Category: Second Life

2018 viewer release summaries week #15

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

Updates for the week ending Sunday, April 15th

This summary is generally published on 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.

Official LL Viewers

  • Current Release version 5.1.3.513644, dated March 27th, promoted April 13th – formerly the media update RC – NEW.
  • Release channel cohorts (please see my notes on manually installing RC viewer versions if you wish to install any release candidate(s) yourself):
    • Love Me Render RC viewer update to version 5.1.4.514437 on April 13th.
    • Ouzo Maintenance RC updated to version 5.1.4.514434 on April 13th.
  • Project viewers:
    • No Updates.

LL Viewer Resources

Third-party Viewers

V5-style

V1-style

Mobile / Other Clients

  • MetaChat updated to version 1.2.5 on April 13th.

Additional TPV Resources

Related Links

Tales of fantasy in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Seanchai Library

It’s time to highlight 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.

 

Monday, April 16th 19:00: Fantasy Warm-Up A Wee Taste of Pratchett

Caledonia Skytower prepares for Fantasy Faire, readings selections from Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men (Discworld novel 30).

“Another world is colliding with this one,” said the toad. “All the monsters are coming back.”

“Why?” said Tiffany.

“There’s no one to stop them.”

There was silence for a moment.

Then Tiffany said, “There’s me.”

Armed only with a frying pan and her common sense, Tiffany Aching, a young witch-to-be, is all that stands between the monsters of Fairyland and the warm, green Chalk country that is her home. Forced into Fairyland to seek her kidnapped brother, Tiffany allies herself with the Chalk’s local Nac Mac Feegle – aka the Wee Free Men – a clan of sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men who are as fierce as they are funny. Together they battle through an eerie and ever-shifting landscape, fighting brutal flying fairies, dream-spinning dromes, and grimhounds – black dogs with eyes of fire and teeth of razors – before ultimately confronting the Queen of the Elves, absolute ruler of a world in which reality intertwines with nightmare. And in the final showdown, Tiffany must face her cruel power alone…

In a riveting narrative that is equal parts suspense and humour, Carnegie Medalist Terry Pratchett returns to his internationally popular Discworld with a breathtaking tale certain to leave fans, new and old, enthralled.

Tuesday, April 17th 19:00: National Lampoon’s Doon

In a distant galaxy, far, far away, a plot is brewing as vast and elaborate as the Empire itself…

Evil powers plot to harvest the wild pools of beer that grow only on the savage, sugar-swept world of Doon, take control of the native pretzel population, and turn the plucky little orb into the lounge-planet of the universe!

And only one man, Pall Agamemnides, heir to a dukedom can stop the galaxy-wide web of conspiracy and intrigue that is being fomented, and bring an end to the threat facing Soon.

Although reliant on a knowledge of both Frank Herbert’s sprawling story of Dune and Herbert’s often heady and flowery prose, Ellis Weiner’s tongue-in-cheek Doon is a masterpiece, offering a perfect parody of Herbert’s novel and brilliantly and accurately mimicking his prose.

Wednesday, April 18th 19:00: Merlin’s Dragon

Long ago, at the dawn of Merlin’s world, a strange little creature named Basil appeared. Part lizard, part bat, his eyes glow with a mysterious light.

When Basil discovers a threat to his world and to Merlin, he begins an epic journey that takes him from the Great Tree of Avalon to the outermost edges of the spirit realm. But his boldest journey will be to face his own deepest fears. And only if he survives can he save Merlin – and find his future.

So reads the cover description for The Dragon of Avalon, part of T.A. Barron’s Merlin Saga series, a trilogy of stories within the series charting Basil’s rise from humble beginnings to the greatest dragon of all time, loyal to Merlin and protector of Avalon.

Join Faerie Maven-Pralou as she delves in Barron’s magical realm.

Thursday, April 19th 19:00: The Halls of Story, Fantasy Faire

19:00: X-Files: Paranormal Quest

With Shandon Loring. Also presented in Kitely (hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/144/129/29).

21:00: Seanchai Late Night

Contemporary Sci-Fi with Finn Zeddmore.

 

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

Fantasy Faire 2018: previewing the LitFest

Posted on by Inara Pey
via Fantasy Faire

On Thursday, April 19th, Fantasy Faire will open for 2018, and run through until Sunday, April 29th. Through the event, there will be a lot to see and do – as there always is at Fantasy Faire – including the fourth annual Literary Festival (LitFest).

Lying deep within the Fairelands lies the home of the LitFest, a special place where the magic of the spoken word will weave tales of wonder, relate stories of great adventure and daring; where talks by authors, discussions, creative writing sessions and performances will all take place. For 2018, the event is headlined by two fantasy authors, both of whom hail from the UK:

  • Tom Lloyd, novelist and  author of the five-book series Twilight Reign.  He’ll be attending the LitFest on Thursday, April 24th.
  • Danie Ware, perhaps most noted for her Ecko series. She’ll be attending the LitFest on Thursday, April 26th.

Both will be in conversation with David Abbott.

