OpenSim 0.8 Released

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If you run an OpenSim, this is big news. This release of the server software changes the ‘default’ physics engine from ODE to Bullet. I’ve never really liked how ODE worked but it was easy to set up. For some time Bullet has been developed for use with OpenSim.

Developers are expecting some differences and say behavior will possibly be enough different from Second Life’s engine (Havok) that ODE will keep as a fall back engine, likely forever.

This version of OpenSim also provides ‘varible regions’ or varregion as they call it. This will allow those running simulators to set region size and reduce the number of region crossings. Instead of just the basic 256×256 region regions of 512, 1024, etc. can be built.

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Restrained Love Viewer 2.9

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Marine Kelley has announced the release of viewer version 2.9. See: Restrained Love Viewer v2.9. This is the version with additional camera controls.

Marine describes the changes this way: “In essence, the goal is to let a script restrict the camera and the view : how far and how close the camera can go, how clearly and how far the user can see, and whether to let the camera go through walls or not.”

 

Group Ban Sort of Released

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Jailed - by: Stefano Mortellaro - Flickr
Jailed – by: Stefano Mortellaro – Flickr

The Group Ban feature on the server side rolled out today. After tomorrow’s roll outs to the RC channels the server side of Group Ban will be complete. All regions in the main grid will have the feature.

This afternoon the Project Viewer appeared on the RC and Project Viewers page. See Project Group Ban 3.7.8.290887. The release notes with some instructions for how to use the feature is here: GroupBan/3.7.8.290887 Release Notes.

For all practical purposes, we have group ban. Those wanting to ban people from their groups need to get the Project Viewer. Those being banned will be banned no matter which viewer they use. The ban actually happens server side. The Project Viewer is just needed to tell the server who is banned.

 

Ebbe Visits Server-Scripting UG

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We haven’t heard much about what is in the works at the Lab. I suspect that Lindens are somewhat conditioned to not say anything about things that have not been officially cleared for release. But, today Ebbe Linden, Ebbe Altberg – Linden Lab CEO, was at the UG meeting. Since he is the last word on what can be released for public consumption, he can speak more freely. I’ll provide news updates then get to Ebbe’s comments.

SS2014-24_003
Ebbe Linden – 6/2014

Servers

There is nothing more to say than I reported yesterday. See: Second Life News 2014-24.

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Linden Lab Ahead of It Self?

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I see the Lab has announced the roll out of the second phase of the Sunshine Project, also known as Server Side Avatar (SSA) baking. See: Project Shining is now complete! This is the part we have been referring to as AISv3. These are the additional server side changes to the Agent (LL-ese for Avatar) Inventory Service (AIS) to fix remaining problems with avatar appearance failures.

TheSta_014

The current main SL Viewer has the viewer side code for the latest Sunshine updates. But, only the Blue Steel RC channel has the server side of these changes. So, we won’t actually see the effect of these changes in most of SL until those changes roll grid wide.

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Second Life News 2014-24

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Servers

The Deploy announcement is out. The GROUP BAN project is to be promoted to the main grid. That will make it grid wide. You need to get the project viewer to take advantage of the feature. But, whether you have the viewer or not, if you are banned you are banned and will not be able to re-join the group. The project viewer is only needed to DO the banning.

The Trace - 2014
The Trace – 2014

So, this means there will be a rollout tomorrow morning for the main channel. 

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