MO:ULagain Opens Today

Updated: 2/9/2010

Those that have played Myst and its online cousin Uru Live are rejoicing to day (2/8). The Myst Online web site posted that they opened a new Uru Live server and made the game download available for free. MystOnline.com

Today, February 8, the servers are totally hammered and have been for hours. The Uru fan forums are exploding with speculation and impatience to get in. However Cyan warned that they are using a small registration server and it would be slow. It is.

The Second Life group D’ni Refugees has been chatting about it all day.

Blender 2.5/2.49b – Second Life & Blue Mars

Many of us have heard that Blender 2.5 is on the way. Blender 2.5 Alpha 0 is out and can be downloaded. It is Alpha software. Some features from the 2.4 series are not all working in 2.5. How the missing features are implemented is changing, so there is some delay. There seems to be lots of changes coming. One thing that has not changed is installation information which is still limited and what is out there pretty much assumes one is a geek. So, I’ll provide some help I think is less geeky.

Emerald Viewer’s Radar Icon Review

Over on Modular’s forum a member named ‘gench’ posted a list of the icons used in the radar along with their meanings. See: Radar Icons – What they mean.

As one reads down the thread they will find several posts expanding on the meaning of the icons and workings of the radar. For instance, one can tell when an AV is chatting by the green square that appears to the left of the name.

After reading through the thread I have the impression the coders have not completely implemented all their ideas. Or the code is some mix of ideas and changed ideas. Whatever, read through the thread.

Using Emerald Viewer to get to Arda Grid and Beyond

The Arda people put step-by-step instructions on their site. See: How do I Login to Arda Grid

If you need detailed step-by-step instructions use the link above. Below I’ve provided the quick summary. Also, this type of setup works with the SL viewer. Be warned that both the SL and Emerald viewers have some grid hopping gotcha’s, which I’ll get to.

Quick Instructions (Windows)

New Impudence Viewer 1.3 Out – Review

Massively has someone that likes this viewer and generally writes up good reviews. This one is a bit sparse, but they link to the Imprudence site’s notes.

Imprudence 1.3 merge test build for Second Life

Notice the word TEST in the title. This is a beta version viewer. They included dynamic shadows in this one. Then made disclaimers about it. So, if you want shadows use Kirsten’s S18 Viewer. See: New KirstenLee (215) Viewer Out – Review

Changes Coming to Second Life – 2010

In the last week of December several bloggers wrote their predictions for Second Life in 2010. Others were writing their insights. From what I am reading and see happening there are some interesting things I think will happen in 2010.

Two of the changes will have a significant impact on those of us making content in SL. I expect mesh imports to come to SL in the first half of 2010 and be the biggest impact on SL. There are lots of reasons for why this will change how we make and sell content in SL and possibly change the social fabric of SL.

Blue Mars Goes Open Beta

Blue Mars Install Screen

See New World Notes: Blue Mars Goes Into Open Beta Today for a quick summary.

Updated 12/24/09

We are up to version 0.0.6589.0. A big change is the size of the download. It has gone from 1.3gb down to 392mb. Nice. BUT… they have added a CITY BROWSER. This shows you the cities you have already downloaded and those available for download. New cities are 200mb to 500mb downloads. They download in background. One must restart the main program to access a newly downloaded city. I’m sure that will change by the end of the beta.

Second Life Scripting Changes

Second Life residents can check out the discussion that started 12/11 on the SL blogs; To All Merchants Selling Scripted Objects – MUST READ!

Massively has a quick summary here; Long-delayed Second Life script-limitations back in the public eye

There will be lots of misinformation in the SL discussion. There always is. But, I suspect the Lindens will chime in from time to time to correct it. Avoid being reactive.

If you sell scripted products in SL, this is likely to be a problem for you.  If you use scripted objects, think adjustable hair, you may also have a problem.

What we know for sure is a new geeky addition s being added to the viewer so one can know what resources a script is using. We also know the Lindens will be imposing script limits. Depending on what the limits are, this may be a small or gigantic problem. In cases where scripts exceed the limit they won’t rez. In cases where LL does not like the script, they will return it.

So, it could be a mess.

Second Life Market Places Comparison Review

Peter Stindberg has written a comparison of five e-commerce market places for Second Life content. New World Notes posted a blog note (Five Second Life E-Commerce Sites Reviewed) about the article.

For those upset with XStreetSL’s recent changes and charges this is must reading.

Web marketplaces side by side comparison

New KirstenLee (215) Viewer Out – Review

AV Scanner

KirstenLee released an update of her S18-1 (215) viewer. I’ve downloaded it. KirstenLee S-18 Viewer

Previous blog: KirstenLee’s S18-1 (214)
Previous blog: KirstenLee Cinquetti S-17 and S-18 (208 & 209) Viewer Review

This (215) update includes some fixes, a bit more speed and nicer graphics panels in preferences. However, tis update is mostly about Niran’s Mod exposing more advanced graphics options for end users.

The image left shows the AVATAR scanner/radar. This scanner is more combat RPG friendly than others. Those with the tracking ability are usually frowned on by most RPG combat players. It makes it impossible to escape a pursuer.

Several viewers are adding support for multiple avatars. Most of us selling products in SL have at least a second AV for testing our packaging and permissions. Combat RPG players use several to allow them to play different characters in the same or different games. Some people share a computer and have separate accounts and with alternative AV’s the may have several ID/login’s to deal with. The multi-login feature is popular.