By Avatar JayR Cela
Hi there today, I'm gonna try to fill ya in on whats been happening this past week in the Virtual Reality Third Party Viewer world today.
CatzNip Viewer : No changes
Cool Viewer : observed its weekly update schedule. Last week included a slight increase of flexi prim rezzing times, a number of changes to the inventory ( better control and more options ) along with more efficient memory handing, it should speed up rezz times in busy area's. The unstable release also includes some additional work to Multi-Layered Clothing, you can read more here : http://sldev.free.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=81&p=3123#p3123
Dolphin Viewer : A brief note that may concern OpenSUSE Linux users : The last viewer update was 1-22-1012 at V3.2.5.23119 : http://dolphinviewer.eregion.de/
Exodus Viewer : went to V12.01.03.1, I took a quick look at it the other day, not much change since the V12.01.02.1 release. http://exodusviewer.com/downloads.html
FireStorm Viewer : No Changes
Niran Viewer : the current release was updated to V1.15 and there is an experimental Beta test exploring the use the the MS Kinect Motion Controller Device : Contact NiranV Dean for more details : http://niranv-sl.blogspot.com/
Phoenix Viewer : No Changes
Singularity Viewer : No changes
StarLight Skin For V3 : Updated to V3.2.0760 some additional options to the Colorful User Interface ( CUI ) Some tweaks to the various available Skin presets. http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight
Zen Viewer : This viewer has undergone 7 updates since last weeks review of V3.2.8.0 to the most current posted yesterday at V3.2.8.7 I have not had a chance take a look at it yet.
https://bitbucket.org/Zena_Juran/zen-viewer/downloads
JayR Cela :_)
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
SecondLife Standard Viewer Plus The Newest StarLight Skin
By Avatar JayR Cela
So what do you get when you combine the standard LL SL viewer with the latest StarLight ? Ypu get a darn nice viewer, that's what. I still can not Mute Group Chats selectively or Read my Log Files, but at least the Camera Control is compact and Draw Distance is located on the top bar.
There are 8 or 9 skin presets, with the ability to modify various color choices as you please.
Some additional FUI menu options, and solid performance. Quite a few choices dedicated to Film Making as well.
All in all if you are looking for a viewer that offers unparalleled customization, this is a great viewer option.
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight
JayR Cela :_)
So what do you get when you combine the standard LL SL viewer with the latest StarLight ? Ypu get a darn nice viewer, that's what. I still can not Mute Group Chats selectively or Read my Log Files, but at least the Camera Control is compact and Draw Distance is located on the top bar.
There are 8 or 9 skin presets, with the ability to modify various color choices as you please.
Some additional FUI menu options, and solid performance. Quite a few choices dedicated to Film Making as well.
All in all if you are looking for a viewer that offers unparalleled customization, this is a great viewer option.
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight
JayR Cela :_)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
SecondLife : Why I Sometimes Do Negative Reviews
By Avatar JayR Cela
OK, as a blogger. I point out positive, and negative aspects of just about every Virtual World client available for the SL, OpenSim platform's. Thats It !
LOL
JayR Cela :_)
OK, as a blogger. I point out positive, and negative aspects of just about every Virtual World client available for the SL, OpenSim platform's. Thats It !
LOL
JayR Cela :_)
SecondLife : Exodus Viewer 12.01.03.1 Release : Available For Down Load Now
By Avatar JayR Cela
Hmm lets see whats new here, the past week has seen a flurry of TPV releases, most notably the Zen viewer that offers simplicity along with an extra dosage of features. So lets take a look at the newest release of the Exodus viewer. V12.01.03.1
The opening screen is very well laid out, pleasant to the eye, and nicely designed.
.
The question is, how does it perform, and can I use it without having to drift through an endless convoluted series of incomprehensible menu options ?
Performance is good, but that has nothing to with Exodus in general, you can thank Oz Linden for all the work he has done on code clean up.
We still have an over-sized camera control, and inability to selectively mute group chats, read legacy log files etc.... So in my mind it is completely worthless.
