Public/Private & Exploration

Hello all,

I am new to 2nd Life, and up untill about an hour ago have been LOVING it.

I made up an avatar last night (oh I could play with just the avatar system for hours!) and have since been exploring everything and everywhere.

Except for the places where I'm obviously not wanted. It just seemed rude to mess with areas labled "restricted" "private" "no entry", etc. I've also been ASSUMING such areas are (or could be) "locked".

But about an hour ago I wandered into a big box (house?) and had somoene tell me I couldn't do that, and throw bombs at me, wich blew me into some other location.

Since this is the first person I've interacted with at all since signing up last night I'm kind of upset.

Am I NOT supposed to be admiring what people have built?

Should I just be exploring the "freeways" and obvious stores?

Exploration seems like a huge part of 2nd Life to me, so if it's actually some sort of no-no I'd like to know (before my trial is up!).

Wandering the freeways,
Warble Wallaby

(You know what was really annoying about this was I had just logged in and didn't even intend to wander into this place! I was bombed while finding my way out!)

NO WAY! The best parts in SL that I have found were off the beaten track! I love to look at all the different types of houses people build, I also find good and cheap stores just roaming around. People are not allowed to attack you unless it is a combat sim (Rausch, Jessie, and a few others(Also some private lots, look for a heart icon at the top of your screen)). Usually if I see 2 dots right next to each other on the mini-map I usually stay away, esspecially if it's a mature sim.

nah go on in to any vacant or unvacant building you want. That was not a typical response.

I used to do that until I walked in on a guy and his girlfriend, I got a few neg rates for that :-/

yea careful on the ones with people you never know what theyre doing

Or WHO...

First off, welcome to Second Life Warble!

I agree with the others here, that was a rare and unusual response. But it does happen sometimes; Just move on to somewhere else.

By all means take a look around. I still do this myeslf, but do take some care when others are about - out of common courtesy.

A good intro would be to start in the PG sim areas like Boardman or Tan, and work your way out from there. These are some of the oldest sims and are really nice to look around in sometimes.

Also islands like Tavarua (where I reside) are really cool to fly and walk around in. If you find me there I'm quite willing to talk and help you out with any initial questions. I should be in parts of tonight, if there are no more login issues (see announcements forum for updates).

Have Fun,

Hmmm interesting...seems like this person forgot to LOCK their doors or set up privacy on their land and you got negged for their forgetfulness?

Anyhow Warble: for the most part aside from idjits who don't lock doors or didn't bother to learn about land permissions before shagging, from my understanding, if you can easily walk into a place for example - a wide open door, or a door that opens with a click, or no keep away red lines - you are free to explore.

MOST folks understand that. Sorry you got bombed etc - as other folks have stated, that's not a normal response.

Again if you don't want folks being able to access your land, build or home: USE the tools set up for that and don't bomb, neg or blame the person who wanders in just cuz you screwed up. (and be aware you DONT need to go to the extreme those "security" thingies that boot people 3 sims away into limbo and force relogs are SO UNECESSARY!)

Hey Warble, and a warm welcome to Second Life! Sorry to hear about your sour experience, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. Good news is, this will pale in light of your further adventures, but I gotta tell ya, as a fellow explorer, if you greet other Residents on your travels with a friendly "HELLO!" and they bite, then eh, they prolly ain't worth a damn thing.

I say that partially tongue-in-cheek, but I'll point to the importance of being social and cordial when you're on your way, and for some homeowners, they've become increasingly paranoid (maybe rightfully so!) because of creepy silent invaders who stumble into their houses and bump into walls and do *not* say a single word. Freaky deaky Dutchmanspree, eh? Communication works both ways and if you introduce yourself, maybe you'll get prim-coffee and cookies. I know I have. Sometimes I come across a couple (or more) practicing horizontal ballet lessons, and I just go on to the next house. Unless they have a really exceptional-looking bed, then I'll shout to comment on how lovely it is. SOMETIMES.

Seriously -- keep on travellin' on...

A few of my simple rules for exploring and interacting with strangers.

If you see one or two dots on your mini map that appear to be inside of what seems to be a house, do not enter. The people inside probably are doing something they don't want the public to see. This also applies to one or two dots in caves, or the numerous soon to be very visible floating "skyboxes" that dot the SL skies.

If you are in a public mall type area, its probably safe to approach strangers. Just use your head and be polite.

If you see an interesting build that is unattended, it is probably ok to look around. However, if that build is on an island sim, you should proceed with caution. If the build is way above 300 meters and accessible only by aircraft, you should stay away. If it has an annoying "No Entry" ban fence, screw em, they aren't worth wasting time on.

