Have been touring around Second Life these days as was wondering if anyone I know here is there as well. Let me know. I'm very new there and was hoping to get some pointers and good places to go in that world. I know the client can be a little weird and that the environment initially appears as a virtual singles retreat or a 3D EBay but I was wondering if anyone is having any other unique experiences there or Sci Fi related islands/loctaions or is it just a waste of my time.
Let me know,
Thanks,
Metron
I currently reside in Secondlife... And I could show you the best Trek place in SL if your intrested. Look me up.
Can some please explain what second life is?
I'm guessing this is it.
http://secondlife.com/
though lexii or metron pull me up if i'm wrong.
Secondlife is an interactive medium for people to express their ideas, and explore their creative side. Everything in Secondlife was created by its residents.
Thats the correct URL meds
I gave it a try a looong while ago (I had heard about it on the Screen Savers so yes, THAT long ago). Never got into it much. I wonder if my account is still active?
I guess my issue with Second Life was that it seemed like an MMO where you don't actually do anything. I guess it's evolved since then, maybe I should give it another look.
Quote from: StarTrekFanatic5 on September 02, 2008, 09:11:24 PM
Can some please explain what second life is?
It's like a big, virtual world Kenny. People can buy and sell stuff. Kind of SIMS like except people can create new items, clothing, environments, etc. I've dabbled in it a little but found it a little clunky to get around in. I did find a couple of Star Trek like areas once. Lexii is our resident expert I'd say on all this.
Lexii,
I had asked Rico about doing this post in case it had already been done and he did mention to me you where the current member who knows the most about it. Have installed the client and am trying to come up with a well designed avatar but there is so much going on and I don't have the time to explore for very long I was hoping you would share with us TreKSFers some of the best places to visit in that virtual world. Do you think that is something you can get into in any detail here? Maybe if enough of us get accounts there we can all meet and you could give us a VTour? Though I am very interested in the possibilities of this virtual world and was reminded of it during a recent episode of CSI New York. I'm not really interested in buying a virtual bed and stuff like that. More just seeing strange new virtual worlds and seeking out new virtual life. What do you know in that area? I do like socializing but sometimes it becomes more like a singles thing, or a Ecommerce thing and I don't really have a lot to spend Vdollars on. I recently saw a virtual interview there done with a composer I really like Amin Bhatia http://www.slcn.tv/music-academy-amin-bhatia he recently released a CD called Virtuality who's music was inspired partly by his experiences in Second Life. http://www.aminbhatia.com/index.php/virtuality/about.virtuality When I saw this interview I thought maybe I should revisit this environment.
Anything you can help we with will be great
Thanks,
Metron
hmmm I just created a character..
I know of a few interesting places in SL. I havent spent much time exploring much since... Maybe December, because I have been working all of the time in Starfleet, up to my neck in paper work, but there are lots of intresting places to see, and amazing people to meet. I could get you to UFS, and I am sure there are plenty of characters there that would have a greater understanding of unique things to see in SL.
Alot of people are turned off of SL when they first start for one or two of three reasons:
1) They think the SL graphics are bad, and dont understand the point of the "game"
2) They dont like to create
3) They dont get to see the intresting stuff, or meet the intresting people.
Number 3 is the worst, because people come into SL, and they dont get a proper tour of the capabilties of SL. They see square buildings that people who just started SL are making, and trees and grass, and naked noobs running around with fake "penises" and totally turn away from SL... But a select few actually stick with it, and realize its potential.
Metron, it is a world that we can sculpt and mold into any fashion we like with enough time, and a little bit of skill. You can make anything, be anything, and do anything you want to do. Its limitless really, and thats the true appeal of this "game". I dont really call it a game anymore, as its more of an interactive medium for communication of ideas and stuff like that.
-Lexii
Is this a Mac friendly program? Is it freeeeeee?
