Disappointed n00b :-p

First off, don't get me wrong I've managed to fall in love with SL in the week and a half that I've been on it.

I love the clubs, the music, and especially the people, but I am finding a few problems.
One being that there either isn't, or I just haven't found, anything other to do than dance, go to clubs, shop, and chat. I mean that's wonderful to do but as far it quickly becomes monotanous and everything looks the same, quickly.

I am looking for a job and all I can find anywhere, because of my disability(I'm techonologically impared ) is dancing, hosting, escort service, and security for the most part with very few deviations from that. Now, those jobs are fine and dandy for people who it is right for, but it isn't for me. The last thing I want is to dance on table's for $50 an hr. or be an escort. I'm not all that enthused about the club scenes IRL, let alone in a SL. The clubs are wonderful, everyone is wonderful, but the list ofthings to do that are "new" and interesting is incredibly short.

Now I do admit that I may be missing a huge part of SL because of my "Newness" but I have asked around and searched for things. There is no business district of any kind... A lot of things aren't necessary either like restaurants, washrooms or anything like that because it isn't necessary for your sim... So I guess necessity has flown out the window and it's now time to party constantly.... Maybe I've played too much of The Sims... I just really wished there was more... diversity as far as Jobs, Locations, and things to do, especially more classy things.

I feel almost at a loss because there are so many great people on SL but nothing to really do. Maybe that's also due to sheer size of SL, businesses don't have to thrive neither really do the people. I suppose I just wish it were more of a second life, rather than a chance to dance all night.

Along with that. I'm also disappointed by the clothing on SL. I have yet to see much that is classy. Now if I could build skins and clothing I would, like i said I'm horrible with computers. Maybe I just complain too much .....

Anywho SL is great I just wish there was more to do...

Hmm, thats an interisting problem, because most other things to do besides clubbing, involve some sort of technical skill.

However, if you're dead set on something, theres nothing to stop you from trying. There are several tutorials around that can help you to make clothing. There are also classes in-world generaly to teach you how to build.

But you do bring up a good point, there really aren't many jobs around SL that aren't club oriented.

I don't have any solutions unfortantly, but it would be interisting to see if others could come up with other unique employee opportunities.

I actually bought a very nice suit last night, and it was classy it's out there, ya just gotta look. I guess I've been lucky, since I got here I've found I love to build (I suck, but am workin' on it) TSO was a bit monotonous for me, listening to the kids there drove me up the wall. I'm here, I'm happy, 'nuff sed.

Shade

Yes, Serena, the clothing is out there -- you do have to look. You'll learn more and more about SL the more you play it, and it's a HUGE world. Chances are, whatever you have in your head that you wish you could wear in terms of clothing, someone's already made it. SL is like moving to a new city. Some things are obvious, and some things are less obvious. It'll take time to find your favorite little clothing store, and your favorite hangout spot.

Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of jobs if you're not interested in building, clothesmaking or skinmaking, but lots of people have worked around that. I'm not sure what exactly they do because I'm a clothier myself. Maybe someone else can help ya with that.

I wouldn't rule out clothesmaking or building things in SL, especially if you're interested in it. One of the nice things about SL is that you are constantly striving to improve yourself, to make new friends and visit new places.

Good luck!

Hiya Serene. First off, a warm welcome to Second Life to ya.

Secondly, it is cool places like the Gnome Factory exist where you can toil away to earn money, and if you work hard enough, maybe even make Employee of the Week like Alec Clio recently did! More details here:

/invalid_link.html

Check it out for yaself and see if that's your bag. Sapphire Bombay also has his Prim Factory which can help you learn building skills during your tenure:

/invalid_link.html

Sometimes... just knowing people, like offline, can help you get a job. It's not just about what you know, but who you know too, as is sometimes said. In my personal experience, opportunities come at the oddest moments, and I have to leap from one train to the next. I'm an explorer, so I like zooming around the gridverse a lot to find out what's up and spice up my journeys with tons o' adventure.

