Second+Life+-+Get+Started

This page is intended to help you get oriented to our class on Second Life.toc

**Get an Account:**
There are three steps to using Second Life: 1) Get an account, 2) download the software, and 3) go through an Orientation. Sign up for an account at [|Second Life]. Here you will need to choose a first name and select from a pre-defined list of last names. Once you have created an account, you then need to [|download the Second Life software] (referred to as the client) onto your computer. Recently the software for Second Life has been undergoing some changes to help with new users like you. The new viewer is referred to as Viwer 2 and it is what I suggest you download. With this version you will be able to do things such as view and interact with web pages while inside of SL and this will make it easier to watch my lectures and do other interactions. However, because this viewer is new there will be quite a few updates over the semester, perhaps as many as one a week - now all that means is if you get a message to update you simply click the link and do that, but if you don't want to worry about this, then you can download the other supported software which is known as Viewer 1.23. They both work with any of the objects you will be using for your homework so don't worry about that. In addition to these standard viewers, there are actually a few different clients that you can use to access Second Life, if you have an older machine or you find that that the main viewer (link above) is running slow, I encourage you to try one of the alternate viewers. One recent alternate viewer developed by Linden Lab is called [|SnowGlobe], and other [|alternative client viewer may also be helpful]. After signing up for an account, please write down your avatar name, sometimes it's best to copy it and paste it into something like NotePad or Word since the spelling of certain names might be unusual. Also write down your password.

To help you get started you should review this quick-start guide developed by Linden Labs, and if you like print it out and keep it handy to refer back to: There is not a QuickStart guide for Viewer 2, but here is a link to an online quick guide just click on the various topics listed on the right side of the page. Additonally for viewer 2, the quick start guide information is embedded in the software so you can access it while in Second Life: media type="custom" key="6706893" width="130" height="130"

**Logging into Second Life:**
Once you've created an account and download a client, its time to log-in. It;s pretty simple, but this screen-shot will show some important places to look and where to log in.



**Step 1 Get to ReallyEngagingAccounting (our Island in Second Life):**
 * 1) From outside of Second Life, [|Click on this link], and then the Teleport button on the web page. This will open your SL Client and you will be at out classroom. If you haven't downloaded the software to access Second Life ("the client") or created an account, click the Sign Up button in the upper right hand corner.

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Alternative ways to reach ReallyEngagingAccounting Island from within Second Life:
 * 1) From Inside Second Life (if you are not already there): Open the Map and Search for "ReallyEngagingAccounting", and choose teleport.


 * 1) From Inside Second Life (if you've set your home to our class), press Ctrl-Shift-Home
 * 2) From Inside Second Life (from a landmark): Open your Inventory, go to your Landmarks Folder, find the ReallyEngagingAccounting landmark and double click it.

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=Step 2: Orientation of Second Life=

There are various sites in Second Life that will help you get started in learning how to do the basics, walking, flying, communicating, interacting with objects, using your camera controls (how you view things in the environment), etc. Below are links to some of the good ones - make sure to go to the ones that correspond to the Viewer you are using.

Viewer 2 Orientations

 * http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/NMC%20Welcome%20Center/62/233/23 Just walk towards the robot thingee's and follow the path


 * http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge/154/74/27 Just follow the red arrows on the floor.



Viewer 1.23 Orientations

 * http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/NMC%20Orientation/69/108/33 Follow the yellow arrows on the floor.



=Step 3 Initial Arrival to Really Engaging Accounting:= =Step 3 Orientation:= When you first arrive on Second Life there will be cubes placed around various objects and locations that are information cubes that look like the one below. Simply touch them (in Second Life touch means click) and the object will chat some pretty important stuff that you will need to know.
 * 1) Read Welcome Note
 * 2) Keep Landmark (use this landmark to get back to REA.
 * 3) Join the class group (UCFCBA Accounting). Just click the sign above the Register sign on the same wall in the office, it looks like this:


 * 1) Office - the office is where you will need to go to register your avatar, NID, Twitter account and email. It is also where you can go to view the class calendar, page myself or TerriBerry if you have a question and we are online, utilize a small group study area or meet me during my SL office hours.
 * 2) Lecture Viewing Areas - There are 3 of these set up in our class. You can watch the PPT lectures from any of them, and I highly encourage you to view those lectures in a small group. Take advantage of learning in small group and utilize the functionality of the SL platform which enables you to chat during the lecture, send IM's and copy the transactipt of your discussions for review later. It really is a much better to watch the lectures compared to viewing them alone.
 * 3) 3-D Accounting Equation - this is what you wil be using for your 1st 4 SL assignments. Make sure you understand how to chat with the model as well as how to create and submit notecards. Please be aware that in addtion to the HW the model was developed to help you understand how debits and credits affect the accounting equation. This is the most important concept of financial accounting so play with the model until you feel comfortable with how debits and credits are used to adjust the equation.
 * 4) T-Account - this is what you will use for the last SL homework assignment. As you will learn we utilize T-Accounts quite a lot in this class, so play with this tool until you understand the concepts both before and after the HW assignment.
 * 5) Roof - Right now I have clothes here for your shopping pleasure, but don't worry it's all free.
 * 6) Annex - This is a secondary location for our class on Teaching 4, in which you can find the T-Account and 3-D Accounitng Equation. It often is less crowded when HW is due so you might try to find it.