It does run mac, and yes, for the most part it is free to use the client. However to buy some nice user made hair, clothes, toys, you need to pay in linden dollars. I think 1 usd is 200L
Quote from: Lexii Lane on September 03, 2008, 07:06:40 PM
It does run mac, and yes, for the most part it is free to use the client. However to buy some nice user made hair, clothes, toys, you need to pay in linden dollars. I think 1 usd is 200L
Sounds like the book "Snow Crash". ;)
I got a Second Life character, but I don't get on much cause of my lack of time to play.
Quote from: Jen on September 03, 2008, 08:33:47 PM
Quote from: Lexii Lane on September 03, 2008, 07:06:40 PM
It does run mac, and yes, for the most part it is free to use the client. However to buy some nice user made hair, clothes, toys, you need to pay in linden dollars. I think 1 usd is 200L
Sounds like the book "Snow Crash". ;)
Wow, I'm listening to this book on my iPod right now. You're right!
I say we form a TrekSF away team to venture down to the surface of Second Life commanded by Lexii. Lexii can you fit that into your duties?
Maybe in a week or two after some more of you have gotten accounts we can see who wishes to volunteer for the away team.
Maybe we can establish a outpost?
Opinions, options?
Let me know,
Metron
Sounds really great! I would love to see you guys come into Secondlife. I do not run a Trek group anymore however, my group mergered with a much larger group which hopes to out do Starfleet International, and is gaining momentum fast.
It would be really great to get you guys in there to meet other likeminded fans!
I actually found my account info. No idea how I came up with the name Johnny Malthus.
Quote from: billybob476 on September 04, 2008, 06:12:29 PM
I actually found my account info. No idea how I came up with the name Johnny Malthus.
LOL.. I know I chose Willow Mirajkar
Did some more exploring on Second life this morning as I could not sleep. You've got to see the stuff they have for both Star Trek and Star Wars!
Just do a search when you get on and it will give you a list of places to teleport to.
I've been to the Museum when I teleported there you arrive on a transporter platform.
Also rode a shuttle to other areas.
This guy "Picard" did quite a bit of work.
Wonder if I can get or design a Starfeet uniform or better yet a Metron silvery costume.
Lexii what is your SL name and what is the name of your group? When are you usually on and is there someplace I can find you or can the system take me right to you if I enter your name. Let me know.
Metron
Hahah metron, I have alot to show you. I have about 200 starfleet uniforms.. I just merged my favorite parts of all of them to get my current duds.
My Sl name is Lexii Lane :P
And if you liked transporting down to a transporter pad in SL, wait till you see UFS. They have a whole space station, and the likes. Whatever you do stay out of Starfleet Secondlife Quadrant - worst trek group in SL. For a truly star trek experience, please search for United Federation Starfleet. I have been in SL for almost 2 years now... And its the best one there is.
Well this post looks interesting. I've heard of this game but never looked into it. Can you form groups then and go on tasks like WOW? Or is it like a posh version of a chatroom?
Well I was able to download it to my home computer.. my Mac at work has an older OSX so it won't work.. I spent about five minutes on there this morning and the first thing that happens to me is I'm approached by a naked person (couldn't tell if if was male or female and they asked the famous asl (age, sex and location). I ignored them but they kept following me so after five minutes I gave up and exited.. I'll try again this weekend.
Now I'm really intrigued. ;D
Quote from: StarTrekFanatic5 on September 05, 2008, 02:34:27 PM
Well I was able to download it to my home computer.. my Mac at work has an older OSX so it won't work.. I spent about five minutes on there this morning and the first thing that happens to me is I'm approached by a naked person (couldn't tell if if was male or female and they asked the famous asl (age, sex and location). I ignored them but they kept following me so after five minutes I gave up and exited.. I'll try again this weekend.
How annoying. I'm sure it doesn't happen very often, but I'd be turned off by that sort of behavior and probably wouldn't try it again. I'd be curious to know what your second, Second Life experience is like Kenny.
