Difference between revisions of "Tier"

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* '''"Tier" refers to the maximum amount of land you ''can'' own on the [[Land units|Second Life mainland]], measured in square meters (m<sup>2</sup>).'''
* '''"Tier" refers to the maximum amount of land you ''can'' own on the [[Land units|Second Life mainland]], measured in square meters (m<sup>2</sup>).'''
* "Free tier" or variations like "available tier" refer to the ''remaining, potential'' land you can own, not counting land you already own.
* "Available tier" or variations like "free tier" (free in this instance means "it can be used", not "free of charge") refer to the ''remaining, potential'' land you can own, not counting land you already own.
** For example, "My tier is 1024m<sup>2</sup>. I own a 256m<sup>2</sup> parcel, so I have 768m<sup>2</sup> of ''free tier''. If I buy a 384m<sup>2</sup> parcel, that leaves me with 384m<sup>2</sup> of ''tier that's available''."
** For example, "My tier is 1024m<sup>2</sup>. I own a 256m<sup>2</sup> parcel, so I have 768m<sup>2</sup> of ''free tier''. If I buy a 384m<sup>2</sup> parcel, that leaves me with 384m<sup>2</sup> of ''tier that's available''."
* Tier is ''not'' the same as land use fees; the service and cost are ''different''. What's accurate is that each tier level is tied to '''[https://secondlife.com/my/account/landfees.php Land Use Fees]''', which is where you change your tier level.
* A Premium account ''includes'' of 512m<sup>2</sup> tier, which can be used for a free '''[[Linden Lab Official:Linden Home|Linden Home]]''', which is a rather pretty house on a 512m<sup>2</sup> parcel.
* A Premium account ''includes'' of 512m<sup>2</sup> tier, which can be used for a free '''[[Linden Lab Official:Linden Home|Linden Home]]''', which is a rather pretty house on a 512m<sup>2</sup> parcel.
* Tier is ''not'' the land itself. It's your ''potential container'' to own land. Think of it like this: each land parcel is a building block (larger parcels are bigger blocks), and tier is a box. Buying land "fills the box with blocks".
* '''Tier is ''not'' the land itself. It's your ''potential container'' to own land.''' Think of it like this: each land parcel is a building block (larger parcels are bigger blocks), and tier is a box. Buying land "fills the box with blocks".
** For example, if you have "4,608m<sup>2</sup> of available tier" — the Premium account's included 512m<sup>2</sup> + 4,096m<sup>2</sup> additional tier level — then you can own any combination of land parcels up to a total of 4,608m<sup>2</sup>. So owning a 1,024m<sup>2</sup> parcel + a 2,048m<sup>2</sup> parcel + a 1,536m<sup>2</sup> parcel = 4,608m<sup>2</sup> which completely fills your tier.
** For example, if you have "4,608m<sup>2</sup> of available tier" — the Premium account's included 512m<sup>2</sup> + 4,096m<sup>2</sup> additional tier level — then you can own any combination of land parcels up to a total of 4,608m<sup>2</sup>. So owning a 1,024m<sup>2</sup> parcel + a 2,048m<sup>2</sup> parcel + a 1,536m<sup>2</sup> parcel = 4,608m<sup>2</sup> which completely fills your tier.
* If you need more land, you need to upgrade. By upgrading to a higher tier, you also increase your land use fees, but you also get a "bigger box for building blocks".
* '''If you need more land, you need to upgrade.''' By upgrading to a higher tier, you also increase your land use fees, but you also get a "bigger box for building blocks".
** Increasing your tier level is sometimes called "tiering up".
** Increasing your tier level is sometimes called "tiering up".
* '''Tier is ''not'' the same as land use fees; the service and cost are connected but ''different''.''' Each tier level is tied to '''[https://secondlife.com/my/account/landfees.php Land Use Fees]''', which is where you change your tier level.
** Tier is not a currency like [[Linden Dollar|Linden Dollars]]. This is especially important for new landowners to understand.
** For example, "I pay ''for'' tier" or "I pay tier fees", ''NOT'' "I pay tier".
* When purchasing a land parcel, you're notified if buying it will increase your tier.
* When purchasing a land parcel, you're notified if buying it will increase your tier.
* Tiers don't have formal ranking names aside from the amount of land you can hold. But to have a tier, you ''need'' to have a Premium account.
* Tiers don't have formal ranking names aside from the amount of land you can hold. But to have a mainland tier, you ''need'' to have a Premium account.


