Ended Applications Today...

I love the idea of the Live Help group and the greeters and the mentors. I have not applied yet, though I may in the future. However, what I do as a SL resident is once in awhile, I stop by the welcome center now and then and just strike up a conversation with people that seem to be floundering (i.e., are walking in circles or looking at plants or statues, or who just walk up and say 'can you help me?') and try to do what I can for them. I think the most valuable thing you can do for a new person is just give them a sense that there IS a community out there, as disjointed as it may seem at first. And that they can find things to do that are fun, and meet people who are fun to hang out with. And you know... if they keep getting boxes stuck to their hand, or have other specific questions, do your best to impart your knowledge as a not so noob.

So what I would suggest, as I think one or two others have said above... just help people. Apply to be 'official' helpers, if that's something that interests you, but don't wait to help people until someone tells you you can. There's a huge influx of new people coming into SL these days and they all can use some direction. Show them how cool and fun SL is and make them feel welcome and wanted. That's what it's all about.

I do my part to help the new people at the welcome center-I also do my part to report profane language, harrassment and public indecency when I see it. I am a bit appalled at the lack of mentors and greeters I see. I applied to mentoring hoping to make myself uselful in an official way. I do feel with the recent growth in free accounts and surge of new players there does need to be a consistent watch set up at the main welcome center to help keep peace from the griefing AND have someone available at all times to assist those who need it. I myself come there as I enjoy the PG ambience more (I would hang at clubs if I wanted to see nudity :/) Someone really should be present who can remove players who refuse to behave. I also think maybe another solution is to slightly change the structure of the welcome center. Either make it mature so there is more relaxed rules and less reporting needed or only grant those under a certain age entrance there for a second chance at picking up tips and talking to a mentor. I do see many older timers such as myself that just do hang there and do not offer help to new players. They have no need to be there imho. Maybe change the free accounts to 14 day trials or something. Just thoughts.

I do my part to help the new people at the welcome center-I also do my part to report profane language, harrassment and public indecency when I see it. I am a bit appalled at the lack of mentors and greeters I see. I applied to mentoring hoping to make myself uselful in an official way. I do feel with the recent growth in free accounts and surge of new players there does need to be a consistent watch set up at the main welcome center to help keep peace from the griefing AND have someone available at all times to assist those who need it. I myself come there as I enjoy the PG ambience more (I would hang at clubs if I wanted to see nudity :/) Someone really should be present who can remove players who refuse to behave. I also think maybe another solution is to slightly change the structure of the welcome center. Either make it mature so there is more relaxed rules and less reporting needed or only grant those under a certain age entrance there for a second chance at picking up tips and talking to a mentor. I do see many older timers such as myself that just do hang there and do not offer help to new players. They have no need to be there imho. Maybe change the free accounts to 14 day trials or something. Just thoughts.