Newbie needs some Info pointers please

GQ Start in Zugspitze offers free apartments to newcomers for a limited period (I think you have to be less than 30 days old). They also have some great newcomers' classes and a freebie store "on campus".

Until you find a home, search out some empty homes for sale or rent Keep your mini-map on so you can see people approaching. There are a lot of them out there, I found an underwater model apartment the other day - 3 rooms and was in there for quite a long time and nobody was anywhere near the entire time. Gave me lots of time to try on clothing, clean up my inventory, etc. Could not rez stuff there, but I didn't need to do that at the moment. For rezzing, you do need to find someplace else. I know of a skybox changing room, but it's really meant for women. Try doing a search for changing rooms - a lot of stores have them to use.

I must admit that I would use prefab dispaly homes occasionally as changing rooms.

Elora,

You can change your clothes in my hotel lobby. Since many of my residents and myself run around half dressed or undressed, people would just think you were trying to fit in.

-Avion

Everyone..thanks again..Great Info. I am over 30 days,but have spent little time O/L so far. I don't have a wheeled mouse (laptop), and use the camera controls OK, but have a lot to master. There is a pretty helpful Video tutorial on the SL website. Was just hoping there was a setting that says "follow behind distance" so you don't need to adjust it as much. Mouselook doesn;t seem firendly right now. I'll look for some of the changing room options and need to find time for some of the classes.

I think I'll try the folder angle and not the ALT as suggested. Not really worried about my account name, since I am just interested in seeing what is possible and not really about being a "personallity" in SL right now.

My next interest in getting some animations/gestures that will allow raising one hand (like in class), kneeling, and simple movements that don't seem to be part of the normal set of basic things. I already bought a HUD set for better walking , sitting, flying etc....but it doesn't have the simlple gestures/animations (not certain which) I mentioned.

Thanks again!

Avion - if I remember right, you run a (mostly) "men only" hotel right? When I first joined, I discovered it before I even found this forum and had landmarked it because I enjoyed the sim so much. I had been looking at the rooms, wandering around and wondering why I felt so "at home" there. I suddenly realized exactly what it was - I was feeling like it was RL to me lol. I have so many gay friends in RL that it just felt like a nice fit

I haven't been over in a while, so I'll have to stop in again. Perhaps I'll pop in tonight when I get home

It was cool to meet you in person, finally, Elora. I think you were good luck, or just a good hostess, because the customer who showed up while you were there moved in!

-Avion

Lol, I'm both Avion, have a way with the boys from way back. A couple of my friends are convinced I'm really a gay guy in a women's body, but don't go spreading that around too far I think my husband is a bit freaked out by that already (not the gay friend thing thankfully, just me maybe being in the wrong body lol).

For Free Land, No Fees, No Tier, the only cost being that if you don't have 'payment info on file' you can still have the land deeded through a group, to start a group costs L$100.

What do you get 2k + land, 517 + prims. (Some prims used for the sponsors exhibit)

What's the catch? yeah there are some, but very minor, like having a good concept to encourage people to come to your parcel, then getting them to click a exhibit panel for a click count. All rules and info on the website/blog.

Essentially your guaranteed at least 2 months on the parcel, if you turn over good numbers of clicks you stay for much longer.

Everything you need to know is here: http://www.sim2-0.com/

PS one parcel even has a skybox changing room

Well, this is in fact scriptable; many vehicles take camera controls, and attachments and furniture can, too. Torley Linden had a nice video tutorial about (among other things) the FollowCam scripted attachment that does this (seems to be at http://youtube.com/watch?v=LU-NhMedmnk now)... I'm guessing this isn't the same video tutorial you already found, but could be wrong. All that said, though, getting to the point where it's automatic to control the cam with the mouse and modifier keys is hugely liberating, and really essential for enjoyable building.The basic things you need are animations (or "poses"--by convention, a static animation is often called a "pose"; if you like, you can use those animations in "Gestures" that you define, so you can invoke them easily. There are tons of free animations that do basic avatar motions beyond the built-in ones; you might try the usual freebie places (e.g., Yadni's Junkyard), or check animator's shops (I remember Paul Lobo used to give away a pretty extensive collection of free poses; I'd bet he still does).