Where to begin?

Hello all. =D

I signed up for SL awhile back, played around with it for a few hours, and couldn't really make heads or tails of things, and put it on the back burner. Today out of boredom, I logged in again to try to figure SL out a bit.

Here is my problem. I have no idea where to begin or how to do, well, anything. I'd like to get more into this world because it looks like it has a lot of potential for my creative side, and I have heard rave reviews of SL. I just can't seem to figure out what to do.

If anyone could help me out a bit, point me in the right direction, I would be forever grateful.

I am also quite interested in the, well, mature aspects of SL, as this is what brought me here originally due to some things I was told about it.

I'd like to learn about making things, clothes, objects and the like, but I'm not sure where to begin there either.

I'd also be interested in finding a community that I would fit in well.

If this is posted in the wrong section, I apologize. I was looking for a forum with a big Noob sign, but failed to find that one lol.

Thank you in advance for any assistance given.

Sylvia

Hi Sylvia, I'd be happy to give you some guidance and show you a few basics to help get you started or at least pointed in the right direction. Just reply to my IM in world when ever you are next on. And, welcome back!

Hey Sylvia, welcome. I agree, it can all be overwhelming at first... I remember feeling pretty confused by it all, too, when I was new. You're welcome to come meet me and my little circle of friends when you see me online... I'm not a big clubber, but I do like to hang out and talk and act goofy sometimes with close friends.

As for clothes, I'm not a designer myself-- still developing the skills-- but I know there's a great tutorial by Nephilaine Protagonist under the Design forum, and Chip Midnight's excellent templates are there, also. They're invaluable for playing around with designing anything from clothes to tattoos.

It took me a while to get involved in the 'mature aspects,' as you put it, and it is something that can be a lot of fun... I would just say, ease into it, do a lot of looking around and ask a lot of questions before jumping into anything. If you have more specific questions, feel free to IM me in world and I'll be happy to see if I can be of help.

Sylvia, let me add my voice to the other offers. IM me in game and I'll be happy to help get you oriented. I have a good circle of social friends, I know most of the clubs and I'm actually making progress on learning how to create things in SL. Like you, my creative drive is the main reason I came here!

Give me a holla!

If your a loner noob;

Hang out in the sandbox for a few hours, go at your own pace. Figure out appearce, how to walk, fly, jump, animations, gestures. Figure out the difference between a prim and a script.

If your not a loner noob;

Post here, visit the welcome area, go to events you find interesting. ppl are generaly nice and willing to help

Cat

Sylvia, same for me as well. I will happy to help you out and at least get you pointed in the right direction.

The one great thing about SL is that even after you get accustomed to it, its always a learning process. I have been here 6 months and still learn something new everyday.

Some good places to go to learn new things and get free or almost free items:

The Shelter
Yadni's junkyard
Free Bazaar

There are places that have more mature themes...click on the popular places and you will be able to read their property description to find them. Also, click the events calendar to see what is happening around the metaverse.

Good luck