just has a nice atmosphere to it and its a great looking build.

I think gathering places are made more because of the people that are there. You need a reason for people to be there, and either its going to be because of say money, or some other thing, or because theres always a steady flow of people due to another reason (i.e. it being the "born" location for people).

There are many cool gathering places around SL, but so few of them are inhabbited because people get the impression that theres no reason to be there, or they feel shut out or something. Hence why the welcome area does well as a gathering place.

Perhaps some form of advertisement for a "cool place to meet new friends" or some such would be good?

STREET LAMPS. Or some kind of lamps. Are needed in the new Welcome Area in Ahern. Because its going to be DARK during the NIGHT.

^ yes, good idea

Thanks - these are great ideas. I'll see about lamps in Ahern (maybe we can get some moths too). We're also looking at putting a new building near Waterhead that would have some sort of Community center function. If you have more ideas, please post them here, or IM me or Pathfinder Linden IW.

Robin, for a near-Waterhead community center, I'd suggest not actualy having it in Waterhead, and also trying to keep it "low-lag", etc. Sounds like a great idea though!

And yay moths!

Yes, excellent ideas! I'll keep everyone informed about this new building near Waterhead. This is a project I'll be focusing on in the immediate future.

Good suggestion about the lamps. Hard to see information kiosks when they're in shadows. Plus, we definitely don't want newbies to get eaten by a Grue!