The SLearning Curve | The Enchanting World of Amandat Tamatzui | Events & Announcements
08/17/2024
THE SLEARNING CURVE
Talk to any long-term SL'er and they'll have a tale of the elder who helped them when they were a newbie. Many of us wouldn't have made it in the long run, if not for that early help. Your editor is still friends with his first SL neighbour who explained the basics to him. He found out later that she was only days ahead at the time, but oh how those days counted!
If you join a big online game, there's a built-in common purpose. The goals may not be easy to achieve, but they're easy to understand. The great SL question is "what is it for?" and SL's great strength (which presents initially as a problem) is that the answer varies according to the user.
For some it's a place to dance, shop and socialise. Others enjoy solitary exploration, with perhaps some photography to record their journeys. Some use SL as a simulator for sailing or motorcycling. Some live to create. Some live to enjoy others' creativity. Others just want to mess about and have fun. Some need to own or rent SL land to express themselves in 3D or just feel at home. Others are virtual Jack Reachers; wandering SL rootlessly having adventures along the way.
The Lab is aware of the issue with onboarding and has worked hard recently to reduce the reputedly high turnover of newbies. Second Life® University is a Linden Lab initiative, as is the Second Life® Community Exhibition. The former helps people figure out how to do Second Life®. The latter helps them work out why to do it. Many newbies fail to see the point on their first visit and just don't return. The ones who stick around are usually those who find their people. After a while we don't log on to marvel at the tech but to hang out with our friends.
There are two mentor teams in-world to help out residents - especially newbies. Our own Liberty Fairelander is on both teams. She told The Gazette;
Linden Lab has really invested in producing a great team of Second Life and Bellisseria mentors. There's a nine region welcome hub where Second Life® mentors can teach new residents how to unpack purchases, rez things, etc. We teach people everything from how to walk in SL to how to dress their avatars, customise them, shop in stores and on the Marketplace, sort and organise inventory and use the search functions to find things that interest them.
There is literally nothing that mentors don't teach - including how to operate personal intimate hardware! It's all handled very professionally. Because there's such a huge learning curve to SL, mentors are key to new resident retention.
There's also a Bellisseria Welcome Hub with two complete regions of Linden display homes, where mentors can help users out. The Bellihub sandbox has rezzers for every type of Linden Home so that content creators can build additions without owning each type of home, or residents can try out furnishings before choosing their type of home. That sandbox has the very nice feature that the rezzers magically assign themselves to the user until s/he leaves so that no one can derez the home they have selected while they are working on it! Linden Lab is also now investing in AI to use at the Welcome Hubs to assist new residents and mentors alike.
If you would like to get involved in mentoring here's a link to the application form. The various Welcome Hub locations are:
- BelliHub: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/BelliHub/121/130/21
- Bellisseria Sandbox: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sandbox%20Bellisseria/125/125/22
- Welcome Hub: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/WelcomeHub/121/80/25
- Welcome Hub Sandbox: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/WelcomeHubSandbox/127/98/1234
You don't have to be a mentor to help though. Your editor has a habit of scanning profiles of strangers at events and sending a "Welcome to SL. How is it going for you so far?" IM to anyone with a recent Rez Date. Often this gets ignored or brushed off with a perfunctory reply – and that's fine. He's just trying to let newbies know they're welcome and to "pay forward" the help he got in his noob days.
If the conversation takes off, he may offer a tour; perhaps of his art gallery, his Tardis or the BBB's headquarters. The point is not to sell his own SL, but to give them ideas of how they might find their own interests, hobbies or communities. The newbie may not be a Doctor Who fan like him, but while showing them around his time ship, he'll mention other SL communities or send them over to the SLCE.
Anyone who tries to be a mentor knows that learning is a two way street. Newbies are not babes in arms. They're adult humans with RL skills and experiences. It often becomes clear during these chats that the newbie will go further in SL than your editor ever has! Much depends, of course, on the expectations they bring. SL still has quite a seedy reputation. If your Editor can point out the various fandoms here, or the rich artistic, musical and cultural life, he feels he's done his bit – even if they do still head straight off in search of the adult experiences they've heard about.
After all, It takes all sorts could easily be SL's slogan!
