"MONEY AND ENJOYMENT..."

Although I'm a recent " Free trial member" for a limited period of time (which I am grateful for), I felt the need to share my experience in SL so far. What I love the most?...walking around and exploring places and occasionally meeting/talking with people (and I've met some very nice people with which I've shared some wonderful "clean" moments where "MONEY" was not involved here). I am into SL to get into another reality, NOT to create a parallel world. A "carbon copy" of "the usual business" of this present Life. SL for me is like an escape, a good escape. A hobby I guess. But what turns me off is that in order to have fun or function and "live it up" to the fullest, we have to EARN A LIVING, run a business or just buy yourself Linden dollars. Sounds to me like more of the same...obligation$$$$... As usual, it seems like everything always revolves around money. I have a full time job which already takes up A LOT of my time...I don't want another job?!...I want to have fun, full freedom (as long as it does not infringe on other peoples rights or enjoyment or privacy). A suggestion: Why could there not be a choice of alternate worlds (or the same with different rules) where people do as they please, have lot's of "money" ( Some medium of exchange or tokens or just plain click on whatever you want and just enjoy!!. Everything would be included in the game so that we can do as we please). I wonder how many more people would be joining this group?!. Some of these features already exist in other PC games we can buy.


The other "beef" I have with SL is that it seems like as soon as one lands in a new place , the owners are there to greet you. Ok I can understand, these are businesses. but it feels like I'm walking into a store and the salesperson comes up to me to ask me if they can help me like right away...actually, NO!, can't I just browse/look around and not having to enter into a conversation everytime. As soon as I arrive by teleport into a new place. I literally have to run into a corner, trying to make myself inconspicuous somehow, just to have some peace. I guess I'm a loner (and I like it this way). I will enter into a conversation if I feel like it. Again, another obligation which I already fulfill on a daily basis. I'm not sure what the administrators can do about this because all the places are owned and revolve around businesses= $$$. Some of you will probably be saying: Well maybe SL is not for your type! . Or I'll just end up getting used to "the system" and become like a "homeless person" just roaming around in SL trying to be inconspicuous and making just the right amount of virtual friends I need.

Thanks for taking the time to read me!

Michael

Hi Michael, you'll find your way, I don't find I get accosted by people in shops, sometimes they just say Hi and that's about it.

You might eventually just like to get your own place, it's good to have your own space to hang out in and you can invite your friends if you want to.

I started off just renting a small house, then a bigger one and now I rent land and put my own houses on it.

It takes a little while to find your feet, just explore an enjoy

Not sure where you are travelling around Michael, but there are a lot more "fun for free" places in SL that there are "gimme money" places.

Check out Sanctuary Rock, Blackhearts, Arsheba, Bad Girls or just about any place you will find if you search for "dance". You'll find tons of people who are just hanging out and having fun.

As for store owners running up to you when you arrive in a sim, I have only had that happen to me once, and that was because the owner was there putting in a new mall space and asked me to take a look at it for him and give him my impression of it. Since it's happened to me only once in two years online, I would say that you should consider it an aberation, just a bad first few days of luck.

One way to dodge money focused places limiting your searches. Like, if you search for "sex" you will find tons of places that are begging for money. Escorts, strippers, webcammers, etc... if you don't want to be begged to death, avoid places advertising sex.

Hello Michael,
and welcome in SL

Looks like you already noticed that SL is a place full of variousity and contrasts.
There are people just want to have fun like you. Others bring RL into SL like charity groups, political discussions or other kinds.
Some others want or need to make money and decided to try it in SL.
Sure there are black sheeps with trying to fill their own pockets best they can
but i dont see any way to avoid this other than just ignoring those.
Yes there are many different business types in SL but not all business owners are just money grabbing vamps. Same applies for content creators. They have fun to create things mostly for other users to improve their (and your) second life with.
Some may offer their items or provide their land for 0 if they dont need to sponsor their business someway.
But dont forget that even content creators/business owners have to pay bills in SL and RL and that there should be at least a small benefit for those spending free time for.
So i dont really think a world full of free user generated content would have that success SL has because there wont be that much ppl creating things for as there is not much motivation to do so.

Enjoy your SL =)

Thank you Bella for the advice!

Michael

PS: sorry for this late reply.

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Thank you Patcha for the great leads and advice which I will definitly look up. This will save me time and frustration. SL can be somewhat of a labyrinth and lonely experience without proper knowledge.

Michael.

PS: Please excuse my delay for replying.

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Dear Revochen,

Again, words of wisdom from someone who knows SL quite well. I apreciated it. Thanks for taking your time to lend me a knowledgeable hand!

Michael

PS: As I have said to others who have kindly taken the time to care, please excuse my late response.

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