Category Archives: Interesting

New Second Life Controller Experiment

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A new post popped up on the Linden Blog today: Reaching into Second Life with Leap Motion.

[youtube -8WkyBBwYTI]

I’m not sure this is something I would be interested in. But, it does show the Lab is experimenting with things, which leaves me wondering if it is just pure research or part of some project. I get the idea it is a promotional thing. But, who knows?

They say:

If you have a Leap Motion controller and would like to experiment with the Second Life Viewer, you can find the source code for these experiments at http://bitbucket.org/simon_linden/viewer-rabbit. The indra/newview/llleapmotioncontroller.cpp file contains most new functionality. The Viewer is built to work in several different modes. These modes can be used to control the avatar while flying, send data into Second Life for scripts to intercept, detect hand motions that trigger avatar gestures, or control the camera and avatar movement. To switch between these modes use the “LeapMotionTestMode” value in the Debug Settings, accessible from the Advanced menu.

Just Interesting – EVE Online

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I saw today that EVE Online made gaming news. I have friends that play EVE. I like EVE but, it doesn’t suit my time limits. I am, however, impressed by a recent battle in EVE. The video of part of it is below. It runs 18+ minutes. You can watch it in full screen.

[youtube TLqb-m1ZZUA]

You may not know much about EVE. It is obviously a space game evolving space ships and fleets of ships. Now Gamer describes it as:

In short, it’s a cruel world where deception, piracy and scams run rife, and if you don’t have a smart head on your shoulders, you will likely get eaten alive. The learning curve for new players is mountainous, but those who survive the first few months encounter a unique world rarely seen in gaming.  

Continue reading →

Olantica Grid

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I got a note that a new grid is around. If you’ve been To Olantica grid tell me what you think of it in comments.

This is an OpenSim world. Other than that I don’t know much about it. However there is a web site with a bit more information. See: Olantica – Lost Wolrd. They have a currency  So, one should be able to buy and sell between the VW and RL. That also means one has to trust them with their financial information. But, they do have free accounts.

Read the ToS. It does not inspire me to buy currency.

To point your viewer to the world use these settings:

Grid Nick: Olantica
Grid Name: Olantica
Login URI: http://olantica.net:8002/

Login In Page: http://olantica.net/splash/
Helper URI: http://olantica.net/scripts/helper/

For direct information contact the founder: Leslie Kling

Is 3D Safe for Kids

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I was answering a question in the SL Forum about 3D and Second Life. The involved people seemed short on  info about how 3D works for single screens. So, I was looking for a good explanation of the state of the tech. I came across an article at Tech Crunch.

Title: A Guide to 3D Display Technology: Its Principles, Methods, and Dangers

The word ‘dangers’ caught my attention. How can 3D be dangerous? This is a 2010 article. But, it points out the nature of the human visual system and brain and what fooling it with 3D displays does. Something I had never heard of or thought about.

It seems people coming out of long 3D movies are having problems with depth perception. Oh fun! More incompetent drivers on the road.

The real problem pointed out is for young children. We really have no studies or solid data on the effect. But, the points made in the article seems intuitive, which doesn’t make them right. But, it is a serious consideration for those raising young children and exposing them to 3D TV and games.

Apparently this is enough of a problem that Samsung posted this warning on their site:

READ THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS BEFORE YOU OR YOUR CHILD USE THE 3D FUNCTION.

Update: See VR Matrix Disassociation from Real Life.

 

Another Part of the Steam Puzzle

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We have all heard that SL is coming to Steam. We have some sort of lame reasons for why that is good for Steam and Linden Lab. But, a new thing is coming from Steam. See Erik Kain’s: Why Valve’s ‘Steam Box’ PC-Console Will Be A Game Changer.

It seems Steam is introducing its own game console. O.O

Think about that. If Steam’s console is as much of a game changer as Erik thinks it will be, Second Life will be very well placed to gain users. Sort of makes me wonder if the Lab knew this was coming.

Check out Erik’s article and see what you think.

 

Apollo 17 Now 40 Years

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Today it is 40 years since America went to the moon. From Pearl Harbor (1941) to a moon landing in 71 years. The day December 7th marks momentous events in history. It is a day for remembering those that came before us.

Apollo 17 Launch

Sunday Fox News will be presenting a special on the Apollo program and the astronauts. See: Neil Cavuto Previews Sunday’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ Special: Let’s Remember a ‘Time When Man Reached for the Stars.’  Continue reading →