New to Second Life or curious about what happens there?

Second life operates on multi layers. At the very base level, it is used as a chat room to hang out in beach bars, discos, and cafes and meet people online from all over the world. There are music events, book and poetry readings, art openings, and many other real life happenings. The sex rooms and the war zones are always crowded and some creative fantasy role-play is rife. But aside from that, Second Life also works on a more sophisticated level. Universities, science organisations, artists, architects, sociologists, and many other serious intentions are using Second Life as an educational tool. Not to mention that Second Life also has a multi million dollar business venture being operated in real time with real dollars.

To become a member, you log into the Second Life website and download the software. It is compatible with Macs and Pcs though the type of graphics card, the speed and capacity of your computer and the strength of your broadband connection are all relevant to the experience you will have there. Choosing a name is the most important thing, as you will have that name for the duration of the account. You are given a number of surnames to choose from and then add your own first name. When you log into Second Life for the very first time, you will be invited to create the style of avatar you want to be seen as and it will transport you to a daunting place where you will have to do four tests in order to be allowed into the mainland. Learn to fly, chat, use inventory and change your appearance and then you are all set to go. It takes about an hour. Once you are in the mainland, its always a good idea to visit the freebie shops and pick up some new clothing and skins (which will change you from looking like a noob!) Noobs (newbies)are targets for many 'griefers' (people who make trouble for sport). If someone attaches something to you then quickly 'detach' it by right clicking (or ctrl click) and then 'mute' the griefer. There! you no longer are a 'noob'! It takes only a short time to learn the basics of the software and there are plenty of good people to meet and ask. Most people are very friendly and you can always IM Spacexcape Bridges and ask for help!

So what to do next? Decide what places you would like to be part of by searching your interests and teleport to those places. Be sure to landmark them so you can find those places quickly in the future. And be sure to visit the Spacexcape project! Enjoy the experience.

See some of the existing Second Life Projects that are worth visiting.

We recommend the following places to visit in Second Life:
Exploratorium http://slurl.com/secondlife/Exploratorium/128/178/32
Inspire Space Park http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shinda/27.214.17
Science Friday http://slurl.com/secondlife/Science%20Friday/205/250/23
Princetown South http://slurl.com/secondlife/Princeton%20South/86/90/42

or read more about them.