Hamlet has an article about Stevie Davros’ enhanced skies. In 2011 Firestorm added a feature that allows replacement of Second Life™ clouds. Thank you for the computer code, Cinder Roxley. Back then Vincent Nacon was creating new cloud images for this feature.
Stevie Davros Dramatic Skies
So, this feature is not new nor limited to Firestorm. JuicyBomb wrote a tutorial NEW CLOUDS FOR SECOND LIFE, May 2013, for those using the Linden Viewer. The instructions are good for any viewer.
Not much has changed since then. I just checked in the Linden Viewer 5.1.0 and there is still no provision for selecting a different cloud texture. So, it is still a manual change.
Ugh… still fighting something between a cold and flu…
Servers
The main channel is getting a restart but will continue to run version #17.12.01.511131 rolled out 12/12.
All three RC channels with get version #18.01.08.511751. This change is declared to have internal logging improvements.
Worlds 3
Viewers
The Main viewer remains version 5.0.9.329906. We first saw this version as a RC candidate in week #47 as a Maintenance version. It promoted to the main viewer in week #49.
Second Life Alex Ivy Viewer version 5.1.0.511732 – This is an update from 5.1.0.511248 which we saw in week #48.
Second Life Maintenance Viewer version 5.0.10.330148 – Another update. Replacing version 5.0.10.330123 out week #51.
Second Life Voice Viewer version 5.0.10.330039 – Last updated in week #50.
Second Life Project 360 Snapshot Viewer version 5.1.0.506743 – no update since week #27.
Second Life Project Animesh Viewer version 5.0.10.330058 – Last updated in week #49.
Second Life Project Render Viewer version 5.1.0.511604 – has updated from version 5.1.0.511446 released week, #50.
AS of this morning the Wolfpack version of the viewer has disappeared. As this is a version of the main viewer with additional data reporting, I think we can expect it back when the main viewer next updates.
Today the No-Change-Window is closing. Developers with a bit of extra time over the holidays have finished up upgrades to the viewers they make. So, we have some new third-party viewers out. The Lab, of course, was closed over the holidays. So, not much news from them.
You can not escape it.
Servers
There is no Deploy post today. No rollout was expected for the main channel. Whether we will see one on the RC channels is still iffy.
I am showing the last restart of my main channel home region as 12/26.
Viewers
The main viewer remains 5.0.9.329906. Last updated
Second Life Alex Ivy Viewer version 5.1.0.511248 – Last updated in week #48.
Second Life Maintenance Viewer version 5.0.10.330123 – Last updated in week #51.
Second Life Voice Viewer version 5.0.10.330039 – Last updated in week #50.
Second Life Wolfpack Viewer version 5.0.10.330113 – Last updated in week #51.
Second Life Project 360 Snapshot Viewer version 5.1.0.506743 – no update since week #27.
Second Life Project Animesh Viewer version 5.0.10.330058 – Last updated in week #49.
Second Life Project Render Viewer version 5.1.0.511446 – released week, #50.
Third-Party Viewers
The big news is the Catznip Viewer updated in Beta the 26th and in final version yesterday 1/1. This is a big update. Now version R12.
I’ll be downloading it later and will post after I get to use it for a bit. However, Inara has a good review of the release and changes: CATZNIP R12: INVENTORY, SHOPPING AND MORE. She put some effort into the review. Check it out. You’ll get the keyboard shortcuts to get to the fun stuff.
I’ll download it and post my take later today.
Black Dragon has a New Year release, version 2.9.6. This is a bug fix release.
Christmas is sort of over. We are on to the post-Christmas battery buying days and OMG, why-did-they-think-I-would-wear-this returns…
Second Life is in a ‘No Change’ window. Many Lindens are off work this week. So, there is little news. There is however a Friday post from the Lindens in Featured News: Unboxing 2017 and Looking towards 2018 in Second Life! Worth a read.
without thinking of anything
Other than saying they will make Second Life™ better in 2018, they don’t say much about what is coming. If you have been reading here you know of some things.
I used to do reviews of the events of of the year. It is a bunch of work. So, Inara is doing her year-in-review: 2017 IN REVIEW – PART 1. I’ll leave that work to her. I am thinking of doing a review in video… If it proves fun, you’ll see it. If it turns into work, I’ll probably abandon the project.
I think the Server-Scripting UG meeting is about the last UG meeting of the year.
Servers
There is no Deploys thread as of 10:45 AM. Nor has my region in the mainland been restarted. The last main channel restart was 12/12.
Simple pleasures
From the UG meeting we are told no new updates this week or next. So, all is quite… until 2018. Next UG is Jan 2. But, without a package on the RC channels a main channel roll is unlikely.
Simon tells us he is working a new shiny that we’ll see next year. O.O what a tease…
Viewers
The main viewer is still version 5.0.9.329906. It last updated in week #49.
Second Life Alex Ivy Viewer version 5.1.0.511248 – Last updated in week #48.
Second Life Maintenance Viewer version 5.0.10.330035 – Released December 13, week #50. So, this is a new item in the viewers list.
This viewer caries the Nalewka code name, a Polish drink. Nalewka is bringing you the next sweet batch of fixes. It’s what you’ve come to expect – we fixed some crashes and memory leaks, threw in bugfixes and improvements for a smooth and pleasant experience.
This week lots of things got discussed and explained in the third-party UG meeting. So, we have some information on Second Life™ viewers and some hints on the directions the Lindens are going.
I have some time mark information in my summary. Some of the sections I’ve just said what they are about as the discussion is too time consuming to accurately summarize. These are sections you should watch if you have an interest in the subject.
Alex Ivy has one more bug to fix, an updater problem. It is expected to release Friday, as another RC. With any luck we will see the version go out as the main viewer before Christmas.
There are some challenges getting the Linden Updater working with third-party viewers. Oz Linden says the Lab will work with third-party developers that want help with it.
