Second Life For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mark Bell (Author)
Key Phrases: real life opportunities, staking your claim, voice chat, Linden Lab, First Life, Help Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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

• Install Second Life get started
• Create and customize your avatar
• Meet and get to know fascinating people
• Stay safe and comfortable as you learn and explore
• Make, wear, and sell your own fashions
• Script your Second Life
• Buy land and build a house
• Become a land baron or a money maker
• Make real money in Second Life
• Get a real-life education—even a degree

Complete with fantastic lists of cool places, answers to big questions, and supplemental software, Second Life For Dummies is your ticket to a great virtual adventure.

From the Back Cover

Create the world in which you want to live!

Make friends, start a business and create amazing products - on your terms!

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the online world that is Second Life, Second Life For Dummies is the book for you! Written by a pair of experts who know the program inside and out, this book offers the scoop on getting around and making friends as well as how to personalize your avatar or even open a Second Life business.

Discover how to:

• Set up a Second Life account

• Customize your avatar

• Chat with other residents

• Start your own business

• Make real money

• Expand your education

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (January 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470180250
• ISBN-13: 978-0470180259
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #198,280 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You have got to have this!, February 14, 2008

By	Michael Galvin "Terran Timeless (SL)" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews

whether you're a newbie, a long term resident, or thinking about getting a Second Life, this is the most contemporary and lucid guide to the essentials of a good life in SL. An easy, fun read that will enhance your journey into virtual environments. Perfect for educators like me as well, who are interested in teaching and learning using Second Life.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Help!!, April 30, 2008

By	Ameijeiras Pablo Victor - See all my reviews

Second Life for Dummies was more than I expected!!...It means a great help for all those who begin in this fantastic world, and for those people who already belong to the Residents. Also has an excellent paperback and pages quality.Beautiful colours and easy graphics to understand step by step, all the procedures (even the more difficults)to explore this infinite World....To all the Fans.....Don t miss it!!!!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting Started in Second Life, August 14, 2009

By	Open Your Eyes - See all my reviews

I am preparing to build an island for my job and needed something that goes from basic to intermediate. More than anything I needed information on building.

This book walks you through several logical chapters of starting and advancing in Second Life. It teaches much about culture which is more important than one may think, how to build an avatar, where go to, how to shop, and how to build, among many other topics. The authors write at a level anyone can appreciate and the illustrations are very helpful.

Since this is a 2007 book (which would mean written in 2006?), there are a few nuances with some of the illustrations and instructions as things have changed a little in Second Life. The menu options and some of the commands are what I am referring to. Yet, the book is still up-to-date enough to be on target.

As mentioned, I am primarily interested at this point in building. There are basically one and one half chapters on building structures. The first chapter gives a great description of the building tools, but only a basic idea of "how" to use them. I did read and design at the same time which worked well. Anyone in second life can search for a "free sandbox" location and practice there. I personally use EdTech island, which is a place for academics. And, there are many sandboxes from which to choose.

In my opinion, the building section needs much more attention. One thing they could include is where to find textures (like brick, lodge pole, stucco, etc.) for buildings. This is quite important information since making building blocks into a structure is only one part of the puzzle. And, there are other considerations like trees, rivers, furniture, lighting, and other objects.

The building section is the reason I only gave the book four stars.

All in all, this is an excellent read though and I recommend the reader go through the book at the same time they are playing in SL as practice makes perfect.

Kudos to the authors and if there is another version, hopefully the all-important area of building will get much more attention.