First timer in game

Sooo.. I downloaded the free 7 day trial and checked things out. I've been on the foums, read the FAQs, and I have to admit I still don't understand exactly what I should be DOING in SL. It looks like a fascinating place but I have to admit I don't understand anything.

I tried just randomly exploring but I quickly blundered by accident into someone's house and he was less than thrilled. The bullets started flying and luckily someone was kind enough to move out of there and teleport me away!

I've tried building but thats REALLY complicated.

Most of the objects I have found in game I can't seem to interact with properly.

In general I'm baffled, confused,and have 5 days of my trial left. Can anyone point me to a general newbie tutorial or does anyone feel like taking a newbie around for a little bit to show me the ropes? I'm a little nervous to post this here since the first person I met in game shot at me and the second person I met gave me a shirt so 'people won't know you are a newbie and screw with you".

Anything would be helpful.

Thanks!

McCoy Turnbull

hey... I'm online right now... not sure for how long...

but if you find me now or another day buzz me.. I'll help you out... NO CHARGE!

I was a newbie no long ago... I know how it feels

Have you tried going to some events? Tringo, trivia, bingo, and primtionary events are relatively newbie-friendly. So are Show and Tells.

You may want to seek out TLC, The Learning Center; there are lots of great hints and tips you can find there.

Hang out at the Welcome Area in Ahern (at the telehub). There are usually lots of people there willing to help newbies out as well as Mentors.

For me, a lot of the fun in SL is working to improve your SL skills -- I'm no great builder by any means, but it's fun to try to get better anyway.

Good luck! I recommend events in particular. Welcome!

You know, this happened to me. I couldn't find the game. I almost quit. In fact, I did stop playing. But then... I dunno, I just kinda got it.

Do whatever you want... there are no goals other than those you set for yourself. You can shop and party and just be a consumer (visit gom frequently, would ya?). Or you can build things. Or you can provide services for people. Like if you know how to use photoshop very well... or poser... or if you know about marketing or business... please contact me right away, cuz I can give ya something to do!

This isn't really a game, but a place. To have the most fun here, you'll have to develope some skills. And that won't be very easy. But do try to stick with it, because the payoff is definitely worth it.

With the help of some other talented folks, I made a bar rig that lets you play Tom Cruise. Try -that- in world of warcraft

The idea is to shoot as many Lindens as you can. The one with the most Linden kills at the end of the day wins real money!

I wouldn't be to hard on yourself over this one. If someone doesn't want visitors there's several ways he could have kept them out. It's quite common for people to explore other people's homes. I actually have a visitor counter in my (hidden) home so I can tell who's found it. As long as you're not sneaking/hacking into locked, private or off-limits builds, I don't see a big problem.


One possible exception- some people have hideouts extremly high in the air (and almost imposible to find with normal flying). These are often used for privacy purposes, so I wouldn't interrupt anyone up high.

Hiyas McCoy

You are feeling the same thing that a LOT of us did. I certainly know I did! A friend and I came into the world together. He never returned after such a horrible first impression. He said he wanted to play.. not work.. and everything was work just to learn it. I, on the other hand, was quite stubborn and kept forcing myself to return. I was lucky to have a couple of wonderfully helpful friends already in world. (Thanks guys! *whew*) Anyway, I know whatcha are feeling. Once you get past that initial "learning" mountain (notice I said a mountain.. not a curve or even a hill... I love this place but the learning process is for newbies is horrid), you will be glad you stuck it out.

Personally, I learned the most at a Bingo event! LOL! Usually the folks at these events are very helpful and friendly. I know there are friendly groups all over... not just bingo (or Tringo. Hehe) If you have any questions of need some help, don't hesitate to send a msg. Goodluck! And Welcome...

Psst.. I still fly into peoples homes and buildings and get stuck! LOL

You'll learn.

Just don't start paying a monthly fee until you're settled and know your stuff. There's not really an objective.

While you are in game, press F1 and it'll pull up help. There is a TON of helpful info in there.

My favourite thing to do is to beat youngin's with a stick, but failing that, go to some classes, check out some events (stay away from anything involving clubs), and generally have a good time.

Welcome to SL.

McCoy, it's only $10. People spend more than that on a single trip to starbucks.
I'm sure you will eventually get it...

Don't be discouraged from entering others' homes. Keep exploring! There are a lot of great builds out there and most owners are happy to let you explore. But as Olympia mentioned, respect the owners' privacy. And if you want to make sure you don't bother anyone, just check for green dots on the mini map before you go in a house.

Also, you can hang out in sandboxes and watch people build. Or find some learning events. Even if you don't learn the skill being taught, you will meet people and see how they interact, and pick up the basics.

Stick with it, there's a lot to do. But don't be in a rush to give anyone your money, including buying land.

