SL New Player Instructional Video

In anticipation of SL version 1.6, I'd like to create an SL instructional video for new players.

This is a call for help for technical support, possibly directing, writing content, doing voice work, providing bandwidth, etc.

Please post here if you're interested or have comments, ideas for content, a bit of experience to share, etc.

I have also created a group in-game called "SL Instructional Video", which is currently open enrollment. Feel free to join if you're interested.

Thanks so much!
--Jack Lambert

I'm not sure how I could help with this, but its a great idea!

My suggestion is to make a new account and start from there, just as a newbie would, go through each step, like "You'll begin on orientation island" or some sort. Then progress to "Your first stop will be the welcome area, from here you can decide where you want to continue on into your second life..." then maybe go onto to describe build, events, etc. getting to know the UI.

You could also do one for people who have already gone through the island and such, and do stuff like building, UI, scripting, socializing, etc.

Hard parts will be to do it so users won't lose interist or get bored with the video, so to try and get some humor or catching stuff.

I think its a fantastic idea!

Yeah I did consider that (whether it would be interesting enough to watch all the way through.) ... IMO, that is part of the challenge. To make a video that is FUN and doesn't seem like a Defensive Driving video or something you were forced to watch in sixth grade health class about the cardiovascular system. Really, it shouldn't be all that hard because, after all, SL is fun! Arguably, these are adults watching this video too so it needn't be over simplified.

--Jack Lambert

Make it like a 1950's instructional film.

Bobby: "What is second life made of?"

Announcer Guy: (takes drag from cigarette) "Why Bobby, Second Life is made out of cheese of course."

Cool idea... A few suggestions:

One possibility is to make a series of videos, with different topics of focus. This would allow people to watch them in between spending some time in-world, and also let them get directly to content that they would be especially interested in.

One thing to include would be in-world interviews with experienced SL users, that could be somewhat scripted based on things new players tend to ask about or not be sure about. This way, they'd be getting a bit of a sense of what in-world interaction is like, and also get a sense of some of the different approaches people have to SL.

Potentially, this could be used to help people get a sense of what SL is, before they even get to the point of downloading the software. In this way it could serve a bit of a marketing purpose as well as an educational one.

I suggest building the tutorial in Macromedia Flash instead of making it an MPEG-4 video. It would allow a greater level of detail while keeping the file you host much smaller.

Thanks again guys,

Perhaps a short introductory video that explains the others in a series? I know other people have tackled the issue of helping new players get started. The concept itself isn't new. Anyone have some experience making a build that does this, that could translate to video well? What are the current options for a new player?

Flash does seem to have it's benefits, but isn't it just a glorified texture? Sorry, I don't know a whole lot about Flash. One of the best reasons to use a "video" (as in, MPEG-4) is simply to show off the sort of things you CAN do for newbies. That said, I have seen some impressive Flash web sites. Anyone have a bit of experience with Flash, who could help explain some of the shortcomings, pitfalls, and good points of Flash?

Does it make sense to post a message for feedback from actual newbies in their current experience? Something along the lines of "Are you brand new to SL? Some questions for new players" to get the ball rolling. I wonder if there are enough new players reading these forums to ask that kind of question.

--Jack Lambert

I thought it would be nice to do some instructional videos. What you really need is something like Camtasia Studio (not sure if there are any free or cheaper alternatives). A few short videos showing how to do all the basics and then potentially moving onto building skills would be fantastic. The classes that are held in world have the advantage of being interactive so people can ask questions or complain that something doesn't work, but on the whole the inworld learning experience is poor IMO. All the instructor can do is talk with text and show the occasional slow-rezing picture, i.e. it's not even as good as a web page as far as information dissemination is concerned. A combination of web pages, videos and then inworld classes to support slow to catch on users would be the ideal combination.

I's love to do cheesy lines inbetween seriousness <_<

Jack,

I would like to join your group to help develop SL Tutorials . I started a flash tutorials site for SL and would like include tutorials in SL too.

I'm not sure if swf files can be streamed in SL but in can easily export to Quicktime if needed.

I use Macromedia Capitivate (formerly RoboDemo) to record tutorials in SL.


Is it possible to stream flash files (.swf) in SL (1.6)?

Ra

Yes, but anything requiring a mouseclick (example: preloaders) is inaccesible as of now. I already told a few Lindens of this issue - but for now, be wary of that.

I'd also be glad to help you as I can. I'll send you an IM in-world shortly.

I do wonder what the possibility of loading interactive Flash files that require mouseclicks in SL would open up: better inworld interfaces for those elusive computers-within-a-computer?

Most likely Flash games in Second Life. Period.

Good luck Jack and I think it is a great idea! The only problem is marketing. Most new residents, upon entering the Welcome Area, are assaulted by second rate particles and other types of weird behavior so you will have to get past all of that.

The Welcome Area can be such a exhibition of juvenile behavior you may have a hard time geting your message across.

I am offering my talents to show noobs how not to act. Please IM me for a horrible demonstration of what not to do in SL.

I did already find a hack a couple days ago that can allow for some basic interactivity with streamed flash files.

Oh please do share Icon I'm interested in that for other reasons too!

--Jack Lambert

Perhaps you could use an instructional video saying: *Please pause this tape once you've completed the instruction then move on*. This could give the user time to adjust and work at his/her own pace.

Hehe I dunno, that's dangerously close to the "defensive driving" tapes I rented

--Jack Lambert

A bit of a bump to keep the idea in everyone's mind Still happily accepting people who are willing to help out ... I'd really love for this to be a collaborative effort of caring people. I've created a group with only two members so far. This is your chance to make a lasting impression on a new generation of SL residents

Speaking of that, I'd like to organise some sort of event to brainstorm ... anyone have a venue they are willing to share for this?

--Jack Lambert

Only flash files created with older versions of Flash (before six I'm sure, because I have Flash 6, and before five possibly as well) work with QuickTime.

I'm not sure what I could help with, I guess I'm a jack of all trades, master of none.. lol
I'll try and join the group when I go back in-world.