Month: October 2015

Valhalla: CEF comes to Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

secondlifeUpdate, Firday October 9th: It was indicated at the TPV Developer meeting on Friday, October 9th that QuickTime media may still work on this viewer, rather than being disabled. However, this should not be taken to mean either QuickTime or Flash are to be supported by the by the Lab, and media creators should not rely on either Flash or QuickTime working correctly for everyone.

On Wednesday, October 7th, the Lab issued the long-awaited project viewer utilises the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) for media handling – and more – in Second Life.

The Valhalla Project viewer, which sees the viewer version number increment to 4.0, is intended as a replacement for LLQTWebKit, which has traditionally supported web-based media in Second Life.

The latter has been subject to increasing issues over the last few years, such as the libraries used within the viewer being out-of-date, and it being focused on both Flash and QuickTime, which have issues of their own.

As a result, the Lab started looking to replace LLQTWebkit with CEF a little over a year ago, and actually blogged about the change in July 2014 when discussing upcoming improvements to SL. At that time, it had been anticipated that a project viewer would be appearing “soon”.

However, a number of other projects served to stall the work on CEF; most notably the change-over to the new tool chain and build process for building the viewer. Understandably, this caused the Lab to hold off from making large-scale changes to the viewer code until after they were confident of the builds using the new tool set, and this inevitably pushed a number of project back – including the CEF work.

Commenting on the CEF project during the TPV Developer meeting on Friday, September 25th, Oz Linden indicated that the release of the viewer was finally on the horizon, and confirmed that when issued, it would not support QuickTime and would have Flash support disabled by default (see update at the top of this article).

Loki eliot has been poking at the new viewer, including visiting a virtual world from inside a virtual world when he logged on to Sine Wave's Gojiyo, which is now being promoted as a part of the sinewave.space "federation" of virtual worlds (see my article here)
Loki Eliot has been poking at the new viewer, including visiting a virtual world from inside a virtual world when he logged on to Gojiyo, which is now being promoted as a part of the sinewave.space “federation” of virtual worlds (see my article here)

The Valhalla viewer, version 4.0.0.305703, is liable to remain a project viewer for an extended period in order to allow  the CEF capabilities to be thoroughly tested, and to ensure content creators who make web media systems (TVs, etc.) and those using in-world media capabilities, have plenty of opportunity to update their products / systems as and where required. Commenting on the status of the viewer in the release notes, the Lab also states:

This is the first iteration of a Project Viewer – which means that while a lot of the problems facing the old MOAP implementation should now become a distant artifact of the past, we are still cranking through the many new issues with our CEF-based solution. See a bug? If you don’t see it filed already – file a Jira! We look forward to your feedback. Thanks!

There are a number of known issues already with the viewer, which are worth noting here as well:

  • Mac issues:
    • Search window crashes
    • Mac keyboard issues can prevent logging in
  • The in-viewer destination guide doesn’t work under chrome
  • Drop down lists do not work in internal web browser or MOAP
  • Profiles and marketplace are asking for a login each session

WebG and HTML support within the browser potentially offers some interest means of more interactive media elements within Second Life. Draxtor and Loki have been playing around with the new viewer and some of the more interactive elements, and have produced a short demo video. Loki has also been playing with the viewer more extensively, and you can read his thoughts about it as well.

 

 

 

Bring your Little Bee to life in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Neural's "Honey Bee" finish for the Little Bee is beautifully reflective of the boat's spirit
Neural’s “Honey Bee” finish for the Little Bee is beautifully reflective of the boat’s spirit

As regular visitors to this blog know, I’m quite the fan of Ape Piaggio’s boats (and also her autogyro!). I’ve owned her Kv23H FoilStream since the start of the year, and more recently was involved in helping with the development and promotion of her tender-style speedboat, the AD25H Little Bee, as well as owning a copy.