Haha... what Lo said it so spot on -- but if you can express your unique creativity in here and find that niche (and some niches are rather broad!), then you are quite set and well-prepared. Read New World Notes, the official newspaper of SL, read more Residents's blogs (I have one myself), and continue to be well-armed with the knowledge you glean from the Forums. Just be aware what's out there and add that to your personal armory so that you are better prepared and well-equipped not only to work, but to have FUN!

Take a look at Slexchange.com, or Slboutique.com, as they give a good listing (and pictures) of what is in the world...

You don't have to buy there, just right down the person name that made it and then go in world, look up that person. Under Picks they usually put there stores and so you can go and see (and landmark) what else they got..

I would be nice to have a in game catalog of all stuff for sale, but right now the world is so big and miss so much, but those sites will help see somethings you might never see in world..

For classy stuff (nice dresses, etc) checkout Shiryu, or Gecko (Guy part, but there is lady part too L&B I think...but gecko will get you to the store..lol), lots of nice classy (non-slutty) clothes out there...

Warning: Shameless plug ahead...

Hi Serene If you're looking for casual real world clothes that aren't slutty I have about 300 items available at my stores in Freelon and Aqua. Have a look. Most things are priced from $100-$300 (most are $100). Like Lo said there are tons of designers in SL doing clothing in every conceivable niche. Don't get discouraged. You're bound to stumble across someone who does exactly what you're looking for. Welcome to SL!

For fun non-club things to do, there's tons of that too. Check out DarkLife, Spittoonie Island, UL... do a search on the forum for a link to Pirate Cotton's list of games in SL. There's more stuff to do then you'll have time to do it all. I'd give you more examples but I'm not the best one to ask. I stay pretty busy on my land and don't get out to explore nearly enough.

Edit: Pirates games database can be found here http://wiki.tinypirate.com/tiki-index.php

GO SEE CHIP. I love his clothes. I don't buy clothes because if I want something I usually make it myself. But, Chip is the only person I have bought clothes from. I love them. I hate the slutty clothing. I love classy. Chip as a variety of casual, classy, sexy clothing that won't get guys asking to pay you for your "services".

Thanks Heather! Remind me to give you a discount next time, hehe

No votes against Chip, but if you're in the mood for Asian clothes, I can help you out. See the links below.

For things to do besides party, there are some truly beautiful places to go. Try a search on "garden" and see what comes up (use the "find" button and the Places tab). I'm partial to the Mars Japanese Garden myself. I also highly recommend Telador Island if you've ever played Myst (or even if you haven't). There's a cathedral in Mocha that I think is worth a look.

There are also several library projects out there, or Parrot Island is interesting.

What do you like to do in "real life"? We can probably help you find the online equivalent. Or, if you're looking for something you wouldn't do in real life, but you've thought of, like skydiving, this is the place to do it.

I've been thinking of constructing a minigolf course once we get the InnerLife project off the ground....

As for earning money, Torley had some good suggestions. I've also been thinking of building an ice cream truck people could get, drive around in (maybe even fly around in), and sell ice cream treats. Truly a public service, as well as a way of making some cash. What do you all think?

neko

Ooh, ice cream truck! Yeah, do it!

And Neko's clothes are cool.

NEKO THAT IS SUPERB!!! Hahaha... an ice-cream truck that flies, and you GOTTA have catchy jingle music to go with it -- after all, isn't that an auditory cue to inform the neighborhood that tasty frozen treats are on their way? OMG... I've gotta see that. It might be hard to drive around some sims but I surely could see you in your truck on roads, patrolling some of the zoned sims (like Boardman) even.

Okay, great idea.

Serene, I reread your post and noticed your usage of the word "classy". In addition to the aforementioned fine clothes, have you been to Nephilaine Protagonist's PixelDolls yet? It has a longstanding reputation for classiness in SL! Neph also made the cathedral that Neko mentioned.

Connections, connections . . .

Oh, and if you catch Oz Spade online, IM him to ask if you can walk with him -- he's doing an epic trek across the gridverse and he's come across many kewl sites sofar.

Got Snapzilla?

http://www.sluniverse.com/pics/

The fun goes on and on.

I just love it when someone admits they are technically challenged and some kind soul tries to help them by pointing out various tutorials and classes. Believe it or not there are people in SL who will never be able to build and create things. I am living proof of it! I am far from a newbie and have gone through all the tutorials and still can't make a thing nor will I ever be able to. It is not a matter of "willpower". Making the supreme effort, in my case, only makes me create a bigger mess!

