Month: March 2025

March 2025 SL Web User Group: web site refreshes, Project Zero and Mobile

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Web User Group meeting venue, Denby
The following notes cover the key points from the Web User Group (WUG) meeting, held on Wednesday March 5th, 2025. These notes form a summary of the items discussed and is not intended to be a full transcript.

A video of the meeting, recorded by Pantera Północy, is embedded at the end of this summary, with sections of this summary times stamped to the relevant points in the video for those wishing to refer to the audio. My thanks as always to Pantera for recording it and making it available.

 Table of Contents

Meeting Overview

  • The Web User Group exists to provide an opportunity for discussion on Second Life web properties and their related functionalities / features. This includes, but is not limited to: the Marketplace, pages surfaced through the secondlife.com dashboard; the available portals (land, support, etc), and the forums.
  • As a rule, these meetings are conducted:
    • On the first Wednesday of the month and 14:00 SLT.
    • In both Voice and text.
    • At this location.
  • Meetings are open to anyone with a concern / interest in the above topics, and form one of a series of regular / semi-regular User Group meetings conducted by Linden Lab.
  • Dates and times of all current meetings can be found on the Second Life Public Calendar, and descriptions of meetings are defined on the SL wiki.

MFA Enabled across Web Property Log-ins

[Video: 2:56-3:14]

  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now enabled for all Second Life web properties.
  • Those with MFA logging-in to the majority of SL web properties (e.g. the dashboard, Marketplace, Project Zero, the Destination Guide, etc.,), will be asked to supply a token from an appropriate authenticator the next time their current token expires.
  • As with the viewer, tokens will generally be valid for 30 days, the exception being should you clear cookies from your browser, in which case you will also have to supply a new token on logging in.
Those with MFA enabled on their account will now see an MFA token request when logging in to the majority of SL web properties (which includes Project Zero) for the first time OR after clearing browser cookies will be asked to present a authentication token – which should now remain valid for the 30-day period / until the site cookies are cleared (whichever comes first)
  • This work should harmonise logging-in across most of the popular SL websites.

What Next? Page Refresh

[Video: 3:15-3:38]

  • The What Next page, accessible via the Dashboard menu has been refreshed.
  • The new look include new tabbed sections, more relevant video, and the style in keeping with the overall web properties style refresh.
  • However: at the time of writing, the Destination Guide – present under the drop-down previously available when hovering the mouse over the What Next? menu option – is absent from the page.
  • This means that currently, the Guide can be accessed using its dedicated URL – https://secondlife.com/destinations.
  • This prompted a discussion later in the meeting on where the Destination Guide should go – e.g. as its own menu item.
The refreshed What Next? page as accessed from the dashboard

Viewer Download Page Refresh

[Video: 3:15-4:03]

  • The viewer download page has been updated to the new Dark Theme, and includes a refreshed look which now includes links to the SL Mobile viewer pages on the Apple Store and Google play.
The updated viewer / SL mobile download page

Marketplace

[Video: 4:09-7:25]

  • Responsive product listing pages were enabled on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.
    • This should mean product listings should be displayed in a responsive manner, depending on whether you are viewing them on a large monitor or Tablet / Mobile device.
    • Not all of the Marketplace is responsive as yet, so expect this to be an iterative implementation.
  • The Marketplace legacy pay-out page has been “put back”, and work has been carried out some optimisations to the Account History page, with more to come.
  • Coming Soon: Improvements to the Mobile / Tablet versions of MP Search, which are “pretty stripped down” at present.
    • This is being actively worked on, and the iteration of further responsive MP pages will come after this work has been completed.
    • The approach is to start making “small, incremental improvements to your Marketplace lives.”