Both boats come with painting systems, and a friend of mine, Neural Blankes, has been producing a range of paint kits for both of them, which I think are well worth taking a look at if you have either boat are looking for a really eye-catching finish for it.

Neural's "sunset" finish for the Little Bee - one of (at the time of writing) 35 paint kits she has produced for the boat
Neural’s “sunset” finish for the Little Bee – one of (at the time of writing) 35 paint kits she has produced for the boat

As a fan of the Little Bee, Neural has focused on that boat to produce (at the time of writing) 35 paint kits, some of which are beautifully complex in design and execution, and all of which offer very unique loks for the boat, both in terms of hull finish and cockpit colours.

Prices for the kits vary, but this reflects the level of work Neural has invested in creating the different looks. I admit to being quite partial to the Honey Bee finish, which beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the boat – and I know Ape herself has been motoring around on the water with a Bee in that finish 🙂 .

Neural's FI (Foilborne Industries) custom finish for the Little Bee
Neural’s FI (Foilborne Industries) custom finish for the Little Bee

Neural is also responsible for a number of special custom finishes for individual Little Bees for close friends, and the results are impressive – I can say this with hand on heart, as Neural came to my assistance and helped me in my efforts to produce a specific look for my Bee when it wound up somewhat comprised due to my lack of talent in graphics manipulation.

While not as extensive as those for the Little Bee, Neural’s range of kits for the FoilStream can also be found on her MP store, and offer an equal level of quality and distinctive looks.

So, if you are looking for a design that is eye-catching and just that little bit special for either your Little Bee or your FoilStream, I have no hesitation in recommending Neural’s work.

Note: the Red Ensign visible in some of the images above is the flag I use on my Little Bee, and not a part of Neural’s kits. Bee owners can fly the flag of their choice.

Related Links

Second Life project updates 41/1: server, viewer

Posted on by Inara Pey

The Trace too; Inara Pey, September 2015, on Flickr The Trace Too – blog post

Server Deployments, Week 41

A light week this week. As per the server deployment thread, there will be no scheduled deployments / restarts for the three RC channels during the week. The Main (SLS) channel will, however, receive the same server maintenance package deployed to the RCs in week #40.

SL Viewer Updates – Quick Graphics Viewer

The Quick Graphics viewer reached release candidate status on Friday, October 2nd with the release of version 3.8.5.305528. This is the view which provides the new Avatar Complexity options and the new graphics preset capabilities for setting, saving and restoring graphic settings for use in difference environments / circumstances.

The revised Advanced Graphics floater for the RC, first seen in later iterations of the project viewer
The revised Advanced Graphics floater for the RC, first seen in later iterations of the project viewer

One of the more visible changes within this RC for those who may have used the initial project releases of this viewer, but not the more recent iterations, is that the Advanced Graphics floater has undergone further changes, and is now presented as a two column floater, rather than the single huge floater seen in the first releases of the viewer.

In terms of the graphic presets as well, it should be noted that this RC update does not appear to resolve BUG-10398 “Graphics preset changes to None each time the Advanced Graphics floater is opened, even when no changes are made”.

The colours used for "Jelly Baby" avatars exceeding a user's complexity limit have been further toned down in the Quick Graphics RC update
The colours used for “Jelly Baby” avatars exceeding a user’s complexity limit have been further toned down in the Quick Graphics RC update

For Avatar complexity, the RC update sees further tweaks to the default Complexity value you will see displayed in the Advanced Graphics floater, which is based on your system’s capabilities. The colours used for avatars which are “Jelly Babied” for exceeding your Complexity setting have also been further toned down so that they are not quite so glaring.

However, a number of Avatar complexity issues still appear to be unresolved with this release, and which appear to be related to avatars with very high attachment byte sizes (the 4th value displayed over avatar heads by the viewer when showing Avatar Complexity information):

  • BUG-9962 – Avatars often permanently stuck as jelly babies even when Max complexity = No Limit
  • BUG-10401 – Blocked avatars are always fully rendered when imposters are disabled & other odd new behaviour with blocked avatars
  • BUG-10330 – Some avatars remain invisible until imposters are disabled.