In addition, there will be stories and discussions with a host of writers who have particular relationships with Second Life. This year the festival will again be emphasising creation, as a number of the leaders of creative writing groups in Second Life bring their regular events to the Faire, and welcome newcomers who want to join in with such events.

There will also be a special daily story and poetry writing challenge. Every day, those at the festival will be invited to put their Fantasy Faire experience into words.  The Faire is brimming with stories: breathtaking builds and fantastical creations designed to touch your heart and soul.  What stories do they inspire in you?

Details of all the LitFest events will be posted in the LitFest schedule in the next few days.

Singing A Song of Ice And Fire

Each LitFest features the works of a particular author. In 2015, it was Terry Pratchett, who sadly passed away just before the event. In 2016, and to mark the 400th anniversary of his death, the LitFest featured William Shakespeare. In 2017, the LitFest honoured the life and works of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

For 2018, the life and works of novelist and short-story George Raymond Richard Martin, the power behind A Song of Ice and Fire, also known as Game of Thrones. Martin’s work will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 with a series of events.

  • 09:30–10:30 SLT: The World of Ice and Fire – Freyja Nemeth & Ran Garrigus: Linda Antonsson and Elio M. García are the owners of Westeros.org, the oldest A Song of Ice and Fire fan site. They are also the co-authors of The World of Ice and Fire with George R.R. Martin.
  • 11:00–13:00 SLT: Game of Thrones Party with DJ Vasa Vella.
  • 19:00–20:00 SlT: A Selected View – George R.R. Martin with Seanchai Library: Aoife Lorefield presents a different glimpse of the popular author, beyond the fire and ice, to other selected works, presented live in voice.

LitFest Tours

The popular Fantasy Faire LitFest Tours will once again be taking place, leaving daily from the LitFest home base on Halls of Story to explore the Fairelands and seeking the stories they have to tell as well as their special secret places and details. Each tour will be guided and accompanied by music, as some of the Faire’s best loved DJs offer selections of music, especially chosen for each of the regions visited.

The Tours for 2018 will be as follows (all commence at 17:00 SLT unless otherwise indicated):

Thursday, April 19th
 Region 1 – Erstwile
Friday, April 20th
 Region 2 – The Willows of Nienna
Saturday, April 21st
 Region 3 – The Bazaar Dungeon
Sunday, April 22nd
 Region 4 – Sanoria
Monday, April 23rd
 Region 5 – Tiny Town
Tuesday, April 24th
 Region 6 – Athenaeum Arcana
Wednesday, April 25th
 Region 7 – Falls of Hope
Thursday, April 26th
 Region 8 – Pools of Ethuil
Friday, April 27th
 Region 9 – Severina
Saturday, April 28th
 12:00 noon Region 10 – Aetherea

Keep up with all the news and information on the LitFFest and Fantasy Faire through the Fantasy Faire website.

2018 Raglan Shire Artwalk: call to artists

Posted on by Inara Pey
Raglan Shire Artwalk 2017: Utterly Wizardly

The Raglan Shire Artwalk is one of the staples of the SL art calendar, and for 2018, it will take place between Sunday, May 13th and Sunday, June 17th, inclusive.

Every year over 100 artists and residents in Second Life display 2D and 3D art across a number of exhibition spaces across all the regions of the Raglan Shire cluster. 2D art is displayed on hedgerows in and around the regions, offering visitors the chance to view pieces as they explore the Shire, while sculptures and 3D art is displayed in a number of designated areas across the regions.

Those wishing to exhibit their work at the 2018 Artwalk are invited to complete the  Artist Registration Form, which should be submitted for inclusion no later than 21:00 SLT on Sunday May 6th, 2018.

General requirements for entry:

  • The event is a non-juried show
  • Artists can display more than one piece if they wish
    • 2D (“flat” art pieces will be awarded a maximum of 15 prims, and individual pictures should be 1 prim, including the frame.
    • 3D art (sculptures, etc.), will be awarded a maximum of 500 prims for up to three pieces of work. Artists are requested to state the number of prims per piece in their application.
    • Sales of art are allowed.
  • Types of art supported by the show are: representations of RL photography, painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, and digital fine art that can be displayed on a prim;  and SL photography, manipulated SL photography and SL sculpture.
  • Pictures of RL crafts, such as beadwork, leatherwork, etc., are not part of the show’s  definition
  • All the above art forms are welcome, but should be rated PG / G – so no nudity, please!
  • Group membership will be required in order to display work
  • Questions and enquiries should be forwarded via note card to Artwalk Director Karmagirl Avro, or Artwalk Assistants Kayak Kuu & Shadow Marlin.

Details on set-up will be sent to participating artists on Tuesday, May 8th, 2018. Step-up commences at 09:00 SLT on Friday, May 11th and runs through Saturday, May 12th. Note that space along the hedgerows in Raglan Shire for 2D art is NOT assigned, but can be taken on the basis of first come first serve. Certain areas of Heron Shire will be designated for sculpture set up and available locations set with a marker.