Project Zero and SL Mobile

[Video: 28:00-46:13]

Note: Project Zero is the code name for the viewer-in-a-browser experience:

Project Zero

  • Numbers able to access the service are still limited, with the priority (for want of a better term) being given to users signing-up to Second Life over existing users.
    • If the service is running at capacity, the “endlessly spinning” loading circle should now eventually time-out and display the message below.
The number of existing users able to access Project Zero is limited in favour of users signing-up to SL, so the above message might be frequently encountered.
    • Whilst the number of concurrent users able to use Zero is low, when combined with the session limit and the fact the service s available 24/7 it should still mean that “several thousand” users per day are be able to access it.
    • The ratio of slots for existing users and those for new users is also subject to adjustment up and down.
  • LL are curious as to why existing people are using the viewer in a browser and the type of device being used. Those at the meeting responded in terms of:
    • Curiosity, better performance than on their own machines, testing (including trying it on different devices), logging-in via a tablet device to offer support to customers.
    • Devices used ranged from desktop PC through laptops to tablets + mobile devices(!).
  • Feedback on experience varied in feedback:  avatar loading was seen as better; region crossings / teleports (and associated failures) were seen as about the same for some, improved in terms of success for others.
  • The fact that many appear to be using Zero from a tablet seems to have surprised LL, with Sntax Linden (project lead) curious as to how people were managing sans and UI overlay (in my case, multi-channel wireless keyboard and trackball both switched to BT mode and linked to tablet).
  • Feedback was also taken on whether people would prefer using Project Zero over the Desktop experience (screen resolution, etc., adjusted). Responses were varied.

SL Mobile

  • The Lobby function has been extended to Premium Plus subscribers and to (some? iterative deployment?) Premium members.
    • Lobby appears to be included with iOS version 0.1.534 and Android version 2025.2.543.
  • Requests have been made to be able to simultaneously log-in to SL Mobile whilst also being logged-in to the viewer (and vice-versa).
    • This is something for which LL has an awareness, and the Lobby function is seen as a possible first step towards it by allowing communications ,etc., to occur prior to the world loading-in.
    • However, overall, making it possible to be logged-in from both Mobile and the viewer simultaneously does have some significant technical challenges, due to the way client / simulator interactions are managed. For example, a client must have an avatar physically present in SL in order for chat, IMs, etc., to work, and the system doesn’t support having an avatar effectively in-world twice.
  • Philip Rosedale asked for people’s preferences for SL Mobile, if they are only given a binary choice, either:
    • Have SL Mobile fully render the 3D world and use it to interact with the world through it much as they would with the viewer? Or:
    • Have it as a “communications companion” with chat, IMs, Groups, etc., prioritised and without the associated world rendering etc (e.g. pretty much as the iOS Mobile project had originally been initiated under Oz Linden)?
    • Those at the meeting, while a small sample, leaned towards the latter (rather ironically, given that during the development of the iOS Mobile option, there were multiple calls for it to offer world rendering as a priority in order to be useful).
  • As an extension to the above conversation, some at the meeting indicated they’d actually prefer some means of chatting / responding to IMs via their account dashboard.
    • As per the notes regarding being simultaneously logged-in via Mobile and the viewer, whilst the Lab are aware of the desire for a web-to-in-world chat capability, it would require a substantial re-engineering effort given chat + IM communications are predicated on the avatar being logged-in to a location in SL.

In Brief

Please refer to the video for details on the following.

