This is the 13th 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.

Jiwagirl Jie has come to Second Life for reasons other than those mentioned by other new residents: she comes to explore, but hopes to find forests, parks and nature reserves instead of the urban crush of buildings that is the norm for Second Life.

Second Life Name? Jiwagirl Jie

Second Life Age? 31 days

Where did you hear about Second Life? (Be as specific as you are able.)
I heard about it from a member of 2nd life.

Why did you decide to try Second Life?
Actually I mentioned it to my husband, and then he saw the article on 60 Minutes and decided to have a go on it, and once he was floating around, I thought I'd join him. So we sit in the same room next to each other, on 2nd life on our own computers!!

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)
Maybe we came through Bigpond, because that's our provider.

Which aspect of orientation do you remember best?
Well, I remember being outside a large building, we went inside and there were lots of people there. We milled around, and went up some stairs but couldn't enter the room at the top. Then we went outside and milled around, and flew a bit. I didn't learn about anything. No-one interacted with us.

Is Second Life different to how you expected it to be, in what way is it different?
I find it very difficult to 'get' anywhere that is interesting. Most of the spots I go past are private and don't let you in. Once I saw my husband in a nice nature place, but I've never been able to find it.

What do you like/dislike about the user interface for Second Life?
Not too bad really, but the map is useless. [It would be good if LL could] somehow provide some way for newcomers to orient themselves in SL, to know what their options are and where they can go for particular services. I just feel completely lost here. I would like to be able to choose where to go, ie, what kind of environment.