Month: April 2017

SL project updates 2017 13/2: server, viewer, Content Creation meeting

Posted on by Inara Pey

PeTOu – blog post

Server Deployments – Recap

  • There was no update to the Main (SLS) channel on Tuesday, March 28th.
  • On Wednesday, March 29th, the three RC channels received a new server maintenance package, primarily comprising a small update to asset metrics stats logging.

Week #14 (commencing Monday, April 3rd) should see a new RC update: “New estate setting allowing estate owners to override the parcel level allow public access settings”, which I assume will be awaiting a viewer-side update once deployed – but more on that next week.

SL Viewer

The new AssetHttp Project viewer,  version 5.0.4.324828, appeared on Thursday, March 30th. This contains code for handling the delivery of landmarks, wearables (system layer clothing and body parts), sounds and animations via HTTP and through the Content Delivery Networks the Lab leverages. I have a separate report on it available here, and Vir Linden – who has been leading the viewer-side work for the project – had this to say at the Content Creation User Group meeting on March 30th:

Outside of this, the various LL viewer channels remain as follows:

  • Current Release version: 5.0.3.324435, dated March 13th – snapshots to e-mail hotfix
  • Release channel cohorts:
    • Maintenance RC viewer version 5.0.4.324882 released on March 23rd – avatar rendering and other updates – overview
    • Voice RC viewer version 5.0.4.324770 released on March 20th – several improvements to voice
  • Project viewers:
    • Project Alex Ivy (LXIV), 64-bit project viewer updated to version 5.1.0.503537 on March 17th
    • 360-degree snapshot viewer updated to version 4.1.3.321712 on November 23rd, 2016 – ability to take 360-degree panoramic images – hands-on review
  • Obsolete platform viewer version 3.7.28.300847 dated May 8th, 2015 – provided for users on Windows XP and OS X versions below 10.7.

New Simulator Build Testing

DRTSIM-323 is the channel on Aditi (the beta grid) which is carrying the a new version of the simulator code using the Lab’s latest build of the server operating system. In includes the regions: Fire Ants, Bug Island and Mauve (again, these are on the beta grid). It’s still under test, and will remain that way for a while yet, although there is some limited testing occurring on the Snack channel on the main grid.

Content Creation Group Notes

Animation Transitions

Vir is still looking at the issue of animations becoming “stuck” between transitions when using  llSetAnimationOverride – an avatar freezing when it should transition from standing to walking, for example, or getting stuck in a pre- or post-jump mode (see  BUG-7488 as an example of the kind of problem). As llSetAnimationOverride is a server-side function, it would appear that something is going awry there, but pinning it down is proving difficult.

Mesh Upload Physics Type

This goes back to a very old Mesh beta (when mesh model support was being introduced to SL), and feature request CTS-571, and also related to BUG-40694. In sort, the original request was to allow the physics shape for an object to be set at upload time, rather than as is currently the case, after the upload. Allowing this is seen as a potential fix for a wide range of issues associated with mesh modelling, and could also overcome lot of the “failed to rez” inventory loss is due to the use of the lowest LOD auto-generated shape preventing a ray trace hit on the server-side when trying to place objects, as defined in BUG-40694.

While cautioning that changes to the mesh uploader aren’t currently on the roadmap, Vir listened to the discussion of the issues, and indicated he’d take a look at the upload and the problems, and possibly suggest a re-visit to the uploader might be in order depending on what he finds.

Object Permissions – Derivative Permission Discussion

Note that while the following was discussed during the Content Creation User Group meeting, it does not mean anything is about to be changed with the Second Life permissions system.

There have been a number of long-standing pricing issues with selling full permission items, such as kits to help people build content they can sell, or mesh templates for clothing and accessories which allow non-mesh modellers to enhance (via texturing, scripted options etc.) to enhance and then re-sell. So of these discussions can be seen as far back as with feature request SVC-2622.

