Newbie questions comments and such

Hi all,

Tomorrow will be the end of my first free week on SL. I've been logged on off and on for a few days and I really do like what I see and the potential is huuuge. However, I do have some questions and such that I thought I'd pass on to some of the regulars. I'll most likely sign on for real since I still want to experiment with the game but, this is the easiest way to ask alot of the regulars.

First off....where is everybody??? Most of the time when I log on, I see a few white squares on the map here and there but not much else... I've met a few people and the people I run into have been very friendly and helpful (most of the time). Unfortunately there's lots of absolutely beautiful architecture and all but the landscape is usually devoid of players! Is there a certain "hot spot" location for you all? I feel kind of lonely sometimes flying around. Granted I only usually play in small chunks of time but, I do enjoy meeting people and I'd rather not spend the first 30 minutes flying around looking for someone.

And this kind of correlates to the first question...what's the population of this place? For example, a few years back I used to play Asheron's Call. I can always tell what the population count was and also, unlike above, there were specific towns that were always bustling (though that changes alot). If nothing else, out of sheer interest, is there a way to get the current pop. count throughout the day?

And finally, and this might just be my fault but...are there good tutorials on how to make clothing and items? I've done basic work with primitives before (dabbled with POV-Ray a few years back off and on) but some of these houses are amazing...and the game can't be populated entirely by graphical artists and 3D artists right?

Anyway, I do think this game has enormous potential. I know alot of people like to keep the game small and keep the riff raff out...I know I did when alot of newbies flooded AC a few years back...but at the same time, I think with proper advertising and maybe even some exposure on popular gaming sites (gamespy and the like), this thing can really take off. I primarily signed on to try the scripting (I'm a programmer by trade) and I haven't really been able to try it yet but I like what I've seen so far.

...now if only I can meet more people!!!

Thanks in advance!!

Ryu (yeah yeah...it's unoriginal...shoot me...)

What time are you logging in? I've noticed in the morning hours (EST) now nearly as many people are on as compared to the evening hours. Also where do you hang out at in world?

I've actually downloaded a good tutorial on the download section of this website for making clothing.

I'm on usually in the 9 - 10pm EST area. Maybe earlier. Maybe later.

Is this somehow predominently a PST game?? That'll be a bit odd for an online thing

I've been around a bunch of places. I don't really "hang out" anywhere yet since I don't heve have a cabin yet. I usually see who's around in the start areas and there's maybe usually 3 or 4 people. Being that I'm Japanese, I've gone over to the little tokyo area but it's pretty desolate though the market there seems like it could have potential....especially now that anime seems to have finally caught on here in the states.

Otherwise, I've been just flying around looking for those oh-so-rare white dots on the map... I know alot of people were at that new amusement park thing but I couldn't get in since the servers were full (or it was closed to the public...whichever).

Are there popular towns or hangouts? Major shopping districts where there might be a bunch of people? Don't get me wrong, I've met a bunch of nice people! But usually I meet them one or two at a time.... Just wandering if there's like a "hub" somewhere

Ryu

I second getting all the tutorials from the website. Also check out the various classes offered, especially basic building. Even if you're familiar with the concepts, it's extremely helpful to have someone walk you through the interface to using it here.

As for clothing, that topic doesn't seem to come up near as much in classes. I've cobbled together my knowledge (limited) from the website tutorials, experimentation, and just looking at what others have done to see how things fit together. I suggest making a t-shirt as your first step, they are real easy.

I did a quick presentation to a new friend of mine yesterday about basic use of the clothing templates. If you want IM me in game and I can try to help out.

EDIT:
As far as finding people, events events events. They are the best way to meet others. Then just don't be shy, IM them sometime with just "Hey what's up?". Social nexuses(sp?) seem to come and go in my experience so far, so just contacting friends is usually the best way.

With 1.1, you will be able to see a Popular Places section on the world map. It's going to be updated regularly, so, you'll be able to find all the popular locations of SL with one click!

Events are the best way to find people. I went to an event in Little Tokyo where 20+ showed up last night! Perfect way to meet people to chat with.

Also, with the addition of telehubs in 1.1, telehubs are going to be areas where lot's of people are gathering at one time (think: train station). Hang out by a telehub and meet some people!

