Second Life and Virtual Worlds
A new release of the Singularity viewer came out yesterday. If you are using Singularity, this is a strongly recommended update. There are some bug fixes that make this a more stable viewer.
You can find the announcement here: Singularity 1.7.1 Stability.
The download is about 24mb. Download files are getting smaller.
The Singularity viewer retains the V1 user interface while adding many of the new features found in the latest version 3 viewers.
The significant additions in this release is the feature allowing multiple items to worn on the same clothing layer. With that addition we also get a Current Outfit folder, something that will be needed for coming Shining: Avatar Bake changes.
The announcement page lists a number of improvements in this release of Singularity. See: 1.7.0 – Multi-Wear release!
The Singularity Viewer team has been quite and it has been some time since we saw a version release. Work is proceeding and we got a bit of information from Siana Gearz, the managing developer. Well, the question when it’s coming is something we’re trying to figure out too. What can be said though is … Read more
Innula Zenovka post a link on SLUniverse to an Question and Answers page where Oz Linden answered residents questions about the new TPV Policy. Cummere Mayo start the thread here.
See: Questions about new TPV policy. (Questions only please.)
The most controlversal and misunderstood part of the policy is the idea of what is meant by SHARED EXPERIENCE. So, the number one question is: What is meant by shared experience?
The pertinent part of Oz’s answer is:
A shared experience change is one that modifies the definition of the elements that make up the virtual world, or how they behave, in such a way that users on other viewers don’t experience the same virtual reality.
This rule does not affect changes to rendering, user interface, or the controls a viewer offers for interacting with the world.
A part of the Server/Sim/Scripting User Group meeting was taken up with discussion of the viewer policy changes. It seems some of the changes have been in the works for some time. Now that they are on the verge of being implemented the Lab made the public announcement.
Tankmaster Finesmith said, “So, as one of the [Firestorm] TPV devs, we’ve know for a few months now that LL has wanted to brake the viewer tags. Today [Friday] we got word that LL will be braking them next week.”
So, Jessica is right, the viewer type ID tags will be turned off next Tuesday and Wednesday. Presumably the code to do that has already made it through QA process.
Simon Linden was the meeting chairperson or facilitor and I’ll quote him several times so I think this statement is important as a framework. He said, “…I’d like to preemptively explain that I’m a coder working on the server, so I’ve mostly been out of this loop. I’m not a lawyer, from marketing or product, etc. etc.” I suppose that means we need to keep what he says in some sort of perspective.
I saw today that Linden Lab has announced revisions to their Third Party Viewer policy. The Firestorm/Phoenix tema has already posted a reaction. They are also planning to discuss the changes at their next Phoenix Hour, planned for Feb. 28 at 2 PM SLT/PST.
I think Jessica phrases their take on the meaning of the changes in a pessimistic take. However, she may well be right. It is hard to know. You can read her take on the changes on the Firestorm/Phoenix blog. See: New additions to the Third Party Viewer Policy.
You can see the policy change announcement here: Third Party Viewer Policy Changes.
These changes, if intended as Jessica takes them, will be explosive. I see the changes impacting Firestorm and other viewer negatively. Exodus and Nirans viewers may become ineligible to connect to the grid. If so, I’m sure this will create a massive amount of blow back.