Getting started in the Second Life virtual reality program was, for the most part, self-explanatory and not much different than set-up/registration for any other online application. The system prompted you for basic account information such as email, password etc. However, there were two very unique registration requirements. The first being the users need to choose from a list of 12 avatars. You are also asked to type in a first name. On instinct, I typed in my real first name and the application immediately populated a list of about 20 last names to go with it. I then decided that I would play around and have fun with the naming – since it is virtual reality and in essence my “second life,” I decided to choose a different name. Interesting to note is that when I tried typing in some celebrity names, “Eva” being one of them – all the last names were already assigned. I finally chose a random name and last name, confirmed my email address and was ready to navigate through the virtual world.
Once I launched Second Life, I was surprised to note that my avatar landed in the middle of Orientation Island bald and naked. As I started to get my bearings, the physical attributes of my avatar began to take shape. There were a few other people making their way around the island, one who immediately approached me to begin dialogue. Being the amateur that I was, focusing solely on making my way around the tutorials, the gentlemen soon saw me as rude and stopped talking to me. (I discovered all this after I was able to open the small IM-like dialogue box that was hidden in the bottom toolbar.)
There are four main tutorials that a user must complete to help you move your way through the virtual world. Walking (steered traditionally by the arrow keys), chatting (IM style pop-up box), searching (using a map to locate objects and/or friends, and lastly Inventory. Inventory I found to be the most unique and interesting application specific to your avatar. Inventory lists all items that you acquire in your second life in an easily organized file listing. (Clothing and appearance altering attributes being of the most interesting to me.) Directed by a dialogue box located in the top left corner of the screen, a user knows that they have successfully completed a tutorial when they hear a “chime” and their avatar jumps up and kicks their heels together with glee. (It reminded me of the Lucky Charms Leprechaun.)
After completing my tutorials I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do or where to go. I also was immediately put off by that gentleman almost immediately starting a fight with me over the dialogue box when I first arrived. I understand that Second Life, is in essence a networking tool, however his immediate rudeness turned me off.
Second Life was much less user friendly then I had expected and as I am not very technologically savvy as it is, I aimlessly wandered around Orientation Island for a bit, completed more advanced tutotrials and then signed out. I know that many companies are moving towards posting products on Second Life and universities are now posting classes and seminars. I am a bit anachronistic in my learning style, as I believe that technology should supplement interpersonal instruction, not replace. I was curious about the Second Life application from our class discussions, however having now used it, it is not something that I have the desire to continue to explore.
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