Metareality Podcast

If you have not listened to one of Metarealities podcasts, check one out. The podcasts are a panel discussion among three regular members and various guests. Charlar Linden and Karl Stiefavater have been recent guests. The topics covered are current Second Life and virtual world events. They can range from whether Phillip Rosedale, SL founder, really diss’d Second Life and means to exploit third world labor or not to Ashton Kutcher’s explosive gaff tweet.

Metareality Podcasts

The host Gianna is a bubbly person with an empathic nature and a seemingly tolerant world view and willingness to look for broader context and understanding. Draxtor and Reed seem more locked into their meta worlds views with clear opinions and less questioning of their personal opinions and perceptions. The combination makes for interesting discussions.

The recent podcast (11/18) titled, The Perception of Failure and Success, came to my attention because they linked to one of my blog articles, Where is Torley Linden? I had to know what they said about it… OK, me. Nothing. But, they did link and that is good.

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#SL Direct Delivery in Testing

We don’t hear much from the Linden Commerce Team. But this week the new Direct Deliver system made it to the Release Channel in the main grid. We know because the Server team told us. It is currently testing in Le Tigre regions. That means there is a chance it will move to the main grid this coming Tuesday, if things go well. 

As best I can tell the new features are not enabled. Visiting Le Tigre sandboxes I see none of the new folders needed for Direct Delivery in my inventory. Presumably this is a code compatibility test. They are checking to see if adding the code breaks anything else.

Also there are the other inventory services using HTTP Inventory. Those services are to make Inventory load faster and more reliably. I think new API’s are part of the deal too.  So, new viewers should see a speed up in inventory while in Le Tigre channel regions.

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Viewer Evolution User Group Closed?

Communication?

Once upon a time we had a group that dealt with the evolution of the Second Life Viewer. Esbee Linden ran the group for a time then left Linden Lab. After she left Oz Linden ran the group for a time. When Esbee came back to the Lab Oz dropped the meeting. Presumably it was Esbee’s to deal with.

Office Hours – User Groups

The User Groups page used to have a Viewer Evolution User Group (VEUG). That has been removed. Some of the meeting archives still survive. Some links for VEUG now forward to the Open Development User Group (ODUG) or so I’ve heard. I haven’t found any links left.

The ODUG meets Wednesdays at 1:30 PM SLT/PDT. See the User Groups page for location.

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Second Life Road Network

I’m not big on cars and vehicles in Second Life. I can fly! There is no extra cost for taking my inventory with me. So, I’ve never seen the point of cars and planes. I do think jetskis are fun. But, for those that like cars and bikes Governor Linden has made roads. I recently saw the SL Wiki getting updates about the roads. There are new road maps in the Wiki.

Second Life Road Network Directory

The main page of the directory is titled: Second Life Road Network Directory.

Second Life
Heteroccera Atoll Roads and Railway

There are currently 10 continents with roads. On some the Governor has decreed the right-of-way and space is reserved for roads. There is a Linden Department of Public Works (LDWP) that builds various shared facilities in Second Life’s mainland. Helping the department are residents. If you are interested, contact the ‘Moles’ for how you can join in. Visit the Wiki to get names.

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Tid Bits of News Week 29

There are always little bits of news floating around. None are large enough to warrant an article. So, I’ll collect them and post the ones I find interesting when I notice them.

Kirsten Linux

A new version of the Kirsten Viewer for Linux systems is out.

Morris w/Recent Project Viewer showing Windlight

Google+

Still lots of churn about user names  and ID’s in Google+. Tweats and blogs are giving more information. But, we are only hearing a mix of attitudes coming from Google staffers. Attitudes range from vigilante reporting pseudonyms to ways to fool people and get around the problem. No actual position statements from Google and certainly no change in ToS.

Hamlet at New World Notes is ranting about Google+ and pseudonyms. I characterize it as a rant, but it is rational and he makes lots of good points. Plus, there are lots of good stats on pseudonym use. At one point he adds up all the users that are using pseudonyms in various services. I suspect many of those users are duplicates. But, he makes a good point. Now, does anyone know how to get Google to listen?

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