Note: I’ve seen a couple of comments in some group IMs and elsewhere suggesting some people are under the impression this viewer should produce faster in-world rendering (presumably because of the”quick graphics” project title). This isn’t actually the case; however, and depending on variables outside of the Lab’s control, much improved rendering should be seen when using the project Azumarill viewer.

Be a part of the Lab’s Creepy Crawl for SL’s Halloween

Posted on by Inara Pey
The March 25th meet-up at Meauxle Bureaux
The March 25th meet-up at Meauxle Bureaux

The latest in the Lab’s renewed social meet-ups in-world with residents is currently in the planning stages. Given the time of year, the Lab have decided to mix the Halloween season into things and hold a “travelling meet-up”, as a blog post from Xiola about the “Creepy Crawl” explains:

A-haunting we will go! This year we’re going to take inworld meetups and Halloween shenanigans and mix them together for a frightful mashup of mind-blowingly fun times. But – we need your help to make it happen.

Are you interested in hosting a stop along our Second Life Creepy Crawl? We’re looking for spots that will have music, are appropriate for general and moderate audiences, and don’t mind having a few Lindens and Residents dropping in all at once to dance and hang out for a bit.

The return of the SS Galaxy to Second Life was marked by an impromptu get-together with Lab staff - now you can play host with your venue / location, as the next get-together takes to the road
The return of the SS Galaxy to Second Life was marked by an impromptu get-together with Lab staff – now you can play host with your venue / location, as the next get-together takes to the road

The date for the event will be – naturally enough – October 30th, 2015. The full details for those just wishing to hop along and join the fun will be announced in due course. However, for those who wish to offer their venue / place as a possible stop along the way, there are some simple instructions to follow, as Xiola goes on to explain:

  1. Make sure your place is listed in the Destination Guide – here’s how to submit.
  2. Hop over to this form and fill it out before October 20th – we’ll start selecting the venues after that!
  3. Keep an eye out for an email and/or notecard after the 20th to let you know if your venue was selected.

So, if you fancy hosting a little Linden Halloween fun, make sure you get your venue in the DG (if it isn’t already) and fill-out the application form.

Sabbian Paine at The Living Room in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Sabbian Paine - The Living Room
Sabbian Paine – The Living Room

Now open at The Living Room, the music and arts venue operated by Owl Dragonash and Daallee, is an exhibition of images by Sabbian Paine, entitled Quiet the Mind.

The exhibition is the first to take place in a newly refurbished Living Room, which has been redesigned by Daallee to present a very light, airy environment on the top three floors of the tower the venue occupies at Lagrange Point Spaceport. For his exhibit, Sabbian also recommended the local windlight, AM Radio’s Nostalgia, which gives the venue a very atmospheric yellow-gold tint.

Sabbian Paine - The Living Room
Sabbian Paine – The Living Room

Quiet of the Mind offers an intriguing mix of images which those familiar with Sabbian’s work will doubtless recognise and appreciate. Many are set within well-known locations across Second Life  and feature Sabbian or one of this alter-egos or models, centrally featured within the picture. Somme appear to be quite natural in setting, sitting at a canal side, standing on the sands of Sommergewitter, etc., while others are perhaps more surreal or present a unique interpretation of a familiar piece of art – as with Damaged People, which utilises pieces by Mistero Hifeng.

However, if there is one thing all of the pieces have in common, it is the power of the imagery created within them and the emotions they exude – hence the title of the exhibit. Nor are these emotions limited to those featured in the pictures; viewing some of them, it is hard not to feel a tumult of thought and emotions in response.

Sabbian Paine - The Living Room
Sabbian Paine – The Living Room

The emotive context is heightened on the upper floor of the gallery, where sits a sculpture by Groll Greggan, overlaid by a series of emotive terms and feelings we can encounter in our daily lives, some of which are again reflected in the pieces offered for our viewing pleasure.

