Second Life Primer
Launched in 2003, Second Life is an online 3D virtual world created by Linden Labs. Much like massively multiplayer games, Second Life provides an immersive environment for users to play and interact in. However, Second Life goes beyond a game, allowing residents to build and create their own environments; and interact with others from around the globe.
This resource provides an short overview of the key features of Second Life, and some tips and tricks to get you started, including:
Signing Up for Second Life
Alternative Signup Options
- Alternative Method 1: Signup and Arrive at the Agile Dimensions Sim
- Alternative Method 2: Third Party SL Registration Pages
Background Information on Second Life
- Key Features of Second Life
- How much does it cost?
- Technical Requirements
- Other Guides and Resources
Signing Up for Second Life
To create your account and prepare for your first visit to Second Life, follow the steps below. All who are intending to join us for Agile3D Comment Events will need to follow these instructions!
Step 1. Check System Requirements!
Second Life has specific software and hardware requirements. If your computer doesn't meet these requirements, you may not be able to participate in Second Life effectively. Click here to check the system requirements page.
Step 2. Visit the Signup Section of the Second Life Website
Visit the Join Second Life Page on the Second Life website and follow the instructions. You will need to complete the signup form.
Complete the Registration Form: Add the required details to the final registration form (name, password, email address etc) and submit. Remember to use an email address you can access to verify your account and write down your password!
Verify Your Account: You'll need to check your email and verify your account before you can access the Second Life grid. Make sure you check your 'Junk Mail' folder if you have difficulties!
Step 3. Choose from Some Basic Avatar Options!
After you have completed the registration form, you'll be asked to choose some basic details for your avatar:
- You'll need to choose a name for your New Avatar: You don't need to use your real name... be creative. Choose a first name of your own creation, and a last name from a drop-down list of choices.
- As certain names reach a certain quota of residents,they drop off the list and new last names are added.
- New users need to choose a basic setup for their new avatar. There are a number of male and female options on the website to choose from. (see pic.) Don't worry too much about this, as you will be able to modify and create your avatar later on.
Step 4. Choose a Starting Location
Once you have completed the registration and avatar selection process you are given the option to choose a starting destination. Linden Labs offers Help Island Orientation experience, or you can choose from a list of Communities to join.
We recommend: Rockcliffe University, Virtual Ability, Dublin Virtually Live, London England UK and Non-Profit Commons as good options.
Step 5. Download and install the Second Life client
Users need to download and install the Second Life software onto their computer. (About 25MB for Windows users and 62MB for Mac users). You must have this software installed in order to access Second Life. There is also an beta version client for Linux Users.
If you need to download a new version of the Second Life client, visit the Downloads page.
Step 6. Log in to Second Life and Start Exploring!
That's it! You're ready to start your Second Life.
Launch the Second Life software and login. You will arrive on Orientation Island where you you will be able to use the resources there to familiarise with the Second Life interface.
Alternative Setup Options
Additional to the official Second Life signup page, there are two additional ways you can undertake the process of creating your Second Life account, as detailed below.
Alternative Method 1: Signup and Arrive at Agile Dimensions
SLurl.com allows users to setup Direct TP links to locations in Second Life and also enables users to signup and teleport directly to a particular location.
You can signup and land directly at the Agile Dimensions sim here. Simply click on the Signup Button in the top right of the screen.
Alternative Method 2: Third Party SL Registration Pages
If you would like to skip the traditional Second Life signup process, you can try one of the services listed below, which are provided by various organisations using the SL Registration API. These customised signup and newbie services are sometimes a much better choice and offer orientation experiences that are far superior to the standard SL orientation area.
Alternative signup pages are available at:
Note: These alternative signup will also take you through an alternative newbie experience which has been customised for their particular organisations. If you are planning to use these for workshops and classes, please check that the service is working properly and is appropriate for your participants!
Background Information on Second Life
Key Features of Second Life
The key characteristics of Second Life include:
- Completely user-generated content - it’s an open world that gives users creative control.
- Relatively easy-to-use built-in building and scripting tools allow users to create almost any object or any experience they can imagine.
- Customisable avatars - users can create highly individualised ‘virtual selves’.
- Users own the intellectual property for their creations.
- A real in-world economy with real money transfer makes it easy to buy and sell creations (and profit from them). More than $5 million USD is transacted between users every month.
- Audio and video can be streamed from the web and played in-world.
- Linden Labs has tended to take ahands-off approach to governance, allowing the residents to self-govern (although residents are expected to abide by the Terms of Service and Community Standards)
In short, Second Life is an environment where users are designing, conducting business, building relationships, entertaining, learning, and living their virtual lives.
How much does it cost?
Its important to understand the basics of Second Life pricing. Residents can join and engage in Second Life for free, however certain features require a premium account.
- Basic Second Life accounts are free. A basic account will allow you to visit Second Life and meet its residents, you will have access to all the tools and events. To participate in Agile3D events (or most other events) you will generally only need a free basic account.
- Additional Basic accounts cost a $9.95 (US) one-time setup fee.
- Premium accounts (required for owning land) start at $9.95/month (US) and up. For more information about pricing see the Second Life website.
- Second Life residents who wish to create a permanent home are able to rent or buy virtual real estate within Second Life. For more information and up to date pricing see the Land Store.
- Educational Institutions, Government Agencies and Not for Profit Organisations are usually eligible for discounts on land purchase and fees. See the Catalogue here for further details.
Note: All prices are in US dollars.
Technical Requirements
Will my firewall prevent me from accessing Second Life?
Second Life needs to connect to ports 443/TCP, 12035/UDP, 12036/UDP, 12043/TCP, and 13000-13050/UDP. You should configure your firewall to allow outbound traffic on those ports, and related inbound traffic. If you are having difficulty using Second Life, you should check with your IT support people and show them this article on the Second Life Knowledge Base - How do I configure my firewall?.
Alternative Strategies
Some educators in Second Life have experienced difficulties in running the Second Life client in institutional computer labs. One strategy involves running the Second Life client on a Flash Drive. See: Second Life on a Flash Drive at Penn State Virtual Worlds.
Other Guides and Resources
There is an extensive network of blogs, wikis and websites dedicated to all things Second Life. Explore the sites listed below for further information:
- SL Website: Quickstart Guide
- SL Website: Support Portal
- SL Blog: Answers
- SL Blogs: Tips and Tricks
- SL Wiki: Getting started with Second Life
- SL Wiki: Second Life for Beginners
- SL Wiki: Frequently Asked Questions
- 30 (and more) things every newbie should know before starting Second Life
- JISC: Getting Started in Second Life
- Kitten's Litter: SL Tutorials & New User Info
- Natalia's Getting Started in Second Life Guide
- Second LIfe Beginners Guide by Gwyneth Llewelyn
- Slideshare: Getting Started in Second Life by University of Michigan Health Sciences Libraries
- SLTutorials.net
For additional resources (including videos, please see the SL Resources page on the jokaydia Virtual Worlds wiki.