If you see someone building, approach with caution and make your presesce known. Some less than honest people have stolen other people's ideas by sneaking up on them and copying their work. In many cases, you may ask the builder questions, or the builder will ask you to not bother them.

Lastly, if an area is clearly marked "Do not enter", don't enter. There is probably a security device that will bounce you into the middle of next week nearby.

Warble, you just keep exploring. That guy was nuts. Exploration is great. I like it when I find things that are kinda weird. Some people make their skyboxes really, really fancy. I was flying my aircraft around someplace in the upper atmosphere, and happened upon an extremely ornate, well-furnished little house, just sort of floating around. Mind you, the second floor had no conventional entrances and just contained a bed... XD
Yeah, I got out of there before anybody could arrive and be weirded out. There are some really neat builds out there, though. I reccomend regularly exploring the Grid on all levels. Ignore the crazies. Hell, if somebody does that to you again, neg rate them.

Shwew!

Well I'm glad I havn't been violating some big unspoken no-no with all my wanderings. I don't think I could resist exploring for long, there is just too much to go and see!

So my choices were 1) give in to the temptation and be rude and explore (and possibly be bombed into the next decade), or 2) quit.

I'd much rather explore with a good conscience.

I'll go strap my exploring feet back on and keep the tips in mind (and turn on my mini map). And I'm releived that, aside from the obvious signs of "GO AWAY!" people can also "lock" their property.

Thanks for ALL this advice, and the warm welcome all.

Wanderlust renewed,
Warble Wallaby

make sure you stop by the money trees in your wanderings and pick up a little extra cash during your first month! you can search for them in the find feature!

One of the fantastic things about SL is the opportunity for safe exploration of our fantasies.

When you were attacked, in some way, that was a type of exploration which that person was doing.

My suggestion: enjoy it. In fact, revel in it.

Part of the adventure of exploring the unknown in SL is the thought you might get blown up to smitherines at any moment!

It adds excitment and suspense.

Go buy a shield and be ready for anything!

IM me and I'll let you blow me up a few times. Once you get into the swing of things, you'll learn to like it.

One note.. try not to be a peeping tom. If it looks like some people are engaging in something that is obviously private, get out of there as fast as possible.

It's not against the rules, but it is obviously rude in any setting.

Funny thing about the skyboxes. I'll fly along over the clouds in a Cubeycraft, minding my own business, but if I fly near an unattended box by accident and get bounced by a security script, I WILL come back and explore it by any means possible. Skyboxes that don't grief my flight are the ones I actually leave alone.

I haven't yet found a real reason why unattended boxes have security scripts on them. I haven't seen any secret government documents or future market WIP builds with designs worth millions yet.. just the same old sex balls from the typical slew of sex shops.

Anyway, welcome to SL, Warble. You'll get the feel for how to explore whatever you want in SL over time. The people who joined SL to be closed-in recluses *usually* don't build anything worthwhile. If you see security scripts and ban fences that disturb public waterways/roads, feel free to report their asses though.

I've been told by a Linden that if you own the property or are an officer of the land you can do what you want to an avatar on your property, as long as they are on your property you can shoot them, freeze them, place bombs under them whatever. They are on your property so they are fair game.

I agree with what Teeny said about not entering private house with the 2 dots on top of each other. Exploring and looking at other people's builds is one of the true joys of SL but I would no more enter an occupied private residence than I would barge into a neighbor's house in first life.

My partner and I were once in bed sharing a tender moment when a stanger suddenly appeared in the bed with us! He asked if he was disturbing us lol! On another occasion my partner and her 2 assistants were building a couch in her workshop, which has locked doors and clearly posted "no entry", when a stranger was suddenly sitting on the couch!

These are just some examples of what could happen if you enter an occupied dwelling. Some common courtesy works just fine when exploring.

Heh, the old sims are generally pretty safe when you are exploring; I dont think I've ever been teleported home by an overly zealous security script in the older northern-continent sims.

The new unauctioned sims can also be great places to explore (eg the moth temple on the new continent)

-Adam

Some of us renting folks do not have our Trees advertized. Of course that is not stopping it from being picked, since people like Torley have the LM.

blaze,

<<When you were attacked, in some way, that was a type of exploration which that person was doing.>>

You have outdone yourself with this statement.

Warble,

Sorry this was your first experience of social interaction in second life. You were just very unlucky. Follow the advice you were given (about avoiding houses with green dots in them) and you should be ok from now on.

Everybody,

Incidentally, I had an interesting experience last night. While trying to teleport to a theatre I actually materialised in someone's playroom. Fortunately it wasn't being used at the time, but the person concerned was at home, and did wonder what I was doing in there. Very difficult situation to explain convincingly!