Malal’s Autumn is a scenic Homestead region open to visitors and featured in the November 3rd 2017 Destination Guide Highlights. Designed by TeaRose and Dragon Rider (Dragon Walmer), it offers a perfect autumnal setting for those wishing to hold on to warmer times in the northern hemisphere, whilst also offering something of a promise of spring – golden hues notwithstanding – for those in the southern hemisphere looking forward to summer.
The heart of the region is a small built-up area with tea rooms, cafés and (non-commercial) premises. Bordered by water to the west and east, the centrepiece for this area is a cosy little tiled roof café, warm and homely looking among the flat-topped shops flanking it.
Travel north and west from the landing point, following the stone-paved paths, and you’ll come to open land, a little rugged in setting and overlooking a curved beach where surf boards are stacked and a little beach house sits on silts just beyond the surf. For those not into the beach experience, a game of chess is available on the grassland above, waiting for players to indulge themselves.
North of the little precinct of shops and reached via an archway spanning the footpath, is an open paved area with a cosy little lounge at its northern end, offering sofas for sitting and books for reading. The paved area offers further views out over the waters west, east and north, complete with views back over the region’s landscape.
To the east, the region breaks up into a pair of smaller islands, rugged in nature and the home of ancient ruins. A viaduct runs over the waters to grassy headland to the south-east, where a barn and various table games can be found on a third island, offering the chance for those who feel in the mood to pass a little time in friendly competition. Across a covered bridge from here is a small house, linked back to the shops and cafés by a paved footpath, and again presenting a cosy spot in which to spend time.
All of this is very well done, although there are one or two little edges that need smoothing here and there – walls with gaps under them, or buildings floating a little above the uneven terrain. At the time of our visit both TeaRose and Dragon Rider were working on the region, so hopefully these will be dealt with, ant they didn’t intrude enough to spoil the overall look and feel of the region.
All of this leads me to what is – for me at least – the most attractive part of the region: the walled garden sitting between shops and islands on the north side of the region, and linked to both by bridges. This is home to a Victorian style orangery outfitted as a coffee-house, with indoor and outdoor seating. The garden itself has been allowed to grow a little wild, the grass approaching knee-length, but with a mossy path running through it from the orangery to a folly, while the trees within the walls are strung with lights. It’s an eye-catching and delightful retreat, and I especially liked the setting and the way the trees and shrubs have been used to break up what might otherwise be an overbearing presence of brick walls.
Music also plays a role through the region, with pianos and guitar offering a range of classic and popular pieces at various points as you explore. So it’s worthwhile exploring with local sound enabled to appreciate both this and the sound scape for the region.
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 home at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise indicated.
Sunday, November 5th 13:30: Tea Time at Baker Street
The pages of The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, the final set of twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories first published in the Strand Magazine between October 1921 and April 1927, are once again opened for another tale from the diaries of Dr. John Watson…
This week: The Adventure of the Retired Colourman
Holmes is rather busy with a case, so when retired art supply dealer Josiah Amberley asks for his assistance in tracking down his wife, who has apparently run off with her lover, one Doctor Ray Ernest, taking with her a large about of Amberley’s securities and cash, Holmes asks Watson to take care of the preliminaries by going to Lewisham, where the Amberleys live, to see what he can find out.
Watson does as his friend requests, and finds out a few interesting things that pique Holmes’ curiosity. The first is that for a man upset about his wife apparently stealing his valuables in order to make off with her lover, Josiah Amberley seems remarkably intent on painting the interior. It also appears that someone else has an interest in the Amberley household; none other than Holmes’ rival in the art of private investigation, Barker. Digging a little further into matters, Holmes finds that Barker has been hired by Dr. Ernest’s family to investigate his disappearance. This and other facts Watson has uncovered lead Holmes to suspect what may have happened, and thus a ruse is set-up so he might have time to investigate the Amberley house himself…
To find out more, be sure to turn up on time for a spot of afternoon tea at Baker Street!
Monday, November 6th 19:00: Reckoning Infinity
Gyro Muggins reads John E. Stith’s alien first contact story, once described as “Rendezvous with Rama meets James and the Giant Peach“!