/me shakes her head.
Could we organize something so you all can visit a wonderful star trek area? Id also love to show you guys the Kallima in person!
Lexii,
I would welcome to have you be our tour guide. I just visited the Trek Works area and the Star Fleet Museum but would love to visit the areas you speak of. Took some snapshots and am trying to figure out how to post them here.
Jen, it's really cool. Just get onto SL and do a search for Star Trek. The Star Fleet Museum is a great place to start. Then just click on the Transport option and your there. We should all try to meet up with Lexii instead of the usuall SL folk. It's.....fascinating
Metron
Some more Snapshots
And Some more
One last set
Quote from: Lexii Lane on September 05, 2008, 05:23:34 PM
/me shakes her head.
Could we organize something so you all can visit a wonderful star trek area? Id also love to show you guys the Kallima in person!
I'm up for checking it out.
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/Hiddenpowers/Ship%20Pictures/shipyard_010.jpg)
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/Hiddenpowers/Ship%20Pictures/shipyard_007.jpg)
Odd, I dont have alot of pictures of the interior of Kallima on our photobucket, however I will repost the NX Kallima vid for you here metron.
Honestly, it's for people who hate their real lives so they make people they wish they could be. Personally, make your real life better instead of wasting it on your "2nd life."
Quote from: MSUFan on September 06, 2008, 04:05:59 PM
Honestly, it's for people who hate their real lives so they make people they wish they could be. Personally, make your real life better instead of wasting it on your "2nd life."
Thats kind of a horrible thing to say. I love my first life, I have a great family, and a wonderful little daughter. I dont "make a person I wish I could be"
Quite frankly your ignorance regarding this matter is astounding. I advise you to do your research before you start insulting people.
Quote from: MSUFan on September 06, 2008, 04:05:59 PM
Honestly, it's for people who hate their real lives so they make people they wish they could be. Personally, make your real life better instead of wasting it on your "2nd life."
I'm very happy with my real life thank you very much.. just because you don't think it's a valuable way to spend your free time doesn't mean it's a waste of time.
Your father (Rico) plays WOW and I'm sure it's not because he has an unhappy life.. it's because he enjoys the game just as many of the folks who play MMO's like Second Life and WOW.
It may not be your thing but that doesn't give you the right to generalize that everyone who plays second life hate their real iives.
Quote from: MSUFan on September 06, 2008, 04:05:59 PM
Honestly, it's for people who hate their real lives so they make people they wish they could be. Personally, make your real life better instead of wasting it on your "2nd life."
Well that was quite a statement for someone we don't see that often around here. It's almost as if you have said this not because you believe it, but because you want to inflame this thread. Well congratulations, your ignorance has certainly assured that.
My life is very fulfilled thank you and as Kenny said, the fact that your Dad plays WOW does not make him a saddo. Have some respect for those who like to add to their already rewarding lives by interacting with others. Whats wrong with that.
That said, I had to uninstall Second life from my computer because I wasn't smart enough to check out the system specs first. When I tryed to play, my laptop just didn't have the Kahunas. Oh well, I guess I shall just have to frequent here more often. (or is that also seen as being sad and lonely?)
Go easy on the MSU guy - he is my son. But, he is pretty wrong in what he had to say on this and made a very big generalization that is far from true. Of course there is a certain percentage of people who play "Second Life" or even other games such as "The Sims" or even "World of Warcraft" that are doing it to maybe replace their own lives. But I think that group is very small. Everyone needs to have little fun and some escape at times. Playing games or simulations like this is one way to do that. As long as you don't let it overwhelm you.
Quote from: Rico on September 07, 2008, 05:38:12 AM
Go easy on the MSU guy - he is my son. But, he is pretty wrong in what he had to say on this and made a very big generalization that is far from true. Of course there is a certain percentage of people who play "Second Life" or even other games such as "The Sims" or even "World of Warcraft" that are doing it to maybe replace their own lives. But I think that group is very small. Everyone needs to have little fun and some escape at times. Playing games or simulations like this is one way to do that. As long as you don't let it overwhelm you.