Your editor recently ended up having to apologise for sending a young newbie on a wild goose chase when it turned out the dispensers for generic Citizen of SL passports are no longer at the Bellisserian Embassies – as explained in the FAQs in the sidebar to The Gazette. There's now a single dispenser at BBB HQ. Once again, he learned something by trying to be a teacher. The FAQ has now been duly updated, thanks to helpful (if somewhat exasperated) feedback from a week-old avi! She may also have identified a tech problem with those passports, which we're currently working on fixing.
So please spare a thought for newbies when you meet them. It's easy to forget how bewildering our first days and weeks in SL can be. An encouraging word might be the difference between their turning their backs on our virtual world or becoming an integral part of it.
Who knows? You may make a new friend.
Article by Gazette staff with help from Liberty Fairelander
THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF AMANDAT TAMATZUI: A GLIMPSE INTO A VERSATILE ARTIST’S SOUL
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Artsville Galleries, where AmandaT Tamatzui, a remarkable artist known for her eclectic and deeply personal art, has her featured gallery. Artsville itself is a serene haven for creativity, where qualified artists are generously provided space to showcase their work. As I stepped into Amanda's gallery, I was immediately struck by its elegance—every detail, from the carefully chosen lighting to the tasteful arrangement of her pieces, exuded an aura of sophistication and warmth.
Amanda is also a real-life artist with a heart as big as her talent. Her real-life contributions are inspiring; she has donated her art to raise money to help stop child sex trafficking, a cause that speaks volumes about her compassionate nature. This generosity and her passion for making a difference are reflected in the energy and depth of the art that fills her gallery.
As I wandered through, I was amazed by the variety of styles and mediums on display. Amanda's art is truly eclectic, a reflection of her constant search for new inspiration and her love for exploring different forms of artistic expression. From vibrant abstract pieces to thought-provoking portraits and serene landscapes, her work embodies a unique blend of emotions and stories.
One piece that particularly caught my eye was Dance, Sistas, Dance. Amanda shared the story behind this painting, explaining how it was born from the idea that even in our lowest moments, movement—especially dance—can uplift our spirits. The piece exudes a powerful energy, encouraging women to embrace their emotions and find strength through movement and expression. It’s a reminder that we mustn’t let life’s challenges hold us back but instead, use them as a catalyst for growth and joy.
The gallery was filled with such moments of connection—each piece seemed to tell its own story, inviting the viewer to step into Amanda's world, to feel what she felt when she created it. Her work is not only a feast for the eyes but also a source of inspiration, as it encourages us to see the world through her lens, a world where kindness, resilience, and creativity reign supreme.
Amanda herself is a delight to know. She treats everyone she meets with kindness and respect, and her positive energy is infectious. Whether she's helping someone or sharing the stories behind her art, Amanda is always the life of the party, and always ready with an infectious laugh. Her sweetness and unassuming nature make her a beloved figure in the Artsville community and beyond. She is also a valued colleague at the BBB, where (among other things) she designs passport stamps.
As I left the gallery, I couldn’t help but feel inspired, not just by the beautiful art I had seen but by the artist herself. AmandaT Tamatzui is a true testament to the power of art to heal, inspire, and bring people together. Her gallery at Artsville is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the beauty of creativity and the warmth of a truly good-hearted person.
If you haven’t yet visited Amanda’s gallery at Artsville, I highly recommend it. You’ll not only find stunning art but also feel the essence of a woman who lives and breathes creativity, compassion, and joy.
Article and photographs by Liberty Fairelander
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
| If you have one of our stamp terminals and you're having an event or would like to make an announcement, just let us know and we'll be happy to feature it here. Please drop a notecard on the Editor, Dave (Lord.Junibalya) in-world or use the Email the Editor link in the sidebar to send us your information, posters and/or photos. |
Weekly Wishy-Washy Event
Please come to my Wishy-Washy Event in my coffeehouse! You can bath and enjoy cold and hot beverages, served directly to you in the bath or on table. And there's a stamp for your passport too.
Time: Every Wednesday, starting 10:30 - 12:30 SLT to open-end
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Wow, Liberty! Your incredibly kind and uplifting words have filled me with warmth and encouragement. Thank you so much for your generosity. I hope to live up to all the beautiful things you see in me! 😄 I'm still basking in the glow of your article. May God continue to see me fit to do even more in the future. May I stop blushing by the time I head to my bed. Heh! Heh!
Posted by: Amanda | 08/17/2024 at 02:05 PM