So hardly new at the game, the concept proven to be fun i even met my rl wife in sl. I mean the possibilities are endless, unfortanely its a HUGE waste of time aswell it became more and more addiction then a actual fun game. I stopped using it so much i still run a sim with my own shop that runs itself. I learned allot on content creating and still have fun doing it.

But it will never dominate me as before, i find my rl way more important that this “shitty” world. I just see it as a game nothing more nothing less. Took me a HARD lesson rl of my friends and family to realise that.

There is no incentive for a new user to stay in the game when right out fo the box, you cant get you a place, and just about ANYTHING worth while in the thing cost you money, which by the way, you start out with none of when you get on to test the thing.

It’s total horse dobbins.

I learned about SL from a lecture at the School of Architecture at UT back in ’04 where they were doing some pretty cool stuff with the limited tools available to them at the time. I was intrigued by the idea that architects and designers could try out and showcase their work real-time with live critics from around the world. I still think it’s a powerful argument in favor of SL.

I joined in ’06, made a few $L and made some friends. Had fun with it for a while – something to do late at night. Eventually I got bored and moved on to other things.

The atmosphere and orientation of SL has changed from the early days, but you can still find worthy experiments going on if you’re willing to look for it.

I’m a big believer in the statement that you get back what you put into something and I’d suggest to those of you who want to simply hate on SL that you examine your motives for even being there. If you just want to jerk off, then no SL is not going to be the most satisfying experience. If you wish to fulfill some sort of ego deficiency, then NO, it’s not going to be the most satisfying experience. But, if you want to learn something and perhaps find a few friends and mentors along the way, then SL can be a great experience.

Those of you who got banned – it was your fault and you admitted as much. When you joined, you agreed to the TOS and if you broke them, then you suffer the consequences. Complaining on a forum is just sour grapes.

If you want a place to go, either to dick around in a virtual world to kill some time, or engage in a unique community and try to discover the higher quality facets of the game, Second Life is currently the only TRULY “freeform” 3D virtual platform that I know of, in the sense that you can make and do whatever you want. It’s the epitome of sandbox games, and just like in a real life sandbox, you’ll find some lame looking sand castles made by 4 year olds, but every now and then, some crazy guy will build a freakin’ mansion with seashell decor and working plumbing/electricity. :D