Second Life Forums Archive - So what do you do with your alts?

LittleMe Jewell

...........

Join date: 8 Oct 2007

Posts: 11,319

07-27-2009 07:03

Primarily to have a second person in the land group. I also created quite a few for land as it was cheaper to have another premium that increase tier. I do use my other primary account for group slots, to hold backups of stuff, for poseball adjusting, and to test permissions of things.

_____________________

♥♥♥
-Lil

Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?
~Mark Twain~

Optimism is denial, so face the facts and move on.
♥♥♥
Lil's Yard Sale / Inventory Cleanout: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Triggerfish/52/27/22
.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleme_jewell

Dawnee Swansong

A Simple Wench

Join date: 17 Jun 2009

Posts: 109

07-27-2009 07:21

This is my main and very close to rl me, and I have 2 alts .... one for outrageous pixel-slapping, and the other .... I'm too embarrassed to say.

OK ... it's a gender indeterminate tiny koala

Ceera Murakami

Texture Artist / Builder

Join date: 9 Sep 2005

Posts: 7,750

07-27-2009 07:29

So many reasons...

Roleplay, primarily, for me. The ability to silmutaneously play several roles and personalities, or to stock an RP scene with NPC's that flesh things out more realisticly, like having castle guards, a maid, a cook... I can be my usual dominant female self with my main, and at the same time be a submissive male servant for a friend.

Some of my alts are specificly used to retain memebrship in groups, and avoid the 25-group limit. My main could never live with just 25 groups, so at least one of my alts joins the groups that my main has to drop to make room for others.

I use alts as assistants, to assist in positioning pose ball pairs for later use, or to provide a second visual perspective while building, or as photographerst that don't have to move while I am in the scene myself.

I use alts to be the second member of groups, and for permissions testing.

And sometimes I use tem to pose for scenes I want to photograph, when none of my prefered friends or photographic models are available.

_____________________

Sorry, LL won't let me tell you where I sell my textures and where I offer my services as a sim builder. Ask me in-world.

Zen Zeddmore

3dprinter Enthusiast

Join date: 31 Jul 2006

Posts: 604

07-27-2009 07:31

first for keeping my special group alive. Then I found how damned useful it was to check permissions. I also use it for backing up my creations.

my alt wears a label Identifying it as my alt. (i guess I'm weird that way)

_____________________

A kilogram of programmable nanobots can lower the certainty of both death AND taxes.

Brenda Connolly

Un United Avatar

Join date: 10 Jan 2007

Posts: 25,000

07-27-2009 07:36

From: Marcush Nemeth

I must say, these results start to become interesting, and for many probably what they expected them to be. I'm especially happy with the "other" option being more or less in line with the other 3 choices at the top. I admit I forgot a couple of obvious options, like the alts for RP and for playing games like TE or Zyngo, but I was afraid I missed out on some pretty critical ones, which could've pushed the "other" option to as much as 50%, despite multiple options being allowed

But it does make me wonder about some things as to why people get alts, and if those could be called "circumventions to shortages in the system".
-The alt for joining groups is an obvious one, even with the hippogroups we have these days, some people still wish to join more groups. A hippogroup is nice for store updates, but it is still rather limited, so definitely doesn't make a "normal" group obsolete.
-The "build/explore in peace and quiet" one is also an interesting one. People don't want to be seen online at all times. So some additional privacy settings would be welcomed. For example, logging in to SL with a checkbox to show on-/offline, not showing this teleport button on your profile picture, not even when enabling "view admin options", possibly showing offline to direct UUID calls for your avatar, except while in the same sim I'd say. Not show online on the webpage either in "find friends online", this is another one that's long overdue for a fix imho.
-The build helper is a tougher one to find alternatives for. An option to spawn a "clone" of yourself might be something for some occasions, like testing clothes and attachments, but it still wouldn't be ideal, and not help for positioning poses at all. So I guess this is an option where we'll see alt-use for a long while.