Lieutenant Commander Alis Mary Nussem, her body partially bionic, isn’t to happy about finding herself aboard the same space vessel as the man she deems responsible for the accident which robbed her of a part of her natural body. However, she must put aside her differences with scientist Karl Stanton when a massive object enters the solar system, apparently on course to be swallowed by the Sun – but not before it will collide with a space station in Earth orbit.
Ordered to investigate the object, which is as large as a moon and quickly given the name “Cantaloupe,” Nussem, Stanton and the crew of their ship rendezvous with it, only to find they are not the first: the wreck of another vessel lies on the surface, a hole drilled into the object close by. The only means of entry to the Cantaloupe, Nussem and Stanton lead a team down through it – to make a stunning discovery.
Like Nussem, Cantaloupe is an bio-mechanical entity. It is alive, but it’s interior also have pipes, elevators chambers and more within. But it is also a place of danger – as Nussem and her also companions quickly discover – some to their cost. It’s also a place of unexpected surprises, as the crew’s biggest discovery proves…
Also presented in Kitely hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/108/609/1528.
Tuesday, November 7th, 19:00: Back to Callahans
Corwyn Allen reads Spider Robinson’s 1999 anthology.
The titular saloon is a haven for lost souls; a place where the patrons come for one drink and a chance for a second – but only if they offer an unburdening toast at the fireplace. Mike Callahan, the owner, never judges but sometimes advises in as few words as possible.
The stories in the volume are:
The Guy with the Eyes.
The Time-Traveler.
The Centipede’s Dilemma.
Two Heads Are Better Than One.
The Law of Conservation of Pain.
Just Dessert.
A Voice is Heard in Ramah…
Unnatural Causes.
The Wonderful Conspiracy.
Wednesday, November 8th, 19:00: Closed
Seanchai Library will take a break from the recent Halloween festivities and remain dark for the night.
Thursday, November 9th 19:00: Great Expectations
Humble, orphaned Pip is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but dares to dream of becoming a gentleman — and one day, under sudden and enigmatic circumstances, he finds himself in possession of “great expectations.”
In this gripping tale of crime and guilt, revenge and reward, the compelling characters include Magwitch, the fearful and fearsome convict; Estella, whose beauty is excelled only by her haughtiness; and the embittered Miss Havisham, an eccentric jilted bride.
Join Shadon Loring as he reads this classic tale in the run-up to the opening of Seanchai Library’s seasonal Dickens Project events, which launch at the end of November. Also presented in Kitely (hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/108/609/1528).
Please check with the Seanchai Library’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.
The featured charity for August and September is Little Kids Rock, transforming lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in schools.
The latest ensemble exhibition at the gallery at La Maison d’Aneli, curated by Aneli Abeyante opened on October 25th. It offers an eclectic mix of five artists and their work: Xirana Oximoxi, Vangogh Rembranch, Kaijah Chrome, Morlita Quan and Theda Tammas.
The exhibition is split between the two levels of the gallery. The upper level, featuring the foyer area and a tribute to Holala Alter, is a 3D is an untitled piece by Theda Tammas. Across the hall is a larger display mixing 2D and 3D works by Xirana Oximoxi examining the situation between Catalonia and the central Spanish government.
Social media in particular helped bring the realities of referendum day in particular to the rest of the world, at a time when much of Spain’s own media appeared to be turning a blind eye on the sheer brutality of the official response to the those attempting to vote, and this forms a focus of the exhibit. True, the referendum had been declared “illegal” by the central government, and both sides were guilty of heavy-handed posturing in the run-up to the vote. However, none of this justified the levels of violence unleashed by well-armed, well-protected police.
This is powerful central exhibit. Not only does it remind us how art can offer commentary on politics and events, but which also serves as a reminder that in a time when much of the main stream media is under attack for being purveyors of so-called “fake news”, just how important it is for our news services not to become the vassals of political desire.
The lower level of the gallery presents a primary exhibit are featuring Morlita Quan’s organic geometric art, with 2D pieces focused around a central tree. Alongside of this is a hall featuring painting by the intriguingly named Vangogh Rembranch, and more “traditional” Second Life focused art by Kaijah Chrome.