Key Dates

  • Sunday May 6th: Applications close at 21:00 SLT
  • Tuesday, May 8th: Notification of exhibit space location issued to artists
  • Friday, May 11th / Saturday May 12th: Artist set-up days
  • Sunday, May 13th: ARTWALK OPENS
  • Sunday, June 17th: Artwalk closes
  • Sunday, June 17th (after 18:00 SLT) through Tuesday, June 19th: Takedown of works.

Related Links

Feed A Smile at Holly Kai Park, April 14th 2018

Posted on by Inara Pey
Feed a Nautical Smile, April 14th 2018 The Pavilion, Holly Kai Park

The Second Nautical Smile event in aid of Feed A Smile / Live and Learn Kenya takes place on Saturday, April 14th, 2018. Organised and hosted by Rossini Events.

The event will take place at The Pavilion, Holly Kai Park, and will feature seven hours of live music starting at 11:00 SLT, from some of Second Life’s top entertainers.

Event Schedule

The event schedule at the time of writing is as follows. For updates and the latest news, please follow the Rossini Events link above. All times SLT.

11:00 am
 Thera Singer
12:00 Noon
 Hedy Patrucci
1:00 pm
 Neomaximus Brandenburg
2:00 pm
 Viviana Houston
2:30 pm
 MichaelJackson Follet
3:00 pm
 Max Kleene
4:00 pm
 Quartz
5:00 pm
 Jacq Luik

All proceeds go directly to Feed A Smile via the donation kiosk.

About Feed A Smile

Feed A Smile is a programme run by Live and Learn Kenya (LLK) to provide nutritious warm lunches for over 400 children every day, paid for entirely from donations to the project. It is part of a broader programme managed by LLK, which includes finding sponsors to finance the education of children in Kenya, helping to provide them with everything they need: uniforms, shoes, text books, school supplies, etc., and even building a school in Nakuru, Kenya.

In addition, the organisation also provides medical and dental care for children, including check-ups and vaccinations. 100% of the donations received by LLK are transferred directly to Kenya to care for children, provide education, medicine, food, shelter and foster care. Nothing is lost to salaries, fees or administrative costs at LLK.

About Rossini Events

Rossini Events was established in July 2016, and is managed by MichaelJ Rossini. Organising private and public events in Second Life. Rossini Events especially prides itself on charity fund-raising, with monthly events supporting Feed a Smile, Relay for Life and Making Strides. Everyone involved in Rossini Events donates their time free of charge, and every penny raised goes directly to the charity concerned. For further information, please contact MichaelJ Rossini in-world, or email to michaeljrossini-at-gmail.com.

SLurl and Links

2018 SL UG updates #15/2: TPVD meeting

Posted on by Inara Pey

Isle of May; Inara Pey, March 2018, on FlickrIsle of May – blog post

The majority of these notes are taken from the TPV Developer meeting held on Friday, April 13th 2018. A video of the meeting is embedded below, my thanks as always to North for recording and providing it. Time stamps in the text below will open the video in a new tab at the relevant point of discussion.

The meeting was reduced to under 15 minutes, with extended pauses marking a greater portion of it.

Server Deployments

As always, please refer to the server deployment thread for the latest updates.

  • The Main (SLS) channel was not updated on Tuesday, April 9th, nor was there a restart.
  • BlueSteel, LeTigre and Magnum are all now on server maintenance package 18#18.03.29.513939 after Magnum was updated on Wednesday, April 11th.

SL Viewer

[0:05-1:32] The Media Update RC viewer, version 5.1.3.513644, dated March 27th, was promoted to de facto release status on Wednesday, April 11th. As a result, the remaining RC viewer were updated to parity on Friday April 13th, as follows:

The remainder of the SL viewer pipelines remain as:

  • Project viewers:
  • Linux Spur viewer, version 5.0.9.329906, dated November 17, 2017 and promoted to release status 29 November – offered pending a Linux version of the Alex Ivy viewer code.
  • Obsolete platform viewer, version 3.7.28.300847, May 8, 2015 – provided for users on Windows XP and OS X versions below 10.7.

[1:33-1:50] With regards to the 360 snapshot project viewer, this is being routinely updated internally by the Lab to keep pace with release viewer promotions. However, no actual work is being carried out on the 360 snapshot element at the moment. Work will resume in the future.

[1:58-2:29] A new Voice update RC is due in the future at some point, which fixes some issues from the last Voice release. However work on this is currently a “low priority”.

Off-Line and Abuse Reports Capabilities

[2:31-3:30] Two new capabilities are now grid-wide server-side:

  • A new abuse report cap which replaces the need for the viewer to have AR categories hard-coded into it.  Instead it will request the list of valid categories directly from the simulator.
  • A new IM cap is to overcome of off-line IMs failing to be delivered when a user logs in. This cap will allow the viewer to request off-line IMs, which the server will package and deliver to the viewer via HTTP, rather than sending off-lines en masse whether or not the viewer is ready.

Both of these caps require viewer-side updates in order to work. However, there is currently a bug impacting the viewer update for the new off-line IMs capability. In short, if you receive an off-line Friend request, there is no way to accept it with the new capability in place. The abuse report capability appears to be working correctly, so expect both to appear in a viewer update soon.

Friending can be fragile, and the Lab hope to make it more robust over time.