Month: February 2015

SL updates updates week 8: viewer updates and general news

Posted on by Inara Pey

Soyokaze; Inara Pey, January 2015, on FlickrSoyokaze (Flickr) – blog post

Server Deployments

As will already be known, there were no server deployments this week.

SL Viewer

A new release candidate viewer appeared in the release channel on February 17th in the form of a new login viewer. Version 3.7.25.298971 sees the three log-in options buttons on the original log-in screen update replaced with a single button.

LL viewer log-in updates: as they first appeared after an initial log-in following the 2014 revisions to the log-in / splash screen (top); and as the log-in options are displayed in the new RC viewer (bottom) - click for full size, if required
LL viewer log-in updates: as they first appeared after an initial log-in following the 2014 revisions to the log-in / splash screen (top); and as they are now displayed in the new RC viewer, version 3.7.25.298971 (bottom) – click for full size, if required

February 17th also saw updates made to the Maintenance RC viewer, which was updated to version 3.7.25.298971, while the Tools update project viewer was updated to version 3.7.25.298862, having been held over for release from week #7, due to the Valentine’s weekend / President’s day no change window.

Group Chat

The was a further back-end update to the group chat servers during the week, further implementing the stability improvements the Lab has been working on to solve issues of chat appearing to freeze when switching between tab / issues with the chat servers themselves locking-up.

Other Items

Attachment Issues

As per my last report, there is still considerable debate about the nature of attachment issues, particularly those reported via BUG-6925. A concern is that while (as noted last time), the Lab considers there to be multiple issues occurring, BUG-6925 has already had some initial investigations carried out by the Lab, and these might be getting missed as the Lab considers the wider problems and attempts to categorise things. There is also a concern that the BUG-6925 issue in particular is AIS-v3 related, which could result in a significant increase in reported issues should that code be released by Firestorm as a part of their planned update.

Suggestions have been made on additional logging that might be added to the viewer to further pin-down precisely what is happening in the various circumstances where attachments are detached / re-attached or appear to be detached but aren’t, etc., and the issues are continuing to be examined by the Lab.

Hailing frequencies open: the 2015 SL Sci-Fi Convention enters orbit

Posted on by Inara Pey
Watching the sunrise over the 2015 Sci-Fi convention regions
Watching the sunrise over the 2015 Sci-Fi convention regions (click any image for full size)

With an official opening ceremony slated for midday SLT on Friday, February 20th, 2015, the six regions of the 2015 Second Life Science-Fiction Convention, organised by the SL Sic-Fi Alliance, are now open and will remain docked in Second Life through until March 1st, 2015 inclusive.

The theme for this year’s events is that of Sci-Fi resorts, and the names of the six regions, selected by popular vote on the part of residents, reflects  this:

  • Pern Sound (Red Sector) – Named for the planet Pern, central to Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders mythology, and the third planet orbiting Rukbat.
  • Magrathea (Gold Sector) – Named for the homeworld of the legendary planet builders in Douglas Adams’ Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, and perhaps best remembered for mice, missiles, whales and petunias. Oh, and a designer called Slartibartfast as well, of course…
  • Risa (Orange Sector) – Named for the “interstellar vacation planet” in Star Trek, and also referred to as Epsilon Ceti B II.
  • Fhloston Paradise (Purple Sector) – Named for the luxury cruise where The Fifth Element’s Corbin Dallas, together with the Fifth Element, Leeloo, must retrieve the first four elements.
  • New Vegas (Blue Sector) – From Babylon 5, the Earth Alliance resort city on Mars which draws its name from Earth’s Las Vegas.
  • Sihnon (Green Sector) – The third planet orbiting the White Sun, and one of the two major planets of the universe created by Joss Whedon for his television series Firefly. It is also the home of the person from whom I took my name: Inara Sierra 🙂 .
Space really is the final frontier for this year's SL Sci-Fi convention
Space really is the final frontier for this year’s SL Sci-Fi convention

Each sector has its own teleport hub (provided in the links above), allowing for quick and easy hopping between regions – although most people will likely want to explore on foot once they’ve arrived. However, do remember that, in a change from previous years, the 2015 convention doesn’t only take place on the ground – there are booths to be found overhead as well, out “in space”, adding to the sci-fi feel of activities . So keep your eye out for teleports and other means to go skyward to destinations (and don’t forget the Zocalo from Babylon 5 is under the waves of Pern Sound).