JayR :(
Hmm lets see whats new here, the past week has seen a flurry of TPV releases, most notably the Zen viewer that offers simplicity along with an extra dosage of features. So lets take a look at the newest release of the Exodus viewer. V12.01.03.1
The opening screen is very well laid out, pleasant to the eye, and nicely designed.
.
The question is, how does it perform, and can I use it without having to drift through an endless convoluted series of incomprehensible menu options ?
Performance is good, but that has nothing to with Exodus in general, you can thank Oz Linden for all the work he has done on code clean up.
We still have an over-sized camera control, and inability to selectively mute group chats, read legacy log files etc.... So in my mind it is completely worthless.
JayR :(
SecondLife : The Ability To Read Old Log Files : One Of The Reasons I Will Never Ever Use Any SL Viewer Other Than Phoenix or FireStorm !
By Avatar JayR Cela
Ya know, back ages ago when the now dear departed Jack Linden introduced the Grand Idea of User and Display Names.
Many of us within the inner circle, expressed quite a few objections not to include the ability to read the legacy format Logg's. And to do this within the server code was a quite trivial matter. You see the older code dealt with your SecondLife logs in this format ( FirstName_LastName ) the new format handeled it this way ( FirstName.LastLame ) ( notice the dot instead of the underscore ) Then things got really crazy. The elimination of last names alltogether.
Unfortunately all of this fell upon deaf ears, and we now have this horrendous mess. It has not only screwed up SL Market Place, and In Wold merchants Spreadsheets. And personally caused me numerous in-world problems with people constantly changing there names every week ( I usually tell them to go jump in the lake )
OK this brings me to the point I am trying to make, I have old colleagues here in SL that helped to draft the initial Hyper Grid jumping standards. As a matter of fact I was among the group that made the original jump from SL to the IBM grid several years ago.
There is nothing that infuriates me more than the inability to read an old colleagues and mines last IM Chats from, let's say 3 years ago, with out have to open a separate text editor and waste un-needless time trying to recall our last conversation.
The only TPV that has addressed this issue is the Phoenix FireStorm Team.
As a matter of fact they have also included ( in the upcoming release ) the ability to open a separate external text editor with a single click of your mouse.
I think it is about time for the Lab to address several issues with V3, but I doubt that will happen. New users will usually be introduced into SL with a Half Backed Crappy User Interface, until they happen to meet someone nice enough to point them toward one of the superior TPV alternatives.
No wonder they can't retain new customers.
JayR Cela :(
Ya know, back ages ago when the now dear departed Jack Linden introduced the Grand Idea of User and Display Names.
Many of us within the inner circle, expressed quite a few objections not to include the ability to read the legacy format Logg's. And to do this within the server code was a quite trivial matter. You see the older code dealt with your SecondLife logs in this format ( FirstName_LastName ) the new format handeled it this way ( FirstName.LastLame ) ( notice the dot instead of the underscore ) Then things got really crazy. The elimination of last names alltogether.
Unfortunately all of this fell upon deaf ears, and we now have this horrendous mess. It has not only screwed up SL Market Place, and In Wold merchants Spreadsheets. And personally caused me numerous in-world problems with people constantly changing there names every week ( I usually tell them to go jump in the lake )
OK this brings me to the point I am trying to make, I have old colleagues here in SL that helped to draft the initial Hyper Grid jumping standards. As a matter of fact I was among the group that made the original jump from SL to the IBM grid several years ago.
There is nothing that infuriates me more than the inability to read an old colleagues and mines last IM Chats from, let's say 3 years ago, with out have to open a separate text editor and waste un-needless time trying to recall our last conversation.
The only TPV that has addressed this issue is the Phoenix FireStorm Team.
As a matter of fact they have also included ( in the upcoming release ) the ability to open a separate external text editor with a single click of your mouse.
I think it is about time for the Lab to address several issues with V3, but I doubt that will happen. New users will usually be introduced into SL with a Half Backed Crappy User Interface, until they happen to meet someone nice enough to point them toward one of the superior TPV alternatives.
No wonder they can't retain new customers.
