Second Life For Dummies (For Dummies

by Sarah Robbins

You’ve heard all about Second Life. Maybe you’ve already jumped with both feet—and gotten stuck. Or maybe you’re a Second Life veteran who wants to build something or run a business. Fear not! Second Life For Dummies is hear to hold your hand, pat your back, and cheer you on through this new and enchanting reality. Written by a pair of Second Life old timers, this easy-to-use, flip-and-find guide is packed with expert advice, seasoned insight, and handy tips and tricks to get you moving fast. You’ll find out how to set up your account, create an avatar, meet people and socialize, and find your comfort zone and stay in it. But it’s a big world out there, so you’ll also learn how to make stuff, buy stuff, do stuff, and keep track of all the stuff you’re accumulating. Discover how to

Genres: Reference

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2008

Reviews

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read to research this post was Second Life For Dummies which is an excellent book which I read at
http://safaribooksonline.com
Second Life is a social media site a little like World Of Warcraft but it isn't a game but a virtual world on the internet. Users who are called residents visit this website and hang around with friends or explore the virtual world. Apparently 16,000 acres of virtual land are added every month. There are other virtual reality sites like Virtual Business but Second Life is the most popular. Users can create an avatar, an animated character that represents you. You design this character and can even animate it in animation software and import it. A basic account is free. If you want to buy land you need a premium account which includes 1,000 linden dollars to start and then 300 linden dollars per month. Linden dollars are a virtual currency unique to this site that can be bought and sold for real currency or used to buy virtual gifts. Some people get virtual jobs on the site where they don't get anything like a living wage but if you enjoy doing it, it's a bonus. Some people even pay people to play the part of their virtual children. Many organisations like businesses and universities are cashing in on the Second Life craze. Businesses sell virtual gifts and universities offer virtual copies of there campus and also the fact that it's a virtual world lets you explore virtual educational models. They also often let you listen to and join in on lectures for students. I really enjoyed this book and am tempted to join Second Life.

[DWRL Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both beginners and advanced users have found this book accessible, useful and well-organized. One limitation may be that it was published in 2007, so newer features (particularly pertinent to advanced users) are not all reflected here. Even so, educators who want to use Second Life in class or research teams interested in virtual interaction may want to start here.