Where's the proper "HOW TO" faq in here

Ok I'm a newb.... I have no knowledge or interst in computer program design, I'm here for the social side.

SOOOOO.....

Why does it seem so hard to find basic "how to" advice in these forums /SL support

I'm searching for things like

- how to take and upload snapshots
- can I take video
- can I voicechat/videochat with contacts
- how do I change clothes
- how to unpack objects

I'd love to see a HOW TO do basic things category in the forum... a user Q&A would probably do it. Most of the help guides are about highly complicated scripting and comp software stuff.

greg

..I meant to add that most searches bring dozens of Advert responses... iwant to know how to attach a hat, and all i find is ads for damn hats!!!

Most of that information is in the Knowledge Base, which you access from the Support page of the regular website.

Here is a link to the page on the wiki that lists video tutorials. I think many of the questions you had are covered. I often found a video easier to follow than written instructions when I first started out.
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Video_Tutorials

Welcome!

Right-click>Wear (in Inventory)

Thanks - the videos in wiki look very helpful

I have tried Knowledge Base but did not find it too helpful...maybe I am being impatient..there's so much to learn aas a newly born.... ahhh

Also I shd hv said - the best knowledge coming from making friends and getting their advice!

I thought you were asking, 'How to Fag' in SL...I'm serious. I was going to suggest going to the SLU forums for that advice. Ha!

On a serious note--I think there are FAQs right guys? Wikki. Forum Search. Google.

Did you go through the 1st Sticky, (1st thread that appears)? It's full of great info and answers to questions you haven't even thought of asking yet. You can also ask specific questions right here in RA - just like you're doing now. When you use Search on these forums, you can choose to limit the answers in many different ways. Ex. 'Search by Titles' only instead of whole threads. If your questions are basic (newbie), limit your search to Resident Answers (RA) instead of 'All Threads'.

Welcome to SL and the Forums!

Doing that can snatch you baldheaded, if the hat's attach point is the same as your hair. If it is, or if you want to save the nose/chin/whatever attach point for something else, you can edit the hat to become a part of the hair object, as follows.

1. Stand on a pose stand.
2. Make a copy of your hair. Rename it "hairNhat" or something.
3. Rez the copy of the hair on the ground.
4. Right click it and use the Edit tools to position it so that it overlaps the copy of the hair on your head as closely as possible. When done, you can Detach the original hair you were wearing, to get it out of the way.
5. Make a copy of the hat. Rez the copy on the ground.
6. Using the Edit tools, position the hat on your head. Don't worry if some hair prims stick through it.
7. Click the hair object and check the Edit Linked Parts box.
8. Select individual hair prims and use the Edit tools to stretch them, or even delete them, so they don't poke through the hat.
9. When you're satisfied with the look of both the hair and the hat, select the hat, THEN the hair with Shift+left click, and then Tools/Link.
10. Take the combined hat/hair into inventory.
11. Right click and Wear. Use the Edit tools again if necessary for final positioning.

Whew! All that just to wear a hat! Now you know why the windblown look is In this season.

[EDIT: All of the above assumes you are wearing prim hair. If you're wearing the default avatar hair, just use the Appearance sliders to edit it as best as possible, and position the hat so none of it shows through.]

In addition to the previously mentioned advice above, here is an additional note directing you and all newbies to the stickies at the top of the forum. Some helpful information in said stickies like the "Top 5 Tips for the Newly Born" thread and the "Frequently Asked Questions: Notecards from 2 Years of Live Helping ".



I am a weird and wacky fella. I thought it was 'How to Fag' also.

I didn't want to get all complicated on a new Resident.

It is, however, a very good idea to get the basics of the Edit window down as soon as possible even if you aren't interested in building. I use it virtually every time I log in and I've never created a darn thing.

You people need glasses.

When I was new here, not too long ago, I also wished for an intuitive, easily-accessed repository of quick answers. Instead, I had to keep returning to these forums, slog through wiki, visit sims where newbie info was available. (And kudos to that freebie place near enkythings where there are huge posters of how-tos on the wall - anyone remember the name of that place?)

I think it's because all the useful information is scattered all over the pace that newbies often find that initial learning curve so steep. Would be so much easier if, upon discovering that you have a shopping bag where your head is supposed to be, you could simply click on "help" in your menu and actually find a brief explanation of what just happened.

That said, the stickies up there is what got me sorted out on many things and, obviously, I haven't left these forums yet!

B.

