A Newcomer in Second A Newcomer in Second Life:Life:-Pro’sPro’s-Con’sCon’s

Pro’s: What helpedPro’s: What helped• Orientation IslandOrientation Island• Linden VillageLinden Village• AdvertisementsAdvertisements• NotecardsNotecardsRight (from left to right): Message board, Picture cork board, Information kiosk in Linden Village

Above (from left to right): Read all about it! Newspapers and Periodicals, Second Life Concierge in Linden Village

Pro’s: What helpedPro’s: What helped• Similarity to real lifeSimilarity to real life

– Geographically- familiar Geographically- familiar landmarks/ terrainlandmarks/ terrain

– Spatially- familiar spatial Spatially- familiar spatial layout of things, people, layout of things, people, locations (map looks like locations (map looks like real world)real world)

– Economically- familiar Economically- familiar companies present, similar companies present, similar methods for obtaining methods for obtaining things (Linden $$)things (Linden $$)

Above: Department map in Platinum MallLeft: Sign for The Rock Ski Lodge, Ski Shop, Ski Lift, and Weather Tower at Epic Extreme Skiing (The Weather Channel)Right: Ski Lift at Epic Extreme Skiing

Pro’s: What helpedPro’s: What helped• Information/Help Information/Help

CentersCenters• Willingness of Willingness of

other Avitars to other Avitars to help when askedhelp when asked

• Generosity from Generosity from others (free items)others (free items)

Top Right: Help Center at The Weather ChannelBottom Right: Free Outfits, Clothing, Makeup, Jewelery, etc. at Forou Freebie Store A

Con’s: What hinderedCon’s: What hindered• Time required to Time required to

complete Orientation complete Orientation IslandIsland– Helpful exercises and Helpful exercises and

activities at activities at Orientation Island, but Orientation Island, but too extensive (require too extensive (require too much time)too much time)

• Lag time/”Bugginess”Lag time/”Bugginess”– Long time to loadLong time to load– FreezingFreezing– CrashingCrashing

Below: An overhead view of Help Island, the island at the center of the Orientation Islands