Second Life: The Official Guide - Book/CD Product Review

Second Life: the Official Guide is a book-and-CD combination that is well worth buying for anyone serious about engaging in a Second Life of their own, or simply curious about this wildly popular phenomenon. The book is highly organized and filled will compelling and relevant color images. It contains all of the necessary basics for getting started in Second Life, from altering the appearance of an avatar (virtual representation of a person) to navigating the virtual world of Second Life. The book also shows entrepreneurs how to start new businesses (or support and market existing ones) in this increasingly popular virtual reality. Moreover, the book comes with a CD that contains animated tutorials as well as objects and other assets that can be used by a character in Second Life.

It might be better to think of this product less as a tutorial and more as a guide book. Of course, it provides great basic information about how to get started in Second Life. However, it also does a great job of helping a reader become familiar with Second Life as a virtual reality shared by millions of users.

The Second Life: Official Guide explains everything from social norms and customs to fashion sense and popular styles. The writers mostly work for the company that created Second Life, and have seen the world of Second Life evolve over time. Who better than the world's creators to provide the essential guide to it? At over three hundred and fifty pages, the guide is nothing if not thorough. Also, at less than twenty-five dollars a copy (new, though used copies are cheaper) the book represents a fairly nominal investment considering the depth and breadth of its contents.

Second Life is not something that can easily be joined without a guide detailing the way the world works. It isn't just a video game: Second Life facilitates complex political, social and economic interactions. So, rather than trial-by-error, most new users can save time and energy and have a more enjoyable experience by reading this comprehensive and official guide to Second Life. Best of all, this guide isn't geared toward experienced geeks - it really is oriented toward a lay-person just starting out in the virtual realm.

The guide (itself inexpensive) is also a way to 'play it safe' so to speak, since the game involves real money and bad investments can cost more than mere virtual lives! So, before you start wandering aimlessly in a gigantic and complex virtual reality, consider starting with a trusty and official tour guide.