Re top 5 tips

I read through some of the "Top 5 tips for the newly born" thread. The main one I've blown is that I did spend money already on SL. Oh well. It wasn't much, anyway.

Anyway, I saw a reference to discussion groups on SL. How does one go about finding out about things like that?

Also, where is there a place where I can rez stuff without a rapt audience and the IM window popping open with a "Hey babe"?

There are often a number of spirited discussions that occur right here in the Resident Answers forum. In-world you can search for events in the discussion category or use the web search as well https://secure-web4.secondlife.com/my/community/events/index.php?lang=en-US I believe there are also a number of philosophy/discussion groups you could join by searching in the "groups" section of search where you'll get notified of discussion events via group notices after you join.

As for places to rez, you can search for the term "sandbox" where you may rez things or open up boxes if you're new and don't have any land. There are definitely ones that are better than others and off the top of my head, I'd suggest the Dreams Sandbox or NCI. Places like NCI, also have change rooms if you want some extra privacy to try on skins or clothing. There are also all sorts of "mobile changing rooms" you can get for free like this one that you can use anywhere you are able to rez objects: https://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=1003917

Also some groups will allow rez on their land such as the Forum Cartel Hangout .. just join the group and wear the group tag in order to rez there, although I can't guarantee someone won't be saying "Hey Babe" while you are there. It'll probably just be done in a slightly less creepy way than some random sandbox ;P

Oh and I'll send you my "noobie notecard" when I log in which has a bunch of info, landmarks, where to get free stuff, useful SL related blogs etc etc.

I have land, and I STILL sometimes go to a sandbox to rez stuff. Choose a sandbox which is mid-sized and has policies that you like - I like ones that permit scripting, are no-damage, and sweep fairly frequently. I also prefer European ones, because I'm in the states, and Euro sandboxes are deserted when I want one.

The first thing I do when I get to the sandbox is go up some large random number of meters above ground level. You can use one of the freebie build boxes (say, one from Crystal Gadgets, or in the free Mystitool) to do this. More simply, I just have a 1-prim 20x20 platform that I put a grid texture on, and linked a cube to. I sit on the cube and set its height to 3371 or something. Voila, privacy and low-lag.
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What sort of discussion groups? "Thinkers", for example, is a small group of incredibly swift typists with a philosophical (or perhaps just philological) bent who gather to flaunt their reading lists on questions of varying importance in Virtual Worlds. SL Humanists gathers weekly to discuss questions of importance to ... well... humans. Particularly non-theistic ones. Metanomics does weekly interviews of people who DO things in SL and other virtual worlds. NPR's Science Friday has an island and meets there while doing the call-in show on ... you guessed it ... Fridays!

Join these groups, go to meetings (all are free), and browse attendee's profiles, and you'll find many interesting groups.
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Thank you!

I have used the mobile changing room with mixed results. I hit the wrong key once while inside it, came crashing to earth (wow, that's a seriously long fall!), and hit so hard that someone nearby wanted to know if I was okay because I'd caused an earthquake. At least I was still dressed when it happened. I would be more interested in ground-based dressing rooms. Thanks for the tip.

Nika, your tip sounds good but is over my head (in more ways than one, obviously!).

Regarding discussion groups, I didn't know if there was something like groups that get together in an organized fashion in SL.

TY Nika for the group ideas. Those are generally the sorts of things I was looking for.

haha! I wish I was inworld, I'd send you an e-Chute to wear; it makes falling fun to watch, and you can steer! Also, I'd send you a flight feather, and ... oh, heck. Join "The Forum Cartel" group, go to the Hangout in Allana, and holler out into group chat. Someone will teach you how to do what I said, and give you stuff

If I had a chute, I would fall out of the mobile changing room deliberately!

But that brings up a question. I like to fly, but I worry that when I take off over the water that I'll get lost. Is it possible to get lost over the water, or do you always eventually come upon more land?

u can't really get lost in sl kiddo.....once u start flying over water, sooner or later you'll hit the sim boundary, banlines or it just stops. Get yourself a flight feather which allows you to boost in most directions really fast including high up (let me know if you want one, most people have it). Go find something really high to jump off deploying your parachute and your flexi coat will flap in the wind. It's fun to see where u go, explore and say pardon a lot if you interrupt other peoples enjoyment. You can always just tp out to one of your landmarks or home. You can also follow yourself on the search and mini maps at the bottom. The search option brings up all sorts of thing if i you just type it in, like on your puter at home, it's like another internet. Have fun its a blast!..................................