One way of getting around is via the convention taxis, tours, and shuttles. The taxis are self-fly, can carry up to three people and can be rezzed at any of the taxi stations like the one I used in Pern Sound. I found a starting point for the dragon tours in Magrathea; I didn’t notice any others in my travels, but might have missed them. The shuttles offer a kind of convention auto-pilot “bus service”, ferrying people around (and over) the convention regions.

Who said Sci-fi has to be all star ships and deep space? This year's event carries with it various hints of reto in both displays and in some of the imaginative booth designs
Who said Sci-fi has to be all star ships and deep space? This year’s event carries with it various hints of retro in both displays and in some of the imaginative booth designs

When exploring the regions, one will find an interesting mix of merchants and role-play groups (see the exhibitor list for details) and, for those engaged in the scavenger hunt, quite possibly the stars you are looking for (so to speak). A programme of entertainment has been put together for the convention, starting with the aforementioned opening ceremony, which will take place at Merciless Ming’s. There will also be live entertainments, DJ, film screenings and more, with full details of all goings-on to be found via the convention’s Events Calendar. In addition, information givers located next to the major telehubs also provide a run-down of the current day’s events for those arriving in any of the regions, if they wish to find out what’s going on and when.

Whatever your interest in science-fiction, be sure to set your phaser on fun and head back to the future with a visit to the SL Sci-Fi convention, and as this is a Relay for Life event, keep an eye-out for RFL-related vendors and kiosks as you explore.

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Doing it with mirrors in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Speculum - LEA6
Speculum – LEA6

Speculum is the title of Giovanna’s Cerise’s new installation at LEA6, the home of the UWA’s Full Sim Arts series.

While the title of the piece may give rise to thoughts of certain medical examinations, let me assure you that this is not the intent here. Giovanna is using the word purely to mean “mirror”, and quite without any hint of medical connotations at all, although there are a number of oddly endearing figures earnestly peering into what appear to be mirrored lenses close to the landing point.

Speculum - LEA6
Speculum – LEA6

Giovanna explains the installation thus:

The mirror, as multiplicity and continuous playback. The mirror, where the invisible overlaps the original and the hidden appears suddenly. The mirror, as an illusion of which you can not do without. The mirror as a projection in an unreal dimension. The mirror that opens the door to …

 Beyond the figures with their little eyepieces held up to their lens-like heads, is a truly astonishing build, which Giovanna recommends is viewed using either the Verdigris windlight setting or a sunset setting. I used both, and they serve the installation well.

Speculum - LEA6
Speculum – LEA6

The main parts of the build comprise huge, intricate wooden structures, gigantic lattices of beautiful complexity, which hold aloft great cog-like discs representing mirrors. Three of these rise from the waters of the region, their mirrors pointing skywards, while a fourth floats overhead, holding its mirrors upright.

Between and under these stands another construct, a huge rectangular piece, partially wreathed in shadow, within which sits a series of white convex forms, again suggestive of mirrored lenses. To fully appreciate this piece, you not only need to see it from without, but also travel through it (click the single mirror cog raised on a pole at the landing point to be teleported). The optical effects seen as you walk through the “lenses”  and shadow areas can be striking.

Speculum - LEA6
Speculum – LEA6

Giovanna has always shown great aptitude in using light and space in her work, as well as using geometric forms and structures, and her artistry with all of them is very much on display here. This is a stunning and immersive build, and will remain in place through March. I do thoroughly recommend you pay a visit.

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RFL: Are you ready to Paint it Purple?

Posted on by Inara Pey

PIPSaturday, February 21st through to Saturday March 7th inclusive marks the 2015 Paint it Purple campaign on behalf of Relay for Life of Second Life.

