Getting Started in Second Life

Step 1: Create a Second Life Account

Start at: https://join.secondlife.com/?lang=en-US

Select an avatar (the character in Second Life who represents you). You will be able to customize your avatar once you login.

Next, you will complete a form, selecting a username and password. After you select a username, you cannot change the spelling or capitalization.

A page will open that explains the account options.

Under Free Account, click Select.

Step 2: Download and Login

You are now taken to a page welcoming you to Second Life.

Click the bar marked Download & Install Second Life.

Find the software on your desktop (icon looks like a green hand).

Open the program and login using the username and password you chose when creating your account.

Step 3: Visit the Second Life Orientation

Your avatar will land at the orientation area. Explore this area to become acquainted with basic Second Life skills and functions. We recommend you spend some time practicing the skills taught in this area. Once you leave this orientation area, you won't be able to return. However, there are other orientation areas to help you learn how to interact with your avatar and the Second Life environment.

Before you leave orientation, try these skills:

• Walk
• Zoom in your camera to see close up
• Chat
• Sit
• Fly

For more tutorials, visit the NMC orientation area at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/NMC%20Welcome%20Center/63/228/23.
Other important skills covered here include IM, Add a friend, Change clothes, and Find an item in your inventory.

Step 4: Visit TWU in Second Life

TWU has some public space within Second Life. The public areas of TWU's space can be accessed by click on this link SLURL (Second Life URL). To gain full access to TWU's space complete the TWU Second Life Group Access Form online. Once the Second Life administrator receives your application and verifies your association with TWU, you will be sent an invitation to the appropriate TWU group as well as a landmark to teleport you directly to the island. If you lose your landmark you can always use the SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Texas%20Womans%20University4/127/123/23 to go directly to the TWU in SL with the help of your web browser.

If you have any other questions regarding Second Life check Just Ask I.T. for answers to common questions or e-mail 2ndlife@twu.edu