Humpty Dumpty Starts Over Again

 Index is at Index

I decided to try Second Life again, in a small way. Since I only have one functioning avatar, I set down a small cabin on a 1024 plot in Arosa just below part of the Alpine Trail. It is going to be a real challenge not to go over my prim allowance.  

Then I decided to try to start sorting out the remains of what had been in Ukanipo. Although I can recreate the base castle from inventory, there were a number of 'no copy' items that were in the lost and found.

I unpacked about ten coalesced objects. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to their composition. Most 'bundles' included castle parts and unrelated objects.

The first object, labelled "Apocalypse Clock" turned out to be the one-prim base of my portcullis. 

When I was finished sorting things out I had several duplicates of 'no copy' items...

I don't blame Second Life Support for the fact that the castle was torn apart. The land and items were owned by my group, and several members had donated items that were returned separately. In addition, since I am a clumsy builder, some of the builds had been linked and locked after I had aligned textures.

One coalesced object: "Entrance 31".

Unintended Consequences

I left Second Life because I made the mistake of asking Linden Lab to set up my premium accounts so that they would not automatically renew. It turned out that there are only two kinds of membership: Basic, and Premium with Automatic Renewal.

All my avatars were returned to "Basic" status, and I lost my virtual land, and my castle was destroyed.

After I explained that that was not what I had intended, some virtual land was restored and one of my avatars was exempted so that she could continue to pay rent. 

 I was so upset that I sold or abandoned all my virtual land in Ukanipo, but when I tried to start over in a different location I got the message "You cannot buy land because your membership is due to end on X-X-2021."  Support verified that that was the only way the software knew. You could either be Premium with automatic renewal, or Basic with no benefits.

I am starting over with the one avatar who can purchase land or obtain a Linden home, and I've asked Support to return the other avatars to regular Premium status, with my understanding that I need to keep track of the renewal dates myself, since SL doesn't send you a notice before your membership is due to renew.

Do not build your house on the sand.

Why You Might Want to Become a Premium Member

Entrance to Second Life is currently free, and you do not need to become a Premium member to enjoy most of what it offers. There are some visitors who pride themselves on their 'hobo' lifestyles, and who take advantage of all the 'freebies' out there.

Still at a minimum it is a good idea to have payment information set up on your account so that you can buy Lindens (Second Life money). With Lindens you can get a place to live, buy clothes, etc.. also, some venues do not allow avatars without payment information on file to enter. 

Second Life offers incentives for visitors to become 'Premium' members. They currently are:

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A weekly L$300 stipend or allowance. This usually comes on Tuesdays, and you can 'spend' it for a lot of things. Some frugal avatars save it up and cash it out to help pay for their next renewal.

A one-time L$1000 sign-up bonus.

Priority entry when a region is full - Think of it as a VIP entrance. Use of Premium areas and experiences (mainly the Premium sandboxes).

Live-chat customer support (for what it is worth).

Premium virtual gifts - for example, last year they gave out holiday lights and decorations.

More membership slots and increased cap on instant messages.

Voice Morphing for those who use live chat.

The major benefit is the 1024 'free' tier allotment. This allows you to choose a Linden Home (subject to availability), or, if you prefer Mainland, to have 1024 deducted from your tier after you have acquired land from Second Life. (See "How Not To Buy Land" for more information). 

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I have been in Second Life for years, and have almost always had at least one Premium alt because I wanted to contribute to the community, and I liked to 'own' land on the Mainland rather than rent. Recent events have left me 'virtually' homeless though and I'm not sure I'm going back.

Still, I don't want my sour grapes to dissuade you.  If you can afford it I would recommend getting a Premium membership. Just don't confuse 'virtual' with 'reality'.

Why Not to Go Premium

The biggest reason for not going Premium is that you have to agree to automatic renewals. There is no way to say "Can you please end my Premium subscription at the end of my renewal period?" The system sees only Premium members with automatic renewal or Basic members. A premium member who asks that his account not be set up for automatic renewal will be downgraded to a Basic membership, even if he has paid for a year in advance.

So, if you don't want an automatic renewal, be sure to set up reminders to yourself to cancel the Premium membership yourself before it renews. 

How To Use A Mesh Body - New Resident Services Has A Tutorial

I just got an announcement:

"Ladies! Are you struggling with how to use the mesh bodies? Why not try out this interactive and comprehensive tutorial. You will get a free open source mesh body, and there are nice clothes and shoes.
Why not give it a try!
(Tutorial is for female only at this time. Sorry guys - yours will come later)."

I walked through the tutorial, and plan to come back when it is not so busy.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lawst%20Paradise/68/46/2002

Whimsy Kaboom and Kaboom (Updated 4-19-22)

These two private regions, Whimsy and Kaboom, were created by Cheyenne Palisades and she has generously made them open to the public. Over the years, she and her partner Sweetie have worked to bring the landscaping to perfection. This is a a wonderful example of what just a few people can achieve, and I always pick up ideas to improve my own parcel.

