Second Thoughts

Have a Seat ... Just Not Too Close

2009-06-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in a theater in Second Life - the only person in my row of seats. Only two others were present and they were well separated from me as we sat some distance apart. Then, the familiar misty white cloud appeared in my lap as someone rezzed into the site. He stood on my lap for some time, oblivious that he was rezzing on top of me.

Similarly, I have had avatars choose to sit in the seat right next to me, just short of shoulder-to-shoulder touching, in nearly empty theaters. I developed strong urges to get up and relocate to regain my comfort zone.

I have had avatars land on my head at popular, crowded landing spots or have been guilty, myself, of landing on others.

Just as in the real one, I strongly believe we create our own personal spaces in the virtual world. I get uncomfortable when someone violates my personal space and gets too close. I find myself backing off when one approaches too near to me.

Here are a couple of ideas - my two cents worth, if you will - on a little bit of SL etiquette regarding the space of others - or more to the point, mine.

If you normally log in to your last location, take note of where you are before you log out of your previous visit. If you are in a typical landing spot, gathering spot, or the seat that I might be sitting in when you return, step away before logging out so that you will not land on anyone (meaning me) when you return.

When you sign in or teleport to crowded landing spots, especially busy and popular ones, open your mini-map. The green dots around you will indicate that other avatars are near you - even invisible ones who haven't fully rezzed yet. Pick your way through the green dotted crowd and step aside so others can land on something other than your head.

Don't misunderstand me. This is a pet-peeve, but it doesn't mean I won't enjoy your company. Feel free to chat and visit with me in-world. Just don't feel that you have to sit on my lap or stand on my toes while doing so.

- Warren

What's In a Name?

2009-06-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

For some reason I've been paying closer attention to names in Second Life. I don't know why - I just haven't given much thought to them until recently. In particular I wonder how and why we choose the names we do.

Some appear to be obvious attempts at word play, similar to those we see outside of SL in parody, satire and humor. You know the ones I mean, like Ima Nutt or Harry Leggs.

The ones that I do not like are names with numbers - John6474 or Mary1127. What do these mean? Is there a message? Are these birth dates? Do I risk sending a birthday greeting and embarrassing myself if I assumed incorrectly? How am I supposed to respond? Do I address simply John, or do I address Mary1127? I don't know, which probably is why I dislike them so much.

Some names do have significance, like the name Petey, who's real life initials are P.T. - as is the case, also with my good SL friend Kaejae.

I get lazy typing names so I have a tendency to shorten my friends' names. Odelia is Odi, Kaejae is Kaj, Shasta - Shaz, Clarissa - Clar, and so on. No one's yelled at me yet for having lazy fingers.

I chose my name because I like the sound of it. It's simple, it flows, it's easy to type. When I signed up for Second Life I had just watched a movie on television starring a well-known American actor named Warren Oates. When the surname offerings were presented to me on the sign up screen I saw Ochs - remembered Oates - and Warren Ochs was born into Second Life.

What about you? I'm curious to know how or why you chose your name.

- Warren

Hello ... again

2009-04-30T06:11:00.000-07:00

The name of my (new) blog is Second Thoughts. It is my forum for sharing my perspectives on the wonderful, sometimes strange, and always amazing virtual world of Second Life. Don't get me wrong - I still am a Second Life junkie, an addict, a regular inhabitant and, relatively speaking, an old timer. I do not entertain second thoughts of walking away from Second Life (SL). Rather, I am obsessed and if something from SL peaks my curiosity and I think about it often enough then I give it second thoughts - as well as third, and fourth, and so on.

And this is my second effort at writing a blog. I miss my former one. Some may remember that I wrote regularly about whatever was on my mind. When I thought that blog had run its course, I deleted it. I've regretted doing that many times because I guess I have more to talk about. So I will try again, and in that context this will be my second go 'round of thoughts - my second thoughts.

What will I write about? Who knows? Second Life is vibrant, it is dynamic, it changes and evolves, people come and go. I'm sure somewhere along the way someone or something will irk me, surprise me, impress me, puzzle me ... you get the idea. So this will be a free form of thoughts, opinions and ideas - good or bad - that you either will agree with or disagree with.

Allow me to engage in shameless self promotion. Please visit my sister blog - a forum that supports the in-world business ventures of Shasta Laval and me. If you are interested in Second Life photography, we'd love for you to visit our blog, or better yet look us up in-world. The blog is called ShazWren Photography, and you can click here or on the link in my blog list on the right side of this blog.

Thanks for visiting with me. I look forward to your return. Your comments and opinions are welcome. Or better yet, look me up in-world.

- Warren