Second Life Help?

Question

I want to make an account for Second Life, but I have a few questions:

1. Should I sign up for teen or regular Second Life?
2. What do people use for "names", if real names are taken?
3. If I choose the "annual" payment option, do they bill me immeaditely, or in a year?
4. What are other recommendations?

Answer 1

1: If you are under 18, then PLEASE, sign up for Teen SL. Regular SL has very adult themes and there are a lot of problems being caused for us over 18's because of younger players coming in. The owners of SL are behaving like the SS demanding that ads in stores for skins be restricted to only verified players, and the methods of becoming verified are only available to US residents - us non-US players are facing being locked out of our own game unless we're willing to break laws regarding information sharing in our own countries. Also, if you are under 18 and are caught, you'll be banned form both Teen and Adult SL for life.

2: As for names - if you've looked at the site, you'll see that you have to choose from surnames on offer, but get to choose your own first name. Let's say you real name is Jenny Smith. You want to keep Jenny, but Smith isn't a option for a surname. You see the name Smitts (I only made that up - it might be there - who knows) and decide to go with that. You try for that name but discover it's taken. So you could go with another name instead, or try a variation of Jenny. Or you could have Jenny25, or Jennee, or SexyJenny, CuteJenny, J3nny ... anything you like. A number first is not a good idea. There are things in SL that give you freebies if the current letter on the prize-giver matches the first letter of your first name. So a chair displaying J as the letter would be something you could go for if your name is Jenny2007, but NOT if your name is 2007Jenny.

Also consider that you can play anything in SL and you can change sex. Sometimes a unisex name like Charlie is good, or a name like Blade, Shadow or Vesper. You may decide to be something different from what you originally planned to be. If you call yourself Doris and then decide you want to be a male samurai later on, you're going to look very silly. I see lots of female erotic dancers called Pete or Barry. A bit of a giveaway really.

3: Whatever you do - DON'T pay for SL before you try it. It might not be for you. You only need premium membership if you plan to buy land from the makers of SL and that is expensive. You can buy private land without going through the Lindens and for that you don't have to have premium. Get the right spot and the right seller and you can haggle over the price and get a much better deal too.

And yes ... immediate payment.

If you add credit card details when you join SL, you still don't have to pay premium (that's a further option), but it does allow you to buy in-world currency and it's very good value. And it will also enhance your SL experience as shopping is a major addiction ... er ... pastime!!!

4: Nothing else is quite like SL ... ummm ... although there IS a Chinese copy of SL that is exactly like it in every detail - except you have to be able to read and write Chinese to play. Immitation is the best form of flattery I guess.

There is something similar on the PS3 called Home, but it's much more restricted in what you can do. Frankly, it looks rather boring.

Enjoy SL should you decide to join.

Answer 2

there are some people who claim that we have several lifetimes depending on whether you still want to go and live as mortals or you wish to stay in eternity. But these haven't proven yet in science. No evidence, just some stories and experiences of people who have gone to death and came back to life. Some undergo hypnosis, especially if they have these frequent feeling of being 'another person in another life'... There are some instances that you seem to know the person so well, yet you just met him/her the 1st time... There's also the incidents of having a 'karma'. At times, you just wonder why you have so many pains in this lifetime, but maybe this is the time that you have to pay for what you have done in your previous life.. We really don't know if these things exists... but we have to make sure that we life life to the fullest and not to mess up with life.

Answer 3

1. Depends on your age. If you are a teenager you CAN'T sign up to the adult legally but when ou turn 18 you will automatically be moved there

2.Just any name that you like but less often real names

3.Immediately

4.Enjoy it in small amounts. Don't blow an entire weekend playing and then get bored of it. Don't sign up to premium until you try the free version and enjoy it.

Answer 4

Reiko, ..wonderful, wonderful reply.
Best answer i have ever seen on YA's for ANY subject..!!
And yes, i am in SL also.
It is superb, obviously not for everyone, but i have a blast in there everyday.