JayR Cela :(
Friday, January 27, 2012
SecondLife : Project SnowStorm
By Avatar JayR Cela
Wow it has been what seems like ages since I actually downloaded and used an official LL version of the SL viewer, today is not much different because I will be using the latest SnowStorm release. V3.2.8.248331 so this is not really a standard download.
However I did want to take a look at it solely for the purpose of seeing what has been going on lately at the Lab.
Recently a number of changes have gone into the UI of SL V3
Here is the screen layout, my god I find it absolutely hilarious that some people on the Development team just cant seem to let go of the Side Bar design theme. Instead of on the right hand side of the screen it is now on the left.
But that is not a problem due to the new FUI, Flexiable User Interface design, or whatever the Lab is calling it. ( I am so far out of the loop these days ) Keep in mind the main purpose of this blog is Third Party Developers ( TPV's ) and their contributions to the future development of of Virtual Worlds in general.
As you can see, I have cleared the UI of all the clutter, and will start from scratch. This really is an excellent idea from the Lab's Dev's. You can do just about what ever you like with customizing your user experience. So in these pictures I have cleared all the UI buttons and will rebuild by placeing them where I see fit.
Ok I have what I want, where I want.
Now I can choose and Icon only or Icon and description view. I love this :_)
Job well done, I think the Lab may actually finally be catching on.
Nawwwww !!
JayR Cela :_)
Wow it has been what seems like ages since I actually downloaded and used an official LL version of the SL viewer, today is not much different because I will be using the latest SnowStorm release. V3.2.8.248331 so this is not really a standard download.
However I did want to take a look at it solely for the purpose of seeing what has been going on lately at the Lab.
Recently a number of changes have gone into the UI of SL V3
Here is the screen layout, my god I find it absolutely hilarious that some people on the Development team just cant seem to let go of the Side Bar design theme. Instead of on the right hand side of the screen it is now on the left.
But that is not a problem due to the new FUI, Flexiable User Interface design, or whatever the Lab is calling it. ( I am so far out of the loop these days ) Keep in mind the main purpose of this blog is Third Party Developers ( TPV's ) and their contributions to the future development of of Virtual Worlds in general.
As you can see, I have cleared the UI of all the clutter, and will start from scratch. This really is an excellent idea from the Lab's Dev's. You can do just about what ever you like with customizing your user experience. So in these pictures I have cleared all the UI buttons and will rebuild by placeing them where I see fit.
Ok I have what I want, where I want.
Now I can choose and Icon only or Icon and description view. I love this :_)
Job well done, I think the Lab may actually finally be catching on.
Nawwwww !!
JayR Cela :_)
OpenSim On A Stick : USB Memory Stick Server and Private Grid
By Avatar JayR Cela
Yep, you read that correctly, it is possible to run your own private OS server and private grid from a USB memory stick. First of all let me say this, it is not really geared towards the USB-2 implementation, although it will work with this format, your best bet is a USB 3 thumb drive device. However there is nothing stopping you from using your hard drive for the installation media location. The idea behind the OSOAS is portability.
I have not had much time to devote to this project yet, but I intend to do so during the month of February in concert with my OpenSim-Cool Viewer series, and I can confirm that it does work.
If you do a web search on this topic, don't be surprised at all the recent commotion, just recently people have actually been able to implement the HyperGrid protocol, thus allowing you to exit to and from your own private grid out into the Wild Blue OS Yonder and back.
Keep your eyes peeled here next month, as I delve back into the OpenSim Meta-Verse. In the mean time you can download your copy of OSOAS here
http://simonastick.com/
JayR Cela :_)
Yep, you read that correctly, it is possible to run your own private OS server and private grid from a USB memory stick. First of all let me say this, it is not really geared towards the USB-2 implementation, although it will work with this format, your best bet is a USB 3 thumb drive device. However there is nothing stopping you from using your hard drive for the installation media location. The idea behind the OSOAS is portability.
I have not had much time to devote to this project yet, but I intend to do so during the month of February in concert with my OpenSim-Cool Viewer series, and I can confirm that it does work.
