Second Life News 2014-18

Servers

The main channel got a roll out today. The package running on Magnum was promoted to the main channel. This is the ‘maintenance’ release with some bug fixes. The only notable one being: “llTeleportAgent() and llTeleportAgentGlobalCoords() can break any script in any attached object that contains a change event.” (BUG-5533).

Server Scripting UG 2014-18
Server Scripting UG 2014-18

RC Servers

All three channels will run the Sunshine package with the AISv3 changes. Blue Steel and Le Tigre ran the package last week (17). They will all get the updates the main grid received. The release notes provide no new information on what changes may be in the AISv3 package this week. I suspect there are some. 

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Google+ Second Thoughts

Google+

Indigo Mertel has supplied me with links that are a counterpoint to the Tech Crunch article on Google+ Walking Dead. So, I was asking myself if Tech Crunch had blown it or not and I by piling on. So, this morning I started looking at various articles written about Google+ (G+) in recent days.

Forbes has an article out on both the Tech Crunch claims and what Google is saying. See: Is Google+ Really Walking Dead? The article dose not really answer the question its title asks. But, they too point out that G+ is failing to compete with Facebook, which seems to be general knowledge uncontested by Google.

The article does point out the value G+ has for those doing SEO work (Search Engine Optimization). Everyone wants placement in the research results. Of course Google’s challenge is in keeping people interested in buying their advertising. To do that they must keep people searching via Google. That means providing good results for your searches. G+ has significant advantages for those wanting search placement and for those trying to find things. 

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Second Life Appliers

Felicia Silversmith
Felicia Silversmith

Appliers are the scripts that allow you to wear clothes over mesh attachments. Those using Tangos and Phat Azz and similar attachments know about appliers.

The problem with appliers is many of the creators of mesh attachments are using their own applier, a custom script they developed. If you make system clothes via the clothing templates, you get a template from the mesh attachment maker and make textures for the attachment. It then looks like your clothes are fitting over the attachment.

The problem is everybody seems to be making their own scripts. The result is there are incompatibilities in how appliers work and how to make textures for the attachments. A big peoblem for designers is in knowing which face number is to be used for a texture. Is face #1 the breasts or butt? 

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Windows XP to 7 Updating

Update: 4/30/2014 – ICH/AHCI Information Added

As I move friends and clients off Windows XP I have run into some problems. Most are easy to solve, if you understand the problem. Others are impossible to solve because there is no workable solution. I decided to provide the information I’ve had to learn over the last few weeks So, if you are wondering if you can update your computer running Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8/8.1 this is something for you to read.

Hidden RT7 Lite Error Message
Hidden RT7 Lite Error Message

I doubt I know all there is to know about this upgrade path. But, I have successfully done a number of updates from Xp to 7. I probably haven’t found all the problems or the best software. But, I do have software that works. I’ve also run into some knotty problems that it took a lot of research to solve. So, hopefully this will save some of some time. 

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Second Life News 2014-17 #3

Viewers

The main SL viewer updated a few days ago, Monday I think. It is now version: 3.7.6-289164. This is the combined Merchant Outbox, Vivox voice, and Breakpad viewer. Mac users should get some relief using this version.

A bot at Server-Scripting UG 2014-17
A bot at Server-Scripting UG 2014-17

RC Viewers

Interesting Viewer version 3.7.7.289461 – This viewer is currently the best performing of the RC viewers and looks like the next candidate to be promoted. But, the Lab is not planning to make another release for a couple of weeks, that likely means week 19 or May 5. So, things could change.

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Drax Files Radio Show #16

Drax has radio show #16 out. Ciaran Laval has a quick summary of the show, not much detail. See: The Drax Files Radio Hour Episode 16 – Drax Meets The Lindens.

Drax Files Radio
Drax Files Radio

If you do not want to take an hour to listen to the show, below I have my take from listening. Of course with that you get my opinions and biases affecting what I heard. So, listen to the original audio if you take exception to something. Also, I skip a lot and just touch on what I found interesting.

01:15 – Drax is, I think, pretending to be amazed that the Lindens are people with the usual human traits; emotions, hard working, enthusiastic, their own ideas…

01:35 – 04:00 – the obligatory promotional section. SL Go, an OnLive app, is a new sponsor of the Drax Files Radio Show. If you have not heard of SL Go… where have been? This is an app that allows tablets (and my Android phone) and older computers to access Second Life™ or other high-end video games. Drax and Jo relate some excellent user cases for SL Go. At US$1/hour or $10/month for unlimited time, this is a great possibility for many people. Listen to this section if you have an interest in alternate ways to access SL.

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