Newbie Kit: What do you wish you'd known?

Oh yes. I have explanations for Gor, Furries (personal bias of course ), BDSM (personal bias again)... but I forgot about Midian City and kids. That's great! Thanks!!!!

Think there should be a noob only sandbox, say upto 60 days. Noobs need a place to practice building skills whithout feeling intimidated by experienced builders

That's a good idea. Mind, I inadvertently used anywhere that allowed building as my sandbox my first few weeks -- didn't know about sandboxes outside of the welcome area. ha ha.

Well - tell the truth, I consider myself still pretty noob. Though I was "born" back in November I only started going in world less than a month ago. And there is much for me to learn - I learn something here everyday, for which I thank all the contributors.

Among the things I have not quite grasped as yet is the Flight Feather. What is it for and since evryone seems to think it is a good thing - where can I get one?

Definately include a landmark for the Shelter. It's very newbie friendly, and I've always been able to find help there when needed. It's also a great place to find help for non-English speaking people. Whenever I find new players that need help but have trouble with English, I take them there and find someone that speaks their language. They've also got a nice collection of freebies, and there's always a party going on.

Include the Babbler or a landmark to where they can get one and a description of what it does. This is an extremely valuable tool. It has the limitations of any computer translator, but it does suprisingly well.

Include a link to the Master Money Tree directory. This not only lets newbies find a few free Lindens, but it gets them out to many different locations that they wouldn't normally find. It's also great for learning the camera controls and meeting other new players.

Put in a note urging them to not pay more than $1 for ANYTHING for at least a week. For the first week or so, they should try to find everything they want for free. There are so many people reselling freebies (or slightly modified freebies) that it's easy for new or experienced players to greatly overpay for something that should be free.

Explain how to find the creator of an item by using 'Edit' and bring up the profile to look for a store.

Maybe a notecard explaining how to use Search, Landmarks, and the map. This sounds simple, but I've had to explain these many times to people who had no idea how to get from place to place. Especially using landmarks through the map.

Provide a note about the Library and how to use it.

It would also be great to have help notecards translated into various languages. The ones I've needed most so far are French, Spanish, and German. If there was just a brief note with a landmark for where to go to get help in various languages, it would be a huge help.

That's all I can think of for now. I've been meaning to organize the information and landmarks I like to give new players onto a set of notecards, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Let us know when you get your newbie pack organized. I'm sure lots of the experienced players would like something simple that they could give out to new players.

it enables you to go much higher than the limit set by default.. noobs can only fly to about 200 metres... and they fly faster too

I will send you a copy when i get back inworld

imogen

Thanks Imogen! I discovered immediately my neghbor is homesteading in the air as well - damn, need MANY, MANY more prims

Another great place for freebies is the Freebies Dungeon.
Not affiliated in any way, just found it an invaluable source of freebies and its surprising the people who you meet whilst you wander around.
I spent nearly an hour swapping avatar life experiences with two fellow seekers whilst sitting on crates.

As for help, I think a notecard about how to dance using pose balls is a good one to include. I have such a card that I can give out if you IM me (I do get offworld IMs so anytime will do).
Many times I have been a Phat Cats or Carribean Breezes or some other Jazz Club like The Blue Note and someone asks someone else to dance but the person they ask have no clue how it works and I am sure I see the embarrasment on their faces as they admit this.

Also a list of good dancing places would be good - I mentioned three of the best right there in the last paragraph.

Nathan

Absolutely about the sub-cultures. I wish I had known more about Gors and Furs before I started wandering aimlessly into their sims.

I didn't read every post, but did anyone mention Manners? I think etiquette is a priority as well. Personally, I would love to teach a class on some do's and dont's for those who really want a quality experience in SL.

When I was born into my second life, I was so overwhelmed by it all, exploring nonstop. My first day I spent 18 hours straight!

