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Instructional Support Services

Getting Started with Second Life at TWU

There are 4 basic steps to complete in order to successfully access the TWU Island in Second Life

  1. Make sure your computer fulfills the hardware requirements.
  2. Create a Second Life account through NMC's affiliate website
  3. Download and install the Second Life viewer application
  4. Send us an e-mail to let us know that you're online and would like to visit

Hardware Requirements

Due to the intensive use of graphics within the virtual world of Second Life there are unusually stringent hardware requirements.

  • High speed internet connection (Cable or DSL)
  • 1.5 GHz or better processor
  • 1 GB or more of RAM Memory
  • High-end graphics card
    • NVIDIA Graphics cards
      • 6000 Series
      • 7000 Series
      • 8000 Series
      • GeForce Go Series
    • ATI Graphics Cards
      • X800, X900, X1600, X1700, X1800, X1900
      • x2600, x2900
      • x3650, x385

Create an Account

Everyone in Second Life is represented by an Avatar. However, before you login to Second Life you must start by creating this avatar from the Second Life or affiliate website. Texas Woman's University is affiliated with New Media Consortium (NMC) and therefore has access to several tools and support services through this affiliate. A basic account is free. Once registered, you are considered a Resident of Second Life.  To create an account:

  1. Open an internet browser and go to NMC's Second Life Account Creation
  2. Fill out the form on the page.
  3. Click the Create My Account button at the bottom of the page when you are through filling out the form.
  4. The next page will say Your Account Has Been Created.
  5. A confirmation link will be sent to the email account you used to register. You must click on the link in the email to complete the registration process.

Download the Second Life Viewer

If you need the software downloaded and installed on an office computer at TWU, any software must be downloaded and installed by ITS.  Contact the Help Desk at 81-3971 or helpdesk@twu.edu to create a work order request for Second Life.

To download and install the Second Life application on your personal computer:

  1. Open an internet browser and go to www.secondlife.com
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on Download Second Life under the About Second Life heading.
  3. Under the heading Second Life Installer, click the Download button that corresponds with your operating system.
  4. A File Download window will appear. Select Run.
    Note:  You may get a security warning. To continue downloading, select Run.
  5. Select your preferred language and click OK.
  6. Click Next
  7. Click Install

Second Life is now installed on your computer. To begin a session, simply select Second Life from your list of programs under the Start Menu and log in with your avatar name and password.

Accessing TWU's Island

To gain access to TWU’s island complete the TWU Island Access Form online. Once the Island administrator receives your application and verifies your association with TWU you will be sent an invitation to the TWU Islander's group as well as a landmark to teleport you directly to the island. If you lose your landmark you can always use the SLURL to go directly to the TWU Island with the help of your web browser.

If you have any other questions regarding Second Life or TWU's Island check the Just Ask I.T. for answers to common questions or contact the helpdesk at 940-898-3462 or helpdesk@twu.edu.