Second Life and Virtual Worlds
The Server Beta meeting provided more insight into new Linden Scripting Language (LSL) functions, but no rollout surprises. Server rolls were as planned, see: Second Life News 2013-24 #2.
Kelly Linden posted in the Deploys thread about the new LSL functions for returning items. (See: post) Kellz provided some basic guidelines and thoughts on exploits.
We have a fairly new page in the Second Life™ wiki for the new JSON functions. If you do not know, JSON is used for moving data to and from web sites outside SL. Use of JSON should make applications simpler and more reliable.
See: JSON usage in LSL
The contest voting starts Wednesday this week. The Art in Cloud Party contest closes to entries Wednesday at 12 noon, I think PDT. That is also when voting for your favorites starts. For more information see: Weekly Update for Week of June 3, 2013.
Today we are getting the server maintenance package that ran on Blue Steel and Le Tigre this last week. This is the package that addresses the disconnection issue people have been experiencing.
These release channels will be getting a new maintenance package. There are some interesting fixes and additions in this package.
There is a new interview with Rod out. You’ll find it at BOSL in their latest magazine: June 2013
We learn that Welcome areas will be redone. Alpha and Beta testing will start in the next few weeks.
Rod provides a compelling description of what Second Life is. So, if you’re ever at a loss for when someone asks you what SL is, read the article.
In the Anthropomorphic Global Warming (AGW) debate the word ‘consensus’ has become very important. Little thought is given the idea of the scientific method. AGW skeptics are charged with ignoring science. So, for the intellectually honest it would seem understanding ‘consensus verses the scientific method’ would be a core point in any debate of AWG. In researching that point I came across a funny and informative video. 9 minutes.
[youtube EYPapE-3FRw]
Merriam-Webster defines CONSENSUS as:
a : general agreement : unanimity <the consensus of their opinion, based on reports … from the border — John Hersey>
b : the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned <the consensus was to go ahead>
Alternate: group solidarity in sentiment and belief
Notice that consensus is about opinion and belief. It may be informed opinion, even well informed opinion. But, it is still opinion.