Touching on these issues from the perspective of diminishing returns for creators of full permission kits and templates, Cathy Foil enquired whether a “derivative” permissions flag, similar to that seen within IMVU might be added to SL. This would still allow those wishing to sell full permission Copy, Modify, Transfer items to do so, but it would also allow kit and template makers to set the Derivative flag against a product (so it is Copy, Modify Derivative, for example).

This flag would allow others to buy the item, enhance it, resell it, etc., but with the caveat that the minimum they could re-sell it for would be the original purchase price. Thus, they would naturally be encouraged to sell it for more (with the potential for the original creator of the item effectively getting a “royalty” type payment of each item sold).

This sparked a lengthy discussion on a range of topics – such as adding derivative chains to the system (allowing all changes to an item by various resellers to be tracked), through the idea that such a system would encourage people to add value to the products they create using fell perm kits / templates in the knowledge their work would be rewarded, etc.

However, as Vir pointed out, changing the permissions system itself is complicated and not easy to update. Adding some kind of derivative tacking  system would as well makes any such update, even were it to be considered, vastly more complicated in scope. As such, it is not something the Lab is liable to consider.

Avastar,  MayaStar and Maya .ANIM Exporter

Avatar 2 is now at release candidate 7 for those with the product, MayaSatar has received an update covering bug-fixes and the like.

Aura Linden is still working on the .ANIM exporter for Maya (does not require MayaStar), but as she’s working on this in her own time, it’s taking a little longer than anticipated to finish off, having had to re-write the exporter using python rather than Maya’s own MEL scripting language.

The Poetry of the Planets in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Poetry of the Planets: Uranus – The Magician

Gustav Holst’s The Planets is perhaps one of the best-known suites of classical music; I doubt there are many reading these words who have not heard it at least in part. Notably, perhaps, thanks to Mars: Bringer of War and Jupiter: Bringer of Jollity (a movement from which is often used – possibly with Holst’s own posthumous disapproval – as the music for I Vow To Thee My Country).

Written between 1914 and 1916. Each movement of the suite is named after one of the seven major planets of the Solar System beyond Earth, and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst. The pieces are richly evocative and emotive – hence their popularity in modern western culture, and perfect for interpretation through many mediums – dance, theatre, film and musical re-arrangement.

Poetry of the Planets: the Teleport Temple

Holst’s Suite forms the focus for Caledonia Skytower’s Poetry of the Planets, which opened on Sunday, April 2nd, and runs through until the end of May. It offers a unique means ffor further interpreting Holst’s music – through the designs built by Caledonia, the music and our own words.

“Legend has it that the Ancient Gods of the Greeks have abandoned this realm, but evidence of their existence can be found above, in celestial spheres,” Cale explains. “These signs and symbols, both direct and abstract, are also reflected in Gustav Holst’s 1918 orchestral suite, The Planets, Op 32.”

Poetry of the Planets: Venus – Bringer of Peace

And thus, we are invited to take the teleport boards from Olympus Island, where a visit begins, and travel the spheres of Holst’s suite (Bringer of War and Bringer of Jollity – to use the original titles for each piece in the suite before the names of the planets were appended in 1918 – have yet to be added).

Within the spheres, scenes have been set which elegantly reflect the central theme of each piece, while a web link allows visitors to hear the associated piece from Holst’s suite via YouTube. Uranus, for example, offers a world of light and symbols, circles turn, runes glow, stars are born and fade mist hides and reveals – all emblematic of the arcane science of magic.

Meanwhile, Saturn offers a long winding patch that twists ever upward, passing windows in which a candle slowly burns. Steps along this winding path are in keeping with the doleful beat to The Bringer of Old Age, while the windows and the candle remind us of the passing of years, the slowness of progress up the hill a physical reminder of growing age until we reach the top – and?

Poetry of the Planets

As you explore these spheres and allow their mystique and the beauty of Holst’s music infuse you, you may well be moved to words and poetry – which is precisely the aim.

“Let your exploration of one or all of the planets inspire you to write a poem, Cale explains. “You need not be an experienced poet – all poems are welcome. You are even welcome to write a poem about Olympus Island itself.

“One poem a day will be featured here on the project blog,  In May, at the end of the project, there will be a reading event to share selections from the featured project poems.”

Poetry of the Planets: Neptune the Mystic

Dropboxes for poems can be found within each of the spheres, close to the landing point in each (where a blue sphere also offers a teleport back to the temple at ground level), and Cale points out that all rights to the poems submitted are retained by the poem’s author.

Poetry of the Planets is an inspired idea, bringing together fable, mysticism, music and words – and a wonderful means by which we can immerse ourselves in Holst’s suite. I look forward to a return visit to witness Bringer of War and Bringer of Jollity – and to trying my hand at writing a poem or two.

Poetry of the Planets will be open through until the end of May, as noted – and don’t forget to visit the resource centre while there.

SLurl Details

Mystery and magic with a twist of Chekhov at Seanchai Library

Posted on by Inara Pey

It’s time to kick-off another week of storytelling in Voice by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday, April 3rd 19:00: Enemy Mine

Gyro Muggins continues reading Barry B. Longyear’s novella which first appeared in a 1979 issue of Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, before becoming the basis of the of the 20th Century Fox film of the same name, starring Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett, Jr. This led to Longyear producing an expanded version of the story, written with David Gerrold.

In the midst of an interstellar war between humans and Dracs (a race of humanoid reptilians), Willis Davidge, a human fighter pilot, crashes on a hostile planet after a dogfight with a Drac – who is also forced down on the same planet.

The two initially continue their hostilities towards one another. But the planet proves so hostile that Davidge and the Drac, Jeriba Shigan (whom Davidge nicknames “Jerry”), are forced to join forces in order to ensure their survival. Then Davidge learns Jeriba is pregnant – Drac being entirely asexual …

Tuesday, April 4th 19:00: Of Mice and Magic

Faerie Maven-Pralou reads the first in the Ravenspell series by David Farland

More than anything, Benjamin Ravenspell wants a pet. But when he buys a mouse named Amber, he gets more than he bargained for. No sooner does Ben take her home, than Amber turns him into a mouse too.

You see, Amber has magical abilities, and it so happens that Ben is a familiar, a creature that stores magical energy. Together they each form half of a powerful wizard. Alone, they’re just vermin.

Soon Ben and Amber find themselves pitted in an epic battle against a magical enemy who is as crazed as he is evil, and the fate of the world will rest on them learning to work together.

Wednesday, April 5th

13:30: Hypergrid Safari visits EXPLORE Anton Chekhov & the Absurd

A special tour of Seanchai’s Explore the Arts installation focus on Anton Chekhov in Kitely  grid.kitely.com:8002:EXPLORESeanchai).

19:00: The Atrocity Archives Part 2

atrocity-archivesBob Howard is a low-level techie working for The Laundry, a super-secret government agency. While his colleagues are out saving the world, Bob’s under a desk restoring lost data. None of them receive any thanks for the jobs they do, but at least a techie doesn’t risk getting shot or eaten in the line of duty. Bob’s world is dull but safe, and that’s the way it should have stayed; but then he went and got Noticed.

Now, Bob Howard is up to his neck in spycraft, alternative universes, dimension-hopping Nazis, Middle Eastern terrorists, damsels in distress, ancient Lovecraftian horror and the end of the world.

Only one thing is certain: it will take more than control-alt-delete to sort this mess out…

Join Corwyn Allen as he resumes relating stories involving Charles Stross’ unlikely hero, Bob Howard.

Thursday, April 6th

19:00: The X-FILES – Trust No On

With Shandon Loring  and Caledonia Skytower (also presented in Kitely).

21:00 Seanchai Late Night

With Finn Zeddmore.

Please check with the Seanchai Library’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.