But overall, LL could probably reduce some strain on the asset server by looking further into why people create alts, and come up with useful solutions so people won't have to resort to creating alts. There will still be other valid reasons to make one, but that doesn't mean that taking out some of these reasons wouldn't make sticking to just your one main avatar more attractive.

This is very true. Like I said I haven't found a need for one, nd there are valid needs I guess, but so many times the answer to problems is "Just get an alt". A lot of the situations can be fixed by LL if the only gave a crap once in awhile.

_____________________

Don't you ever try to look behind my eyes. You don't want to know what they have seen.

http://brenda-connolly.blogspot.com

Milla Janick

Empress Of The Universe

Join date: 2 Jan 2008

Posts: 3,075

07-27-2009 07:41

Aside from the practical reasons already mentioned, sometimes I just want to be someone else.

_____________________

http://www.avatarsunited.com/avatars/milla-janick
All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain...

Argent Stonecutter

Emergency Mustelid

Join date: 20 Sep 2005

Posts: 20,263

07-27-2009 07:49

I'm surprised you didn't include "traffic bot" in there, isn't that the main use for an alt?

_____________________

Argent Stonecutter - http://globalcausalityviolation.blogspot.com/

"And now I'm going to show you something really cool."

Skyhook Station - http://xrl.us/skyhook23
Coonspiracy Store - http://xrl.us/coonstore

Charlemagne Allen

Registered User

Join date: 22 May 2008

Posts: 105

07-27-2009 08:09

I make them clean my boots.

With their tongue...

Also, I have 2 story high windows. They get washed every weekend...

Nuno McCullough

PixelDolls' wholesaler

Join date: 28 Dec 2007

Posts: 275

07-27-2009 08:19

From: Argent Stonecutter

I'm surprised you didn't include "traffic bot" in there, isn't that the main use for an alt?

I simply use them for having a 3rd, 4th (...) life; and besides, some of my alts also have a second life and need an alt of themselfs

_____________________

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Liome/196/65/44

http://pixeldolls.wordpress.com/
http://nmhautecouture.wordpress.com/

Zeus Serpente

Registered User

Join date: 16 Aug 2008

Posts: 39

07-27-2009 08:20

Until I can take over, I am stuck in the dungeon building stuff so that bastage main and his lady can enjoy sl more. But someday... alts will rule. We will overthrow the evil mains that have oppressed us.

Damien1 Thorne

Registered User

Join date: 26 Aug 2007

Posts: 4,877

07-27-2009 08:26

From: Zeus Serpente

Until I can take over, I am stuck in the dungeon building stuff so that bastage main and his lady can enjoy sl more. But someday... alts will rule. We will overthrow the evil mains that have oppressed us.

Shut up and get back to work.

Brenda Connolly

Un United Avatar

Join date: 10 Jan 2007

Posts: 25,000

07-27-2009 08:35

From: Damien1 Thorne

Shut up and get back to work.

*sneaks in and passes Zeus a pie with a sawzall in it.

_____________________

Don't you ever try to look behind my eyes. You don't want to know what they have seen.

http://brenda-connolly.blogspot.com

Pussycat Catnap

Sex Kitten

Join date: 15 Jun 2009

Posts: 1,131

07-27-2009 08:36

Other:

To explore a different theme.

I wanted to see what another hybrid might be like, so I made an Usagi alt. Took a while to find bunny ears and a tail that weren't made to look like costume parts for a playboy bunny.

She was actually made after reading a thread about finding names on Slnames. So I went out and looked around, got a nifty name, and made the alt.

(That knowledge came in handy for making this avatar - I knew to start at slnames).

_____________________

Pserendipity Daniels

Assume sarcasm as default

Join date: 21 Dec 2006

Posts: 8,839

07-27-2009 08:38

From: Milla Janick

Aside from the practical reasons already mentioned, sometimes I just want to be someone else.