Oh we understand that Rico and It's fine that you defend him. I just think his comments were a little rude and disrespectful to everyone who likes second life. If he had been commenting before or even added a grin or a wink avatar, it would have come across differently. But he just waded in out of nowhere and immediately upset the regulars. Perhaps you would also like to remind him of forum etiquette. If he is old enough to criticise in this way, then he has to be old enough to accept the heartfelt responses. This is a friendly place and if you disagree with others you can state it in a way that won't upset others.
Oh, P.S. ;)
I'm not exactly defending him. But I would also say, that if you disagree with what he said just state some simple facts like I did and try not to escalate things. That's at least the way I try to respond to these kinds of things.
P.S. And just for the record I'm not completely sure he was dead on serious. I know there is no little "winkie" but I have a small feeling he was just poking a little fun. Be careful how serious you take a quick forum post.
Quote from: Rico on September 07, 2008, 06:11:54 AM
I'm not exactly defending him. But I would also say, that if you disagree with what he said just state some simple facts like I did and try not to escalate things. That's at least the way I try to respond to these kinds of things.
P.S. And just for the record I'm not completely sure he was dead on serious. I know there is no little "winkie" but I have a small feeling he was just poking a little fun. Be careful how serious you take a quick forum post.
Thats the problem with the written word, It's sometimes difficult to put across tone. I would also like to think there was a little mickey taking.
Ooooooooooooooo, its like a playground fight ha ha. Well everyone has an opinion and all bare in mind that when you send a text message and put "fine" you don't really know if that is meant as a nice fine or a brassed off fine. Now i'm interested in WOW and second life but i simply do not have the time to delve into it, plus i have a laptop like Tims (Trekkygeek) and this poor little thing has problems simply starting up. It sounds great and a lot of fun and i look forward to seeing more pictures and stories about it posted here. Go easy on MSU, I've read quite a few of his posts and he does have a very tongue in cheek way of writing, I'm sure he meant no offense. If he did of course let us take away his communication badge and ask Rico to slap him with a wet kipper. ;)
You're right Meds, I guess it's time for us to calm down and just kiss and make up.
When I bought this laptop just a year ago, I was adamant that I wouldn't game with it. But in the last few weeks I found myself a little curious, but my Dell Inspiron 1501 just doesn't cut the gaming mustard. However, Counter Strike seems to run quite well on it.
Weird mate I've got a Dell inspiron 5100 and we were given it by my friend as they bought a new one. My main computer upstairs i think would be powerful enough but i don't want to risk it. Will have to buy a new laptop next year so may give WOW or 2nd life a bash then, the main problem seriously is time.
No harm done honestly. It was just a generalized statement from a person who has yet to take the proper amount of time to critique it.
I myself see secondlife as a virtual medium, an early version of a holodeck. I am who I am in my first life, in my secondlife. Its a place where I can get together with old friends in a virtual setting, and watch a movie. Its a place for corporations who have advocates on all corners of the globe to get into one room, be it a virtual one, to express new corporate strategies.
Its a place for engineers to be able to express their creations in a virtual setting before they pay hundreds of millions of dollars designing it. And like many of the people in this thread stated, as it is with MMORPG's and the like, sometimes its a nice escape, and a easy way to "get out of the house"
Especially when you have a fussy one year old who clings to your leg all day... Its nice to be able to break away when she is napping to see some intresting things, and interact with like-minded people.
