Asked male or female every log in and forever a noob, help!

[Rolig Loon]

You may not be fully logged in.  This can happen if you have a weak Internet connection -- strong enough for normal web browsing or playing a simple game like WoW, but not steady enough for SL.  If you have been on wireless, get off it.  Wireless is a lousy way to connect to SL, even on a good day.  Use a direct cable instead.  Then....

(1) Try shutting off your computer, unplugging the router and modem for a couple of minutes, and then plugging them back in and restarting. That simple step may clear up everything

(2) Add Google's free public DNS servers to whatever your ISP assigns you as a default. Here's how >>> http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/

[Rolig Loon]

You may not be fully logged in.  This can happen if you have a weak Internet connection -- strong enough for normal web browsing or playing a simple game like WoW, but not steady enough for SL.  If you have been on wireless, get off it.  Wireless is a lousy way to connect to SL, even on a good day.  Use a direct cable instead.  Then....

(1) Try shutting off your computer, unplugging the router and modem for a couple of minutes, and then plugging them back in and restarting. That simple step may clear up everything

(2) Add Google's free public DNS servers to whatever your ISP assigns you as a default. Here's how >>> http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/

[Syo Emerald]

Rollig...WoW is not a "simple" game...but I agree with the rest of what you said.

[Rolig Loon]

Hehe... I don't mean "simple" in the sense that it's easy to play. I mean "simple" in the sense that it has static textures. They are built into the game that is downloaded to your computer and they do not change the way textures in SL do. Because we can create new objects, terraform the land, modify the lighting with Windlight, script objects, and add new animations, sounds, and textures, SL's dynamic environment has to be updated continuously. WoW and other "simple games" don't need much of an Internet connection. SL spits up and drops your connection if it isn't very steady. It's the price we pay for being able to create our own world.