This is the fourth 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 caught up with Rhia at a moment when she had had just enough time to find some nice freebies to wear, while still pretty much in her Second Life infancy. Like many new residents, she was keen to attend classes to enhance her Second Life experience, and was therefore checking out the information board at the Infohub in Isabel.

Second Life Name: Rhia Raymaker
Second Life Age: 1 day

Where did you hear about Second Life?
[An] AOL news article.

Why did you decide to try Second Life?
Two things, curiosity and I thought it sounded like a fun place to be. And if AOL says its good, then I suppose I trusted that

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)
I tried to get into anshe chung but couldn't, so [I] just came in the normal way.

Which aspect of orientation do you remember best?
I suppose the funny little men on the volcano were quite funny. I quite liked jumping up when I achieved something :-)

What did you like/dislike about about the orientation process?
Looking like a nerd! but I found free things quite quickly so that was really nice. I can't say I disliked anything at all.

Do you remember anything about camera controls from the orientation process?
Oh, I can't remember doing camera controls :-((

If Second Life different to how you expected it to be, in what way is it different?
It's more, it's better. I had no expectations at all. I have been amazed at everything that happens here.

What do you like/dislike about the user interface for Second Life?
I suppose one thing I would have liked is more readily available information about classes and courses; [you] have to search a lot for that, which is why I came to this board. It is all here, [you] just have to look a bit hard for it.