So, if you would like some help in that area, writing up a note card covering what is appreciated by other residents, how to handle situations, abuse, deals, etc. I'd be happy to assist

A notecard and or class talking about Inventory management, possibly describing in detail different organizational strategies; searching; when to rename your "Object"s; what a asset UUID is and how it can save your mind. Within 2 weeks of SL I had over 4,000 items, with many repeats of freebies I never used. Good Inventory management can save hours of World time.

This just keeps moving along. Fantastic.

Question. While I'm formerly in The Scene in RL, my exposure to BDSM in SL is virtually zero (apart from my very nice bamboo rope bondage sets which are gathering dust LOL). So I have to ask:

What are some good SL resources for BDSM? Landmarks and/or groups please.

Thanks!

Private Sims vs Public: what is Acceptable and what is not:
one thing that i and im sure many have done is walked into someones home unintentionally while they owner was in umm gettin busy.
Pose Balls: How Not to End up With Your butt in The Air, or humpin Air.
Bling!: How to Tell when You have too Much.
Shapes: Do You Really Need Size 148 triple F Boobs?
Jobs: Find what Fits YOU and work it!
Mentors: Real ones never ask You to Strip
Classes: Learn How to Build! Script! or Manage a Club! DJ! Host!!

i know some of these are tongue in cheek and im sure i forgot a few, but those are the things i wished were in my newbie kit.

Search Places for BDSM Guide.

Lucrezia, Imogen, Carl...

Sorry I missed talking with you last night...I got the writing bug and began tackling a Guide to SL Sex.

Of course, with my limited time in game, my qualifications as an Authority are pretty shakey, but I've got 3500 words here that might at least form the outline for the basis for a class syllabus.

I'll try to get in touch later this evening with one or more of you in-world.

LOL. Yes, that was going to be my last resort. I was rather hoping the more experienced players would step up and make recommendations. Research is definitely on my agenda, but I do value the opinions of others. Thank you, though!

Quoting myself. Add Caledon to the above, of course. Prob'ly lots of others I dunno about.

Also, with kid stuff, maybe a LM file to here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Masquerade%20Island/143/135/23

Mari

Thank you, thank you. Yes, Caledon is a definite must. I'm also looking for other established places of beauty, fun and relaxation (i.e. Apollo Gardens). Creating this kit has been quite the research endeavour and fun for myself.

With any luck, Lu, your Kit will turn out to be more useful than the (IMO) rather lame "Official Guide".

I've never even read the Official Guide. I think some non noobs would like this box!

Beauty fun and relaxation:

Svarga,
Zen Gardens of Achemon
Serenite
Season's Altar
Livingtree
Prim hearts
Lake Gnoma


Mari

Hmm this box is starting to sound like an SLclopedia.
Now there is an idea to develop, not just for new people, for everyone!

Just my musings,
Nathan

Heh... well, my angle is for the newbies, although anyone might benefit from it. I've written tech manuals before (ha ha), but I'm keeping my focus firmly fixed on the concept that this is intended to help newbies.

I will not reinvent the wheel. In my research I've found some great places with most excellent information. I just wish to provide some initial clarity and a nice stream that newbies can traverse to good information that they can use.

With all the great input, however, I confess it's grown, but in a good way. I'll feel proud handing this out, knowing that there's a bit of everyone who's participated in this. My point of view alone is not enough. It's been great learning what everyone's "wish I'd known..." points are as well as all the great content and landmark suggestions.

Thanks, all. Don't hesitate to keep pitching ideas and information.

There's an old object, still in YadNi's freebie gadgets, dat's an SL dictionary. It reminds me dat someting to explain some of the common terms to SL would also be good.

Unfortunately, the dictionary has not been updated in ages, an I tink the player who made it is out of world now.

Mari

Hi Lucrezia,

I think its just so nice that you're putting together this box for us NOOBS. Can't wait to get one before my 30 days is up at the end of July.

It's not easy being a NOOB you know...

~Sommerland~