Complete and utter nub

Hello!

I just started my account about 2 days ago. As I was doing so, I was asked if I wanted to join what I thought was either a group or a server (I chose Anshe Chung's Dreamland).

I've been jumping around various forums, tutorials, and websites, trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can. Come to find out, there's a place called "Main Land" that looks like it might've been a better place for a new person to start out.

My questions are these: where in the Hell am I? Can I leave there, to go to Main Land? What are some of the differences between a place like Main Land and a place like Anshe Chung's Dreamland?

I'm looking for the most robust and well-developed area I can find.

Thanks alot!

You can go anywhere. You can also change your "home" to another place.

My advice: explore.
Also, if you outline what you hope to find we can give you the names of areas we think fit the description.

You may well already be on the mainland. Mainland is just a word for one of the continents with parcels of land sold directly by Linden Lab (the company that owns and maintains Second Life). The other type of land is a private island (a.k.a private estate). You won't be able to tell a huge amount of difference between the two at first. Myabe later if you ever want to purchase land (not necessary to enjoy Second Life).

Indeed, most of us teleporting around the Second Life world seldom pay much attention to exactly where we are in relation to everywhere else. Teleporting sort of makes that irrelevant.

However - you asked for a well developed area. I would highly recommend you start in one of the NCI (New Citizens Incorporated) areas. They have helpers and a lot of free stuff and classes to get you going. When you're in world just look up NCI in the search window via the search button at the bottom of the screen.

I will try to drop a "landmark" on you in world.

When I had my map up, I had the "Telehub" option on...which basically covered the entire map with little telehub icons. I turned off all of the icons, and was able to see the landforms underneath them...and saw the main continents that I was looking for.

Basically, I'm looking for building tutorials...I don't expect they'll be all that hard to find. The problem I was having was that I didn't even think that I was on the same server as everyone else, so I didn't bother looking for answers on these forums

Thanks alot

Go to the Ivory Tower of Prims. I learned a lot there when I was new.

edited to add: It's here - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Natoma/213/162/28/?title=The%20Ivory%20Tower%20of%20Prims&msg=Learn%20how%20to%20build%20in%20SL

I've gotten both of the landmarks, and will be exploring them as time permits. Thank-you both for your help

Actually I think I gave you the same one twice - I can never tell if it's working or not. Anyway have fun.

If you have any questions give me a shout. I will be starting some very basic new player classes on monday, so if you are interested in attending drop me a line in world and I will send you times and landmark

hope you enjoy your Second Life

If you're looking for building tutorials, the Ivory Tower of Prims is indeed excellent, and I second Kaimi's recommendation.

I have also learned a lot through various SL classes - even if I didn't need the object being built, I learned ideas and techniques that translated to things I did want to build. Definitely check out Rha's classes and any others you can get to: On the bottom tool bar, click Search. Go to Events tab, and on the right select the category Education.

NCI is a great place for general exploration/meeting people, as is The Shelter.

Welcome to SL, and good luck!

Hi and welcome to SL! Mainland has been well explained so needn't go into that. For a great newbie experience, try the new and improved Hyles Info Hub. When I came to SL as a newbie 2 years ago, I was 'assigned' to Hyles as my 'Home' just like you hot the Dreams thing. Hyles was a dark, bleak rock with no action at all, no tutorials, nothing really. I basically found my way alone eventually and moved on. Well I just learned the other day that Hyles is a whole new ballgame now. It is SO busy, full of newbies learning all kinds of things. Met the owners of the sims surrounding it, who are developing it into the active place that it is. It has quality freebies, tons of tutorials, and SL mentors to help you along. Search for it or IM me inworld and will drop you the Landmark. It's a really great place to begin, and you can change your Home point to it if you like it. Good luck!