Staff Writers20 February 2008, 7:22 PM
So, you've got the gear ... now you need a partner for your Second Life lovin'.
Do not scroll beyond this point unless you are over 18 and will not be offended by images of a sexual nature.
Meeting people in Second Life is the same in real life, except that it's easier to be more confident from behind the mask of an avatar. Unless you can meet up with real-life friends that are also signed on to Second Life, the best places to find Second Life partners are clubs and bars. Alternatively, you can search for "romance" and that will bring back countless other meeting place options as well.
Search for "clubs." Or anywhere else where people gather.
Clubs and bars in Second Life look and feel like those in real life - luckily no bouncers here.
A good ice-breaker on the dance floor is "Hi, I love your outfit." Remember, people in Second Life spend inordinate amounts of time on their appearance, so you can't go wrong by complimenting them there (note the fatty on the left...perhaps the first honest appearance we've noted in Second Life).
The range of dance clubs is enormous. Here Jeb checks out another dance floor. But this really isn't Jeb's scene. He's a geek. He longs for something more cerebral.
He heads out to the "Macintosh Users Hangout," one of the countless social groups in Second Life. The Macintosh Users Hangout is a place for Apple fanboys and fangirls. At the moment it looks empty.
But Jeb's in luck. A Mac babe walks in. The common interest in things Apple makes for an easy conversation starter. Jeb asks: "hey, you a Mac user?" [Click on image to view bigger version with readable chat text]
Indeed she is, and tells him her name is Mistress Zabaleta. It's the kind of out there name only a Mac babe would have. The conversation is going places.
Jeb drops the clincher - he owns a new Macbook Air. It won't be long before she's his.
Mistress Zabaleta is seriously impressed by Jeb's notebook.
What a pick up line! No Mac girl can turn that down.
She's impressed also by the fact that Jeb's lined up a place. This is an important point - unless you have somewhere in Second Life to consummate your romance, your options are limited to public parks or beaches.
In Second Life you can find a place for romance in one of two ways: rent or buy it. If you're a basic member, you can't buy land. But if you're willing to
buy some Linden dollars with your credit card, you can rent a house, hotel room or countless types of love shacks. If you're determined to stick to the freebie trail, public places and various private rooms in clubs and other nooks and crannies are your best bet, but they're unlikely to impress Mac babes.