The campaign is aimed raising awareness and excitement as the official launch of the year’s fund-raising season draws near, by encouraging residents to paint the grid purple, the official colour of RFL of SL.

So how does it work? The official description of the campaign explains how:

Make sure you find all your purple clothes, hair, accessories, and even skin!  Plant purple trees on your land, paint your walls purple, colour your grass purple, and hang purple signs, banners, streamers, flags, and balloons.  Be sure to tell anyone who asks, “why all the purple?” that it’s for Relay For Life and invite them to learn more and possibly join the Relay family!

To get people started, you can pick-up the official Paint SL Purple kit at the American Cancer Society Island. Packed with purple freebies, it’s the perfect way to get started on celebrations and get ready for the relay season itself. You can also get the kit by contacting Nuala Maracas or Leala Spire in-world.

There will also be an official Paint it Purple Kick-off Party to launch the campaign.This will take place at a special Paint it Purple Party venue  located over the American Cancer Society Island, and will run from 16:00 SLT through until 21:00 SLT. DJ Dee Wolfe will get things started, and will be followed by special guests Satin & Erin, before DJ Dianne Wycliffe closes the party out with two hours of music from 19:00 SLT through until 21:00.

Paint it Purple will kick-off with a special themed party starting at 16:00 SLT on Saturday, February 21st, 2015
Paint it Purple will kick-off with a special themed party starting at 16:00 SLT on Saturday, February 21st, 2015

Hosting a Paint it Purple event in support of RFL of SL yourself? Be sure to use “Paint Second Life Purple” ( or PSLP) when listing it as an event, so that other people can quickly and easily see it when checking the event listings.

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Kung hei fat choi from Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
China Grove
China Grove

February 19th, 2015 sees the start of the new year – the Chinese New Year, that is. With it, we say goodbye for now to the horse, and hello to the goat. It’s a time for celebrations, with lanterns, firecrackers, colour, Lions Dances and more; and doubtless, there will be lots of celebrations taking place across the weekend to mark the Festival.

For those wanting to get a feel for China – ancient China in particular –  there are lots of Chinese-themed locations to be found in Second Life. Some associated with role-play, others offered as places to visit and enjoy, some which offer a gateway to shopping in SL, and some which mix Chinese and Japanese elements into a happy blend of the ancient oriental, reflective of their past histories and interactions. Others offer what might seem more curious mixes.

China Grove
China Grove

China Grove, for example, describes itself as offering a beachfront location with private accommodation, jet skis, swimming, and even topless bathing. But above an behind it sits a beautiful Chinese palace. The work of Selene Nirvana, and featuring creations by designers such as Ryu 竜, the palace sits atop a great rocky outcrop rising about the surrounding lands, protected by broad, strong walls and guarded by its very own terracotta army, complete with chariot-riding warlords.

Reached via a small waterfront village sitting in the protective arms of the palace walls and watched over by dragon canon, the place offers a wealth of colour and opportunities to wander through its cobbled terraces and courtyards, and through its great halls. Tai Chi is offered for those wishing to clear their minds, while a dragon atop a tall tower keeps a vigilant watch towards more open waters, his fire perhaps a beacon for ships trying to find their way to the docks below his high perch.

Jomo
Jomo

For another feel of ancient China, one can also visit Jomo, the home of Xiaoduo Abbot’s store, is set amidst a glorious build I wrote about in November 2013. With walls, gardens, places to relax and stages for entertainment, it encourages the visitor not only to shop, but to tarry awhile and explore.

Or, for a different flavour and feel, you can hop over to Aston Leisen’s artful and slightly surreal design called, simply, China, which has been a delight to visitors for several years now, sometimes moving up or down in the sky, but always offering a visual treat and a place were hanging-out and AFKing is welcomed.

China
China

I’m barely scratching the surface of things in mentioning these three; but hopefully they’ll be enough to whet your appetite and get you searching things oriental in your SL explorations this weekend, and perhaps enjoying the New Year celebrations.

