A new resident buddy system? Thoughts?

After reading this thread, and so many like it, I think there should be an opt-in buddy system for new players which would facilitate new residents to make friends. I remember Philip once saying that the retention rate among people who make friends early on, when they start SL is much higher than for those who do not. I meet a lot of new players who ask me “Where are there some people I can hang out with? Can we be friends?” The prospect of trying to find some buddies is a daunting thing for new players to have to contend with in addition to learning how to get around. So I think if there was some way of making the process of acquiring a few friends easier, people may chose to stay.



The buddy system could include a few things:

1. The new resident’s calling card list or friends list could automatically have one or more names of people who started on the same day. Since most new users don’t know how to use the chat tools, perhaps the system could prompt a dialogue between the buddies automatically and they can chose to carry on a conversation from there or not.
   

1. A new resident will automatically be part of a group of people who started on the same day, (or perhaps the same hour depending on how many new users are flooding in). Again, perhaps the system could automatically send out a group IM a few times over the period of a few weeks, inviting them to all meet at a specified location so they can mingle with others who are also exploring and learning.
   

1. A new resident’s FirstLand plot would be located next to the FirstLand of those people who are on their buddy calling card list. I’m not exactly sure how this would work since not everyone chooses to go premium, but having neighbours who are familiar would enhance the experience of land ownership and perhaps even encourage them to acquire more land down the line.
   

What do you guys think? And what would add or take away from this?

I think a buddy system is an excellent idea.

thank you Lo Jacobs

How about :
1) when you sign in for the first time, you HAVE to fill in your profile with basic information such as roughly what you want to do in Second Life, and your hobbies.
2) This information is then used to *suggest* but not force you to join some related groups (e.g. "chess" could come up with a link to chess groups, etc). This provides you with places to get a social network going.
3) With regards to resident calling cards.... personally I'd be more tempted to encourage residents to team up with people that share their hobbies - that way they're linked with people who are experienced SL users and thus can help them (newbies often can't as they don't know what they're doing either) and are also motivated to help them (you're more likely to help someone that you have something in common with like a hobby than you are to help someone who happened to sign up on the same day as you).


I'd like so see new residents encouraged to pick some topics to get involved with when they log in for the first time. I'm not sure if forcing them to go through orientation island is good idea also (except for alt accounts) so that they have some idea of what they are doing.

The trick is - avoid forcing newbies to do things, but do provide them with lots of opportunities to do things they'd find interesting.

That would be a nice idea but I don't think there are enough mentors to go around. i could be wrong about that.



I agree and sometimes it's fun making discoveries with someone as new as you instead of having everything explained.

This is also a good idea. But initially, when people start, i think it's important to hook up with people who are online. Some of the groups listed in FIND have been around forever and some aren't active anymore. That would be my only concern with that.

Great idea, IngIng! You're so swell and cosmic.

yep, i think that idea would be great! i like the idea of being linked with people the same age as you

For me, the morris sandbox is still the most natural way to meet people and learn about SL. It just needs clearing every four hours or so, to compensate for the increase in people using it.

Or if you just want to chat, then just look for a big bunch of green dots and go chat.

I get nervous when you make a serious post. What's your angle?

It would be fun to have a default group for new people based on the avi (Girl/Boy next door, city chic, cyber goth, harajuku, furry or nightclub) they choose from the sign up interface.

It's fairly good logic to guess that the people who pick a specific type of avi, would like to meet up with people who also picked that type.

When I started out in SL, I would have loved and welcomed a nudge showing me where to start meeting people.

About 45 degrees right now.

What the hell is your forum icon doing? Blowing her nose? What is it with you and Cory Edo? Her forum icon needs to blow her nose too!

Well, that might work for some people. But I think others do need the "forced" experience of being assigned a group, so everyone feels they are in the same boat and that they all have "permission" to talk to each other.

(Social introverts really need a context where they feel comfortable speaking to complete strangers. Otherwise they usually end up waiting for someone to talk to them first... which could be a long time in coming.)

I like "groups" match up as well -- looking at someone's preferences and then suggesting groups to join.

I wish it was as easy to meet people as you say. I'm one of those who has trouble with just starting conversations with people I do not know -- and often it is hard to find people in-game with whom I could have meaningful conversations to start with.

Since joining five months ago, I still only have five friends on my Friends list, and I only really converse with one of them on a regular basis. I have made efforts to find new people, but teleporting around through shops has not been very helpful, and most of the high-traffic areas in the Find menu are not places where I'd enjoy being.

Part of the reason I have not been around more is just because of the difficulty in making initial contact with others and developing friendships.

If I had more flexibility in my schedule, I would probably sign up as a greeter -- simply as a way for me to meet others. Besides providing a way to contribute to SL, it would give me an excuse to talk to someone, and things to talk about. And that is very important for introverted people who don't like to intrude or step on other's toes.

Anyway, this isn't really about me searching for friends... I am sharing this in support of the need for a better "integration" program for newcomers, some of whom would really benefit from being assigned to groups. People would not be required to participate, it would simply be a resource for those who wanted to take advantage of it.