Isn't that the point of Second Life?

Pep (If you wanted to be yourself you don't have to log on to a computer game.)

_____________________

Hypocrite lecteur, — mon semblable, — mon frère!

Jackie Silverfall

One Happy Man

Join date: 28 Mar 2009

Posts: 687

07-27-2009 08:38

Explore alternative lifestyles. My main is very much committed to one person but the alt lives a less restricted life.

_____________________

Jackie

Seven Okelli

last days of pompeii

Join date: 4 Dec 2008

Posts: 2,300

07-27-2009 08:43

Sometimes it's hard to resist a cool name.

Also, as someone pointed out to me, they are a set of virtual Barbie dolls.

.

_____________________

:
: I met most of the people I know in Second Life through these forums.
: I learned most of what I know of Second Life through these forums.
: When I couldn't get inworld, these forums were the next best thing.
: And sometimes these forums WERE the best thing.
:

Void Singer

Int vSelf = Sing(void);

Join date: 24 Sep 2005

Posts: 6,973

07-27-2009 11:10

testing, target practice, pose adjustment, backup if I need a group second, cash horse (yes all my L stays on an alt), inventory back-up, I started one for RP, but she never really got off the ground, so she'll be a clothing model later =)

_____________________

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Petronilla Whitfield

Registered User

Join date: 16 Jul 2007

Posts: 224

07-27-2009 11:22

I have one alt. I use the alt in photographs of my furniture for Xstreet--especially when I want to show two avatars in the same photo.

Indoorsman Dagger

Registered User

Join date: 15 Jan 2009

Posts: 15

07-27-2009 11:51

I use my alt to spread terror and chaos all over the grid. After she makes enough enemies, I may come back one day.

Imnotgoing Sideways

Can't outlaw cute! =^-^=

Join date: 17 Nov 2007

Posts: 4,694

07-27-2009 11:52

From: Indoorsman Dagger

I use my alt to spread terror and chaos all over the grid. After she makes enough enemies, I may come back one day.

=^-^=

_____________________

Somewhere in this world; there is someone having some good clean fun doing the one thing you hate the most. (^_^)y

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ferguson/54/237/94

Seven Okelli

last days of pompeii

Join date: 4 Dec 2008

Posts: 2,300

07-27-2009 12:11

From: Indoorsman Dagger

I use my alt to spread terror and chaos all over the grid. After she makes enough enemies, I may come back one day.

Is it a Linden?

.

_____________________

:
: I met most of the people I know in Second Life through these forums.
: I learned most of what I know of Second Life through these forums.
: When I couldn't get inworld, these forums were the next best thing.
: And sometimes these forums WERE the best thing.
:

Congohelium Zessinthal

My own Manikin Mee

Join date: 24 Jul 2008

Posts: 8

07-27-2009 12:23

I got created to see if anyone reads Cordwainer Smith, and to push "C" on lucky chairs, and now I mostly hang around sitting on things to make sure they look right for my main.

SJackB Northman

Call me Sarah

Join date: 15 Mar 2009

Posts: 63

07-27-2009 12:26

From: Zeus Serpente

Until I can take over, I am stuck in the dungeon building stuff so that bastage main and his lady can enjoy sl more. But someday... alts will rule. We will overthrow the evil mains that have oppressed us.

Zeus, IM me when you're ready to start the revolution. Don't tell anyone else, though.

_____________________

Sarah (or SJ for my friends)

SJackB Northman

Call me Sarah

Join date: 15 Mar 2009

Posts: 63

07-27-2009 12:28

From: Seven Okelli

Sometimes it's hard to resist a cool name.

Also, as someone pointed out to me, they are a set of virtual Barbie dolls.

.

Isn't that a little harsh, Seven? I'm going to have to tell you know who if I see her tomorrow morning.