The beauty extends from under the water to high in space - but at every turn the humorous touches make this place unique. Be sure to read the signs and pick up the notes and handbooks available at different locations.

On arrival, touch the large stone tiki head to get to the information area. There are large information boards in two places, and an information marker which will give you notecards with more information.

Touch for notecards

Touch the Information sign to get directory notecards and more information. I checked the landmarks and all but the Red Line Train and the "Hidden Whimsy" are still valid. 

In the same area is a smaller destination
board with directions to the Robot Sanitarium
and Earth Orbit

Every time I visit I find something new to inspire, astonish, or amuse me.


Bob the Paleolithic Drinking Bird is one of the oldest objects here.

You can get your own copy on the Marketplace. 

Beauty, and danger, but also humor. 

From the volcano platform you can control the volcano.
Watch out for the control marked "Sacrifice"

Bob the Paleolithic Bobbing Bird is one of the oldest features.

 

A Quick Tour - Exploring the Mainland, the Premium Home Continents, and Bellisseria (Updated 4-4-2023)

Destination stops, Numbered

I recently moved The Unofficial Tourist Information Office to http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tyta/206/181/151 and I'm updating the postcard tours a little at a time. Since I originally wrote this tour in 2020, a lot has changed.

Want to visit all the Mainland Continents, the Premium Home Continents, and Bellisseria in a short period of time? This tour is for you. When you're finished you can honestly say "I've been to every Mainland Continent."

I have tried to find a neutral teleport destination on each continent where you can stop, look around, and move on to the next site. For those who want a more in-depth stop I have added the closest Pod Station slurl and hope that you will explore further.

CORSICA

Let's start with Corsica:

Mainland, Bellisseria, and some outlying areas

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Paneer/217/62/23

If you have Second Life installed the link will take you to the Explorer's Information Center in Paneer, Corsica. Inside the building you will find a variety of maps and information, including a map of Corsica showing the two main routes - Circuit La Corse, and Route 11. There is a rez zone outside. There are Explorer Information Centers on several different continents. 

Another spot to visit in Corsica is http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Laserlight/75/63/66 - Corsica Tourist Center and Tea Garden.

A Yavascript Pod Station is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Corfeld/247/62/71 

 Gaeta 1 (The Unfinished Continent)

Lastness Marina and Lighthouse is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lastness/215/104/23
from there you can explore the Sandy Beach Trail, or try sailing around the shoreline.

Lastness Lighthouse, Gaeta 1

There is a Gaeta 1 Pod Station at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elten/12/149/29

 GAETA V*

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Helfell/208/133/72 - You will arrive at a Fuerte de San Phillipe, an example of a 2008 build. Nearby is an older Infohub and further West is a public beach where you can see items from one of Magellan's crash landings.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Squall/205/186/56

HETEROCERA

Heterocera is a continent with many excellent roads. This slurl will take you to a spot on the High Mountain Road which is a good place to travel by horseback. (You don't need a horse - just use one of the mounted avatars. Select "Choose your avatar" then, under "Fantasy", choose either the brunette (Rhiannon) with the bow, or the gentleman (Thomas) with the sword, both rez on horseback when you choose them**). 

Rhiannon avatar comes with a horse.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fucosa/188/194/128 High Mountain Road

Calleta Pod Station 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Calleta/122/150/43



JEOGEOT

Walk to the end of the pier to get a view of The Lordshore Bridge, which spans several regions. There are underwater wrecks and a cave nearby. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lordshore/65/59/55
Pod station: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monowai/8/141/73


NAUTILUS

Magellan allegedly discovered Nautilus. At least he crash-landed near the old Citadel and his rocket is still there.  You can sit in the cockpit and view his first surveillance photos.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nautilus%20-%20Mysehi/109/36/24

Pod Station: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gormthoog/80/131/39

First Generation Linden Premium Home Continents

There are actually four First Generation Linden Premium Home continents. Each continent communities and Infohubs similar to those here: Meadowbrook, Tahoe, Shareta Osumai, and Elderglen. Each community had its own Infohub. In this case we are only going to visit one location, but it is well worth exploring the rest on your own. There are plans to move all Premium residents to the Second Generation Premium Home Continents, but many people still love the older homes.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shareta%20Osumai/138/171/89

There are no pod tours on any of the First or Second Generation Premium Home Continents
Eastern Premium Continent

SANSARA

Sansara may be considered "The Mother Continent". Second Life started with a small cluster of 16 regions near Da Boom on March 13, 2002.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Da%20Boom/159/219/36

Caffe DaBoom is the low building nearby.

Primitar Avatar courtesy of Second Life Historical Museum

(SL Historical Museum http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Phobos/204/162/42_

Pod Station is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Durango/154/188/119 (Snowlands)

SATORI

Satori has Asian-themed signposts, but a diverse Second Life population.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bagheera/59/125/57 This is the end of Route 8 in Bagheera.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Basilisk/20/165/23 is the landmark for the Pod Station in Basilisk.

