This is the eighth in a series of interviews that are being conducted with new residents, in order to gauge the effectiveness of the orientation process, and to gauge disparities between the preconceptions and the realities of Second Life. The questions may be tailored slightly for each interview; responses may be edited for purposes of clarity.

I met Simon through the main NCI members group IM channel. For a newcomer, he is quite with-it as regards his appearance, general movement and interaction with Second Life; his concerns focus more on the social and ethical concerns of age verification and the technological considerations of the sex industry in Second Life.

Second Life Name? Simon Sunbelter
Second Life Age? 71 days

Where did you hear about Second Life?
I heard about Second Life from a friend who was already in Second Life (word of RL mouth).

Why did you decide to try Second Life?
Entertainment ... [plus] trying visual (animated) chat as opposed to text-heavy chat.

Which portal did you come through, if you did not come through the standard process? (for example, "The L Word", NBC, Azure Islands, Mainland Brazil, Big Pond, NMC Campus, Anshe Chung Dreamlands (chinese), Second House of Sweden, etc)
Sunbelt Software's registration portal and orientation.

Which aspect of orientation do you remember best?
[I] jumped right in. [There was a] walking path; [I] looked at it ... [it] seemed quite informative.

What did you like/dislike about about the orientation process?
User friendly, seemed complete.

If Second Life different to how you expected it to be, in what way is it different?
Well, I am not a programmer or geek by trade ... so tools are an issue, but the concept was expected. I believe the education is great ... lots of classes are offered ... and staff [are] professional.

What do you like/dislike about the user interface for Second Life?
Actually, I have started using [Nicholaz Beresford's] version, it seems more stable for me.