For those of you that don’t know, I’m a Second Life Mentor.  Now the mentor group has had it’s fair share of trashing from all over.  Those that think we are all just little Linden wanna bes or suckups trash the group as a whole as being useless and just after a tag.  Now for some, yes that may very well be true.  But it’s not true for all.  Mentors who spend hours on end at the Help Islands assisting new residents in the first hours of Second Life are a gifted group of people.  They’ve got patience, understanding and a wealth of knowledge to share.  You try standing in a group of 10 brand new avatars all asking *Where is sex?*, *I can haz sex with you now?*, *Give me money, job*… I could go on and on.  Everytime the media does an article on SecondLife, we are flooded with new residents.  Which leads me really to the point of this post. 

What’s the best way to introduce someone to SecondLife?  The Lindens have been working on the new user experience for quite a while now.  I don’t know what their  plans are, what viewer will be used, what or if a tutorial will be out there but I do know the way it is now, isn’t good.

I’ve been in SecondLife for 2 years now and my experience as a brand new resident was much different.  I had orientation island which had a bunch of posters to read which told me what to do.  I followed along and at the end, I went to Help Island.  Didn’t stay there long.  I ended up at the Hanja Welcome Center which became my home for several months.  I wandered the area and was tp’d around the grid by people I’d met.  At that point I was trying to decide what to do with it and whether or not to stay.  I met Aribeth and the rest is history but my point is, I stayed past that crucial first hour.  I was given direction and tasks to complete.  They weren’t hard.  Learn to walk, talk, fly and how to change my appearance.

So what makes a good new user experience?  If it was up to you, what would do?  If I think about all the games I’ve played, every one has a tutorial that you must complete before you enter the game.  You read the prestory, do the tutorial and your dumped into the game.  That’s what I’d do with SL.  Intro page of what SecondLife is, a good tutorial.  Rezzing, attaching objects, changing appearance, buying something, walking, flying, communicating in open and IM.  Then dump them on a help island where they can practice.  Next stop main grid.  Put them in a welcome area or info hub.  If I was the lab i’d also ask sim owners if they want to have their sim/venue as a stopping point.  The Crown gets loads of new residents constantly.  I’d certainly add it as a new resident entry point.  Provided someone was at the Crown of course.  I know LL can limit it to sims with residents only.

So what’s your idea?  I really wanna hear what you think.

*Wow, it’s so quiet here tonight!*  I’ve heard this dozens of times sitting at the Crown and Pearl just chilling out.  This out of the mouth of someone fairly new to the Crown.  Someone who sees a group of folks sitting and chatting as a *quiet night*. 

A crowded dance floor isn’t what makes the place special.  The sploder going non-stop isn’t what makes the place special(although it does help pay the bills! lol)  DJs everynight isn’t what makes the place special.

What makes the Crown special are the people who are there.  As Lands said one evening, it’s not the quantity but quality of people there that makes it a good night.  You can have 3 people in the place and have a great time or 30 and walk away feeling cold.

Now I won’t speak for other bars/clubs.  We don’t have hosts and we don’t spam everyone to tip this or that.  If you like the bar, put some lindens in the tip jar.  It helps keep the sim open and the music flowing.  If you like a particular DJ, tip them.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s one linden or a thousand.  It’s shows you appreciate what they are doing.

Some of my best memories at the Crown have come from nights we’ve just sat about chatting.  So if your a newcomer to the Crown, don’t run away if the dance floor isn’t full.  Come have a seat on the sofas.  You never know what we’ll be chatting about.  Politics, religion, sex, children, holidays, life, death, SL, linden labs, sports or general nonsense.  You really never know.

Take some time to get to know us and we’ll get to know you.  You’ll find that while the Crown is a great place for a party, it’s also a great place to just hang out and enjoy some good company.

So, the next time you stop by, before you comment on how quiet it seems to you because no one is dancing, check out the crowd sitting on the sofas.

Thanksgiving was yesterday here in the US and after all the turkey and fixings it’s a day in which to give thanks. 

I dedicate this post today to everyone who has made my SecondLife truly special.  The photo  with this pic was inspired by Nat.  Nat is using a similar pic for her entry in the Gallery of Lights new theme – Dreams.  It was a fantastic idea and a small miracle to get us all together at the same time!

Thank you Nat for making this happen.

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog, a small glimpse into my SecondLife.

Thank you to everyone who has commented on one of my flickr pics.  I was inspired to start taking pics and to learn photoshop and now to improve those skills by some very talented people.

It’s been my pleasure and my honor to know all of you, to call you my friends and family and to be able to share each and every day with you!

I love you all!