The reason that you couldn't get into the amusement park was that it was *so* crowded with people there was no room for ya! Currently, each simulator (server) has a limit of 30 people at one time. When there's 30 people, it can become quite laggy. However, in version 1.1, you can have 50+ people with almost NO LAG (Good!).

To answer your question about clothing, download the templates on the Second Life website. I downloaded them last week and I've already made a few t-shirts, very cool! They are very easy to use as long as you get the concept of layers and whatnot.

Have fun, Welcome to Second Life!

Thanks guys

Looks like 1.1 will address alot of the social issues. That's good since, unlike the standard RPG games, this thing is ALL about being social.

BTW...another question....most players on SL are older huh? I mean, I don't expect too much teens in this is there? It just seems like the few people I've met, the maturity level is higher than in most other online games (and that's a good thing!).

As for socializing, the problem is, alot of times, I can't play for more than an hour or so at a time. So events are fine (gotta go attend some!) but I'm reluctant to IM and say "hi" when, a few minutes later I have to log off.... But I suppose that's just how online lives has to be huh?

As for tutorials, I'll have to check them out. There weren't too many that I saw but I guess alot of it comes from patience. I'll try out a few things. It's always good to be original right? And at least with this game originality is key it looks like.

Obviously any other suggestions and stuff are welcome Can't wait for 1.1 (not that 1.0 is bad or anything!).

Ryu

I think it's a combination of factors. First, the 18 and up restriction increases the probability that $PLAYER will be more mature. Second, this game appeals more to people who want to take the time to create nice things, not just people with itchy trigger fingers. I've found that the first category of people tends to be more mature as a general rule.

Well. Actually, I know what I want to say, but I'm still on my first cup of coffee. Someone else put it better in a thread elsewhere on the forums. I think it might have been chaunsey Crash who pointed out the niche appeal of SL and compared it to the WWIIOL demographics. (Linky, anyone?)

Also, I wouldn't say that SL is all about being social -- we have a good percentage of people who prefer to build things or script things in lieu of being social. They do pretty well, although 1.1 will help balance building/scripting against the social folks. (personally, I'm a bit of all of the above)

As others have said, events are the best way to meet people When I got inworld, I went to events and classes until I got up the gumption to try building and scripting.

By the way, the clothing templates on the SL website aren't the canonical ones, or they weren't when I checked last. They're just this far off from true. There's a better set of templates floating around, and they're white with black lines, not colored ones. They're available inworld at the Free Bazaar, I believe, or you can ask someone.

And I wouldn't worry about the length of time that you can be online -- we're pretty understanding of RL commitments.

Glad to meetcha, have fun in SL!

Combining the current set of downloadable templates with the wireframe ones is the best bet for clothes. The wireframe ones help with positioning and the current download ones show better what seams match up as well as where gloves/jackets/shoes/socks go.

I suppose it's true that it's not all about being social since I got interested in this purely from the scripting/building aspect. But in the end, I guess I'm going to need to be social to get help in building or even just to promote what I built

As for templates and stuff...are there any good SL fansites out there? I really haven't been able to find much. Like user created FAQs and stuff are sometimes even more useful than the "official" ones you know? Like when the Sims first came out, the fan sites sometimes had more info and "neat" stuff.

I guess I'll just to hunt around for good clothing examples and templates and stuff.

I'll try to attend more events. I just have to remember that the times are PST. ...my job has pretty unpredictable hours (as any programmer can tell you...) so we'll see.

If nothing else, even with all my cluelessness, I'm still very interested in this...it's the first online community I've been interested in since Asheron's Call. I guess this was just quirky and different enough to grab me

Firstly, welcome to our world Ryu!

I assume you've already grabbed what's available from the Download section on this website. There's also a script library in the Scripting section of the forums, in case you haven't found it yet.

Since so much of the design work in SL is actually done in-world (for fun and profit), most of the great member-created content is to be found in-world, as you've correctly concluded. Hence, less need for fansites to provide outside support.

My advice to noobs is always; take tons of classes. The instructors are great; and FAQ note cards, free samples of textures, templates, etc., are commonly given out. BTW, showing up for just part of a class is never a problem. Us old people have lives too!

You'll make lots of friends taking classes as well.

And, of course, keep exploring! All the world's a store...shop 'til you drop.