If you do a web search on this topic, don't be surprised at all the recent commotion, just recently people have actually been able to implement the HyperGrid protocol, thus allowing you to exit to and from your own private grid out into the Wild Blue OS Yonder and back.
Keep your eyes peeled here next month, as I delve back into the OpenSim Meta-Verse. In the mean time you can download your copy of OSOAS here
http://simonastick.com/
JayR Cela :_)
OpenSim : My Return and The CoolVL Viewer
By Avatar JayR Cela
It has been a while since I last took a serious look at anything dealing with the OpenSim Meta-Verse, but I have to admit my recent venture into the Aurora Server based backend Nova Grid, ( free 1 year hosting deal ) re-sparked my interest for alternatives to the SecondLife platform.
My biggest question was what viewer should I use for my explorations. Imprudence has been pretty much the standard over the past year or two, before that it was the Hippo viewer. Personally I do not care for either one. More recently the Astra viewer has emerged as the up and coming V.W. client of choice. If you are unfamiliar with Astra, it is brought to you by project lead Siana Gearz, the same person who heads up the Singularity viewer initiative. After much consideration, weighing all the pros and cons, I have decided to make Henry Beauchamps "Cool Viewer" my standard grid hopping client. ( at least for the time being )
I know I may have disappointed a few regular readers last year when I got all hopped up on OS, ended up getting very frustrated, and eventually threw in the towel. But I have to admit I find the OpenSim platform to be very exciting and worthy of devoting some of my time to.
That being said, the month of February will have quite a bit of coverage devoted to OS and the Cool Viewer weekly builds. I hope you enjoy the ride. As always any and all opinions or feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks for reading.
JayR Cela :_)
It has been a while since I last took a serious look at anything dealing with the OpenSim Meta-Verse, but I have to admit my recent venture into the Aurora Server based backend Nova Grid, ( free 1 year hosting deal ) re-sparked my interest for alternatives to the SecondLife platform.
My biggest question was what viewer should I use for my explorations. Imprudence has been pretty much the standard over the past year or two, before that it was the Hippo viewer. Personally I do not care for either one. More recently the Astra viewer has emerged as the up and coming V.W. client of choice. If you are unfamiliar with Astra, it is brought to you by project lead Siana Gearz, the same person who heads up the Singularity viewer initiative. After much consideration, weighing all the pros and cons, I have decided to make Henry Beauchamps "Cool Viewer" my standard grid hopping client. ( at least for the time being )
I know I may have disappointed a few regular readers last year when I got all hopped up on OS, ended up getting very frustrated, and eventually threw in the towel. But I have to admit I find the OpenSim platform to be very exciting and worthy of devoting some of my time to.
That being said, the month of February will have quite a bit of coverage devoted to OS and the Cool Viewer weekly builds. I hope you enjoy the ride. As always any and all opinions or feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks for reading.
JayR Cela :_)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Open Sim : The Nova Grid : Making Progress
By Avatar JayR Cela
I had promised to keep trying the Nova Open Sim Grid ( based on Aurora OS Server )
My first few visits left me completely underwhelmed. Almost to the point of not even bothering to return. My curiosity however, as usual got the best of me. I am happy to say progress, albeit slow progress, has been made recently.
I was able to finally find a place and have the capability of rezzing objects. So I now have some flexi hair, a new predefined body shape and skin. Woo-Whoo ! :_)
And a functioning AO.
And this time around I was capable of a TP to a couple of, but not all locations on the map.
And I did find a Free-Bee sim with several stores as well
Is it ready for Prime Time ? No not yet, and I expect that may may take several month's of growing pains.
Is it worth your time to take a look around ? If you are the pioneer type, Most Defiantly !
http://aurora.4d-web.eu/cool/
JayR Cela :_)
I had promised to keep trying the Nova Open Sim Grid ( based on Aurora OS Server )
My first few visits left me completely underwhelmed. Almost to the point of not even bothering to return. My curiosity however, as usual got the best of me. I am happy to say progress, albeit slow progress, has been made recently.
I was able to finally find a place and have the capability of rezzing objects. So I now have some flexi hair, a new predefined body shape and skin. Woo-Whoo ! :_)
And a functioning AO.