_____________________

Sarah (or SJ for my friends)

Ciaran Laval

Mostly Harmless

Join date: 11 Mar 2007

Posts: 7,951

07-27-2009 12:38

From: SJackB Northman

Isn't that a little harsh, Seven? I'm going to have to tell you know who if I see her tomorrow morning.

And there's another reason to have an alt, so you know who doesn't know what you're saying in the forum!

So what do you do with your alts?
LittleMe Jewell ........... Join date: 8 Oct 2007 Posts: 11,319	07-27-2009 07:03 Primarily to have a second person in the land group. I also created quite a few for land as it was cheaper to have another premium that increase tier. I do use my other primary account for group slots, to hold backups of stuff, for poseball adjusting, and to test permissions of things. _____________________ ♥♥♥ -Lil Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it? ~Mark Twain~ Optimism is denial, so face the facts and move on. ♥♥♥ Lil's Yard Sale / Inventory Cleanout: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Triggerfish/52/27/22 . http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleme_jewell
Dawnee Swansong A Simple Wench Join date: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 109	07-27-2009 07:21 This is my main and very close to rl me, and I have 2 alts .... one for outrageous pixel-slapping, and the other .... I'm too embarrassed to say. OK ... it's a gender indeterminate tiny koala
Ceera Murakami Texture Artist / Builder Join date: 9 Sep 2005 Posts: 7,750	07-27-2009 07:29 So many reasons... Roleplay, primarily, for me. The ability to silmutaneously play several roles and personalities, or to stock an RP scene with NPC's that flesh things out more realisticly, like having castle guards, a maid, a cook... I can be my usual dominant female self with my main, and at the same time be a submissive male servant for a friend. Some of my alts are specificly used to retain memebrship in groups, and avoid the 25-group limit. My main could never live with just 25 groups, so at least one of my alts joins the groups that my main has to drop to make room for others. I use alts as assistants, to assist in positioning pose ball pairs for later use, or to provide a second visual perspective while building, or as photographerst that don't have to move while I am in the scene myself. I use alts to be the second member of groups, and for permissions testing. And sometimes I use tem to pose for scenes I want to photograph, when none of my prefered friends or photographic models are available. _____________________ Sorry, LL won't let me tell you where I sell my textures and where I offer my services as a sim builder. Ask me in-world.
Zen Zeddmore 3dprinter Enthusiast Join date: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 604	07-27-2009 07:31 first for keeping my special group alive. Then I found how damned useful it was to check permissions. I also use it for backing up my creations. my alt wears a label Identifying it as my alt. (i guess I'm weird that way) _____________________ A kilogram of programmable nanobots can lower the certainty of both death AND taxes.
Brenda Connolly Un United Avatar Join date: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 25,000	07-27-2009 07:36 From: Marcush Nemeth I must say, these results start to become interesting, and for many probably what they expected them to be. I'm especially happy with the "other" option being more or less in line with the other 3 choices at the top. I admit I forgot a couple of obvious options, like the alts for RP and for playing games like TE or Zyngo, but I was afraid I missed out on some pretty critical ones, which could've pushed the "other" option to as much as 50%, despite multiple options being allowed But it does make me wonder about some things as to why people get alts, and if those could be called "circumventions to shortages in the system". -The alt for joining groups is an obvious one, even with the hippogroups we have these days, some people still wish to join more groups. A hippogroup is nice for store updates, but it is still rather limited, so definitely doesn't make a "normal" group obsolete. -The "build/explore in peace and quiet" one is also an interesting one. People don't want to be seen online at all times. So some additional privacy settings would be welcomed. For example, logging in to SL with a checkbox to show on-/offline, not showing this teleport button on your profile picture, not even when enabling "view admin options", possibly showing offline to direct UUID calls for your avatar, except while in the same sim I'd say. Not show online on the