How do you help new players?

[Charlemagne Allen]

I've started giving them a small amount of L and then taking them to Grendel's so they can get a unique av. I always verify it's new account (possibly) and not a bot before doing so. I find this helps break the ice, and it inspires creativity. What do you do with new players?

[Harper Held]

I'm anti-social, or at least I'm a really crappy teacher; so I generally pass them a landmark to NCI.

Why yes, I am lazy; what makes you ask? 😜

[rasterscan]

47 minutes ago, Charlemagne Allen said:

taking them to Grendel's so they can get a unique av.

Grendel's ?

[Sid Nagy]

I haven't met a single newbie in years, as far as I know.
So the OP question is pure theoretical for me.

[BilliJo Aldrin]

i think i mentioned it before, i give them a beautiful $600L mens ring.

[CaerolleClaudel]

3 hours ago, Charlemagne Allen said:

I've started giving them a small amount of L and then taking them to Grendel's so they can get a unique av. I always verify it's new account (possibly) and not a bot before doing so. I find this helps break the ice, and it inspires creativity. What do you do with new players?

What is Grendel's? I searched in-world and only found a children's store and the Sanctuary Mall on the Grendel sim.

[CaerolleClaudel]

2 hours ago, Harper Held said:

I'm anti-social, or at least I'm a really crappy teacher; so I generally pass them a landmark to NCI.

Why yes, I am lazy; what makes you ask? 😜

I was assuming that NCI was New Citizen's Island (I think that was a place back in the day?), but seems like it is New Citizen Inc? The info there seems really old, with no instructions on how to avi-up, just a bit on getting an LL avi. The info site linked from the sim seems to have died several years ago.

Did I go to the wrong place? Thx!

[CaerolleClaudel]

I

2 hours ago, Harper Held said:

I'm anti-social, or at least I'm a really crappy teacher; so I generally pass them a landmark to NCI.

Why yes, I am lazy; what makes you ask? 😜

I did find one location of NCI with a couple people, all over 5000 days old. I asked if they were support or if the site was still active, and they directed me to the group chat for the NCI group. I am not sure what kind of support them provide, might work up the interest later to join the group and see if anyone answers in chat.

[AmeliaJ08]

Take them on a tour, show them some of the mainland grid. A flight out to Sirens to watch whatever debauchery is happening on the big oligarch yachts is kinda fun.

SL is confusing at first, it's kinda valuable to demonstrate that there's a whole grid you can teleport around. Not overly important long term but it's a fun little opener. After that if you're committed then you can hand hold them through getting a demo, unpacking it, trying it on and even buying something... anything. That's usually a pretty painful experience though but it does at least introduce some inventory stuff which is critical to them sticking around longer term.

 

[James Starling]

I often frequent the Welcome Hub because there is a nice mix of moles (Viola) and mentors and oldbies who are fun to chat to as well as the newbies. It's probably one of the most popular General Regions. You can also get some interesting photos too! But yes, if I'm there and newbies need help then I will try my best to help them. 

Noah and Shep SL Mentors. 

 

[Charlemagne Allen]

1 hour ago, CaerolleClaudel said:

What is Grendel's? I searched in-world and only found a children's store and the Sanctuary Mall on the Grendel sim.

Grendel's is a huge avatar store owned by Flea Bussey. It has a lot of creative avatars.

https://secondlife.com/destination/36

[PheebyKatz]

56 minutes ago, CaerolleClaudel said:

I

I did find one location of NCI with a couple people, all over 5000 days old. I asked if they were support or if the site was still active, and they directed me to the group chat for the NCI group. I am not sure what kind of support them provide, might work up the interest later to join the group and see if anyone answers in chat.

Last I was there, it seemed their main focus was on teaching new people how to give them all of their money, and what to think and believe IRL, but things may have changed since I was there.

[WeFlossDaily]

4 hours ago, Charlemagne Allen said:

What do you do with new players?

Depends on if they are nice or not and if any language barriers or prejudice arise.

And if they just want to, you know--then nope--they can figure SL out for themselves.

Otherwise, I try to help answer their* questions or point them in the right direction.

Edited July 23 by WeFlossDaily
typo*

[CaerolleClaudel]

33 minutes ago, PheebyKatz said:

Last I was there, it seemed their main focus was on teaching new people how to give them all of their money, and what to think and believe IRL, but things may have changed since I was there.

😑🤷🏻‍♀️

[CaerolleClaudel]

42 minutes ago, Charlemagne Allen said:

Grendel's is a huge avatar store owned by Flea Bussey. It has a lot of creative avatars.

https://secondlife.com/destination/36

Oh, so it *is* Grendel's Children...

Definitely unique...

[Caitlin Tobias]

I help them in the Welcome Hub, as a mentor.

[gwynchisholm]

I tell them how to turn on G/M/A content settings and direct them to the search menu.

[Cinnamon Mistwood]

I do not have the patience to help a noobie with things like updating their avatar or viewer questions.  It takes too long and it's frustrating trying to explain.

I help by asking what they came to SL for and help them find it. I'll take them to rez a horse, car, or boat. Show them how to find music clubs they like.  Take them to an art installation or for a walk in the woods.  How to use search to find what they like and to locate sandboxes.  Show them where the Destination Guide is.

