actually, freebie information might be best if it was put on a wiki page, and then the link to the wiki page was put on the notecard telling people to look there. ("if you want content for your new region(s), this page has a list of resources that are available http:;/WIKIADDRESS")

This is a good point, too many LMs is worse than too few, point people to a few LMs to get started, then point them to where to get more LMs.
When I first went to SL I found a notecard on the first day with about 30 LMs on it, and I was overwhelmed, I went to the first couple and they were gone (mover or something) so I tossed the notecard, it will be important to keep the notecard light and able to be regularly updated, as soon as the first LM moves, the whole list becomes questionable, it is easier to maintain a short list than a long list.
Cam

I supply the LMs for the boxes at LBSA and check them each month to see if they are still online, so can be sure they are reasonably up to date lol.

Thats good, keeping them up to date is probably the most important aspect. Someone will also need to be responsible for the LMs on the said notecard.

This is the notecard as it should be translated to other languages...
(btw. we still need volonteers for quite a few of those languages)

Welcome to OSgrid !!!

If you come from another virtual world or if this is your first digital journey, this notecard should help you make your first day here as good as possible.

FIRST OFF: This is not SL (for new users: Second Life, another virtual world) and it is not trying to be. The purpose of OSgrid is as testing ground for the OpenSim software (the software that powers this virtual world), so please remember that while OpenSim is getting more stable every day, things break sometimes! However, if you're able to work around the occasional "bump in the road" that comes along, OSgrid has a lot to offer!
Everything is free on OSgrid - there is no monetary system here. At all - and there are many talented creators who generously put time into giving OSgrid a wealth of free content.
This world is run by a not-for-profit organisation which means the grid services are kept and maintained solely by volonteers, who also put in their time to help those, who connect their system to OSgrid. It is important to note that almost all simulators are privately run by the citizens of OSgrid, as speed and quality can vary greatly. Want your own world? We included some tips at the end of this notecard.
If you have any questions, ask around. The majority of people on this grid are very helpful. It is a thriving community of OpenSim users - just like you - making OSgrid one of the top 5 most populated grids outside of SecondLife.

If you know your way around virtual worlds, you can skip this part and go directly to: "Places to go" - or if you want to setup your own virtual world, go to "How to create your own virtual world".


FOR FIRST TIME USERS OF VIRTUAL WORLDS:
-----------------------------------------------------
In "The Social Lounge at Lbsa Plaza" (where you are right now) you can find free starter avatars on the boards behind the couches. To use them: click the board, choose "Buy", choose "wear clothing now". Ask people around if they might have clothing, hair and skins - they are often happy to share.

Click on this landmark http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lbsa%20Plaza/128/124/37 to go get specific information on how you can walk, talk, how the the viewer works, etc.
Your alternative is to simply ask someone. A lot of people will try and help you here.


PLACES TO GO:
-------------------
- Shopping (all free of course): http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wright%20Plaza/127/128/22
This is OSgrid's official shopping mall. You can find other shopping locations via search.

- Sandbox: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sandbox%20Plaza/128/128/2, http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sandbox%20P ... /128/128/2
These are OSgrid's official Sandboxes. A Sandbox is a place where you are free to create and build stuff. It has all permissions to do so turned on by default, which you might not find on other regions.
There are other public sandboxes owned by users on this grid which allow you to create your own things, since building on other people's private land is not considered polite.

- Games: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Recreation% ... 127/128/27
Currently we have PrimWords and SpeedBuild as "official" games. Have a look at Recreation Plaza to find out what they are - other than good fun.

Look at the events board here (at LBSA Plaza) to find out what's going on inworld.

A collection of current landmarks to privately run regions are also available in a box here (at LBSA Plaza).


OFFWORLD:
---------------
OSgrid runs its own website at http://www.osgrid.org with a forum at index.php and wiki at http://wiki.osgrid.org/index.php/Main_Page.


HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN VIRTUAL WORLD:
------------------------------------------------------

Anyone can download their own copy of the server software - the download section of http://www.osgrid.org is a must for beginners - and with a little reading (index.php has a wealth of information to offer) and elbow grease have their own sim - for free. It only costs the internet connection you use. In many cases you can even run your own sim from your home computer! If you can't or won't run your sim from your home computer, you can rent a server from a hosting company. There are lots of choices.

There are also lots of information and reference for creating your own virtual world using the OpenSimulator software. Here are some to make it as easy as possible for you:
http://www.osgrid.org/index.php/regionconnect
http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Main_Page
and don't forget our forums at: index.php

To obtain help for running OpenSimulator you can use the #Opensim and #OSGrid channels at http://www.osgrid.org/index.php/freenode.


Have fun in this world !!!!!

After reading the first version and seeing what I would change, I got to the end and saw it had all been done
Looks good to me, I say go for it Eryn !

I agree.. looks complete to me!

Thanks everyone for your input and encouragement. The welcome notecard is done and will be put out in the next couple of days (whenever nebadon has the time).

At this point I would like to thanks those who have translated the notecard into various languages:
* Dorothea Lundquist - Dutch
* Outback Abbott -Spanish
* Fernando Oliveira - Portuguese
* Shenn Tao - French (to come)
* Martin Rysavy - Czech (to come)

Please feel free to add more languages if you know them