My solution came about by accident when I met my now SL partner who can build and create. She does all the building for our little shop while I do all the socializing and we have a blast in SL!

So,Serene, don't give up hope and please don't beat yourself up over not being able to build. You might meet someone like I did who makes my SL experience a joyful and fun experience.

Wow, with Kim and Torley egging me on in my Ice Cream Truck project, how can I NOT build it?

I've actually had this idea since joining SL last August, but now seems like the right time to go for it. I spent a little time googling around this afternoon, and I've found some good pix of RL icecream trucks to work from. I also found some audio clips of RL ice cream truck music. I need to trim the audio clips a bit, but they definitely capture the ambiance of Ice Cream Trucks.

Things I could use to get this project going more quickly:

1 - a simple modifiable car with steering, etc, that I can buy for not too terribly much (under L$1000) and hack into the Ice Cream Truck. I also need to know how to make it fly. I could eventually learn all this stuff, but it would take time, and I'm willing to pay for a working model to start from.

2 - Freely distributable nibble animation -- anything plausible for eating Ice Cream Treats.

3 - Can I use a regular vendor, e.g. HiroVendor, to vend temporarily rezzing objects? Can you sell and "wear" a temporarily rezzed item? Ice cream should be cheap, and should melt. (I can handle the changing of images to indicate reduced size, and particle drips on my own, I think. ) Anyone want to point me toward a tutorial on vendors and rezzing scripts? Maybe I should just contact Hiro and see if he'll give me a hand with this....

Here's how I envision it working: I sell the Ice Cream Truck to new players for a small investment on their part, say, L$100. Just to cover the upload costs and to attract those with a serious commitment. (If I get enough free bits from the questions above, I'd make it free, actually.) Then, said new players can drive their Ice Cream Trucks around (or fly them around, I think that's important, given the state of the roads), and play one of several jingles. Avs will run or fly toward the truck, and the newbie can stand at the window and talk to them while they feverishly click on vendor images on the outside of the truck and pay between L$1-5 for various frozen treats, which will melt away after a bit. The money goes toward the newbie driving the truck. Not that there's anything wrong with making gnomes, but I think this would provide more of a service to the rest of SL for the money. Heck, I'll even buy some ice cream.

Where should we put the Ice Cream Truck franchise? I've got land in Arena, but it's terrible to get to, nowhere near a telehub (though there is a road up the hill). Anyone got a better location?

neko

Hey Neko, I have a modded neon UPS Truck that you can look at -- it was originally made by Kenny Zapata and there used to be the original model at Busy Ben's, but I don't have that one in my Inv. But I'll drop this one on your Inv and you can mod it however ya want... it might make a handy start.

Concerning treats, I would talk to someone like Oz Spade. I think he's done a nibbling sort of anim for his snow cones and other treatz... and he's a nice guy. So yeah.

That's what I can think of, off of the top of my head.

Neko, I have a script you can use that'll make the truck fly -- really easy-to-drive one, too, so it'll be good for newbs. I also have a simple eating/drinking animation you can use, although it's a bit primitive. You'll also need a script to play the bells or whatever music -- I've got one that'll play your .wav on touch. Not an expert on vending scripts -- I just use a couple of single-item vendors -- but you're welcome to the script I use. As far as attachments that disappear after a predetermined length of time . . . I'd suggest talking to Ace Cassidy. He has something like that in his tokin' joints.

Edit: Come to think of it, wasn't there something in the script library a while back for vending temporary demo items? I suggest looking for that!

Second Edit: Check your inventory for a new folder.

Talk about hijacking a thread...jeez.

Awww... I don't see it as hijacking because while tangential, it's still very much on-topic insofar as "opportunities for newbies" and "what to do in SL" goes. A lot of brainstorming and ideas that couldn't have happened if Serene didn't get us thinking about stuff like this.

Who knows, Serene may have some fun with these latter ideas and be a champion ice cream wrangler!

I'm just waiting for the full circle.

Okay, keep the creativity rollin'.

