This is the second in a series of interviews that will be 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 Apex Benelli at The Shelter in Isabel. Like most Sheltered folk he was welcoming, and he was prepared to answer questions about almost anything (however, I just couldn't get his password out of him, darnit!)

Second Life Name: Apex Benelli
Second Life Age: 19 days

Where did you hear about Second Life?
A talk show on TV.

Why did you decide to try Second Life?
I have done lots of Sims, Sim City, Flight sims, NASCAR sims/multiplayer, online poker...this seemed like the next level.

Do you know which portal you came through? (for example, standard entry, "The L Word", NBC, Azure Islands, Mainland Brazil, Big Pond, NMC Campus, Anshe Chung Dreamlands (chinese), Second House of Sweden, etc)
Standard entry.

Which aspect of orientation do you remember best?
Starting at Newbie Island ... it was almost like there was a goal ... go visit the volcano and the dragon ... being happy there were cars here to drive. Knowing that the inventory could get unruly quickly as I started to collect items ... then not knowing how to get off that island ... until I found the teleport to Help Island. I'm pretty methodical ... I figure someone went to the effort to put it there. I like to shortcut the mistake process as much as possible.

What did you like/dislike about about the orientation process?
I guess it was OK, there is a lot to learn, and everyone has different needs for initial learning. I guess at the first island...I still am confused by the body shapes booth, and there was some other thing that never worked for me in the castle...but thats minor.

Do you remember anything about camera controls from the orientation process?
Yes, but that just takes a lot of trial & error ... and my view ending up hundreds of feet away :P Even tougher was learning camera control when editing objects! I had to figure out the object zoom, to relink objects ... these sunglasses that got "sat" on forced me to figure it out :)!

If Second Life different to how you expected it to be, in what way is it different?
I find new stuff every time I'm here. I was surprised to find some groups here that I participate in in RL. Bugs and lag are disappointing. I'm happy so much stuff is available as freebies. One of my kids is on Teen SL, and I'm glad my world is bigger than that! Money/item values are interesting here: Houses for free ... a cigarette for L$200 (at least the cig I wanted). So much available for free ... but I still haven't found "the" shirt I've been shopping for. Or a belt I like.

What are your impressions of the user interface for Second Life?
Just now getting exposed to HUDs, and the client menu for a couple items ... there's a lot here ... but that is part of what keeps me coming back!