Virtual World News – Page 12 – Nalates’ Things & Stuff

OpenSim-OSGrid Mesh Coming

2011/03/102010/10/15 by Nalates Urriah

Spore Creatures invade OSGrid — OpenSim Meshes - Image by jjacek

I think this article will also be of interest to SL folks. Because OpenSim is likely to become a free SL mesh builders’ sandbox. However, uploads on ADITI are free, so may be not.

I guess it depends on how one looks at mesh on OpenSim as to whether this is ‘coming’ or an old thing. RealXtend, a branch of OpenSim, has had mesh objects for some time. A module has been available for some time to allow OpenSim people to add messes to their SIM. What I suppose is coming is the ability for everyone to use and see the feature in OpenSim.

Most viewers have not supported mesh. There was no way to upload them, which pretty much stops their use. RealXtend has a special viewer. I have never gotten it to work on other grids, that is probably just me. With the Second Life Mesh Project Viewer out and the code being released Friday, that limitation is removed. Soon TPV’s (Third Party Viewers) will have support for uploading and editing mesh.

Another Viewpoint on Microsoft Linden Lab

2010/10/08 by Nalates Urriah

New World notes did a quick blurb on articles about the Microsoft Buyout Rumor of Linden Lab – Second Life. See: Second Life Bloggers Blogging About Linden Lab. One of those articles is by Dusan Writer in which Dusan writes an imagined conversation between Phillip Rosedale, Linden Lab’s CEO, and investors.

Prior to the imagined conversation Dusan explains the thinking that frames the conversation. Dusan’s thinking fits with my thoughts on what fits with RL probabilities of what is happening. I suspect the conversation is more on point than many other suppositions. Check it out here: WHY LINDEN LAB IS NOT FOR SALE (YET)

Imprudence/McCabe Needs Help

2010/10/06 by Nalates Urriah

McCabe is the primary developer of the Imprudence Viewer. Seems his laptop is wearing out and about to fail. So, over on the Imprudence blog they are asking for donations. If you are using the viewer and like it, please chip in some bucks.

The donate button is at the bottom of the Imprudence blog article.

McCabe’s Computer is Dying!

Is Microsoft Buying Second Life?

2010/10/04 by Nalates Urriah

Microsoft Logo

Yeah, we have all heard the rumors and speculation. If you are into drama, there are a number flaming threads on the Second Life blogrum where wild speculation runs wild. But, we still have no solid information, we are still dealing with opinion and speculation. In regard to speculation Gwyneth Llewelyn has a new article this morning. It is so far the best example of the application of intelligence to make a rational speculation.

See: Microsoft Life?

Microsoft Second Life Buy Rumor

2010/10/01 by Nalates Urriah

Twitter Rumor - image by klaireebearr@flickr

By now you have probably heard the rumor that Microsoft made an offer to buy Linden Lab and thus supposedly Second Life. However, this could just be an offer to buy some of SL’s technology. Or it could all be a griefer’s spoof. The source of the rumor tracks back to a banned player and a group known to grief. The complication comes in that both have been involved in revealing ‘real’ secrets in the past.

There is no way to confirm or deny the rumor until either Linden Lab or Microsoft make a statement. Even then many will speculate the official spokes-holes are spinning to control PR. In the political season here in the States that makes perfect sense to many. There is just no way to know who is spoofing, spinning, or in the know. But, the story has legs because it is a credible idea that Microsoft might actually want Linden Lab. As more and more blogs pick it up, more real news sources pick it up and the story spreads. Many will use the number of sources as a measure of truth, which is a really poor way to decide.

Copyright, Philosophy, Law, and Virtual Worlds

2010/09/29 by Nalates Urriah

Alphaville Herald has an article up this morning: Hacktivism, Governance, and Copyright Debates 4chan Style. This is an interesting spin on ideas many of us consider fixed. In regard to copyright, and actually most of government, it should be no surprise things simply don’t work well (A good reason for small government). The problems created by corporate influence on lawmakers and the lack of intellectual ability and foresight among politicians is reaching some critical mass. For those seeing issues with a philosophical and intellectual interest beyond situational ethics the Alphaville Herald article is well worth the read.