by Jeffrey A. Limpert (aka Pax Seetan)
Go to http://secondlife.com
Click on "get started"
Choose or skip "community"
Fill out the application form
Launch the Second Life Client
Enter in the Log-in credentials
Complete a one-to-two-hour walk-through of Help Island before entering the main grid. While in Help Island, practice clicking on objects with your left and right mouse buttons to see what options are available when encountering objects and other avatars.