Second Norway: A Thriving Second Life Community

 

One of the many roadways running through Second Norway

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently packed up my mainland parcel and relocated to Second Norway. 

I had looked at several options. While I continue to root for mainland to thrive, I couldn't afford the parcels that had all the bells and whistles I wanted. I've leased homesteads before, but I didn't like being cut off from the Blake Sea, not having neighbors, etc. 

Exploring by horseback, speedboat or auto are how I spend my slack time in SL. After weighing all the options available, I finally found a solution.

Second Norway is the best of all worlds. 

The medium sized island I chose is close to the open sea and easy for me to navigate. I only ran into someone's pier once. 

I'm not a great driver on land or sea, but boats are way easier.

In addition to residential islands, Second Norway has a network of roads on larger islands, connected by a series of ferries and bridges. One boasts a large airport, and others have airfields, a golf course, diners, marinas and other opportunities for role play. 

I stumbled upon a clinic yesterday, with a full list of services ranging from OB/GYN to psychiatric services.

I read back through some old forum posts created around two years ago, when Second Norway announced it had gone bankrupt. There seemed to be some confusion about the actual ownership of the area and whether Linden Labs actually controlled the property. 

I kept digging and found this article by Stex Auer on Medium featuring an interview with the new owner, Vanity Bonetto.  In the article, there is a good explanation of the future intentions of the new management team. I'm happy to see that it's still successful. 

I have been a little disappointed by one aspect of life here. There don't seem to be any active groups or regular events. I could be wrong, maybe I've missed something. I searched public groups and joined a few, but it's been crickets so far. I wouldn't mind hosting the occasional discussion or get together, I'm just not sure how I'd go about it.

I am open to suggestions.

Maybe I could organize a horseback tour? 

I don't know, we'll see.

In the meantime, I've enjoyed meeting a few of the neighbors, they all seem pretty friendly. I love sitting on our dock, watching boats go by or seaplanes flying overhead. It all reminds me of the coastal Virginia community where I grew up and my heart still sometimes aches for.

That's what Second Life is all about isn't it? Creating a virtual space to visit and remember those things you can't do in first life.

And the weekend sales. We can't forget the shopping.

Until next time, keep living your best Second Life!

SL Shopping Made Simple

House by Onsu.

With all the sales events, weekend specials and talented designers in Second Life, it's easy to go crazy and loose with the $Ls. 

Believe me, I know.

I recently moved to a lovely Second Norway parcel and I tried using one of the thirty or so houses I already had in my inventory. None of them were "right," or I'm just displaying spoiled princess tendencies. I'm not sure which.

I found a new house that I love. I struggled to force myself to only use furniture and décor I already had and I managed to stick to it, mostly. I did have to do some light hunting and gathering, making sure everything was just right. 

I am not a fan of trying to find virtual household items. I'm not a decorator by any stretch of the imagination. I struggle to achieve a specific look without using my whole prim allowance on one room or going broke. 

But I have a process. 

The Marketplace is a struggle for me. There's just so much to wade through and sometimes it's hard to figure out how something will be categorized. I still use it, but I have more success scrolling through the Second Life Home, Garden and More group on Flickr. I can usually find ideas for different looks. I try to recreate what I find using my available inventory when I can. When I try and fail, there are usually links to the specific décor on the MP or the event where it's being featured.

Speaking of events, there's an easy way to find what you're looking for fast. I use Seraphim's website to preview what's available. When I see something I absolutely HAVE to have, I make note of the actual name of the item, teleport to the event then use "area search" to locate it. In Firestorm, you can find area search by clicking on the World tab. (Make sure you've clicked "Disable Camera Restraints" in the Advanced tab.) After you locate that awesome new thing, click "zoom" to find it with your camera, right click, buy and there you go! No endless flying around a packed event, waiting for stuff to rezz or getting yelled at for bumping in to people. An added bonus, you're not tempted by all the other yummy new creations. 

These tips won't do anything to help your prim allowance and they won't make it any easier to hold on to your cash, but I hope you found them useful regardless.

Do you have special tricks for shopping in Second Life? Let me know in the comments!

Don't forget to keep living your best second life. We'll chat again soon.

Disclaimer: Links to other sites in this post are not sponsored. I did not receive any compensation for their placement, they were used only as a convenience for the reader.

Your Privilege is Showing

Taking my boat out for a night cruise.

 

In the original metaverse, Second Life, we host residents from all over the world. People of different cultures, varied languages, economic circumstances and intellectual abilities. It can be easy to forget, especially when we're all shrouded behind our online personas and lacking the subtle visual cues we normally experience in first life. 

I've seen a bunch of snarky avatar shaming posts on social media, especially on Facebook (before my account got banned, go figure) and Twitter. The comments in question fall into the following categories:

• Avatar appearance
• Creator skills
• Account age
• Residents migrating from other games
• Communities

I've caught grief from others for my Maitreya body. It doesn't lend itself to the current, curvy trend and as a result I've been told I had "triangle" hips, that it's not "realistic," etc. 

I bought my body because when I returned to SL after an absence, during which the whole mesh bodies change took place, it was simply the brand that I saw in most places. 

I'm not sure why it seems to be a problem. My first response to people with these comments is usually, "Why do you care? Mind your business." 

If you don't like another resident's appearance choices, that's fine. You do you. Why be a jerk about it?

By the way, in those instances where it matters, I've had not one complaint.

There's a lot of cocky comments regarding items at events that aren't "original mesh." 

So don't buy it. What's the problem? 

Everyone can't master Blender. Sure there are classes and my hat is off to everyone who has embraced mesh creation, but it's not an option for many people, whether it be because of time constraints, limited computer resources or, like me, they would rather spend their time in world sitting on the beach, watching the boats go by. 

Just because someone can't create the way you do, doesn't mean they aren't allowed to live out their version of Second Life, to own a successful business in a virtual world.

Personally, I think those who create full perm mesh for others to use are masters of marketing. They've created a resource for a large chunk of the grid.

I could go on, but you get the gist. We have to learn to embrace our differences if we're going to survive. Adopt a newb once in a while, help them out. Hug a furry. Let's try to remind ourselves that we have no real idea what that person behind the avatar is going through IRL. Especially nowadays. 

If we alienate residents and they end up leaving, who's going to like your Flickr photo that you worked all day editing? Who is going to buy that 950li mesh mansion you're trying to sell or those 18 parcels you've been paying tier on for 3 months? 

While LL struggles to improve the retention of new residents, we need to continue the process by making people feel welcome on the grid. 

You don't need me to tell you how to do that. We are (presumably) all adults and while we might not always embrace the practice, we all know how to play nice. 

I know you do.

Anywho, enough of my bickering. Moving on...

Ya'll will be happy to know that after an intricate dance of messages between neighbors, peace has been restored to our little corner of Second Life. Ugly dayglow boundary lines have been removed, plants have been rearranged and my passage to the sea has been restored. 

I love a happy ending.

Have you experienced bias in world, for any reason? I'd love to hear about it below. 

Life is a struggle. Second Life shouldn't have to be.