  • [Video: 7:30-9:18] Marketplace Styles (aka variants):
    • Styles is the ability to list multiple versions of a single items in a single Marketplace Listing (e.g. different colour versions of the same sweater, together with a demo and any fatpack (if offered)).
    • As I’ve previously noted, this was reported as something planned for deployment at that start of 2023, but has since seemingly fallen off the table.
    • Kali Linden indicated that the Web Team still want to implement Styles, but the work essentially lost its management sponsor before it could be seen as completely ready for deployment.
    • Threfore more the subject is mentioned, the more likely it is to receive the necessary management support – this being the case: Brad, Grumpity, whomever! give us Styles on the MP! 😀 .
    • Also, if you would like to see the capability implemented on the MP, upvote the feature request.
  • [Video 10:00-11:47] maps.secondlife.com:
  • [Video: 15:42-20:20] A general discussion on on things like style cards, lists of items, etc., new starters can get to assist them in customising / clothing their avatars.
    • This included the idea of the Lab providing a “Starter Pack” that could include things like a basic AO, leading to a broader discussion on the use of AO, their availability and importance to news users, the weakness of the Senra wearable AO system, building the AO system into the viewer, etc.
    • No conclusions drawn.
  • [Video: 20:34-25:56] General discussion on web properties and issues / possible updates, including:
    • The status of Place Pages (in short: a means to promote in-world locations user have created, introduced in 2017 as a “beta”,  then launched shortly thereafter – and basically left to wither on the vine.
    • (Again) aligning maps.secondlife.com functionality with that seen within the in-viewer World map.
    • Giving the dashboard page (and associated pages – transaction history, etc.) a broader facelift. Kali indicated this requires the input of two teams, and will likely be a longer-term top-to-toe redesign.
    • Reducing the amount of sub-menu nesting evident in some web properties.
  • The last 15-ish minutes of the meeting (approx: 47:00 onwards) formed a more general conversation on MP reviews (particularly “bad” reviews), dashboard chat capabilities and what else might be possible, such as making notecards viewable without being logged-in – which led to mention of having Inventory accessible through the web), search the MP via date ranges, etc.
    • Kali notes that a feature request to add the date listed (/updated) added to an item’s listing has been accepted, and will likely be implemented (see also the Chrome Marketplace Enhancer extension).
    • Adding a tab to listing where creators can drop their log files / update notes into a listing.

Next Meeting

  • Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025.

Cherishville’s spring in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Cherishville – Spring, March 2025 – click any image for full size

It was off back to Lam Erin’s Cherishville for me (in between growling at the PC, which decided to start playing up on me), to see what had come forth for the coming of spring.

The work of Lam and his SL partner, Azaria (AmariahRenee), the setting once again contains some echoes from past setting there, helping to give that sense of continuity, whilst also presenting something entire new and – as usual – photogenic.

Cherishville – Spring, March 2025

That sense of familiarity is felt immediately on arrival:  once again, the Landing Point for the setting sits at one end of a road running before a row of houses, a road which form a T-junction at the one end and which turns sharply right at the other; only this street is cobbled, rather than paved, giving it something of a rural feel, something further trees and flowers facing the houses.

A further hint that this iteration of the region represents an earlier time that what has come before can be found in the saloon car parked at the end of the street, just before the road makes its right turn to the south.

Cherishville – Spring, March 2025

Behind the row of houses sits a large lake, which takes up the middle are of the region. Rather than gardens or yards, the houses share a common terrace reaching out to the water, complete with docks for rowing boats and kayaks.

Whilst plentiful in number, these water craft appear to be for décor and sitting rather than taking out on the lake – which is fortunate, as the waters are the home to swans, with some of them nesting (together with ducks to one side of the lake).

Cherishville – Spring, March 2025

Aside form the road passing around the lake on its west side, much of the land surround the lake continues the rural, almost pastoral theme; sheep graze, trees and flower bloom, streams and brooks bubble.

Winding through a good part of the scene, the road provides access to houses and cottages on the southern side of the lake, which they can look across from a slightly elevated position, one of them offered s a farmhouse with pigs, goats and chicken.

Cherishville – Spring, March 2025

There’s no indication as to where in the world this iteration of Cherishville might be – not that this is important – but the large semi-fortified house on the east side of the region and again overlooking the lake did, for whatever reason, suggest Scotland to me – possibly helped by the off-region mountainous surrounds. This large house is a new(ish) release from Marcthur Goosson, and appears to combine elements of some of his previous designs (notably the MA MAISON Medieval Cottage and the Castle Gate Tower BARREZ, medieval style building) to present a large and engaging structure.

Whilst the fortified house is unfurnished, most of the rest are complete with furniture and décor, offering opportunities to peek inside them and perhaps take a seat as an alternative to the seats, boats and benches found outside.