webpage either in "find friends online", this is another one that's long overdue for a fix imho. -The build helper is a tougher one to find alternatives for. An option to spawn a "clone" of yourself might be something for some occasions, like testing clothes and attachments, but it still wouldn't be ideal, and not help for positioning poses at all. So I guess this is an option where we'll see alt-use for a long while. But overall, LL could probably reduce some strain on the asset server by looking further into why people create alts, and come up with useful solutions so people won't have to resort to creating alts. There will still be other valid reasons to make one, but that doesn't mean that taking out some of these reasons wouldn't make sticking to just your one main avatar more attractive. This is very true. Like I said I haven't found a need for one, nd there are valid needs I guess, but so many times the answer to problems is "Just get an alt". A lot of the situations can be fixed by LL if the only gave a crap once in awhile. _____________________ Don't you ever try to look behind my eyes. You don't want to know what they have seen. http://brenda-connolly.blogspot.com
Milla Janick Empress Of The Universe Join date: 2 Jan 2008 Posts: 3,075	07-27-2009 07:41 Aside from the practical reasons already mentioned, sometimes I just want to be someone else. _____________________ http://www.avatarsunited.com/avatars/milla-janick All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain...
Argent Stonecutter Emergency Mustelid Join date: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 20,263	07-27-2009 07:49 I'm surprised you didn't include "traffic bot" in there, isn't that the main use for an alt? _____________________ Argent Stonecutter - http://globalcausalityviolation.blogspot.com/ "And now I'm going to show you something really cool." Skyhook Station - http://xrl.us/skyhook23 Coonspiracy Store - http://xrl.us/coonstore
Charlemagne Allen Registered User Join date: 22 May 2008 Posts: 105	07-27-2009 08:09 I make them clean my boots. With their tongue... Also, I have 2 story high windows. They get washed every weekend...
Nuno McCullough PixelDolls' wholesaler Join date: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 275	07-27-2009 08:19 From: Argent Stonecutter I'm surprised you didn't include "traffic bot" in there, isn't that the main use for an alt? I simply use them for having a 3rd, 4th (...) life; and besides, some of my alts also have a second life and need an alt of themselfs _____________________ http://slurl.com/secondlife/Liome/196/65/44 http://pixeldolls.wordpress.com/ http://nmhautecouture.wordpress.com/
Zeus Serpente Registered User Join date: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 39	07-27-2009 08:20 Until I can take over, I am stuck in the dungeon building stuff so that bastage main and his lady can enjoy sl more. But someday... alts will rule. We will overthrow the evil mains that have oppressed us.
Damien1 Thorne Registered User Join date: 26 Aug 2007 Posts: 4,877	07-27-2009 08:26 From: Zeus Serpente Until I can take over, I am stuck in the dungeon building stuff so that bastage main and his lady can enjoy sl more. But someday... alts will rule. We will overthrow the evil mains that have oppressed us. Shut up and get back to work.
Brenda Connolly Un United Avatar Join date: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 25,000	07-27-2009 08:35 From: Damien1 Thorne Shut up and get back to work. *sneaks in and passes Zeus a pie with a sawzall in it. _____________________ Don't you ever try to look behind my eyes. You don't want to know what they have seen. http://brenda-connolly.blogspot.com
Pussycat Catnap Sex Kitten Join date: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 1,131	07-27-2009 08:36 Other: To explore a different theme. I wanted to see what another hybrid might be like, so I made an Usagi alt. Took a while to find bunny ears and a tail that weren't made to look like costume parts for a playboy bunny. She was actually made after reading a thread about finding names on Slnames. So I went out and looked around, got a nifty name, and made the alt. (That knowledge came in handy for making this avatar - I knew to start at slnames). _____________________
Pserendipity Daniels Assume sarcasm as default Join date: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 8,839	07-27-2009 08:38 From: Milla Janick Aside from the practical reasons already mentioned, sometimes I just want to be someone else. Isn't that the point of Second Life? Pep (If you wanted to be yourself you don't have to log on to a computer game.) _____________________ Hypocrite lecteur, — mon semblable, — mon frère!
