Here is how to get there, if you’ve never been to an OpenSim world before:

Step One:

Create a free OSGrid account. OSGrid is the largest of the OpenSim worlds, and is a great place to start. You can use this account to travel to other OpenSim grids, as well.

This part takes a few seconds, and only requires that you have an email address:

http://osgrid.org/index.php?page=create&btn=4

Step Two:

Download the OpenSim browser. I recommend Hippo. You can download it here:

http://osgrid.org/index.php?&page=smodul&id=7&btn=7

Step Three:

Run the Hippo browser, and sign in with your name and password.

Then go to Maria Home by clicking on the Map button in the lower left, and typing “Maria Home” into the search box (or any first few letters of the name). The map of the Trombly Ltd region will come up,  as will the name of the region  – click on the name and hit “Teleport.”

If you’ve used Second Life, you’re already familiar with how this universe works. Although OpenSim is completely different in terms of the guts of how it works, it was built in such a way that it is fully compatible with the Second Life system. In fact, if you’re comfortable with the Second Life browser and don’t want to download Hippo, you can use the Second Life browser to visit the OSGrid and other OpenSim worlds. Instructions on how to visit OSGrid with the Second Life viewer.