Cherishville – Spring, March 2025

Cherishville always tends to be be attractive – if with the occasion niggle with floating elements – but this iteration has the feeling of going beyond in the way the palette of colours from sky to scenery to buildings has be brought together as a whole. In this the use of PBR helps as well, the materials providing a sense of added depth to things like the exposed rock alongside the shoreline of the lake.

The simplicity of the setting, coupled with its natural beauty means that detailed descriptions really are not required; the region speaks clearly for itself.  With this in mind, I’m going to shut up here and encourage you to go see for yourself!

Cherishville – Spring, March 2025

SLURL Details

2025 week #10: SL SUG meeting: Lua(u) Aditi testing

Posted on by Inara Pey
Ruehaven Village, January 2025 – blog post

The following notes were taken from the Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 Simulator User Group (SUG) meeting. They form a summary of the items discussed, and are not intended to be a full transcript, and were taken from Pantera’s video of the meeting, which is embedded at the end – my thanks to her for providing it.

Meeting Overview

  • The Simulator User Group (also referred to by its older name of Server User Group) exists to provide an opportunity for discussion about simulator technology, bugs, and feature ideas.
  • These meetings are conducted (as a rule):
  • Meetings are open to anyone with a concern / interest in the above topics, and form one of a series of regular / semi-regular User Group meetings conducted by Linden Lab.
  • Dates and times of all current meetings can be found on the Second Life Public Calendar, and descriptions of meetings are defined on the SL wiki.

Simulator Deployments

  • On Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, the SLS Main channel was restarted without anu deployment.
  • On Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, the Carrot Cake update should be deployed to all RC channels. This includes:
    • A patch for issues found with the version of Carrot Cake already deployed to BlueSteel, together with a fixed for issues in trying to deploy some of the new benefits announced as a part of the “March Membership Madness” month.
    • Monty Linden’s work on EventQueueGet (a simulator Capability that delivers messages from a simulator to viewers over HTTP using a long-poll scheme. It is core functionality without which viewer/simulator coordination is impossible).

SL Viewer Updates

  • Default viewer: version 7.1.11.12363455226, formerly the ExtraFPS RC (multiple performance fixes, aesthetic improvements and UI optimisations), dated December 17, promoted December 20 – No Change.
  • Release Candidate: Forever FPS, version 7.1.12.13550888671, March 1, 2025 – Updated.
    • Numerous crash and performance fixes.

Lua(u): Initial Aditi Deployment

  • An initial deployment of Luau support (which will eventually replace Mono as the back-end scripting language) is opening on Aditi (the beta grid) for user testing.
  • The regions running Luau support are: [Luau Yardang], [Luau Tombolo], [Luau Mesa] and [Luau Tideland].
    • These support both native Lua scripting and compiling LSL to Luau VM.
  • A Luau-capable viewer is required.
    • This viewer will work on any region in SL, but will only compile scripts to Luau on the Aditi regions noted above.
  • A blog post will be “up soon”, and discussion on Lua(u) is available through the scripting channel on the SL Discord server, for those with access.
  • It was noted that the server support has some “sharp edges”, with Signal Linden noting:
Incredibly sharp, we are expecting it to be trivial to crash regions. The goal is to experiment with what can be created with the language and how it compares to LSL
  • Additional general notes:
    • Error reporting when compiling scripts from LSL to Luau is “quite spartan at the moment”, but will be improved “in the next update or two”.
    • If objects with compiled Luau script assets are rezzed in a non-Luau region, they won’t work.
  • The above announcement dominated the meeting with specific questions on functions (what will be available, how Luau will handle existing LSL functions, etc.), with Signal Linden noting the plan at the moment is to have the full library of LSL functions available. Provision of new APIs is still TBD.
  • Please refer to the video for details, and the resources below for specific information.

Luau Resources

† The header images included in these summaries are not intended to represent anything discussed at the meetings; they are simply here to avoid a repeated image of a rooftop of people every week. They are taken from my list of region visits, with a link to the post for those interested.

OBSIDIA’s enigmatic beauty in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
OBSIDIA by NeroRhea Supermarine, March 2025 – click any image for full size

I recently received an invitation from Nero (NeroRhea Supermarine) to visit her new public setting in Second Life – her first such undertaking offered to everyone to visit and appreciate – entitled OBSIDIA.

Set within roughly a quarter of a Full region leveraging the Land Capacity bonus, OBSIDIA presents an engaging and enigmatic location, which is both highly personal to Nero both in terms of being her first public setting design and the fact that – as she notes herself – she has tended to keep her Second Life to a small circle of friends; thus, presenting her creative intent to an audience across Second Life and beyond the art circles in which she has operated is a daunting exposure.

OBSIDIA by NeroRhea Supermarine, March 2025
After more than 17 years, I finally feel the desire to share something with the rest of the world. OBSIDIA is the latest of my visions brought to life in Second Life, a space open to anyone who wishes to experience it. It’s a remote and enigmatic place, suspended between the present and the unknown, somewhere between tranquillity and unease, where reality seems to dissolve. It may feel like an escape from everything, yet there is always a lingering sense that something more awaits, something yet to be discovered. Take your time to explore and enjoy its different areas, designed for private relaxation, contemplation, or intimacy.

– NeroRhea Supermarine

I was immediately drawn to Nero’s description on reading it’s a remote and enigmatic place, suspended between the present and the unknown because I’ve always felt there is something romantic and compelling about visiting a place that might be referred to as being caught somewhere between now and when; so I knew I’d have to hop along and explore – and the region does not disappoint.

OBSIDIA by NeroRhea Supermarine, March 2025

Presented using both PBR materials and Blinn-Phong (“legacy”) “fallback” textures / materials (I would recommend using a viewer supporting the former when visiting), OBSIDIA is both marvellously Earth-bound (the dark rocks mindful of a long-cooled volcanic outflow of the kind that might be seen in places like Iceland and Hawaii), whilst the EEP setting overhead combines with the landscape given the setting an otherworldly feel, a place where meteorite streak downwards as a gigantic version of our own Moon dominates the sky.

The Landing Point sits well back to one side of the parcel, not quite tucked under one of the two tall, slender ribbons of rock which separate the parcel from he rest of the region in which it sits. From here, before the entrance to a large structure housing a photographic studio and art gallery (of which more in a moment), arriving visitors are given a commanding view out over the setting and across the open sea bounding the parcel’s two remaining sides. The sound of surf pushing and booming against the rocky shoreline throbs through the air, a dominating presence alongside that of the huge Moon.

OBSIDIA by NeroRhea Supermarine, March 2025

Across the desolate landscape directly in front of the Landing Point, a squared shoulder of rock sits between the sea and the familiar forms of three large shipping containers. These and the old water tower just beyond them, seem to help to further anchor the setting as being here on Earth; but then, rising beyond them, and standing somewhat silhouetted against the star-spangled sky, there rises the most curious of lighthouses which beckons the feet to come visit.

Approaching the lighthouse reveals that in order to reach it, it is necessary to climb that shoulder of rock and then cross a bridge. In doing so, this reveals the lighthouse is something of a steampunk / dieselpunk build, the structure partially embedded  in the cinder cone of an extinct volcano, a large engine under it holding it aloft and in place as it turns massive pusher blades. The lighthouse tower itself cannot be accessed, but the drum-like machine room connected to it can be, and a stairway winding up its flank provides access to the flat roof, where places to sit might be found. In a nice touch, the structure sits within its own parcel so that local chat conversations are confined within it.

OBSIDIA by NeroRhea Supermarine, March 2025

The same is true from another coastal structure on the north side of the parcel. Taking the form of an elevated, glass-walled house, it offer another quiet retreat within its own parcel, complete with seating both within and underneath it. Between this and the gallery building at the landing point, sits a giant broken cat head. Whether it once stood here alone and complete or was once part of a larger statue is yours to decide; it appears someone is making an attempt to repair it, a scaffold having been wrapped around it, Whilst inside another seating area can be found. This head further reveals the feline element to the setting – cats very much having laid claim to it throughout

The gallery building is home to Nero’s art, at and the time of my visit was displaying Broken, an engaging series of six 3D nude pieces arranged in pairs across the floor of the gallery. These are engaging pieces in their presentation, the figures apparently suspended in Perspex (or glass, given its shattered appearance). No liner notes are  provided, leaving the individual pieces and the collection as a whole open to our interpretation.