== Since a Premium account includes a 512m<sup>2</sup> of tier, does it also come with free land? ==
== Since a Premium account includes a 512m<sup>2</sup> of tier, does it also come with free land? ==
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== Exceptions ==
== Exceptions ==
This list is partial.


* [[Linden_Lab_Official:What_are_the_different_levels_of_account_membership|As explained in the different levels of account membership]], you can own a private estate, yet not have a mainland tier.
* [[Linden_Lab_Official:What_are_the_different_levels_of_account_membership|As explained in the different levels of account membership]], you can own a private estate, yet not have a mainland tier.
*  [[Help:Groups_and_Land|Group land gets a 10% bonus tier.]] This is understandably confusing at first.
*  [[Help:Groups_and_Land|Group land gets a 10% bonus tier.]] This is understandably confusing at first.
* Some Resident-owned private estates may have own, ''different'' tier systems which are ''not'' part of Linden Lab's [https://secondlife.com/my/account/landfees.php Land Use Fees]. Resident estate owners may adopt similar ideas to Linden Lab's system, but ultimately, if you're [[Land_Buying_FAQ|renting land]] from them, you need to contact them (or another appropriate Resident) for help.
* Some Resident-owned private estates may have own, ''different'' tier systems which are ''not'' part of Linden Lab's [https://secondlife.com/my/account/landfees.php Land Use Fees]. Resident estate owners may adopt similar ideas to Linden Lab's system, but ultimately, if you're [[Land_Buying_FAQ|renting land]] from them, you need to contact them (or another appropriate Resident) for help.

Revision as of 20:00, 17 February 2010

Tier is a key concept to understand when it comes to Second Life land ownership. There's common confusion about what "tier" means and what it's all about, so hopefully this page will help you straighten it out.

KBcaution.png Important: These are the simplified basics. There are exceptions, be sure to see below.

In general usage, "tier" can mean a "rank".

In Second Life:

  • "Tier" refers to the maximum amount of land you can own on the Second Life mainland, measured in square meters (m2).
  • "Available tier" or variations like "free tier" (free in this instance means "it can be used", not "free of charge") refer to the remaining, potential land you can own, not counting land you already own.
    • For example, "My tier is 1024m2. I own a 256m2 parcel, so I have 768m2 of free tier. If I buy a 384m2 parcel, that leaves me with 384m2 of tier that's available."
  • A Premium account includes of 512m2 tier, which can be used for a free Linden Home, which is a rather pretty house on a 512m2 parcel.
  • Tier is not the land itself. It's your potential container to own land. Think of it like this: each land parcel is a building block (larger parcels are bigger blocks), and tier is a box. Buying land "fills the box with blocks".
    • For example, if you have "4,608m2 of available tier" — the Premium account's included 512m2 + 4,096m2 additional tier level — then you can own any combination of land parcels up to a total of 4,608m2. So owning a 1,024m2 parcel + a 2,048m2 parcel + a 1,536m2 parcel = 4,608m2 which completely fills your tier.
  • If you need more land, you need to upgrade. By upgrading to a higher tier, you also increase your land use fees, but you also get a "bigger box for building blocks".
    • Increasing your tier level is sometimes called "tiering up".
  • Tier is not the same as land use fees; the service and cost are connected but different. Each tier level is tied to Land Use Fees, which is where you change your tier level.
    • Tier is not a currency like Linden Dollars. This is especially important for new landowners to understand.
    • For example, "I pay for tier" or "I pay tier fees", NOT "I pay tier".
  • When purchasing a land parcel, you're notified if buying it will increase your tier.
  • Tiers don't have formal ranking names aside from the amount of land you can hold. But to have a mainland tier, you need to have a Premium account.

Since a Premium account includes a 512m2 of tier, does it also come with free land?

With the introduction of Linden Homes as a benefit for all Premium account holders, yes, if you choose a Linden Home. Previously, the answer was no: you had to buy the land separately, which you can still do if you want, but if you're new, why not give a Linden Home a try? It's free, after all.

Exceptions

This list is partial.