Here are some great tools for learning how to use SL.
last update 2-09pf

How and where to register:

In addition to the Linden Labs registration, there are two excellent alternate venues. These can be great options because Linden's Orientation Island can be really laggy and loaded with new avatars, which can sometimes be off-putting to new SL'ers. Also checking all three registration places is great for looking for a decent surname!

The NMC offers avatar registration that takes the new avatar to the NMC Orientation Island. The Orientation is low-tech, educator friendly and low lag! http://sl.nmc.org/join/

Ben & Jerry's Icecream also offers avatar registration. Low-tech orientation. Downside: Avatars come into the world completely default, no skin, no clothes. Upside: More surnames to chose from. http://tinyurl.com/588pke

Want to use Linden's Registration? Here's a how-it-happens video! This is geared toward library workers but is generic enough for everyday use. http://blip.tv/file/817501

General All-Around Help:

Note: If you are looking for fast, super specific help in any category, try the Second Life Forums.

SL Education Grid: http://secondlifegrid.net/programs/education
Second Life Official Support, http://secondlife.com/support/
Second Life Forums. Search these for help and tips from other users in variety of categories! http://forums.secondlife.com/
Sim Teach SL Education Wiki: http://www.simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Life_Education_Wiki
Torley Linden's Video Tutorials http://youtube.com/profile?user=Torley
SLTutorials: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Video_Tutorials
Mermaid Diaries Tutorials (all sorts of great subjects from using camera controls to making sculpted prims): http://www.mermaiddiaries.com/2006/11/build.html

Building and Scripting Goodies:

LSL Wiki: http://www.lslwiki.net/lslwiki/wakka.php?wakka=HomePage
Second Life LSL Portal: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/LSL_Portal
Script Me Simple Script Generator: http://www.3greeneggs.com/autoscript/
SL Building: http://www.slbuilding.com/
Making Scupted Prims with Blender: http://amandalevitsky.googlepages.com/sculptedprims

Textures are Nice:

Texture Tools Portal: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Texture_Tools
Robin Wood's Texture Tutorials: http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/SL-Tuts/SLTutSet.html
The famous t-shirt tutorial by Robin Wood: http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/SL-Tuts/SLTutSet.html

Land Ho!:

Lindens' Land Video Tutorials:
http://blog.secondlife.com/2008/05/02/curious-confused-about-land-watch-11-land-video-tutorials/#more-1964
Campus: Second Life: http://www.simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Campus:Second_Life

About Groups:

Group Managment: http://www.simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=SL_Tools:_Getting_the_Most_out_of_Groups