Quiet the Mind will be open through until Tuesday, October 27th, when it will close with a further party at 18:00 SLT, with music by Anidi Huet.

Visitors to The Living Room can also enjoy the following events during October:

  • Wednesday 21st, 12:00 noon SLT: Plowwie’s Fall Line ~ Fashion show, featuring the music of Dango
  • Thursday, October 22nd – 17:00 Kevin Thomas; 18:00 The Vinnie Show.

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Hestium: where stories await in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Hestium; Inara Pey, October 2015, on Flickr Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

I’m fortunate to be able to count Boudicca Amat and her SL partner Anthony Wesburn as friends. Both are extremely talented, Anthony as a music lover and DJ with a focus on blues, jazz and rock, and Boudicca as both a storyteller and a gifted artist, as demonstrated by her Flickr stream.

As a storyteller, Boudicca presents readings in voice at Hestium, the home she shares with Anthony, and it was to Hestium that I found myself once again drawn after seeing it featured in the Lab’s Destination Guide Highlights.

Hestium; Inara Pey, October 2015, on Flickr Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

A visit to Hestium begins on the steps leading up to a small terrace café overlooking a beach of golden sand and the wide open sea. A chalk board offers a warm greeting to new arrivals and provides a note card with further information about the land – and it is well worth a read. The terrace offers the opportunity to sit and enjoy the view as well as providing access to both Hestium and to the neighbouring parcel, Willow’s Oasis, which is held by Patti Peregrine, aka Willow Amat, one of Boudicca’s oldest and closest friends. Like Hestium, it is open for visitors to explore.

Follow the sign welcoming you to Hestium, and you’ll find yourself on a board walk along which a slightly harried-looking server is hurrying towards the café terrace, laden with cake and refreshments. At the end of the board walk and a short walk along a grassy path, sits a little cottage surrounded by trees. This is the kitchen for the café, and within it an even more harried-looking baker is hard at work.

Hestium; Inara Pey, October 2015, on Flickr Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

The path continues onwards through the woods on the far side of the cottage, and will bring you by turn and bridge to Hestium itself, where there is much to discover.

This little township, sitting between high cliffs and split by a channel of water, suggests a place snuggled into the Mediterranean coastline somewhere. However, the mischievous raccoons running riot in places suggest an altogether different climatic location; thus we are free to imagine where – and when – Hestium might lie.

All the buildings here are open to visitors to explore, with the exception of the little cottage up on the hill just outside the township proper. This is Boudicca and Anthony’s home, and visitors are requested to respect their privacy. Also, note that in order to explore the library within the town, you’ll need to use the teleport system, otherwise the buildings are accessible on foot.

Hestium; Inara Pey, October 2015, on Flickr Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

A place of invisible inhabitants, Hestium offers clues as to who they might be, but it is up to visitors to discover these clues, some of which might be hidden away somewhere in the houses while some might be in plain sight. There are also clues to be found in the Hestium stories Flickr group.

However, why (and how) they have come to Hestium is something for visitors to decide: there is an open invitation for people to write their own stories about the various characters, and to add a photo of themselves as that character, together with a link to their story in the description, to the Flickr group.

For those who enjoy landscape photography, there is a second Flickr group where photos can be submitted, and these may include avatars as well as being landscape studies.

Willow's Oasis; Inara Pey, October 2015, on Flickr Willow’s Oasis (Flickr) – click any image for full size

With cuddle spots and places to sit scattered around, and Willow’s Oasis garden next door also awaiting exploration, a visit to Hestium is well worth the time. There are numerous places to sit and relax while exploring, be they on the beach, on the water, or amidst the trees. And there’s also that opportunity to add to the history of Hestium through the stories Flickr group; or you can join Boudicca for a storytelling session in voice every Monday and Wednesday at 15:30 SLT.

SLurl Details and Links