Sorry, Susie. Someone posted about the need for jobs, Neko had a really cool idea, and we ran with it. We were trying to offer a solution . . . plus, I just want the ice cream truck to show up at my parcel! hehe

P.S. Neko, check this out: /54/2c/21953/1.html

There are jobs to be had in the real estate business, if you have the stamina for it.

Anshe Chung and other large land traders have loads of jobs associated with real estate and all their properties, just visit their websites.

Sorry, Susie... I almost started a new thread, but it seemed like the interested parties were already here, so we just went for it... Torley, the UPS truck sounds perfect. I promise there will be a watermelon flavored treat in the Ice Cream Truck. Kim, I'll check for the fly script and read through the try-on script you pointed me to. The music playing script would be appreciated. I think I can take it from there. Once the Truck is working and tested, I'll most likely put it in a copyable vendor and anyone who wants to distribute them will be able to.

Um, ok, where were we? Things to do in SL besides party, right?

Well, I have to say, watching Snail Dude do his tricks is an unforgettable experience, so if you're in-world, see if RacerX is around. He seems to be ready to go through the routine pretty much anytime, though you're guaranteed to see it if you go to the Snail Races. And trust me, you won't be bored while you're with him.

Other things to do for non-techie types... the welcome areas have some games, like archery, that I think are kinda cool.

I personally think the Iraq War Memorial is a must-see, regardless of your political sentiments.

One thing you can do is look up people whose posts you've enjoyed reading here in the forum areas, check their profiles in-world, and view their "favorite picks" tabs. You'll find all kinds of interesting places.

Now, in addition to the Ice Cream Truck project, I think Susie has a good idea about partnering up with some techie type and providing the social side of the business. When the InnerLife project gets going, for example, we're going to need some "greeters," people to meet people when they arrive in InnerLife and show them around a bit. I imagine we'll pay a little something, it depends on how the economic model works out. I know some of the better shopping areas also hire sales staff. That's a job that doesn't take technical talent, but does take "people skills."

In any case, Serene, welcome to Second Life, and I hope you find things to enjoy here!

neko

Hello Serene... I do invite you to DoveVogue... Modeling agency... to watch the fashion shows. We weekly bring you a great show about a "feature SL Designer".

We do tons of things in DoveVogue. I always look for writers, promoters, staff, designers, ect... It is kind of fun and a community service.

That way you can see the the creations the designers make from close.

Is in Davvi sim 70,70... I will try to send you an invite to our next fashion show this week. We have some great designers coming up.... including Vindi, Torrid, Jade, Misbehaving, LadyAFK, Chloe Platini and many more this coming week..

Hope you can make it!! There is more to do out there than clubbing.. I actually don't go to clubs because there is so much to do!!

Take care!

Things to do? More than 75 games are listed at http://wiki.tinypirate.com

As for earning money.. I have ideas for newbies, but they don't ever ask me. So ask in game and i'll let you know

It took me a bit to find out what I liked to do. Sit around, build, and chat with my best AV friends. Probaly a lot of people have that past-time. It makes it a ton more fun when you own about 4500 meters of land, and sit around on it. Especially when all of your friends built their SL homes there.

I never realized it before, but I don't really depend on nightclubs or anything for fun... in fact, I can't stand em cuase they lag me like hell. I depend on myself for entertainment, and then dragging people onto our group land to look at my new giant water balloon launcher. Thats a lot of fun... if anyone wants a water balloon launcher, please IM me in-world. Im extremely proud of it (although it's not really that great) and am totally ready and willing for a water balloon fight. Or an ice cream cone from the friendly inter-sim ice cream person.

Maybe you could get people to pay you for landscaping. It doesn't take the technical skills of building. Anyone can throw some plants out, but arranging them in a pleasing way takes time and a good eye. Someone with a big plot might pay for that.

If you look at the event listings it is clear that there is a need for people to write ads with proper sentence structure and capitalization and not too many exclamation marks. Maybe you could set youself up as an ad copy writer. Lots of readers would be real glad it you did.

One thing I noticed about your post - you told us what you can't do. I don't see any mention of what you can do, in real life. Maybe that would be a good way to start.