Yeah i think making it opt-in is pretty key. Nice post.

Cory and I are part of a nose chain cult. You can't be in our cult because it's girls only.

Yeah. Good idea. Unfortunately I don't agree with terms like process and system. This sounds like a prescribed and coordinated socialising.. and I doubt that this works. It's good to be organized in many things... but organizing friendship? That sounds terrible to me. And coding more *automatic* socialising procedures into the client...
I have high doubts there. Coding social procedures is very difficult... and I think that we can be lucky that at least the group system has been revamped.



A friend of mine recently joined as Premium and got a plot at Shermerville (NW)... a really good example of a recent well done FirstLand location. It's a suburbian area of two sims... no clutter and no plywood at all. All the people there started afaik in a Linden arranged residential zone. As I see it they developed their individual plots and organized themselves in a neighbourhood association. And other offerings of land companies for new people who come to sl already willing to afford a premium land location sound also promising. Therefore I think for those who come to sl already committed to fund ownership or premium rental... there are working paths to go.

But what about the others? I mostly read here that people call them as "unverified". I see this mainly as the viewpoint of ll... to be unverified. For them... I consider here mostly the real new adult people (Mentioning all the bugbears people discuss here about... thats just waste of time)... from that viewpoint... its more like starting with only little committment and to try things out what sl has to offer. And my opinion is that sharing this with other people who have all interest in sl and live around the world can give a great benefit.

I would ask... what are the paths for them to become more committed and more integrated here?
What I see is that no huge system or organized program can move the people from being uncommitted to become more committed. Special land offers and rentals can support to develop... but not on its own.
As I see it... it's a personal decision made by individuals to provide new people with an offer for general sl needs... and can't be taken over and prescribed in a top-down approach.

The other serious and detailed suggestions I read in this thread... I rather run away from them. Sl gives a great freedom and the ability to develop a personal way not necessarily the same as in rl. And it should stay that way... joining sl and developing a personality independently from rl.

For me it is simple what to do. I started to wear a titler (one I can also turn off)... and it says "Open to new residents." Maybe the sentence isn't very well chosen. My intend is to sign... I am open to people who joined sl recently (as I also... though I spent plenty of time here) which started not necessarily committed but who are seriously interested in sl (in a positive way). I don't know what results I expect... therefore it's more an experiment.

As I read the forums on a regular base I realize this attitude is on the retreat and I believe it will get less the more the number of residents increases.

Which is why it would be an opt-in thing. You could chose to not be included in the buddy system when you make an account. I see your point... the idea of automating firndships seems wrong to you but perhaps you're very outgoing and it's easier for you. I can't tell you how many new players I have met who ask me where they can find people to hang out with on their first day. And let's not forget what Rhynalae pointed out earlier on in the thread:

"Well, that might work for some people. But I think others do need the "forced" experience of being assigned a group, so everyone feels they are in the same boat and that they all have "permission" to talk to each other.
(Social introverts really need a context where they feel comfortable speaking to complete strangers. Otherwise they usually end up waiting for someone to talk to them first... which could be a long time in coming.)"

My idea wasn't to have LL tell us who we should be friends with, but to make it easier to form some friendships if they so chose with people who started on the same day.

Probably a bit unrealistic, but...

What if instead of a teensy first land plot, new rezzies had the option of cohabiting, with other punks fresh off the boat, a large group-owned plot? Give people the opportunity to do some cooperative building from day one. The group could be chaperoned by an experienced mentor.

Not a bad idea... I always thought it would be cool if (real) newbies (with verification and payment info on file and such), who were not an alt, could get a REAL sized plot. Say, 2048 for their first week trial. This would give them the cool feeling of "owning" land. After the first week, they would be given the option of buying the land.

Through LL, this is now not possible, but it might be a nice little business model for someone to play around with, in conjunction with your idea. If I were in the land business, I'd be all over this. It's the "first taste is free" crack dealer model!

Regards,

-Flip

Hmm... doing important decisions during time of making a new account is likely to be a pitfall. Not being carefully enough with choosing a name, deciding not to provide billing info (yes, its an official option, but nobody says on the account creation page that the residents already here have problems with it - does anyone seriously expect that people who come here know this?)... doing decisions before starting can easily turn out negative... without being conscious of it.



I am exactly that not. But what I experience as new people (sometimes with the default look) pass by at the land where I live (because there is a money tree nearby), I try to be welcoming and friendly... often they instantly get scared and teleport out. Approaching new residents elsewhere had often the same results (and I believe those have neither been alts nor griefer accounts or such).



Thats what I see as well, I had a hard time in the beginning (in march)... this world with about 2000 sims, roughly 6000 concurrent in-world people, therefore on average 3 people in a sim, count off a high percentage at event spots... then there are on average 2 people in each sim... which means people are at event spots and the rest of the world is nearly empty.



Yeah. But there is a reason why people are introverts and not group people. Some people enjoy groups, it works well for them and they like the sometimes not predictable character of group interaction.

