I rarely crash -- I'm sorry to hear you guys are experiencing that. I've heard using a different viewer can help. Either an older one or the beta (RC) they've always got going. They can be found on the main site.

Morrigoon -- what's your username? I missed it if it was posted...

I use Onrez. It's faster and much more stable than the default viewer. (You do have to put up with an occasional ad for CSI:NY when you log in, but that's no big deal.)

Do I just need to download and run? or do I have to uninstall the original SL application ?

I'm sorry I don't know for sure, but I think you can just DL and use it, leaving your original install alone. I have two of the default viewers installed -- other than the fact that I've never bothered to configure them to run simultaneously (which is possible if you have the resources) they both work fine. I did the dual install when SL made the default viewer run WindLight, as I didn't trust it (I tested it when it was beta). Once I tweaked the settings though it ran fine.

I have several alts I use to test stuff out too...but I log them on my laptop next to my desktop. Sometimes I chat with myself because I'm really weird that way. Oops did I say that out loud?:eek:

You don't have to uninstall the original.

I have an alt as well (for pretty much the same reason). I've run both viewers off my desktop at the same time. It works, but everything is very s.....l.....o.....w.........

It's funny, but I created the first alt just for testing, then the avatar developed a life of her own! I'd let friends know the alt's name in case I was online as her and they needed to reach me. One friend tp'd me when I was "her" to a neat place he'd found that was running a kind of all-inclusive fantasy RP. Before I knew it, my alt had morphed from a Neko (I was having fun with that already) to a Drow (dark elf). That alt studies archery and magic inworld. Quite trippy.

My other alt was inspired by a friend who was enjoying the sociology of gender role play. He is an actual male (I know him in RL) but uses a female avatar exclusively. Not for any cybering, just for exploring that side of himself. So I've got a male alt now. It has been a really interesting experience -- when I'm "him" my language changes. And playing with his appearance was really a challenge. I wouldn't say he's even at the look I'd like yet. I have to fight the urge to make him look feminine!

I've also used my alts to create a land-owning group. I've saved a few Lindens (the local currency) that way!

Mostly though I log in as my main, who is usually dressed as a fantasy version of the real me: thin again, ginger-haired, hazel-eyed Liz. With whatever neat clothes I've recently found. :D

Hey - the thought just occurred to me:

Since I'm really getting into building unique textures and stuff, I could upload them into SL to build unique costumes and then sell them for Linden, which I can convert back to real money, right?

I mean, could I seriously make a few bits of side cash selling virtual crap?

Why yes, you can do that! I have a friend whose Second Life funds his first. :-)

So, some pics of my alts:

My 1st alt, the Neko (frisky kitty):


My Neko becomes a Drow, a fairly grumpy creature:



My boy-side: