SL project updates 16 16/1: server, viewer

Netherwood; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Netherwoodblog post

Server Deployments

There are no scheduled deployments for week #16. The next deployment should be to the RC channels in week #17 (week commencing Monday, April 25th). This is liable to include at least one fix to help prevent simulator crashes.

SL Viewer Updates

Both of the current RC viewers were updated on Friday, April 15th.

The Maintenance RC, which includes fixes for crashes, memory leaks, input/cursor issues, graphics bugs. invisiprims, formatting, notifications and more, was updated to version 4.0.4.314012. See my notes on the invisiprim tweak here.

The Quick Graphics RC viewer, containing the new Avatar Complexity capabilities and the graphic presets support updated to version  4.0.4.313948.

Depending on the stats gathered on these versions, one of them might be updated to the de facto release viewer later in the week (although I’m guessing there may not be a promotion until week #17).

This leaves the complete list of official viewers as:

  • Current Release version: 4.0.3.312816 (dated March 23), April 1 – formerly the HTTP / Vixox RC viewer download page, release notes
  • TC viewers – as indicated above
  • Project viewers:
    • Project Bento (avatar skeleton extensions) updated to version 5.0.0.313876 on April 15 – an updated set of bones for the Bento skeleton.
    • Oculus Rift project viewer updated to version 3.7.18.295296 on October 13, 2015 – Oculus Rift DK2 support
  • Obsolete platform viewer version 3.7.28.300847 dated May 8, 2015 – provided for users on Windows XP and OS X versions below 10.7.

News is once again light at the start of the week. Expect more from the Bento and TPVD meetings at the end of the week 🙂 .

Earth Day and Lindens at Calas Galadhon, April 22

Calas Galadhon; Inara Pey, Feb 2016, on Flickr Calas Galadhon – click any image for full size

Update April 20th: Xiola has now blogged on this get-together.

Friday April 22nd marks Earth Day, when events are held all over the world in support of  environmental protection.

First held in 1970, Earth Day is now  marked in 193 countries around the world, and coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. This year, Earth Day will also be marked by the formal signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change, negotiated earlier in the year, is due to be signed by 120 nations.Earth-Day

I’ve had my little birds flitting around Second Life, and I’ve heard from one of them that to mark Earth Day in-world, the Lab is planning another Meet the Lindens event for Friday, April 22nd.

The get-together will take place, I understand from around 10:00 through until noon SLT at the marvellous Calas Galadhon Park.

For those who haven’t visited Calas Galadhon, it is a stunning vision of the outdoors, covering 10 regions, and as such is the ideal location in which to get together with staff from the Lab (and perhaps a few Moles). I understand – although this is subject to confirmation – the main Calas landing point will be used for the meet-up.

There hasn’t been an official blog post on the meet-up as yet, but I understand that Xiola will be producing one in the near future – so keep an eye on the official blog for the latest on the meet-up. I’ll be updating this article once Xiola has posted 🙂 .

Calas Galadhon; Inara Pey, Feb 2016, on Flickr Calas Galadhon

A rugged corner of the British Isles in Second Life

Devil's Point; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Devil’s Point – click any image for full size

Devil’s Point is a Homestead region designed by Zakk Lusch and They Ellisson under their Ellisson brand. It was recommended as a place I should visit by friend and colleague, Mr Stavaros Gracemount (Stavaros). Given Stavaros is no slouch himself when it comes to region design (see this article for more), I knew the recommendation would be more than worth following-up.

Oriented along an east-west alignment, Devil’s Point presents two rocky headlands split by the deep cut of a river. This emerges from underground close to the east side of the region before looping westward, gradually broadening between the craggy fingers of the headlands and forming a sandy cove as the ground on one side finally drops down to provide room for a house sitting on a paved terrace, a shop which is more than it seems and, behind them, a grassy knoll topped by an ancient henge.

Devil's Point; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Devil’s Point

The house and shop aren’t the only buildings to be found here; several more at scattered along the valley and atop the craggy plateaus of the headlands. One of these, on the east side of the region and nestled between rocky shoulders, is a country railway station, the track snaking past it north-to-south, vanishing into tunnels on either side. Just across the river from the station sits a little cottage – although reaching it requires a walk along an old cobbled path to a little stone bridge. This will actually take you  past a set of stone step leading the way up to another cottage, perched up on the rocks and which faces a windmill and two follies across the valley.

Designed to evoke a feeling of “the Old British Isles”, Devil’s Point certainly suggests it is a place perhaps sitting along the more rugged part of the Northumberland or Scottish coast. or maybe it faces out over the Atlantic from the Irish coast.

Devil's Point; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Devil’s Point

It’s also a place with a certain air of old mystery about it, perhaps mixed with a supernatural edge; an air somewhat heightened by the mist hugging the river valley. There’s the ancient henge, for example, which is mirrored by a circle of standing stone at the other end of the region, watched over by a small group of nearby deer. Down in the river valley, the tombstones in the little graveyard are carved with ancient runes, while on the other side of the river an ancient statue lies in repose amidst the grass and mist.

Which is not to suggest there is anything sinister here; Devil’s Point is mysterious, not sinister. It’s a place that invites the imagination to wander as much as the feet as you explore. Why was the old boat house down on the cove abandoned? Does the old-style thatched broom mounted above the door of the cottage near the station signify anything supernatural? And what about the robed and hood figure standing in the copse nearby, her face hidden behind a goats head mask? And what are we to make of the brewing going on a the “Apothecary’s” shop?

Devil's Point; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Devil’s Point

I’ve always enjoyed regions which offer the suggestion of stories to be discovered or created, and Devil’s Point is a place which does precisely this. It’s also a place that is very photogenic, lending itself perfectly to assorted Windlight options, this exercising both the eye and the imagination.

“This is the first sim I’ve opened,” Zakk told me as we chatted during my explorations. “and it’s great seeing playing coming and enjoying it.” Given the rugged beauty of the region, I sincerely hope it’s not the last design we see from him, and I have no hesitation in recommending at a place reads of these pages might like to visit.

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