I personally, as introvert, feel a lot more comfortable in a situation with only a few people... four people (excluding me) or more and I am getting uncomfortable, I dont like the group dynamics that influences me and dealing with people costs me energy.
Therefore putting people who don't enjoy group life into groups is simply crap and ignorant.



Perhaps... but why decide that on the first day. Its just like as I mentioned above an early decision you can't predict. My experience was... I have choosen no greeter as I started... I also decided against becoming part of a social surrounding instantly I didn't knew if I wanted to become part of it.

Therefore I think the better way is that people who believe in open doors for new (and responsible) residents can show so with a widely known sign (that can be also featured on the account creation page...)
... so that people who feel spoken to by this can choose to accept this offer anytime... on the first day, the second, the third... or even after a couple of weeks if they think that would a thing with benefit for them.

Then someone like you could click NO when the buddy system was offered to you to use. They wouldn't be forcing anyone against their will, as I have said before. Residents would have to agree to be part of the buddy system if they're interested. And your concern about having people make decisions on their first day, well... perhaps they could have the option of joining the buddy system days later as well.

And if they've joined, and then feel they want to leave, it's as easy as cutting a few calling cards and leaving a group.

I still think something akin to the buddy system should be implemented wether it is done by sl or by the residents themselves. As a somewhat new person (fighting friends tooth and nail to get them here without an unoffensive name -.-) who has no emotional ties to the community at all I have to say it is rather daunting to establish any type of relationship (for lack of better word) with others. I do attend alot of the events, but being a shy person as it is (hard to believe..lol) I generally do not strike up a conversation unless someone stands or sits by me.

How about twice a week at different times, a large amount of ppl hold an event that is dedicated to new ppl. The ppl that are throwing this event are there to visit with the new ppl and not each other or answering im's from their friends. This will establish a warm rosey feelings for new comers instead of thinking its either boring, cold, or whatever (for a lack of a better term, someone got pissed cause i said boring yesturday..)
Have people help that are generally good at talking with ppl and not letting someone hide in the shadows being to silly to talk to anyone..

But hey you can talk about it or you can actually do it.. /shrug

Yes! N00B internment camps.

I think it is a nice idea for an opt-in program. I do agree with the earlier poster about the language of systems and procedures. I know it's picky, but for a first time user, soft, funsy-wunsy language is easier to glom on to...less bureaucratic sounding, less like you are committing to something you aren't really sure about.

Grouping rez day accounts together also sounds swell.

I wonder if maybe ALL new accounts should have a mandatory n00b group for a few days (or until they figure out how to turn it off) just so they are immersed. This is a sucky idea, but something so that the few that don't opt in and a week later wish they had, are not totally out of the loop with their "rez class". OK, this organized social hierarchy is creepin' me out so I'm gonna stop before I flip positions on this.

Hmmm. And I suppose you have the corner on the market of being introverted and can speak so broadly for everyone concerned?

What's funny is that we have a lot in common in our experiences -- but you never bothered to figure that out since you were more interested in throwing out insults.

Yes, I too get VERY drained by being with people, in person or in SL -- even people I *really* really like. And even when I with others, I love being with only one or two other people whom I enjoy and care deeply about and who seem to really enjoy being with me as well. I go deep, not wide. I wish sometimes I was different, but I am not.

What I most hate about being introverted is simply that, while I really do enjoy my alone time and need it to survive, I do not like the feeling of isolation that comes when I enter a new place and know no one at all... nor do I know how to even begin to connect with someone.

Being shy and introverted often feels like being mummified and buried sometimes -- you hear life around you, but you can't move and can't speak and are powerless to do anything to get out of it.

Maybe you are perfectly capable of making small talk and have no trouble establishing your core friendships, Leffard, and then have the option to be with others when you are in the mood. But others have more trouble than you, and often need help to establish friendships to begin with.

I thought I was clear that I was talking simply about how to meet people with this "group" idea, and NOT how people actually had to spend their time when in-world. No one will be telling you what to do. No one is "ignorant" or "crappy" enough to force you to be social with people you don't care for. (That WOULD be "ignorant" and "crappy."

I was envisioning simply a list of people who came in-world when you did -- a group that you would at least feel "permission" to interact with, and a group you happen to have something in common with at that time, since you're new. Pretty simply, pretty basic, maybe pretty useless to you, but you would be surprised at how many people need that "feeling of permission" in order to do what amounts to feeling like you're "intruding" into someone else's space.

If you don't want your name on it, you would have the option to drop immediately. Then no one will bug you or harrass you or eat into your alone time. You are as free as a bird, don't worry.




Sure, having some sort of sign that suggests, "Come talk to me," would be one way to deal with things. It does not have the benefit of everyone being "in the same boat" and then having a common experience to relate to -- it still does not provide something to "jump-start" a conversation -- but it would still contribute to helping people find places where they KNOW they could find someone willing to connect.

(If you could search for them on the Find page, that would be even better. I am tired of having only "traffic numbers" to tell me where people are... and the high-traffic places are generally a waste for someone like me.)

Thank you for offering at least an alternate solution.