Kudos to Linden Lab at their effort of new user retention.
I created my “Sir Winston” alt (SL username “Statesman”) and went through the whole new user registration process. The web-side is well-done. It was interesting with just the right mix of eye-candy. Though, according to a co-worker, there still is a miserable “epic fail” on avatar choices with regard to ethnicity (what we call “Afro-American” in the U.S.).
Uh, Rod (Humble, CEO of Linden Research) - can you get on that?
Because I already have been on the grid for more years than I can to admit, I am fortunate in already knowing how things work and had the visual look of my grid avatar in my head already. So I went to robots and decided on the short stocky guy. Even knowing that avatar was temporary, I still found myself actually choosing rather carefully. Don’t ask, I have no answer as to why.
Once I’d created my user name and password, selected my avatar and “passed through” the software download screen, the verification email arrived. I particularly like the idea of forcing an email verification requirement before an account creation can be completed.
Once verified, I was asked to provide a few more minor details. Anyway, suffice it to say I logged-in, made my way through the introductory “welcome island” (whatever they call it) and away I went. A decent job on the “welcome” island by the way, though a sparse, fast-rezzing surrounding would be better (though I’ll say the rezz time was rather quick, but I have pretty good bandwidth).
Here is the surprise for me: After closing my introductory session in-world I found the usual “Welcome to Second Life” email. I chucked it as I’ve seen it before. The surprise came the next day when another email from Second Life appeared… (the first image above) - urging me to upgrade to a premium account so I can have my own “dream house”.
I kind of rolled my eyes at it, understanding what the attempt is (both to entice me to upgrade, but also and probably more importantly: remind me I have a Second Life account - enticing me to go in and have another look).
It’s an understandable advert. I chucked it and went on with my business.
However, on the third day another email came in (the second above) which this time featured the Destination Guide among other things. I don;t expect a third email because them it would become spam.
However, this second again reminds me I have a Second Life account, and it’s telling me how to find fun things to see and meet other people. Good job, Linden Lab, well done in my mind.
The new Viewer 2 3.2 (okay, we need a new name for this darned viewer, LL, it’s getting stupidly confusing and makes me feel daft,) has a tweaked interface that on first run will display the Destination Guide bar… also very wise. It should help new users get their sea legs as the grid is ridiculously deserted as it is and no one looks to virtual world for a solitary experience.
Now all Linden Lab needs to do (they can’t because it’s their main source of funding) is sink as much of the virtual land as possible. Back in 2006 there were two continents. People were;t so spread-out, the world actually looked populated.
Unfortunately now it looks as though the Andromeda Strain has made a wide swath across the world where there are no longer any living things left and only the inert remains.