Don't feel bad, I have been here over a month and got stuck in a room with some guy and a girl last night. Luckily, they still had their clothes on

I have learned a lot of things through trial and error on the game. I know it took me a good week to learn how to navigate around and to get my inventory straightened out.

Check the events everyday for a mix of useful classes and fun activities that some are definitely newbie friendly.

Also, I will gladly show you around to some of the places I have found as well. Just hit me up in game

well...it took me the full seven days...but then miraculously it just sort of came to me -- and i'm technologically challenged! So never fear there is hope.


All the suggestions are great that have been given. If you need a friend in game and are feeling lost, feel free to IM me...I'm semi confident that i can help you with the basics. (no laughing out there for those that know me! lol)


~Liv

My recommendation would be to expore things first and not worry about learning how to build right away. Click on events, then places and then start picking things from there that look interesting.

If the building bug does bite you and I am in world, IM me and I'll help with what ever that I can. Also, I have seen some beginning classes lately in events that would be helpful to you as well.

If you happen to be on Furu and run across the island with a grey house and a big black cat flying over the roof, feel free to drop in and wader. People do it all the time.

Post some of the things that your interested in and I'm sure that people in the forum can tell you which sims you can find them on.

Welcome to SL McCoy

Welcome to Second Life, at least you can say one thing the forums are a good place to seek help in this respect as in world can be confusing at first. Take your time and find you a simple place that is unoccupied such as a sand box Any Linden can help you in that matter all you have to do is find one using the find tool under edit. This will allow you to contact them and have them point you in the right direction.

But as I was saying Go to a sand box and start playing with your UI the worst that can happen is you delete all your newbie inventory and your settings get all borked but other than that you still have the option to delete and reinstall it all thus letting you learn.

Good Luck and Welcome to SL and most important Have Fun.

Shadow

As a suggestion;

Open the map and randomly teleport. Some of the best stuff SL has to offer is off the standard "find" radar, and you just have to stumble on it. Also look for the biggest blob of green dots because there may be something interesting happening there.

Classes are a fun way to meet more experienced members. Clubs can also be a good place to meet people who will clue you in on activities and other cool stuff. Build areas are always a good place to see what's possible too (but don't get your overall impression of SL from there.. trust me).

Most important of all, interact with the residents even at random.. even if they're trying to evict you from their property with a regressive launcher or something

IM me in world if I'm about, I'll drop a load of free toys on you and I'll pass you some good starting points.

exactly what you want to do and nothing less. if you feel pressured you're playing it wrong. welcome to sl.

Hello McCoy

A warm welcome to Second Life. You will find that being confuzzled can be a great source of consternation at first, but soon also becomes quite the paired duo with a big happy ball of fun. I don't say that lightly, but I do say it lightheartedly: I have been in SL some months now and am still trying to figure things out. But through my bemusement, I've found great creative joy and self-discovery -- moments of epiphany, revelation, and laughing my ass off at the wildest stuff.

If you do sign up permanently, enjoy, savor the moments, and don't count a few hostile people as representative of the entire Community. I've run into a few lugnuts but the # of people who I genuinely enjoy being with overwhelms that like water bursting out of a broken dam.

McCoy, your personal experiences are part of why things like the Greeter Program are being considered. So in that light, thanks for sharing!

Feel free to look me up inworld. I'm friendly.


You may be in a sandbox trying to assemble prims together and build, when someone will bump you with a spaceship. You may feel frustrated but then ask them why they did that, and they may apologize and take you for a ride around the gridverse -- after talking awhile, you may very well make a new friend. Next, you may both decide to fly to a game of Tringo or another fun event, where you will get to know more people, and converse in between turns. Following that, you may scout around for some beautiful structures or even oddball exhibits to look at, or even challenge yourself to walk the landscape -- not fly -- and "sleep" at the campfire at De Haro or even wander the wilderness around the Waterhead telehub. The historic beauty of Chartreuse awaits you, as do the rolling hills of Uli and their gentle community, in contrast with the poverty of a Hobo Railroad and the delightful loudness of ToonVille in Olive. From one end to the other, you will navigate through sand, snow, and forests, meeting people along the way, collecting items, and asking questions that lead to questions. Hopefully, a smile will break out on your face from time to time during the confusion, and when you do log off from Second Life for the night, your day's adventures will have been memorable and meaningful.


It's about the journey.

Enjoy!

Your post was remarkably similar to my first post here

I was confused, without direction and considering quitting the game because all anyone I met ever did was dance. lol. Well, I was wrong! It just took me a little time, going to events, talking to people (thank you Salazar Jack! <3) to realize it. Don't think of it as a conventional MMORPG, because it certainly isn't.

If you want, I'll be more than happy to share some landmarks with you and show you some of just how fun SL can be.