All three make for intriguing exhibits, Vangogh’s in particular forming – for me – a first time introduction to his work. Kaijah’s, meanwhile, offers a Halloween setting for this work – which should not be taken to mean the art itself is Halloween themed.
I tend to enjoy ensemble exhibitions, and the five artists on display at La Maison d’Aneli all present unique approaches to art and expression, making this a particularly interesting visit.
People arrive on foot, by bus, by … flying saucer … to attend the Friday November 3rd Product Meeting
The following notes are taken from the Sansar Product Meetings held on Friday, November 3rd. These meetings are usually held every Friday at 9:30am PDT and 4:00pm PDT, and are open to all. There is currently no set agenda, and the meetings are a mix of voice and text. The official meeting notes are published in the week following each pair of meetings, while venues change on a weekly basis, and are announced in the Meet-up Announcements.
The October 26th meetings took place at The Diner by C3rb3rus. Product team members Cara and Boden spoke at the morning and afternoon sessions respectively. Jenn, as usual, led proceedings.
Friends Release
The Friends release arrived on Tuesday, October 31st – see my overview for more, and a patch for the release was issued on November 2nd, fixing a number of issues – see the release notes for more on this.
Desktop Mode: Identifying Avatars
The ability to hover the mouse over an avatar to see the name and ID (then left-click for Friend / mute / Remove as friend options) when in Desktop mode was a major element in the release. However some have reported that this doesn’t always work, and it has been reported as an issue.
One way to resolve the issue is to go to the My Looks app (top right of the client window) and then straight back to the experience.
Additional options have been requested for the avatar mouse over options, such as being able to open an IM in both Desktop and VR modes. These have been forwarded to the developers.
Some have requested this be made a toggle feature via More Options > Settings in the UI.
Attachments Rotation / Breakage Issue
A change in the Friends release resulted in rotation / breakage on some attachments made using workarounds to handle rotation (so an affected item no longer appears in the correct location when worn), requiring them to be manually fixed and re-uploaded. However, as some of the items exceed the recently introduce size limitation for attachments (1m x 1m x 1m), uploading them is no longer possible. This has given further consideration to re-visiting the currently enforced limitations with a view to possibly relaxing them at some point.
Store Release and General Store Discussion
While the focus has been on the Friends release and the mid-December Fashion release (see here and here for more), there is still the November end-of-month release still to come. This will be the Store release, which as the name implies, focuses primarily on the Sansar Store. This release is still being finalised, and details will be made available nearer to the planned release date.
Updating items: the content breakage issue mentioned above has helped push the ability for designers to offer updates to their items further up the priorities list.
Licensing models: numerous ideas on potential licensing / pricing models for goods in Sansar were discussed. For example: operating a multiple-price system for items based on intended / licensed use – so a version of a item intended for “single instance / non-public / non-Atlas listed” use would have a one (lower) price point; while the same object intended for “commercial (re-sale?) / public” use has a higher price point. Such ideas bring with them numerous issues:
As an experience is a URL which can be used anywhere, how do you determine “non-public” over “public” use, as the Atlas is not the sole means of surfacing an experience?
Such an approach also seems to run contrary to the supply chain ecosystem wherein designers receive payment based on the onward sale of their goods in other creations, rather than a single “up front” large payment for use of their item.
Ability to run flash sales / better linkage between goods and stores: both of these points are being looked at by the Lab, with the emphasis currently on the latter: making the identification on items, designers and store more direct.
This also spills over into the improving listing updates and automating the listing process. For example, that when creating a listing for a ring, the system recognises it is intended for the “hand” attachment and lists it as such.
Demos: A concern among those familiar with the SL Marketplace is that Sansar avoids the need to have individual listings for demos of items.
A suggestion for handling attachments and clothing would be to include an ability to have the avatar wear the item in the Character app (My Looks), either in the client (which has a risk of exposing the .FBX file of the item) or implementing part of the Character app so it can be used within the Sansar Store for previewing items.
It is likely more than one means of handling demos will be required, depending on the item, and Boden acknowledged this is something the Lab is aware of and considering.
Events Update
A new events feature was due to be part of the Friends release, but late breaking issues pushed it into a separate update due to arrive soon. Key points with this feature are:
Ability to send an e-mail to the Lab promoting an event. Once available, e-mails should be sent at least a week in advance of an event so as to be curated and added in time, as this will initially be a manual process.