It’s been a year since Prad, Kendra and I opened the Crown and Pearl.  In that time we’ve had ups and downs.  Days when we thought it was for nothing and others when we couldn’t believe the generosity and love from those we call friends and family.

It’s been a long road but one that has been the best ride I’ve been on.  Tonight was the Black and White Ball.  So many friends old and new came by to celebrate, to dance and to try and break the sploder. LOL  I DJ’d tonight, 4 hours worth and had the best time.

I wanted to say a special thank you to everyone who came by tonight.  But I also wanted to say thank you to a few people who without their love and support I wouldn’t be in SL.

Landsy:  Although our friendship is fairly new, silly girls we are , you’ve been a source of strength and laughter on some of my darkest days.  I don’t know what I would do without you to talk to, without your shoulder to cry on.  Thank you, you’ve no idea  how much you mean to me.

Ari:  Two years have seen a lot between us.  You are my dearest friend.  No matter what life throws at us, I’ll always be there for you.  You’ve heard me laugh, cry and yell.  You’ve seen the good and the bad and through it all, we’ve always been friends and always will be.  Love you hon.

Prad:  What is  it that brings two people together that are so very different and yet become the closest of friends.  You’ve taught me much in the past year and a half.  I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again here, some day I’ll see you in the news for some amazing thing you’ve created and be able to say, “I knew him when…”.  There aren’t enough words to be able to say Thank You enough for everything you’ve done for me.  Love ya kiddo.

There are so many people I could single out and say Thank You to for everything they’ve done, said, inspired in me.  For all of you, Thank You.  You all mean so very much to me.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the last year at the Crown and Pearl.  I look forward to seeing what the next year brings us.

See you all at the Crown!

Love,

BL

First, thank you to everyone who stopped by the Crown last night to celebrate it’s first anniversary.  It was a spectacular party.  Ahuva posted pics on her flickr as did Natty .  The fireworks were awesome(thank you Praddles ) and I totally enjoyed DJing for all of you.

Second, please don’t forget to send me your stories and pics from the past year.  Creating a book of memories from the last year is for all of us.  We’ve said it often enough, the people make the place and you are our family(twisted and deranged, but family none the less  lol ).  Only fair to have a family album. 

We’re having a black and white ball on Sunday.  Not sure what time, probably around noonish SLT.  So get your fancy duds on and come down to the Crown.  One of the fantastic Crown DJs will be spinning tunes so you really don’t want to miss it.

The following was written by Prad Prathivi and sent out to the Crown and Pearl group.  I’m reposting it here with his permission as he has said this much better than I.

A year ago today, three people opened a new bar from the ashes of a Second Life institution known as The Three Lions Pub. Our motives for opening The Crown and Pearl were different.. Bailey Longcloth and Kendra Fallon both wanted a new venue that welcomed all the old patrons and replicated the fun atmosphere of the old pub. I just wanted to get you gits off the roof of my house.

We work hard everyday to help train and bring quality DJs and to maintain a friendly atmosphere that’s not tainted by in fighting. A large part of running a successful venue in Second Life is not just being able to make tough decisions, but knowing when you’ve been wrong. We learnt from our mistakes of the past, and we continue to learn from mistakes we make, and we adapt to make sure that the Crown remains one of the finest places in Second Life.

I’m often asked by other venue owners how we can sustain such a large group of regulars when we don’t have any income. The answer is simple.. although a lot of time, love and money goes into the Crown, the core of the place is the people. It really is you guys who make the Crown and Pearl one of the most vibrant and pleasant atmospheres to be in.

There have been good times, and incredible times. There have been times when we’ve thought about closing the non existant doors and moving on. But, simply put, the Crown is home. It’s where a bunch of friends come together to chat, laugh and be happy.. and that in itself is priceless. We’re thankful that you all enjoy hanging out in the Crown and Pearl, because you’re all friends, new and old. And together, we make the place somewhere special to be.

In a grid that’s becoming increasingly commercialised and sex-orientated, it’s nice to have somewhere you can just getaway and be yourself, without the plague of green text, camping or escorting.

So here’s to one year of The Crown and Pearl. I hope it’s as special to you as it is to us.
Bailey Longcloth
Prad Prathivi’

Thank you everyone so much for everything!!

Welcome to the brand new spangly blog!  I have to thank Prad for doing the heavy lifting.  He also made the gorgeous new header for me.  HUGE hugs!

So, here we are.  All moved in.  Everything works (mainly cause I didn’t do it LOL).

So stay tuned for newness here!

Cheers!  BL

With so many rezz days and anniversaries it occurs to me how much we forget after a year.  So I’m going to collect yours(memories that is ).