SHARP CONTINENT (TEEN SECOND LIFE, TSL)

 Sharp Continent used to be the place where residents were sent before they were old enough to venture on Mainland. There are many places to visit. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lewis/172/170/34

There is a Pod Station at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cascade/137/147/115

ZINDRA - THE 'ADULT' CONTINENT

Zindra:  Linden Lab created a new continent specifically designed for Adult content. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pengallen%20Bridge/199/242/38 - From here you can take a free sailboat to explore the river, explore the interior of the power station under Pengallen Bridge, or just walk up to the top of the bridge and look at the statues.

Pod Station: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bronlen/36/11/37

I have found most of the residents I've met there to be very friendly and helpful, but some places are not for the squeamish.

BELLISSERIA

This is the "Second Generation" Premium Linden Home Continent. It started with a small area around April 2019, and has been steadily adding land and new kinds of housing. Premium residents have the option of choosing one of several neighborhoods and housing styles.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swordfish/209/50/33 Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy

There are currently no pod tours in Bellisseria, but there is an active community that organizes frequent events.

Houseboat in Bellisseria

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*Gaetas II to IV were not built, possibly due to a wane in business at the time. I am told that residents have found evidence of proposed Region names for the 'Lost Gaetas' on the map.

**If you rez one of the horseback avatars it is possible to separate the horse, choose a different avatar, and mount using the rider AO. If you like horseback riding, you can find good horses for sale, and many places to ride.

I tried to double-check all the landmarks, but if you find any errors, please notify Rufferta Resident inworld.

Getting a 'Second Generation' Premium Linden Home (Updated March 31, 2021)

Jeremy Linden has written an excellent article on getting a Linden Home. I don't see any reason to repeat everything that he has written, but below is some additional information on 'Second Generation' homes that might be helpful.

What is available varies. To find out when new releases are coming out I recommend paying attention to the 'Linden Homes' part of the Second Life Land Forums, and especially Patch Linden's "The New Linden Homes Update Post". Joining one of the Bellisserea groups can also be helpful. There are many active Bellisserean community groups. You can join them even if you don't live in Bellisseria yet.

A brief history:  Daniel Voyager was apparently the first to blog (8-19-18) about the new continent. Linden spokesmen confirmed that new Premium Home areas were being built, and there was a lot of discussion and speculation in the forums over the following months. Regions are first given an "SSP" designation and named when they are closer to being finished. 

Since the first release new styles have been released in irregular intervals. Large releases on the same day sometimes ended up in land stampedes, so recently the new homes are being offered in smaller batches over a period of time. As residents release their old homes to move into new ones, there is also a steady stream of 'abandons' of all types.

Some residents play "Game of Homes" (GOH) by using multiple avatars to catch and then release parcels in hopes of finding 'perfect' homes. 

Differences between 'First Generation' and 'Second Generation'(Bellisseria).

• 'Second Generation' homes can be reached from the Mainland and in fact now provide a bridge between major continents.
• Skyboxes are allowed over 2000 meters.
• There are roads for vehicles, and all houseboats have access to navigatable water.
• Parcels have privacy easements with landscaping.
• Each type of residence comes with a package of accessories like textures and landscaping items. 
• There are more restrictions than you have on the Mainland. You can't set up 'instant teleport' orbs, or build above a certain height, or use your parcel to sell or advertise anything. This reduces some conflict between neighbors, but also reduces your own freedom to be annoying. 
• You have a larger 'prim' allowance to landscape and decorate, since the residence does not count towards your total.

The new homes are usually previewed at SL events like SLB. It would be nice if they had a 'home demo' zone. For now, you can see photos on the SL website. Here are the types released to date and regions where you may see examples. 

Houseboats : Echo Cove

Traditional Homes - Humansville

Victorian Homes - Weaverton

Log Homes - Two Points

Campers - LakeTatakaka

Stilt Homes - Bumpus

"Chalets" - Geppetto 

Fantasy - Transformation

Newbrooke - Bluejay

If you want to see the interiors, one of the Bellisserea groups periodically puts out a "Parade of Homes" listing with landmarks to 'open house' locations. You can visit the Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy to get a copy of the current 'Parade of Homes' listing, and a lot of other useful things, including a passport.

Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy

The future: There were supposed to be a total of eight different types of neighborhoods eventually but it looks like there are more to come. Keep an eye on the map and the forums to see what happens.

Difference between choosing a Bellisserian home or buying a same-sized parcel on the Mainland:

You cannot terraform in Bellisseria; while you may be able to do some terraforming in parts of the Mainland.

Bellisseria has zoning that restricts some Mainland problems like zero-second security orbs and privacy walls.

You cannot put up your own house in Bellisseria, you have to choose from models that match the theme of your neighborhood.

All parcels have easements that make the parcel seem larger and provide more privacy.

Bellisseria has added landscaping and a vibrant community.

You have a higher prim allowance, since your home's prims don't count.