The inclusion of the times and locations of daily community meet-ups and the weekly Product Meetings, as other Lab-led events.
It is intended to help people find out what is going on in Sansar.
It will initially be a part of the web Atlas to start with, and then grown from there.
Fashion Focus Group
Alongside of the Fashion release there will be a special focus / “alpha” group, which will comprise designers specifically invited to join it to help give input / feedback on the fashion tools / capabilities, and which will likely be subject to NDA, due to the proprietary nature of some of the software.
Sansar Learning Curve and Tutorials
Some are already finding Sansar difficult to get to grips with, and requests have been made for things like tool tips in the various UI apps, some form overview of controls and options built-in to the client, etc. An on-boarding process has been discussed at the Lab, but this appears to have been pushed back as other features – such as a fashion – have been prioritised.
One suggestion to help with on-boarding, seen as short-term, would be to have YouTube / Vimeo videos explaining aspects of Sansar (the return of Torley’s TuTORials?!). There are already videos being added to the Knowledge Base, and this is likely to be expanded.
Creator Academy and Hall of Materials
One learning resource that the Sansar team is working on is a showcase Creator Academy within Sansar itself. This will feature, for example, an upcoming Sansar Studios experience called Hall of Materials, displaying objects with different settings in action on different materials so that creators can see and experience, rather than just read about, how the materials editor works inside Sansar.
Avatar Sitting and Avatar Animations
Avatar Sitting
Adding the ability for avatars in Sansar to sit is more difficult than might be appreciated, as per Bjørn’s comments from a previous Product Meeting, which commence around the 2:10 mark in the audio below. However, it is on the roadmap for implementation, possibly in 2018. Pending this, Galen has put forward a request for attaching standing avatars to objects, to prevent them from falling off (say, if the vehicle is inverted), and to free-up the WASD / arrow keys for vehicle movement, etc.
Animating Avatars
VR adds complexity to animating avatars in other ways. Take dancing for example: should this purely be a matter of running a set of pre-defined animations (scripted via an object, or played directly against the avatar) in a manner akin to Second Life, or should it also allow for IK control through the VR controllers? Would people even want to use VR for things like dancing, or be more content with allowing pre-defined animation sets move their avatar (again, as per SL)?
If using a combination, how is it determined what is controlled just by animations, what is purely controlled by the VR controllers, etc. How do these then relate to the Sansar animation engine, so that facial expressions, lip and mouth movements when using voice, etc., are still accurately played without possible conflicts?
These are all questions the Lab is considering, together with how to allow avatars to be more expressively emotive through facial expressions. Should this be done through some kind of HUD system (if enabled in Sansar) or via the selection of a happy / smiley / frowny face via My Looks (clunky, but workable), or some other means?
A refreshing point here is that the Lab is not looking at VR to solve these issues (e.g. reliance on facial tracking to reflect facial movements / expressions), but is looking at options which encompass users with or without VR systems at their disposal. There is also a recognition that many people derive satisfaction from simply watching their avatar engage in something like dancing without necessarily having to directly manipulate it while it is doings so.
The updated official viewer splash screen for general users (i.e. not first-time log-in)
The following notes are taken from the TPV Developer meeting held on Friday, November 3rd 2017. The video of that meeting is embedded at the end of this update, my thanks as always to North for recording and providing it.
SL Viewer
The Voice RC viewer has one remaining significant bug, which causes some of those on the Windows version of the viewer to connect to the wrong voice channel, which is preventing this viewer progressing further.
The 64-bit Alex Ivy RC viewer updated to version 5.1.0.510354 on November 2nd, 2017. Overall, this viewer is described as doing “really well”, although there are still crash issues with it. These are most noticeable with people on 32-bit Windows systems (those on 64-bit versions of Windows running the 64-bit version of the viewer are experiencing far fewer crashes).
The latest update should correct issues with the viewer’s updater, and it is likely more users will be added to the RC cohort usage pool before this viewer is promoted to release status.