Q) Where is everybody???
A) Where are you??? The best time to find people to mingle with is when a Linden IMs you telling you about and event... You get the event land mark and go there. There is guranteed to be people there. If a Linden does not IM you, goto www.secondlife.com and get the event list of the day and go around that schedule (Times are PST), and you're guranteed to find people.

Q) Is there a certain "hot spot" location for you all?
A) I don't know of any "Hot Spot" or anything, but usually there's people located at the welcome area, and at events. If you're feeling lonely, feel free to hit me up, I'll be glad to keep you comapny, and help you with any building/scripting projects you may have, or simply chat with you and/or show you waht projects I have going on.

Q) What's the population of this place?
A) I do not have an exact number, but you you do a "Find" for people and just press random vowels, you'll see a pretty big list... Or you can go thru and count how many active forum users there are. I'm sure a Linden would be able to answer this question more accurately.

Q) Are there good tutorials on how to make clothing and items?
A) I don't know of many tutorials, yet. However I am working on a scripting tutorial for newbies if you ever get into scripting. As far as clothing goes, Mistress Midnight is the best I know of so far. And for object building Shadow Weaver is a true artist. Scripting, there are a lot of good scripters... Jack Digeroo, Ben Linden, Lee Linden, Nick Fortune, and I'm 'alright', not the best, but I get things done.

Q) The game can't be populated entirely by graphical artists and 3D artists right?
A) I'm no 3D artist. Sure I can create 3D models and such in 3D Studio Max, but I wouldn't call myself a 3D artist. I am more of a programmer, so that's where the game comes in for me. This game has potential for all types of people. Those that like that chat and/or gossip, 3D artists, Scripters/Programmers, the curious, and those that like to play with gadgets that were made by other people. Everyone has an aspect of this game that suits them, it just sometimes takes time to discover the aspects. Not all of them are right infront of your face.

I think I answered all of your questions the best I could. Next time you're in, look for me, and we'll hang out, and talk. I can show you some 'hot spots' that I know of, and introduce you to some of my friends.

I hope to see you around!

Looks like the events are where it's at

I guess I'm just basically overwhelmed by the size of it all. And in all honesty, I'm not used to this type of game where...well...there IS no game!

At least with past MMORPG's there's the standard "towns" and "dungeons" along with the "hAxxoRs" (or however they spell it now) and the grief players mixed in with the good ones. This doesn't seem to have any of them (and that's a good thing). This is about a good an exaple of a glorified chatroom as you'll ever find!

I'll just have to experiment, spend some more time in-game, and see what's up and find a nitch for myself. I'm glad to hear all the enthusiasm here though. I was sort of afraid I'd get the "yeah....it's kind of empty...but hey...it's fun!" type respose you know? Though I still think SL can use a bit more in the publicity department

Anyway, just got back from a lecture (got to hear Stephen Hawking talk...anyone jealous?? Hmm?? ) so I gotta do stuff around the house...maybe I'll log in later when I have time.

Thanks for all the input guys and feel free to keep feeding me more!

Ryu

Hey Ryu!

I'm often on at odd hours of the day. Come by and visit me in Slate, where we can reminisce about spending way too much time at the Lugian Citadel and the thrill of getting your very own Mattie coat! <grin>

Seriously, though, it can be hard to find people. Attending events, building up your IM list, and then networking seems to work best. Or simply picking out the names of people whose posts you like and IMing them in game to get together works well, too.

Once 1.1 is up and it will be free to teleport directly to people, I think you'll see a lot more clustering.

Bhodi

Ahhh another AC refugee I was on Thistledown for a long long time but I stopped playing shortly before the first expansion pack came out. It just stopped being fun for me. I was never in to powerleveling so I was putzing around at like level 29 or so and usually was in town giving those top of the line healing packs to newbies with healing skills running around

Got tired of it though after somebody stole a bunch of my stuff while I was muling. I would have just given them to him if he only asked! Oh well.

But yes, I had a nice matching set of Kouja armor and a couple nice weapons. But I was gimped since I was PURE melee with no magic. Fun times.

But after that I got tired of the whole scene of "level-level-level" and all the quibbles in allegiances and all that. SL is a nice change of pace

I'm really lookiing forward to 1.1 now. When is it going to come out? I think those stations will be a very very good way for people to come together. Just so long as it doesn't turn into something like the "hub" from AC