Second Life: Firestorm Viewer Delayed?

by

Jessica Lyons was planning on releasing a new version toward the end of March. But, some of the things the Lab is releasing, she wants to get in this coming viewer release. The only way to do that is to delay the release. So, expect the release to slide back 2 to 4 weeks, mid to end of April.

If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine
If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine by Charlie Namiboo, on Flickr

Oz Linden says the viewer side of Hover and Experience Tools are viewer side stable. So, the FS Team could start building those into FS. They have been holding off, busy with other stuff too, waiting for these to finalize. Oz is saying they pretty much have stabilized and the hold up is on the server side. 

Read more

Second Life Free Language Translator

by

IMPORTANT – READ:Second Life: Update on Metanomics Translator

A couple of years back Google decided to charge for its translator service. Many of the translators in use in Second Life were dependent on Google’s service.  Those translators failed.

Babelfish
Babelfish by –Tico–, on Flickr

Do you remember the Bablefish translator? That was my translator until Google changed the API.

Soon other translation services followed Google’s lead. One must now have an account of some kind to use those services in a Second Life app… or any app. 

Read more

Second Life Bits 2015 Week 11 #2

by

 Secret (?) Interview

Ciaran Laval has an interview with Xiola Linden that is well worth the time to read. See: The Mystery Of The Secret Interview With Xiola Linden

my Secret Agent
my Secret Agent by Silverr Andel, on Flickr

Loki Machinima

Loki has tried a new style of machinima. You can see it in his blog. This machinima is made in the anima style, something rare for SL. He did a good job. I’m impressed. It is short and, I think, corny. But, I think both were intended. Whatever the intent, it is cute. 

Read more

EA Closes ‘SimCity’ Developer

by

Electronic Arts seems to have a reputation for buying successful gaming companies and eventually closing them. This appears to be what has happened with Maxis Emeryville, the developer of SimCity.

Simcity 4 Downtown Rail Junction
Simcity 4 Downtown Rail Junction by haljackey, on Flickr

The games created at Maxis will still be around and they remain the property of EA. But, the development process of those games is being folded into EA’s other development studios. 

Read more

Coming Back: Alternative Schools

by

We are hearing more and more about the financial burden students face after graduation. The government under Pres. Obama’s direction, pen and phone in hand, has attempted to alleviate the problem. Instead it is adding to the national debit (+5%) and student debit is increasing ($1.2+trillion).

oyasumi / blackboard&corkboard&postbox @ Xiasumi School Festival
Xiasumi School Festival by Kenzo Gateaux / oyasumi, on Flickr

Few people realize the new Obama student debt plan aggravates the problems. You can see the trend in a document by the Institute for College Access & Success. A small problem has turned into one too big to fail… and we tax payers are on the hook for the money. Obama guaranteed the bank loans (90% are now government backed). This is expected by numerous authorities to cost tax payers hundreds of billions per year. To learn more about what was actually done and is happening see: Heritage Foundation. 

Read more