Second Life: Newbie Confusion
November 8th, 2006
I’ve been hearing about this Second Life simulated world for a while now. A co-worker found it funny, so I decided to take the plunge and try it out. At the very least, I’ll get a few amusing blog posts out of it.
On the Second Life web site, I picked a name. The first name is totally up to the user, but the surnames are preselected. I settled on the confusing but strangely appropriate Webomatica Itokawa. After downloading the client software (which thankfully runs on OS X) my avatar appeared as a rather gothic male in jeans, eye makeup, and a black shirt.
Once inside of Second Life, I was greeted by a simplistic training mode. The graphics struck me as a cross between The Sims and Quake – adequate but nothing mind-blowing. The fans on my MacBook began to blow at full blast.
There are extensive options for changing one’s looks and designing the behavior of objects. It looks like a large time investment may be essential to figure out how to get things done in the unfamiliar environment. Thankfully, I learned how to fly and teleport, easing my initial worry about how long it takes to get around. I logged off, moderately impressed.
I logged in again a few days later, to find that I was placed in some kind of sex island called Nympho’s Paradise. I looked around a bit, acknowledging a whole side of Second Life I’d best avoid. Luckily, using the teleporting feature, you can easily browse through a huge list of places you can instantly jump to.
I chose to visit a mall. I found several panels displaying clothes, which were mine to buy for large sums of “Linden dollars”. Gee, I don’t have any money – do I need a Second Life job?
Although there’s a lot to do in Second Life, I’m not really jumping at the chance to spend tons of time playing a video game too similar to my First Life.
What I’ve seen is surreal and intriguing, however. I’m thinking more interaction with the denizens of this world is where the fun will really begin.
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Posted In: General, Technology
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Hi..landed on your blog as you linked to mine, some great posts
Welcome to 2nd Life, interesting to read your experience now, as I’ve been on awhile and watched it change.
I think it is becoming much more “1st Life” mainstream now, and, like toursim this may kill the thing it loves – I’ve written a few notes on this in the broadstuff blog over here
Is there more to 2nd life than sex and shopping?
Alan, well, as a recent initiate into 2nd life I am definitely in the “tourist” category…! It’s a strange place.
I’ll check out what you’ve written as well and keep you thoughts in mind as I continue to explore it.
Your writing is very clear.
It’s a weird place. But the costs are minimal if you’re going to be a tourist.