I beg to differ, you have created a Neko-licious avatar/persona. Not all creation involves building a small poodle, or a poodle skirt, or a poodle avatar. I have no idea why I can't stop saying poodle.

Awwww...OK, nothing I'd be willing to sell or give away then.

I blame the 50s clothes thread for the poodle.

The good old F1 help, at one time the object of much un-deserved scorn and mockery, is still quite useful even though it's out of date.

It should be brought up to date and be made easily viewable from in the SL viewer.

It's at http://secondlife.com/app/help/basic/camera.php.

To use this from inside the SL viewer, do Help /Inworld Help, then http://secondlife.com/app/help/basic/index.php

It's crippled because the links in it for Home don't take you to the right place.

However, I think it's a good introduction to SL.

cheers - glad someone else had similar needle in haystack feelings about newbie info...

BTW yes the "five things" sticky is great reading

/me dangles a tasty poodle in front of the nice were-leopard.

Awww, is the kitty hungry?

*Stands up and stares at the poodle and growls*

Would you believe this is the 1st time I've ever seen this? (F1/camera ctrl) I'm not inworld now, but I do remember choosing help from a drop down, and it asking me if I wanted to go to the Knowledge Base found on the SL site, (and me choosing no). It's probably too late for me now, but good to know.

(I think I must have thought 'Inworld Help' was going to call an avatar inworld because of an emergency, and it's not my way to bother anyone because of my own inabilities...)

hhhmmmm Those are excellent points. Perhaps a SL n00b site or subsite with compiled info needs to be created. A one stop 101 info hub if you will. I do agree all the info is fairly scattered which makes it difficult, if not drives away n00bs. I know the lack of a central n00b info area almost did to me.

I always send noobs to Natalia's blog for help, ranging from the basic to so advanced I don't remotely understand it, but all in friendly english:

http://www.mermaiddiaries.com/

I recommend Lucrezia's New Residents Starter Kit - if you have not already got one.

I dunno if I am not of the norm when it comes to SL users or what

I never needed a FAQ, I did not even have to look up much to see how things were done
I have never taken a class in SL (attended one on making clothes stayed about 2 minutes and left, I already knew how to make clothes)

I get stuck once in awhile on photoshop, but not SL (unless it is scripting and even then I just need some poking for it to sink in)

I did not find the basics of SL hard to grasp at all
I started on the old style orientation island and it was laughably easy
I was making clothes within a week of being in SL
I was building silly things within a week, and eventually became more serious, and as mentioned never took a class or read how to's etc
(and it took a week to make stuff cuz I was too busy exploring and hitting clubs)

I really do not understand why folks find it hard.... just push some buttons, read the pie menus...
(I mean how hard is it to understand... right click,... ohhh look a menu... what does it say... ohhh I can wear this... wow... oops it is on my hand...(used to be head LOL, and yes I have worn the box on the head)... well let's see what happens if I choose attach.. oh I can pick where.. cool....)

etc etc

maybe I am just not like the other SL users...

to those who do struggle I suggest just take your time, hit F1 and read read read.,.. it really does "help" and do not be afraid to ask folks questions... most ppl are nice enough to help you out and explain things

(and yes do come here to ask for help, don't let my ranting little post scare anyone away... I would be the first to jump up and help, I LOVE helping new people and seeing the little lighbulb go off when it all starts to make sense)

That's an easy one to answer. There's lots of gay clubs in SL and we're always recruiting!

I understand about the Knowledge base. I rarely find it very helpful. The videos and stickies should help you much more. Also, just keep and eye on these forums even if you don't post a question. I've learned more here quicker and easier than anywhere else.

very rarely do i feel clueless in SL anymore..but recently bought some "bits and parts" from a well renowned "bits and parts" shop and by the time the ordeal was over of attaching the visible to the non visible ((nearly an hour later)) I thought i would scream.

The creators had named every single item in their folder ***** bla bla bla but had neglected to name ONE part ***** and simply named it generically.

Because i was using recent items inventory and assumed they had named everything ***** it hadn't crossed my mind to delete search history and simply look in the folder.....so..I spent 30 minutes trying to attach things to other things I hadn't even taken from inventory((cause i was looking in the folder using ***** as the key word))

I also bought some other "accessories" and finally broke down and handed over perms to a friend. Even with two note cards full of directions I couldn't imagine "noobs" navigating their way thru that process.

I wonder if I am the only person who ever had that problem.

~Lana