Free account questions, need answers please.

Hello everyone, I just recently started to play SL and I had a question about the free accounts. I know that if I activated my account and paid the monthly fee for it I am able to buy land and such and I also receive an income of 500 a week. That's is nice and all but it leads me to a question. Instead of paying for the ability to own land and the small income monthly, since I'm not planning on owning land right now is it possible for me to leave my account in the "free" state and just buy Linden Dollars to use instead?

Also, I noticed something in my account info options, that my account says this:

Expiration date: Dec-0

what does that mean? It's not really a valid date... so does that mean as long as my account is in "free" mode it will always be active?

and one last question, sorry about this just trying to figure some stuff out..

What about inactive accounts? lets say I don't play on my account for a few months, does my account get deleted? or go inactive and I will have to pay to have it turned back on or something? or is "free" always going to be free? I am just kinda confused with the "free" term used here.

Thanks for the replies in advance, even if I don't get any....

Miles, you asked so nicely! Of course you get a reply.

First, yes, you can be on a free Basic account and buy L$ via LindeX.

Just one FYI that Premium accounts will have a reduced stipend of L$400 after July 21, per the info here: http://secondlife.blogs.com/philip/2006/07/linden_dollar_e.html#more

And also, yes, that's right, it's not a valid date--a Basic account doesn't expire and lasts indefinitely.

Now, for your third question, sure, you can leave your account in "cold storage" and not login... and it'll still be around! I know from experience too.

However, what I'd always recommend, as is a general precaution with any computer data: if you're going to be away from Second Life for awhile, give copies of valuable items to trusted friends or leave them on a friend's land. Things should be safe, but just in case, you never know.

Have a nice day!