The featured charity for March April is Project Children, building peace in Ireland one child at a time.

Filling the Cauldron opens in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Filling the Cauldron — website — SLurl

Re-printed from the Filling the Cauldron blog.

Filling the Cauldron – our week-long fund-raiser between April 1st and April 9th, aiming to raise money to help Second Life creator Elicio Ember and his family -is NOW OPEN!!

Elicio Ember

Elicio is one of SL’s brilliant creators and a gifted artist. He’s known for his highly imaginative plants and fantasy designs provided through his Cerridwen’s Cauldron brand, and for his generous spirit and his involvement in charitable events such as Fantasy Faire.

Recently, Elicio’s father suffered a major stroke, leaving Elicio and his sisters facing significant and unexpected medical expenses after learning the insurance provided by his father’s employer does not provide cover for the care and rehabilitation he now needs. You can read more on his family’s situation in this letter from him to his friends.

So Filling the Cauldron is our chance to reflect Elicio’s huge heart and generous spirit by raising funds to help meet those medical expenses. We hope you’ll help us by feeding the donation kiosk here and those through the event area, and help to Fill the Cauldron with us!

And don’t forget! As well as the music and entertainment, we have more to see and do: there’s a marketplace with 20 creators, an art display, two auctions with some really fantastic items, a garden display – just follow the signs and use the Teleport HUD available for the givers on either side of this deck and take a look around – and be sure to come back through the week!

So what do we have to offer? A lot! Every day we’re inviting you to:

  • Come browse the marketplace and see what our merchants are offering, including special items with 100% of proceeds going to help Elicio and his family. Catch a list of our merchants.
  • See the silent auction boards and the fabulous items we have up for grabs, donated by some of the top talent in Second Life. See our full auction list.
  • Wander the art displays and revisit Elicio’s builds from the past and enjoy the art of noted Fantasy Faire photographers and our artists.
  • Hop to the Garden Design platform and view the creations by those who entered our Garden Design contest, then cast you vote for your favourite design!
  • Visit Cerridwen’s Corner and grab yourself some of Elicio’s fabulous designs and creations!
  • Join in with the dancing, singing and fun on our entertainment stage – see the day’s schedule below, and check the event calendar for more!

Take a look at the Saturday entertainment line-up

Everything is taking place at Hollykai Park (SLurl), generously donated for the event by Nber Medici and MarkTwain White of Hollywood Real Estate – so if you are looking to own land around the Blake Sea, with loads of opportunities for sailing, boating and flying – look them up!

To help you find your way around Filling the Cauldron, we have a series of teleport station where you can used map-based teleport, or you can claim a Filling the Cauldron telport HUD – which we recommend. The HUD will attach to your screen and ask to take teleport permissions – simply grant this, and then click the numbers on the HUD map to hop around all our locations – and even get to Cerridwen’s Cauldron – Elicio’s main store!

The Filling the Cauldron Teleport Maps – grab the HUD from the vendor under them (arrowed), and get around all the event locations even easier!

Our Merchants have been fabulously generous in providing goods for sale with 100% of proceeds going to the event – just look for the vendors with the FTC logo over them.

The FTC vendors – just look for the logo, and right-click PAY or BUY (depending on your viewer menu)

We’ll be talking more about merchants in the week – as we will about our artists as well, who have pulled together wonderful display of art celebrating Elicio’s work and Fantasy Faire, while John Brianna has generously donated a selection of his outstanding art for sale – all the pieces offered through Filling the Cauldron vendors, so 100% of all sales go to the cause!

There will also be posts about our line-up of entertainment through the week as well, and plenty of new about our auctions, which you are not going to want to miss.

So do drop by the event, keep an eye on this website and blog and do please help us to fill the cauldron for Elicio! Regular update on the amount donated will be given, and we’ll be publishing a breakdown of the totals after we close.

Event SLurls

Holly Kai Park is rated Moderate.