Using part of my island for 'Newbs'

Hi All,

I've just got into the mentors program and looking foward to putting into practice some of the skills i have learned over the last 15 months.

I recently bought an island called 'Utopia Island' part of which i was thinking of devoting to 'Newbs'. Build a small community of newbs to build and learn together.

Just wondered if this has been tried before and if so, was it successful.

Thanks

Ravan

I'm not sure if it has been done but it sounds like a wonderful idea!

Hi,

Thanks Ameshin, feeling a little lost at moment. Been looking round HI and HQ for as much info as i could find to help out, and found i don't know as much as i thought about SL.

I always remember when i started out how clumsy i felt and not knowing the etiquette of SL. I have met hundreds of really cool people and have helped a few now with basic orientation,buildinding etc. I may sound stupid, but i feel proud to be able to wear a mentor title, feels like i can give back some of the things i have learnt to my fellow citizens.

When i first joined SL i was working flat out and no real friends in RL, just aquaintances. I found a new way to socialize in an extraordinary way which has given me the opportunity to grow in my SL and real life. SL gives so much to so many now in one way or another, and if i can put a smile on someone elses face then its worth the time and effort.

If anyone else can give me feedback it would be appreciated

Thanks

Ravan

This is a great idea.

Right now one of the noobie home locations is next to a sex club. The way it's set up is they literally TP right where this club is where they can hear open cyber, people talking shit, and clicking on each others private parts.

I've been to the place a few times and wondered why there were so many noobies there. Then I made and alt and guess where I TP'ed home in world to.

Yes, it was done in the past. I had "Newbie Haven" for Newbies. Lost the land when it was sold. Even had a sandbox for them, new items room, classes, apts upstairs free for a month. If U IM me in world will be happy to ans any questions you might have.

Yeps our Island Wagaland, has Odds&Ends and is dedicated to helping new users, with an extensive freebie shop, helping hand in most areas including financial.

Love the idea!

I remember when I was new, I landed in odds & ends (when it wasn't yet Wagaland) and had a lot of help there.
Also remember a place called something like 'SL for dummies' ... tiny but very helpful!
NCI I only found later, when I was already a mentor...
And right now, my land is dedicated to new people, with a moneytree and.. well, it's just an odd little spot.

There are still lots of new people friendly areas, and IMHO, there can never be enough. Even for people who've been around a while, those places can be fun!

The Shelter & NCI specifically focus their attention on new residents. There are so many new residents, however - there is most definately room for other places.

I think the key to success, is making sure you're providing an area that is staffed all the time with people to help out & answer questions, or else have something compelling to get them to stay. If you make an empty new resident area, the new residents probably wont stick around long to take the help you're offering, unless you give them some sort of reason to stay.

The Ivory Tower & YadNi's seem to accomplish their mission rather well without helpers being present - but that is because of the compelling content they provide instead.

Good luck with your project!

I'm thinking its time for more international new resident areas...say for instance a spot thats Spanish friendly....

Well hows this, make it half testing sandbox. Sorry sounds a bit irrational compared to the "newbie idea" however you would get ALOT of traffic, because the Lindens testing sandbox is a non push zone, and no one can test their weapons in a non push zone.. anywho just a though. talk to me inworld, id PAY you for a good testing sandbox around here. -your british friend

I'm quite surprised reading this here. The internet community is already international and I thought Second life would be as well.

This statement sounds like: I like you, though you are a foreigner.

Do people think they are openminded when they talk of making a spot friendly for international people for example Spanish people? To me this sounds more like: Hey guys let's build a ghetto and put them there!

Here is an Italien who speaks English, German and Spanish as well... communication makes the world turn not building up walls around people

I find your messages interesting but am distressed at your use of the word "getto". People of like minds and intrests often gravatate toughter. I do not go to spanish or german speaking sims because do not communicate in either and do not have the time or intrest to learn. I need to spend my time improving my Nipponese and Hogan lanuage skills/ Learning to spell in english might be helpful as well!

Oh I stay away from the sex and combat in second life and am interested in the world of about 150 years ago. Thus I hang out in "steampunk" sims or Caledon. Yes, I think SL is divided not due to discrimination but by our intrests and goals. There is something for everone in SL.

i'm one of your so-called noobs (i'll be one month tommorrow) and i'd like to tell ya what ya can do with your new newbie land....
but i'd get banned!

so i'll explain in the nicest manner wwhy i feel this way....

at some point all slers were new. N E W.

and lacking in certain knowlegde....

at somepoint...after modding the avi...scripting something that actually worked, or opening some business that suddenly becomes viable...
the arrogance of the sanctimonus emerged...


don't talk down to me... fence your lands in...
go ballroom dancing...
i want no parts of your newbie land!!!!

i'd have more fun standing underwater in the middle of the ocean!

Wow - that is an interesting reply. People who are new often do need assistance in figuring out things that may come easily to others. I have a number of friends who still call themselves newbies even after nearly 6 months on the grid, because they just don't feel comfortable yet and look for help often.

Creating an area for people to go for additional help is a wonderful idea. You may not like it, but you don't have to go there.

Ravan, if you do set it up, I'll be sure to send people your way

There is actually an area for spanish speakers who don't speak english fluently, it's called CreaSL, in the Helsing region.

It has just started to grow, but we've already got some nice tutorials translated. Part of the Ivory tower for example was translated by us. One complete module by me actually.

I like the idea that some of the sites for the new slers get those tutorials translated to the multiple languages of the international community, so that they are brought closer to the ones who can't understand english.
Maybe you could do a recopilation of translated works and put them on your land, with directions to all those sites.

Also I've seen a french site somewhere, I don't remember its name.