Viewers

General Viewer Information

Second Life News w/3rd Party Dev Meeting 2019 w03 & 4

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There is news. Everyone has been back to work long enough post-holiday for things to be getting completed. So, changes are in progress. I am behind, again. So, I’m just getting this converted from my notes to something readable.

Servers

We did get a Deploy post, appearing Tuesday afternoon.

The Rainforest Photo Contest, Entry # 2
The Rainforest Photo Contest, Entry # 2

The main channel updates to version #19.01.09.523003. This version is listed as having logging collecting data to build a baseline performance measure. Also, more internal logging.

My empirical take is things have degraded. But, without some objective measure that is only an opinion. As I started flying a complex Shergood helicopter in July 2018 my perception of region reliability has likely changed. But, my observation of what happens when crossing region boundaries is more factual.

Using the Firestorm Viewer, I have the option to cross regions in two ways. The default is to cross using the basic viewer prediction of what should happen for a smoother appearing crossing. The other is sort of stop-action crossing. (Preferences->Move & View->Movement->Movement at region crossing: Predict or Stop)

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Second Life News 2019 w03

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Servers

No Deploys post this week. Simon Linden tells us there will be an RC rollout. My main channel home region did not restart today, Tuesday.

The only change Simon mentions is more logging is added to the RC.

Can't stop the dawn
Can’t stop the dawn

Viewers

The main/default viewer remains version 6.0.1.522263. Last updated 2018 week #50.

Second Life Bugsplat Viewer version 6.1.0.522614 – Last update was in week #47. 

Second Life EAM Viewer version 6.1.0.522564 – Last updated 2018 week #51.

Second Life Love Me Render Viewer version 6.0.2.522531 – Last updated in week #50.

Second Life Project 360 Snapshot Viewer version 5.1.6.515934 – Last updated in 2018 week #10.

Second Life Project Bakes On Mesh Viewer version 6.0.1.522127 – Last updated in week #50.

Second Life Project EEP Viewer version 6.0.2.522550 – Last updated in week #51.

Takes some time for things to start moving after the holidays. Plus, the flu is starting to hit. (Flu Map)

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Second Life: Android and iOS? What is the Lab thinking?

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Seems many are excited about Brad & Oz Linden making comments about development of an app for iOS and probably Android. Inara has been writing about it at Modem World. And Hamlet picked up on that posting LINDEN LAB CONFIRMS.

Late 2018 – Firestorm-Steam VR

Hamlet adds a bit of speculation. But, Inara makes the most speculative guesses about what the Lab is doing. She is knowledgeable and her guesses are those of a person well informed on and experienced in the subjects of Second Life and Linden Lab. I think they are reasonable.

I’ll add an additional twist. Consider. The people using and requesting mobile apps for SL are existing users. The current mobile apps provide a means for existing SL users to manage business tasks while on the move.

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Second Life News 2019 w02

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We are back… The Lindens are back at it… Not much has happened. But soon…

Servers

There was no planned update to the main channel. But main channel regions were restarted, at least mine was. It is running version Second Life Server 18.12.05.522294 the same as it has for the last 3 weeks.

Daria
Daria

Blue Steel is to update to version #19.01.03.522821. This version has additional logging for capturing various region performance criteria. I’ve been noticing a change in performance and region crossing behavior… degrading… I try to do some flying after the Tuesday restarts. Now it isn’t making much difference whether there has been a restart or not. Still lots of problems.

Le Tigre and Magnum will get an update to version #18.12.05.522294. This version has changes to the voice service. Recent DDoS attacks on DNS servers have been causing problems for voice users. So, there may be some improvements to get around messed up DNS.

The Server-Scripting UG was talking about Animesh and Pathfinding. We will start to see more use of Pathfinding as NPCs (non-player character) become more popular. Since Pathfinding hasn’t been in heavy use it has been a low priority for the Lindens. So, there are some known problems and pending bug reports. Those becoming more of a problem now that animesh is out.

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Firestorm 6 Slow Down

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Some see Firestorm 6 as slower then v5, others do not. But there is a design feature in FS that may bite you and have you thinking it is the viewer. It isn’t necessarily just your imagination. Seems if you alternate between 5.1.7 and 6.0.1 Beta and have them sharing cache, which seems like a smart idea, you may well see a slowdown.

Get your S__t Together… (2016)

The viewers apparently look for a cache they made and if they do not find it, they delete the contents of the cache folders and build a new cache. So, when you first run 6 and attempt to share 5’s cache it deletes the cache and begins reloading. If you switch back to 5 the process repeats and each time to switch between versions, at least according to one of the FS peeps I trust.

Looks like we need to use one or the other. I’ve been using 6 and I like it. I don’t see a reason to switch back and forth. But… if you feel the need to switch back and forth, I suggest you assign a separate cache to 6.

We also know the Lindens are looking at and possibly already working on revamping the viewer cache. I am expecting significant changes in 2019. I also suspect the FS Devs have their own ideas about improving the viewer cache. So hopefully, we will see a mix of cache improvements in this coming year.

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