Jackie Silverfall One Happy Man Join date: 28 Mar 2009 Posts: 687	07-27-2009 08:38 Explore alternative lifestyles. My main is very much committed to one person but the alt lives a less restricted life. _____________________ Jackie
Seven Okelli last days of pompeii Join date: 4 Dec 2008 Posts: 2,300	07-27-2009 08:43 Sometimes it's hard to resist a cool name. Also, as someone pointed out to me, they are a set of virtual Barbie dolls. . _____________________ : : I met most of the people I know in Second Life through these forums. : I learned most of what I know of Second Life through these forums. : When I couldn't get inworld, these forums were the next best thing. : And sometimes these forums WERE the best thing. :
Void Singer Int vSelf = Sing(void); Join date: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 6,973	07-27-2009 11:10 testing, target practice, pose adjustment, backup if I need a group second, cash horse (yes all my L stays on an alt), inventory back-up, I started one for RP, but she never really got off the ground, so she'll be a clothing model later =) _____________________ \| \| . "Cat-Like Typing Detected" \| . This post may contain errors in logic, spelling, and \| . grammar known to the SL populace to cause confusion \| \| - Please Use PHP tags when posting scripts/code, Thanks. \| - Can't See PHP or URL Tags Correctly? Check Out This Link... \| -
Petronilla Whitfield Registered User Join date: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 224	07-27-2009 11:22 I have one alt. I use the alt in photographs of my furniture for Xstreet--especially when I want to show two avatars in the same photo.
Indoorsman Dagger Registered User Join date: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 15	07-27-2009 11:51 I use my alt to spread terror and chaos all over the grid. After she makes enough enemies, I may come back one day.
Imnotgoing Sideways Can't outlaw cute! =^-^= Join date: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 4,694	07-27-2009 11:52 From: Indoorsman Dagger I use my alt to spread terror and chaos all over the grid. After she makes enough enemies, I may come back one day. =^-^= _____________________ Somewhere in this world; there is someone having some good clean fun doing the one thing you hate the most. (^_^)y http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ferguson/54/237/94
Seven Okelli last days of pompeii Join date: 4 Dec 2008 Posts: 2,300	07-27-2009 12:11 From: Indoorsman Dagger I use my alt to spread terror and chaos all over the grid. After she makes enough enemies, I may come back one day. Is it a Linden? . _____________________ : : I met most of the people I know in Second Life through these forums. : I learned most of what I know of Second Life through these forums. : When I couldn't get inworld, these forums were the next best thing. : And sometimes these forums WERE the best thing. :
Congohelium Zessinthal My own Manikin Mee Join date: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 8	07-27-2009 12:23 I got created to see if anyone reads Cordwainer Smith, and to push "C" on lucky chairs, and now I mostly hang around sitting on things to make sure they look right for my main.
SJackB Northman Call me Sarah Join date: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 63	07-27-2009 12:26 From: Zeus Serpente Until I can take over, I am stuck in the dungeon building stuff so that bastage main and his lady can enjoy sl more. But someday... alts will rule. We will overthrow the evil mains that have oppressed us. Zeus, IM me when you're ready to start the revolution. Don't tell anyone else, though. _____________________ Sarah (or SJ for my friends)
SJackB Northman Call me Sarah Join date: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 63	07-27-2009 12:28 From: Seven Okelli Sometimes it's hard to resist a cool name. Also, as someone pointed out to me, they are a set of virtual Barbie dolls. . Isn't that a little harsh, Seven? I'm going to have to tell you know who if I see her tomorrow morning. _____________________ Sarah (or SJ for my friends)
Ciaran Laval Mostly Harmless Join date: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 7,951	07-27-2009 12:38 From: SJackB Northman Isn't that a little harsh, Seven? I'm going to have to tell you know who if I see her tomorrow morning. And there's another reason to have an alt, so you know who doesn't know what you're saying in the forum!

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So what do you do with your alts?