Sometimes a quick lesson in etiquette - like how send an IM, say more than "hi", the difference between public and private properties, how to find landmarks and TP, the occasional safety warnings, and that not everyone is going to be nice.  Where they need to wear clothes, the different maturity ratings.  How different parcels have different rules and dress codes.  How to open the map.

I let them know it will take months to get used to how everything works and to make a few friends.  Then after a decade, they will realize they still don't know it all. None of it is easy, but it is worth it if they stick with it.

If someone asks me to help them make their avatar look good, I run the other way.  If someone asks me where to find teh sexors, the only thing I do is direct them to search and to select adult content. 

[Midnoot]

8 hours ago, Charlemagne Allen said:

I've started giving them a small amount of L and then taking them to Grendel's so they can get a unique av. I always verify it's new account (possibly) and not a bot before doing so. I find this helps break the ice, and it inspires creativity. What do you do with new players?

Ugh . Shame you're still pumping out sculpty monstrosities into modern second life . Grendel's is a time long passed , unless they're buying one of the like .. 3 mesh avatars Grendel's has made . The rest are sculpts .

 

 

I help newbies with information . Or show them around . Give them realistic expectations of prices when they ask " how do I look amazing like you do ", and then tell them they can still do it for cheaper , but certainly won't be as high quality . P:    etc

 

Mention chat range since sl has this dumb limitation still and half the newbies talk out of range , thinking it's , you know , a logical world chat where everyone in the sim or level should be able to see it , but nope , it's second life , so it's illogical .

 

Usually specifically focusing on what they're asking about . And helping them through it like a human bean and not some boring tutorial or note card that nobody wants to endure  . Hear that , help sims ? Of course you don't .

[NaomiLocket]

2 hours ago, Midnoot said:

[...]
Mention chat range since sl has this dumb limitation still and half the newbies talk out of range , thinking it's , you know , a logical world chat where everyone in the sim or level should be able to see it , but nope , it's second life , so it's illogical .
[...]

It's illogical to tell them that "nearby chat" is anything but nearby. It might be worth putting in feedback to consider a region wide chat tab specifically labeled. Can't hurt and people can ignore it. But there's nothing illogical about how it is lol. That's just funny. The partitioning of a region and its communications is by intentional design that is problem driven and optionally solved and worked around both by the market, and by conference sims where you hear across it anyway.

[Midnoot]

1 minute ago, NaomiLocket said:

It's illogical to tell them that "nearby chat" is anything but nearby. It might be worth putting in feedback to consider a region wide chat tab specifically labeled. Can't hurt and people can ignore it. But there's nothing illogical about how it is lol. That's just funny. The partitioning of a region and its communications is by intentional design that is problem driven and optionally solved and worked around both by the market, and by conference sims where you hear across it anyway.

Mhm. What did they newbie say over there with the typing indicator above his head ? Oh right , you didn't see it . Good thing you couldnt  assist them with their question that was not heard due to short chat range that literally no newbie is aware of until explained to them by another resident .

 

Give sim wide chat , LL. Without forcing residents to install their own . Oh wait , then every one of the helpers would be overwhelmed by all the talking that's not happening and be rendered useless and unable to assist . Sorry, just going off of past reasons given for this not existing . :'D 

[rasterscan]

I've a hazy half notion involving using AI enabled bot avvies to temporarily greet newbie landers, and guide them through those baffling first few steps. 

[rasterscan]

7 hours ago, brodiac90 said:

I often frequent the Welcome Hub because there is a nice mix of moles (Viola) and mentors and oldbies who are fun to chat to as well as the newbies. It's probably one of the most popular General Regions. You can also get some interesting photos too! But yes, if I'm there and newbies need help then I will try my best to help them. 

Noah and Shep SL Mentors. 

 

Excellent ! I used to enjoy hangin' at the hub, I should do it more often ...

[Midnoot]

8 hours ago, CaerolleClaudel said:

I

I did find one location of NCI with a couple people, all over 5000 days old. I asked if they were support or if the site was still active, and they directed me to the group chat for the NCI group. I am not sure what kind of support them provide, might work up the interest later to join the group and see if anyone answers in chat.

This sim is dead and has been for the past 2 years since the owner died . But believe me, it was heading down that route way before she died . One of the least helpful places I've ever been . Especially if a newbie had a wardrobe malfunction . They would jump all over that newbie and rip them apart at the mere sight of some skin .

"Newbie: Hi guys , can you help me fix myNCIMOD: PUT CLOTHES ON . DO IT NOW! NEWBIE: I don't know how. Can you explNCIMOD:EJECTION!!! COME BACK WHEN YOU CLOTHES YOSELF!

Edited July 24 by Midnoot

[NaomiLocket]

8 minutes ago, Midnoot said:

Sorry, just going off of past reasons given for this not existing . :'D 

It does exist. You just need them to put it in more clear locations without the newbie leaving those locations before understanding, but the feature does exist. Which I already told you. It's not split off from nearby which is the confusing part, and it is bound to certain sims. I was actually more confused by it happening the first time because it wasn't by appearances the usual repeater.