-Lane
I admit I have often poked fun at MMO gammers, even though I personally have eagerly awaiting Star Trek Online. It was preconceived notion and it was unfair of me to categorize them as people who die infront of their computers because they don't get up to sleep, eat or go to the bathroom. That sort of stuff still happens in Communist Asia I believe, but not everyone who plays an MMO is an oppressed citizen with the desire to escape their tyrannical government's restrictions on their personal freedoms. Many peeps just want to visit a new place and say "hi" to their pals who show up as artfully comprised pixels. ;)
My friend Angela plays WOW and she skillfully balances, work, podcasting, husband, new baby, directing local theatre and personal time.
I would be interested in taking a tour of your Second Life Star Trek Universe, but I'm not sure it's going to be something I frequent on a regular basis....Trek SF parties would be cool though. I'm so busy with the podcasts, audio dramas, work and personal life that I would be afraid my obsessive compulsive nature would cause me to focus too much time there. I think I have an addictive personality.
Quote from: MSUFan on September 06, 2008, 04:05:59 PM
Honestly, it's for people who hate their real lives so they make people they wish they could be. Personally, make your real life better instead of wasting it on your "2nd life."
Geez, a bit harsh maybe?
I have to agree with Lexi. However, its always started conflicts with my parents. They don't see why I like it so much. Of course, they are sport-"nerds". So I have trouble seeing why sports are so great. Its always conflict.....and considering my current living situation (and work) its my only vacation I have access to.
King
Wow I pissed off a lot of people. OK, first off I want to apologize about my previous post. It was at bit too brash, but still not far from my true thoughts. Please do not preach or try to change my thoughts because that is the way they are.
I will say that it is ignorant to think that the only people that play 2nd life are those who hate their own lives. Hell there are all types of those people who do that in every MMO. I guess I have a lot of stereotypical thoughts and ideas when it comes to a game called "2nd Life." Yet, that's just me being honest and throwing my true thoughts out in the field of play. I could had done it in a more tactful and respectful manner, but I chose not to. That I do apologize for, but not really the content of the post.
I feel like I need to have one of those disclosures- "This post does not reflect the ideas of Rico in any way shape or form. The content being discussed are the ideas of MSUFanatic and him alone."
That's well said Steve. Thanks for clearing things up.
Give his communication badge back ha ha ;)
Quote from: MSUFan on September 07, 2008, 09:30:37 AM
Wow I pissed off a lot of people. OK, first off I want to apologize about my previous post. It was at bit too brash, but still not far from my true thoughts. Please do not preach or try to change my thoughts because that is the way they are.
I will say that it is ignorant to think that the only people that play 2nd life are those who hate their own lives. Hell there are all types of those people who do that in every MMO. I guess I have a lot of stereotypical thoughts and ideas when it comes to a game called "2nd Life." Yet, that's just me being honest and throwing my true thoughts out in the field of play. I could had done it in a more tactful and respectful manner, but I chose not to. That I do apologize for, but not really the content of the post.
I feel like I need to have one of those disclosures- "This post does not reflect the ideas of Rico in any way shape or form. The content being discussed are the ideas of MSUFanatic and him alone."
Well Steve you certainly went straight back up in my estimation there mate. It was big of you to apologise like that and I believe that should placate most here.
I don't think anyone had a problem with your views, what you actually said is true in many cases and It is sad when people can't seem to seperate real life for the alternative. It was just the way the post was written, and you have more than redeemed yourself with your apology. I must also say sorry for unloading on you there, It was a spur of the moment reply and I should have just chilled out before posting.
Nice one Steve. :)
Let's talk about the technical specs of the SL client. I though I have a DualCore Toshiba notebook. I am spending most of my time using SL on a single processor 2.8 gighrz Dell with a gig of RAM. What I did do however is update my video to one of the very cheap, cheap, video accelerators that you can get from places like CompUSA or their parent company TigerDirect.com What I got was a NVidia GeForce FX5200 PCI with 128meg and I am able to get around in SL and it is bearable. The card only cost me about $45 US. I not saying everyone has this money laying around, but it's about half the price is was a year ago.
Something to try if you want to give an older computer a little more zip for less scratch.
Metron