OBSIDIA by NeroRhea Supermarine, March 2025

With space found across the landscape, indoors and out (including the shipping containers), cats keeping an eye on everything, the sense of individuality within the setting gives it depth and a sense of warmth, whilst encouraging exploration. My thanks to Nero for the invitation!

SLurl Details

  • OBSIDIA (Midnight Garden rated Adult)

Second Life “March Mobile Millions”

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Destination Guide on the SL Mobile – part of the first March Mobile Millions challenge

On Monday, March 3rd, 2025, Linden Lab announced a new promotion to encourage the use of the SL Mobile app, with a stated prize pool of up to L$31 million, with up to L$1 million in individual prizes to be claimed. The promotion is available to all Second Life users – Basic and any subscription tier – with no purchase necessary.

How It Works

  • Log in to Second Life Mobile and complete each week’s challenge every day in March.
  • Challenges will be announced every Monday through until March 24th, 2025 and will run through until 12:00 noon on the following Monday.
  • Each challenge must be completed every day for the time it is running.
  • One participating user will be randomly selected for a “March Millions MegaWheel Ticket”.
  • Winners get access to the “VIP Spin & Win Event”, where they can spin for up to L$1 million Linden Dollars (winners will be notified in-world).
    • Prize amount start at L$10,0000, approx. USD $40.00 (15 in 48 opportunities), and rise to L$1 million, approx.: USD $4,000 (1 in 48).
    • Winners of amounts valued at USD $600 or above will be required to submit either Form W-9 – Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (US citizens) or Form W8-BEN – Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals) (non-US citizens).
  • This “Spin & Win Event” will take place weekly in a mystery inworld location inside Second Life, and will be streamed live to the Second Life YouTube channel.
  • For full rules and prize details, please refer to the official blog post.

Week One Challenge

Open from Monday, March 3rd through 12:00 noon, Monday March 10th.

  • Use SL Mobile to log-in to Second Life and teleport to three different locations listed in the Mobile Destination Guide.
    • Launch SL Mobile.
    • Navigate to Places in the menu.
    • Select the Destination Guide and pick a Destination to visit.
  • Then pick two more from the Destination Guide and visit them as well.

Note that the next challenge will be announced on Monday, March 10th, 2025.

Again, please refer to the official blog post for full details.

2025 SL viewer release summaries week #9

Posted on by Inara Pey
Logos representative only and should not be seen as an endorsement / preference / recommendation

Updates from the week through to Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

This summary is generally published every Monday, and is a list of SL viewer / client releases (official and TPV) made during the previous week. When reading it, please note:

  • It is based on my Current Viewer Releases Page, a list of all Second Life viewers and clients that are in popular use (and of which I am aware), and which are recognised as adhering to the TPV Policy. This page includes comprehensive links to download pages, blog notes, release notes, etc., as well as links to any / all reviews of specific viewers / clients made within this blog.
  • By its nature, this summary presented here will always be in arrears, please refer to the Current Viewer Release Page for more up-to-date information.
  • Note that for purposes of length, TPV test viewers, preview / beta viewers / nightly builds are generally not recorded in these summaries.

Official LL Viewers

  • Release viewer: version 7.1.11.12363455226. formerly the ExtraFPS RC, dated December 17, promoted December 19 – No change.
  • Release Candidate: Forever FPS, version 7.1.12.13550888671, March 1, 2025 – Updated.

LL Viewer Resources

Third-party Viewers

V7-style

  • Kirstens Viewer S24 – Build 2055 – Beta 2 – March 2 – release notes.

V1-style

  • Cool VL Viewer Stable: 1.32.2.38, March 1, 2025 – release notes.

Mobile / Other Clients

  • No updates.

Additional TPV Resources

Related Links