And this time around I was capable of a TP to a couple of, but not all locations on the map.
And I did find a Free-Bee sim with several stores as well
Is it ready for Prime Time ? No not yet, and I expect that may may take several month's of growing pains.
Is it worth your time to take a look around ? If you are the pioneer type, Most Defiantly !
http://aurora.4d-web.eu/cool/
JayR Cela :_)
Kinect For SecondLife : Niran Viewer Seeks Beta Testers
By Avatar JayR Cela
NiranV Dean, creator of the Ultra High End, "Niran's Viewer" for SL is currently working with the latest client build that will support the Microsoft Kinect motion controller device.
Kinect has been very popular on the X-Box360 platform, and MS recently announced the introduction and February 1st availability of a Windows compatible version.
I can see massive potential for this in the Machinima industry, and certain types of RPG environments within SecondLife. NiranV is currently looking for Beta Testers.
If you are interested in helping out, you can make contact In-World ( SL Search - NiranV Dean ) or use this direct link to the related post on the Blog.
http://niranv-sl.blogspot.com/2012/01/second-life-and-kinect.html
JayR Cela :_)
NiranV Dean, creator of the Ultra High End, "Niran's Viewer" for SL is currently working with the latest client build that will support the Microsoft Kinect motion controller device.
Kinect has been very popular on the X-Box360 platform, and MS recently announced the introduction and February 1st availability of a Windows compatible version.
I can see massive potential for this in the Machinima industry, and certain types of RPG environments within SecondLife. NiranV is currently looking for Beta Testers.
If you are interested in helping out, you can make contact In-World ( SL Search - NiranV Dean ) or use this direct link to the related post on the Blog.
http://niranv-sl.blogspot.com/2012/01/second-life-and-kinect.html
JayR Cela :_)
Monday, January 23, 2012
SecondLife : The Zen Viewer : First Looks
By Avatar JayR Cela
Well this one is new to me, the first I had even noticed of it's availability was this morning. It is brought to you by SL resident Zena Juran. So far there is no dedicated web page, but there is one listing all of its features and download location on the SecondLife Wiki, and the list is very extensive and impressive.
The initial login screen, is pretty standard, very close to the official LL V3 with some extra goodies too.
Definitely nothing confusing here, and performance was solid.
As is typical with most V3 based offshoots you will not be able to read older V1.x log files, or selectively mute individual group chats.
There are some preset WinLight settings available.
I had some trouble trying to access my profile, more than likely a problem on LL's end, because it seemed to be working earlier in the day when I first downloaded Zen.
A couple of things really stood out, at least for me. A nice small, compact, re-sizable camera control and easy to use draw distance.
In my opinion, if you are using the Stock LL V3 and happy with its performance, ease of use and not overly complicated myriad of setting's available on some of the other TPV's out there. And you want something that is better, I will highly recommend this viewer. It is an excellent choice for the casual user.
Here is the Download link.
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Third_Party_Viewer_Directory/Zen
JayR Cela :_)
Well this one is new to me, the first I had even noticed of it's availability was this morning. It is brought to you by SL resident Zena Juran. So far there is no dedicated web page, but there is one listing all of its features and download location on the SecondLife Wiki, and the list is very extensive and impressive.
The initial login screen, is pretty standard, very close to the official LL V3 with some extra goodies too.
Definitely nothing confusing here, and performance was solid.
As is typical with most V3 based offshoots you will not be able to read older V1.x log files, or selectively mute individual group chats.
There are some preset WinLight settings available.
I had some trouble trying to access my profile, more than likely a problem on LL's end, because it seemed to be working earlier in the day when I first downloaded Zen.
A couple of things really stood out, at least for me. A nice small, compact, re-sizable camera control and easy to use draw distance.
In my opinion, if you are using the Stock LL V3 and happy with its performance, ease of use and not overly complicated myriad of setting's available on some of the other TPV's out there. And you want something that is better, I will highly recommend this viewer. It is an excellent choice for the casual user.
Here is the Download link.
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Third_Party_Viewer_Directory/Zen
JayR Cela :_)
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