The Crown and Pearl’s birthday is Wednesday and I thought what better way to share the memories of the last year than to collect them all in a book that we can all keep.  So… send me your stories.  The funny, the sad, the weird, and the ugly, I want them all.  Please just one per person though!!!  Feel free to send a pic or two along with it.   Keep in mind this book is going to be out for public viewing so if you don’t want someone else to see it or read it, don’t give it to me.

Send me your stories and pictures by the end of the week.  Either send me a notecard in world or leave a comment here or email me at mayfairwtch20@hotmail.com .  Please leave me an IM if you send me something so that I don’t miss it.

I’ll put them all in a book and leave it at the Crown for everyone to see.  If you ask nicely I may even give you your own.

I have so many fond memories of the last year picking just one will be near impossible but I hope that everyone can find one they want to share.  One very special memory for me is a moonlit dance in a very crowded CnP with a very special man and not noticing anyone but him.  It was a beautiful night and one I’m not likely to forget any time soon. 

The new theme will be going up in The Gallery of Light this week as well.  You’ll just have to come by and see it for yourself.

Watch for notices to go out in the Crown and Pearl group later today.

Yesterday was my 2nd Rezz day and we had a party at the Crown and Pearl.  Prad DJ’d for about 4 hours while we celebrated not only my rezz day but the rezz days of 3 of my dearest friends, Rrishanna Regina, Bailey Dazy, and Aribeth Coronet.  These ladies are truly special.  The day was wonderful filled with great friends and good music.

Thank you everyone who came by the Crown to wish us well.

I didn’t take any pictures during the party but Ahuva did so pop over to her blog and check them out.  Go ahead, I’ll wait…..  Welcome back

I need to share my rezz day present with all of you because it is just amazing. 

Present from Prad

This is a miniature Crown and Pearl in globe and in turns!!  It’s absolutely beautiful and I totally adore it!!

There are times when you are simply speachless at the thought and love that goes into a gift.  This was one of those times. 

Thank You Prad for the lovely party and the beautiful gift.  <3

After reading Lands posts about map rights and friends lists it got me thinking.  No I didn’t hurt myself, hush up!  

I’ve been in SL for 2 years now and I’ve only cleaned out my friends list once.  It’s not even a very long list considering  how long I’ve been in world.  Where I differ with Lands is that I don’t *friend* everyone that asks.  If your on my friends list it’s because we’ve spoken before.  Now I know I could hand out calling cards instead.  What is a calling card you ask?  Go to your inventory, look at the folder up on top called calling cards.  These are all the people you have friended and anyone who has you given you  their card.  Go ahead, open one, look at it.  I’ll wait.  Welcome back.   Now, you can give these out to people instead of friending them.  It will give them a way to get in touch with you without being on the friends list.  Right click the person and select give card from the pie menu.  It’s really easy.   So, if you don’t necessarily want to add someone to your friends list, give them a calling card.

Map rights…  This one can get ugly, and I know this from personal experience.  Lets say you are dating someone.  You give them map rights.  Well one evening you are  hanging out on your sofa with someone who is not your b/f or g/f.  In comes your significant other who has mapped you and didn’t notice the 2 dots, or maybe they did.  Well Lucy, now you’ve got some ’splaining to do.  Or do you?  If I give someone map rights does that automatically mean they can pop in on me any time they like?  No it doesn’t.  It means I’ve given you rights to know where I am.  If you map me and there are 2 dots, IM me before you *drop* in.  Get your mind out of the gutter   I could simply be in the middle of a private conversation.  If I’m at the Crown, go ahead and map me.  My point here is, if I’m at the Crown or out shopping drop in, the more the merrier.   But if you map me and see one or 2 dots, how about IMing me first before you drop in.  That’s just common courtesy. 

I have map rights to a number of people.  All good friends who trust me enough to give me that privilege.  If they are at the Crown, yep I’ll cheat and map them to get there quicker.   Would I ever map them if they were somewhere else?  Nope, not unless they told me to.  Have I checked to see where people are, yep, I have.  I’ll check the map before I IM them.  If I see 2 dots, I’ll leave them alone.   

Now, lets say your are dating someone and you DON’T give them map rights.  What does that say about the relationship?  Well, either you don’t trust them, you are doing something worthy of hiding or you simply don’t trust anyone.  This happened to me.  I didn’t give him map rights, we had a huge row.  I wasn’t doing anything wrong, I just didn’t trust him.  Nor did I want him following me around everywhere I went.  Course, he didn’t trust me either which is another matter entirely.  I gave him map rights in the end.  Regretted it and eventually he and I split up. 

My point is that giving map rights means you trust that person, you have nothing to hide from them.  You are also giving them the benefit of the doubt that they’ll act responsibly.  Remember, just because someone gives you map rights, or even that they friended you doesn’t mean you can be a pest.  Rights easily given can just as easily be taken away.