Finders Keepers

 If there's one thing everyone can agree upon about Opensim, it's the ephemeral, here today gone tomorrow nature of the beast. Assets, regions, addresses, inventory - even whole grids can suddenly not be there any more. At the same time, new people and places, new builds and ideas are always springing up. Whether you're a full-on builder, a grid owner, or just an average avatar trying to look good, you have probably been out there, looking for assets to dress your sim, your art idea, or your body. 

Famous freebie sims are of course the first port of call, but depending on what it is you need, and how much time and expertise you have to go searching, you can't always find exactly what you're looking for. Or can you?
Two years ago, Nico Kailani started a group in Opensimworld that helps out with that. Here's a direct link to the What Are You Looking For group. Yes, it's true, OSW is often blasted for the drama, bullying, and over-sharing by a handful of troubled souls, but remember, all that nonsense is really only on the Home Page - the site has other useful and underused features, and 'Groups' is one of them. 

Nico Kailani: Before the “Looking For” group, the only place people could ask for help finding stuff was in the OWS front page chat Box. Requests for help were too often drowned out by toxic chat from trolls and people with personal vendettas. Even at its best, what you say in the Box quickly disappears because you can see only the last dozen or so messages.

'Groups' on OSW can be tricky to find, but you can see them all by clicking here and of course, you can find the Groups you have joined by going to your own Profile, and scrolling down to the bottom right side of the page. 

Hundreds of groups have been started over the years, but very few have more than a handful of members, or are actively used. Nico gives a practical example of why her group has thrived.

Nico Kailani:  The question, “Does anyone know of any open-mic clubs in opensim?”, was asked in the Box some days ago, and there was no reply. I posted the same request in the “Looking For” group and within two hours there was an answer. What we are doing right is, quite simply, helping people. The message board format worked as I had hoped. Our group of dedicated and very knowledgeable volunteers are the reason for our ongoing success. My main job is to encourage them with posts like this. You can still see the very first posts made two years ago on the “Looking For” message board, as well as all of the replies and comments. They are threaded, so real conversations in the group are possible. The conversations are respectful, helpful, and there is sincere gratitude expressed for the help offered. It’s an example of the best of OS.

Two fans of the group are Mistress Dalgato, owner of My Virtual Beach Grid, and Lavia Lavine of Genesis Roleplay Grid. 

Mistress Dalgato:When I first joined OSW I didn't really know about groups on here, until one day I was looking for something. Someone pointed me to this group and it stuck, I guess.

Lavia Lavine: I love being in the "What Are You Looking For" group in Opensim World. When you ask for an item, or items, that you need for building, or decorating or, really, just about anything, someone generally can get it for you, or let you know where to find it.  I find it quite useful for my building adventures

Jamie Wright and Jupiter Rowland, both long-time OS residents and OSW members, joined the WAYLF group very early on. 

Jupiter Rowland: One day Nico advertised the group on the frontpage of OSW. The concept of the group sounded interesting, also because I thought I could help with finding hard-to-find things. Nobody can know the entire Hypergrid, but many of us know at least something. So why not share what you know with those who don't? It isn't like freebie sims are secret projects.

Jamie Wright: I think I joined the group as soon as I noticed it. I like helping folks when I can. I’ve been in the Opensim a long time and sometimes I know where things are.  Nico recently made me one of the moderators so I do that but it’s a great group and it doesn’t need a lot of moderation.

Jamie Wright on her region Birch Grove Spring, Neverworld

Jamie Wright: Nico does a great job of running the group. It’s huge and so hard to acknowledge everyone but she really does her best and gives accolades to helpers. And she’s great at getting the word out in the box and even bringing questions from the box into WAYLF so they don’t get lost. Creating a space where people can help one another is also a beacon in what can be that hotbed of drama as you say. When there’s nasty things going on elsewhere on the site, you can come into WAYLF and see the kinder side of OSW.

Juno and Jupiter Rowland on West End, Dorenas World.

Everyone has something to offer in the group, because we all have different experiences, resources, and opportunities, but some people are more active at finding items than others. This is how Jupiter explains it.

Jupiter Rowland:  It's because I'm constantly after much different content than most people. Nowadays, most freebies are picked up from a few super-popular places. R. Lion, Starchild, Tierra de Volcanes, the freebie sims that cover people's needs for hot stuff don't extend much beyond that. But that isn't what I'm interested in, and it's even less what Juno is interested in. And we're rarely lucky enough that we know someone who makes what we want. So I have to comb the Hypergrid, visit older and more obscure freebie sims and go after hints of long-forgotten places that aren't even listed on OSW. In addition, we do happen to know a few people who have actually made their own free content in and for OpenSim.

Nico on Xinashi, surrounded by spectacular range of freebies

Thirza Ember: Hopefully this post has encouraged people to join the Group, so what's the best advice for members, new and old? And has there been any request that really stood out to you over the past 2 years?

Nico Kailani: The most delightful request I’ve seen so far is “A beard that looks like Leonardo da Vinci’s.” What has surprised me is the variety of what people are looking for. It's important to follow the group rules, but if I had to give some extra, unofficial advice it would be this - be a helper in the group. In addition to the intrinsic rewards, your OS efforts like your grid, region, shop or other pursuits are promoted when I post the list of our group helpers.

 Jamie Wright: As for what new members could do to make it lively and useful, I would suggest reading through older posts, before posting your request. It’s possible what you’re looking for has already been answered. And reciprocity is always good. If someone has helped you, pay if forward. It’s my motivator. When I was new to the OpenSim, a lot of kind people were very helpful to me and I will forever pay that forward. I hope everyone else does it too. It’s how we all thrive.

HG Addresses: 

Nico Kailani's freebie paradise 

grid.wolfterritories.org:8002;Xinashi

Jamie Wright (aka Anna Cooper) region on Neverworld 

hg.neverworldgrid.com:8002:Birch Grove Spring

Jupiter Rowland's freebie shops on Dorena's World 

dorenas-world.de:8002:Westend

The big freebie region Rayvn's Roost on My Virtual Beach

grid.myvirtualbeach.com:8002:Rayvn's Roost Concourse

Genesis RP Grid's freebies are on

grid.genesis-roleplay.org:8002:Masala Al Kohav