Second Life Newbie

I joined Second Life a few weeks ago. I heard there was a virtual world where virtual stores were being run earning real world money! It sounded quite intriguing so I signed up. My older computer could not log onto the Second Life scene due to what seemed to be the problem, an incompatible graphics card or graphics driver. When I used a newer model, I was able to get to the Second Life Virtual World.

The Second Life world starts newcomers on an island where several skills must be learned such as walking, driving a car, driving a Segway and flying. The keyboard up, down, left and right keys are used for getting around. Those keys on my keyboard are a little stiff so I need to replace the keyboard.

Some of the other skills that are learned besides navigation is how to change your appearance, make a purchase and change clothes. Free items are provided for those exercises. I don't go to the Second Life World very often, every so often I visit and progress in my learned skills. You can see and chat with other persons you might meet along the way. You can also add them to your list of friends.

One day a naked person ran past me. It wasn't a very graphic detailed person, but you could see that the virtual person did not have on any clothes. Did you notice my picture here on AC? I took that picture on Second Life! Taking pictures and sending postcards was another learned skill. On another occasion I was chased by a stranger who came toward my avatar with his hands outstretched like a Frankenstein Pervert, he kept saying ooh woman then repeated it in German. I ran and kept trying to get away. The stiff movement from my keyboard made getting away difficult but I finally got away from the pervert.

A recent article on AC talked about bullying in the virtual world. It mentioned that although the writer was not familiar with Second Life, that bullying was a problem there. I can confirm that from my experience being chased. I believe however that the article mentioned the destruction of virtual property and burning down a building in the virtual world by bullys. Wow, that is quite disturbing.

For the good part you can buy property on Second Life and open stores but only as a paid subscriber. The least amount to be a paid subscriber is $6.00 per month. I currently have a free account so I am not allowed to own property. Given the time and the money, I would be interested in getting more involved in Second Life in the future.