Introduction
A world with no laws of physics. A place where humans can fly. You run for hours without ever getting tired. Or jump between distant geographic locations at a whim, changing your appearance in a few seconds. One night or another we’ve all visited the world of dreams, where the strangest things happen as if these are the simplest actions. These are elements that often fuel imagination and create fantastic realms and sci-fi sagas and even though we are not yet able to replicate our dreams in real life, virtual-reality has made our dreams come true for the first time.
When you’re a Second Life (SL) resident, you can explore places and experience things achievable only in your wildest dreams.
You enter the parallel world of SL graphically represented by an avatar. The cool part is that using your imagination you can customize and modify your avatar as much as you can. Avatars can fly, talk to other avatars, sit down, dance and much more. Using teleporting, avatars can jump from one land to another in a few seconds. But this is not all . . .
This blog is about my experience while using Second Life.
Some History
In 1994, Philip Rosedale (aka Philip Linden), had an idea how his life time dream of creating a virtual world can be realized; connecting multiple computers using the internet. To achieve this, in 1999 he founded Linden Labs. Linden employees (Lindens) started the Linden World in 2001. Second Life beta started in 2002 and it was released to the public in 2005.
Along the years, various improvements where done in Second Life. Amongst others, in 2005, Direct Teleporting was implemented. In 2007 an open source version of the Second Life Client was released and in 2011 the Basic Mode was introduced in the Second Life Viewer.
Get started
Creating an account
To get started and be a Second Life resident, you must visit Join Second Life and perform the following simple steps:
1. Select an Avatar (This will represent you in Second Life).
2. Create a user name that identifies you; if the user name is available, move to the next step.
3. Fill in your personal details and continue.
4. Select the account type (free or premium). Download and install Second Life Viewer.
5. Once launched, Second Life Viewer will ask for credentials and will take you to the Welcome Island.
Welcome and tutorials
Second Life Welcome Island is a 3D tutorial that helps new comers to learn basic functionality. Following a number of 3D boards, users can learn how to:
- Use the keyboard controls
- Chat with other residents
- Flying and teleporting.
I recommend visiting the Second Life pre-defined landmarks because as a new comer. These will help you get more acquainted with SL controls.
The Orientation Island – Here you will learn how to change your appearance, how to chat, grabbing and moving things.
Help Island – Here you will learn copyrights and trademarks in second life and how to get more help in SL. A freeware store is also available; here you will find some free stuff that you can add to your avatar.
Welcome area on mainland – This is a public area where you can experiment with the controls and meet new comers.
Customization
Second life preferences
You can customize the Second Life Viewer from the Preferences dialog. This is accessible from the main toolbar or using the shortcut key Ctrl+P.
Amongst others, you can customize:
- The visual quality and speed
- Volume sounds and media
- Chat font settings
- Viewing options
- Notifications and many more…
My Avatar
Appearance
One of the cool things in Second Life is that you can easily change the appearance of your avatar. You can change the avatar clothes from My Appearance tool bar and select from various pre-defined outfits are available. For example, with a click of a button, you can change your avatar from a student into a rocker or into a cyborg.
To change the avatar shape, right click the avatar and select Edit My Shape. From the Editing Shape toolbar, available options are grouped by body parts.
Gestures
While chatting with some friends, you can instruct your avatar to perform gestures. For example you can wave to a distant friend, laugh, cry and perform some hula dancing if you’re in the mood.
Inventory
The inventory contains all your things, and amongst others you will find:
- Body parts that can be added to your avatar
- Gestures
- Clothing
- Calling cards
- Landmarks
- Things you collect and much more…
Handy tips
✓ Use the View toolbar to zoom and pan your view.
✓ Take snapshots of yourself and places you visit.
✓ Use the destination guide to visit new places
✓ Find friends and offer them teleporting.
Places I visited
Middlesex University
One can find a lot of information here regarding Middlesex University and a lot of room where you can sit and have a chat with your friends.
Vassar Island
Island owners are exploring ways in which Second Life can support and enhance on-campus learning. Amongst other interesting places, this island has a small replica of the Sistine Chapel.
Paris 1900
In this land you can have a taste of old Paris. One of the interesting things in this land is that you can take a free city tour riding a horse.
Pirate Island Of Jabberwock
Visit this island if you want to experience a pirate adventure. Dress like a pirate and shoot targets. This land reminded me of Treasure Island by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson.
“Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.”
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.”
Inca temple
The owner of this land created a replica of an Inca temple where you can by Inca jewels and clothes. Interesting to note that like an old Inca temple, this replica has an exhaustive number of steps to reach the top level; luckily we can fly!
Conclusion
Second Life gives opportunities to those who want to make friends and divert from daily routine. One should keep in mind not to spend a lot of time in such virtual worlds because it may become a bit addictive.
While browsing Second Life I bumped into scenes and discussions that in my opinion are not suitable for kids and young fellows. Residents visiting such places must have some degree of maturity. Restricting access to a land is not enough; kids can easily lie about their age when creating a new account. So parents, be careful.
Over all I liked Second life, it was a wonderful experience and I’ve visited some interesting places. I think this blog will help you getting started with Second Life.
Happy teleporting…
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