And while we’ve already seen Yuandan for this particular New Year, if you are worried about bumping into Nian while you’re out and about, just make sure you’re wearing red and carrying a firecracker or two before you leave home!

Kung hei fat choi!

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VWBPE 2015: of deadlines, calendars and registrations

Posted on by Inara Pey

VWBPE_LogoThe 2015 Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) conference will take place in Second Life and OpenSim between Wednesday, March 18th and Saturday, March 21st inclusive.

VWBPE is a global grass-roots community event focusing on education in immersive virtual environments which attracts 2200-3500 educational professionals from around the world each year.

The theme for this, the 8th VWBPE conference is Crossroads, and the organisers have released an update to remind people that the first set of crossroads regarding their involvement is approaching, with deadlines drawing near.

Important Dates

VWBPE Exhibition submissions extended – but must close on Friday, February 27th

Exhibition space is available at the main VWBPE venue in Second Life, providing the opportunity for exhibitors to display and promote their products and / or services in 3D. Spaces within the exhibition area are limited, and will be provided on a first come, first serve basis, with priority being given to educators, community organizations, and non-profits.

Please visit the conference Exhibits page for further information.

2015 Thinkerer Award nominations set to close on Sunday, March 1st

Named after its first recipient in 2014, Thinkerer Melville (Selby Evans in the physical world), the Thinkerer Award is presented to an individual whose deeds and actions have shown consistent selfless service towards the promotion of learning, community, and educational practices, and who exemplifies the spirit of cooperative development within immersive environments.

Nominations are currently open for potential recipients of the 2015 award, and those interested in nominating someone are directed to the Thinkerer Award nominations guidelines for further information.

Post-Conference Tours – submissions close on Friday, February 27th

Explorations – the VWBPE post-conference virtual tours – provide an opportunity for  educational leaders to share their visions of education beyond the traditional classroom setting, by offering tours of their virtual environments to their VWBPE peers.  These tours have historically generated the greatest excitement in the spirit of inspiration and sharing, and and promise to do so again, both through them and through the use of social media tools.

Those wishing to present a tour of their virtual environment can find the guidelines and submission requirements for doing so on the VWBPE Explorations page.

The Programme and Calendar

vwbpe-15The conference calendar is now available, and can be seen on-line (use the Go To options to advance to March and the conference, if necessary).

Conference events will commence at 13:00 SLT on Wednesday, March 18th, with the opening keynote address by Ebbe Altberg, entitled Education in Second Life and in the Future. This will see Ebbe share his thoughts on the value Linden Lab places on the education market, some of the compelling educational uses cases he’s seen during his tenure as CEO, and his perspective on how virtual experiences and education will be important to one another in the future.

Following the opening keynote, and throughout the four days of the event, the conference will present a mix of keynote addresses, presentations, talks, discussions and more, covering a broad canvas of education and virtual mediums.

Attendance

Attendance at the conference is free, and the attendee registration page is open. For those who which to support the costs involved in staging VWBPE events in both Second Life and OpenSim, can also opt to register using one of the Crowdfunder options available via the registration page.

Sponsorship

Best Practices in Education are at the forefront of a technically revolution that is creating inspiring innovation in the classroom; a revolution which is adding momentum to the intersection where academic learning meets a student’s willingness to engage in simulations which build moral character, leadership ability, and critical thinking.

Be a part of these exciting trends by helping support a conference for educators who use leading edge tools and techniques in the classroom. The VWBPE conference reaches over 3000 educators from around the world who are advancing these educational techniques.

Donations are used to help create open-sourced, peer-reviewed archives which extend well beyond the 3-4 days of the VWBPE conference, as well as permit teachers and educators to learn how to work with changing technologies in the classroom.

In addition, your brand recognition will expand well beyond a simple 4 day conference given that it will be part of the public record and accessible through the US Library and Archives. You can view past conference proceedings at the Journal of Virtual Studies.

There is no better investment than in educating the future leaders in advanced education, so learn today how to become a sponsor for the 8th Annual Best Practices in Education Conference.

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