Work is once again proceeding with the 360-snapshot viewer, with improvements to image quality and processing speed, and a new update should be appearing soon. The Lab is also working on a new means to upload 360 snapshots from the viewer to SL Place pages.
Inventory UDP Messaging
Work has started in deprecating all UDP inventory messaging. This is not progressing “super fast”, as it is being progressed alongside other work, and the projected end date is some time “fairly soon” after the end-of-year holidays, when back-end support for the UDP messaging will be turned off. This means that any active viewers still using the UDP inventory handling routes should be making the move to HTTP.
No Change Windows
With the end-of-year holiday season approaching, the Lab is looking at dates for no change windows – periods when they will not be making and simulator or viewer releases, and would prefer to see TPVs do the same.
The first of these periods will be the US Thanksgiving holiday period, when a no change period is liable to be enforced from Wednesday, November 22nd, with the all-clear on Monday, November 27th (subject to formal confirmation). The Christmas no change window is still TBD, but will likely be from at least Friday, December 22nd through until shortly after the new year.
Other Items
Resource Usage tools
Chalice Yao has proposed a feature to the Firestorm team to allow users better understand the resources they are using, both through their avatar’s VRAM usage and the VRAM, triangles and vertices for any selected object (see FIRE-21793). As the Lab is currently working on amending how rendering cost calculations, a more detailed discussion on these ideas has been tabled for the next TPV Developer meeting, on Friday, November 17th.
Firestorm Release
The next Firestorm release has been delayed of late, but recently entered beta testing, with the aim of it appearing before the end of the year. When it arrives, I’ll have me usual overview of significant updates, but Beq Janus recently blogged about a couple of updates she has contributed to the release, and the Lab have indicated their own interest in possibly adopting the updates, if contributed.
Second Life Minimum System Requirements
It has been noted that the specified minimum system requirements for Second life may be out-of-date (see BUG-139301), and this may be exacerbated with the Alex Ivy viewer. It’s likely that the specifications will be looked at again.
November is National Diabetes Month in the United States, a time when the American Diabetes Association (ADA) draws attention to diabetes awareness, prevention, treatment and support mechanisms available to diabetes sufferers and their families.
In support of this, Team Diabetes of Second Life are marking the month with a number of fund-raising and informational events, as announced in a November 3rd press release.
The Red Hunt, November 1st through 30th – an open hunt, meaning you do not have to start in any order. All items are 10 lindens, with 100% proceeds going to Team Diabetes of Second Life. Refer to the Red Hunt web page for more information, including participating stores and SLurls.
The Red Fling, November 1st through 30th – stores throughout Second Life each have 1 item that is in a red vendor and offered for sale with 100% of the proceeds going to Team Diabetes of Second Life.
Live Healthy Tips – distributed via Kultivate Magazine’s in-world groups and the Team Diabetes website, through until the end of November.
The Red Ball and Art Exhibition, November 12th – an art exhibition and ball with live performers over two hours, together with fund-raising. Details to follow on the Team Diabetes website.
In addition, November 14th in National Diabetes Day in the USA, and throughout the month, Team Diabetes of SL are giving away a free National Diabetes information pack through their in-world office at Nonprofit Commons. The pack includes information on diabetes awareness, prevention and treatment from the American Diabetes Association, and goodies for Second Life avatars!
About the American Diabetes Association
Established in 1940, the American Diabetes Association is working to both prevent and cure diabetes in all it forms, and to help improve the lives of all those affected by diabetes. It does this by providing objective and credible information and resources about diabetes to communities, and funding research into ways and means of both managing and curing the illness. In addition, the Association gives voice to those denied their rights as a consequence of being affected by diabetes.
About Team Diabetes of Second life
Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorised fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association in Second Life. Established with the aim of raising funds in support of diabetes treatment and to raise awareness of the disease in SL, Team Diabetes of Second Life was founded by Jessi2009 Warrhol and John Brianna (Johannes1977 Resident), and is served by an advisory board comprising Eleseren Brianna, Jessi2009 Warrhol, Sandie Loxingly, Rob Fenwitch, and Dawnbeam Dreamscape, with Saiyge Lotus serving as a special advisor. Events Co-coordinator (with John Brianna) is Veruca Tammas.
Malal’s Autumn – click any image for full size
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 