Finding Places in a Big World

When I first came here in '04 the world was tiny and easy to explore. I knew where the cool stuff was and when new stuff appeared. Now the world is gigantic.
I've been away from SL for a long time thanks to RL but now I log in and feel lost. I have no clue where to go or what to do. I like clever and creative stuff but don't know where to find it. Most of the popular places are casinos, clubs, and stores, which don't interest me. The "find places" menu isn't much help- it won't list subcategorizes unless a search word is typed in, and some of the more novel, goofy and whimsical stuff is hard to target.

How do you folks keep track of cool places to visit? Is there an up-to-date in world or online source that keeps track of places? Like a yahoo directory of Second Life places listed under different categories?

If I'm sounding vague (it's early in the morning), I'm looking for a source that keeps track of where to find stuff including
*original places (funny, crazy, clever, intriguing)
*historical or scientific exhibits
*SL educational places (Ivory Tower of the Primitives, for example)
*fun interactive places
*impressive architecture
*artificial life (and how to make it)

Any suggestions? Thanks to anyone who has any

Howdy Olympia, this is what I have been trying to build. I have started a number of threads to try to get suggestions on categories and sub-categories to help classify places. However I haven't gotten much feedback.

I have been paying people to construct the basic database to have enough data to work with while building the interface. Currently there are over 500 parcels that can be accessed through either regions or "Show in Find Places Type". I need enough categorization options to allow people to drill down and filter like you do when browsing products on places like amazon.com.

The ultimate goal is a place where you can bowse parcels, create favorites, share your favorites list with others, link products to parcels and more.

To get a quick feel for things start at the home page or go here:

http://slhandbook.com/parcelbrowse.asp

Cool. Thanks Clubside

I follow various resident blogs, keep an eye on the "Gallery" and "Special Events" forum, read the Metaverse Messenger and other SL publications, and occasionally skim slpics.com for interesting-looking places. Also people who built interesting places often happen to have links to other interesting places in their profile, so I often browse people's profile.

Good ideas, Jackal. Thanks!

Olympia, I've been thinking about starting a thread with just this question! Like most people, I immediately found gambling and sex-oriented venues, but....I'm wondering..."Umm, where's all the incredibly cool simulations I've read about?"

I'm gradually finding them and exploring them - but I certainly don't hear about them from the "Search" menu on the SL interface!

Does anyone have any tips on using the Search menu to find such things? Please enlighten us!

Is this what we might call a "reborn newbie" (or n00b)?
Hmmm, I wonder.

/waves

Welcome Back Olympia! Come to Natoma and build a vehicle. Also feel free to stalk me as I go to all the really cool places you know ahem ha ha

I hear you. The irony is that the world is so big that chances are theres plenty of hidden treasure. [/QUOTE]

Anyone? Anyone?


Hiya Khamon. /waves back. Maybe I will build a vehicle. I see brutal RL overtime come September so I need to make the most of my SL time

/me waves at Olympia

Have you visited the Big Easy yet?
http://secondlife.com/showcase/feature.php

Hi Clubside, I have been building a list of romantic places in SL. Would love to help you with catagory! I will try and sign up for the website tonight when I get in-world. I have quite a list so far and am continuing to build the list.

Great web site by the way.

i uhmm take notes.. stupid i know.. but love those reminders.. LOL

I am in the process of compiling a notecard with a listing of as many romanitc places I can find in SL. I plan to divide the list into two notecards, one with just places you can take your gf/bf, significant other, or partner to just be alone, a place to sit and talk, etc, with the least amount or none of the sexual overtones. The second list will of course contain those types of place for those interested. In order to make these list as complete as possible please send me either an IM, Notecard with location, or an email (georgeflan@gmail.com) with those sites you have been to or have established. I plan on having these available to anyone who wants them and also hope to have a catagory listed in Clubside Granville's web site. All areas are welcome to be listed.