Is Blocking XP SP2 Bizarre?

You know that Linden Lab announced they are changing the system requirements to run SL. Ciaran Laval has an article up titled: Linden Lab’s Bizarre System Requirements Move. Now why does he think it is a bizarre move?

Server Scripting Meeting 2014-18
Server Scripting Meeting 2014-18

It is a sort article, so finding Ciaran’s reasoning is easy. The key point I dispute and that changes how I see the move is contained in this paragraph:

This is a very bizarre move considering the client will happily run on Windows XP SP2. There are numerous reasons why clients crash on systems, people running Windows XP are likely to be running older hardware and have less RAM than modern systems, for example, but upgrading to a new OS or Service Pack is not likely to improve their performance to any great degree in terms of Second Life.

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Drax Radio Show #17

Drax Files Radio
Drax Files Radio

This show covers some VR news, which inspired my DIY article. They touch on Fantasy Fair, which is on going now – May 1 to 11. Then the remainder of the audio is interviews with more Lindens.

Drax and Jo have been talking about the first time user experience. There is no doubt these experiences are a significant contributor to player retention rates… or lack of them. People are adding their ideas to the comments about how the experience may be improved on the Radio Show blog: Drax Files Radio Hour.

Jo suggests that a RL model be used. In many countries people arrive by train, boat, or air. At the arrival points are information kiosks so people can find out how to get wherever they want to go next. Her idea is something like that would work for Second Life. 

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Kokua-3.7.6 Viewer Released

Kokua/Imprudence Viewers
Kokua/Imprudence Viewers

The Kokua Viewer had been updated to use the SL Viewer 3.7.5 and 3.7.6 code. Plus there are a bunch of fixes and feature additions. See: Kokua-3.7.6 is released.

There are Kokua versions that have the code to use the Server Side Appearance and Inventory API version 3 (AISv3) updates running in the RC regions and Sunshine RC Viewer. Those versions do not have RLV support. So, for this release you either get RLV or AISv3.

I haven’t used Kokua for some time. If you are using it, let us know how it is working. Imprudence used to be my preferred viewer for cross grid use.

Second Life News 2014-18

Servers

The main channel got a roll out today. The package running on Magnum was promoted to the main channel. This is the ‘maintenance’ release with some bug fixes. The only notable one being: “llTeleportAgent() and llTeleportAgentGlobalCoords() can break any script in any attached object that contains a change event.” (BUG-5533).

Server Scripting UG 2014-18
Server Scripting UG 2014-18

RC Servers

All three channels will run the Sunshine package with the AISv3 changes. Blue Steel and Le Tigre ran the package last week (17). They will all get the updates the main grid received. The release notes provide no new information on what changes may be in the AISv3 package this week. I suspect there are some. 

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Second Life Appliers

Felicia Silversmith
Felicia Silversmith

Appliers are the scripts that allow you to wear clothes over mesh attachments. Those using Tangos and Phat Azz and similar attachments know about appliers.

The problem with appliers is many of the creators of mesh attachments are using their own applier, a custom script they developed. If you make system clothes via the clothing templates, you get a template from the mesh attachment maker and make textures for the attachment. It then looks like your clothes are fitting over the attachment.

The problem is everybody seems to be making their own scripts. The result is there are incompatibilities in how appliers work and how to make textures for the attachments. A big peoblem for designers is in knowing which face number is to be used for a texture. Is face #1 the breasts or butt? 

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