Beware the bling in Second Life

Linden Lab’s Pastrami Linden has flagged a new feature in the current Release Candidate viewer. The ‘Avatar Rendering Cost’ option will show a number that equates to the cumulative graphics generation impact of that avatar - the more non-standard avatar features you’ve added the higher the number.

It’s a useful tool to determine what may be behind some of the lag experienced in the busier locations but it also risks being a distraction from some of the more serious software and hardware bottlenecks (Australian SL servers anyone?). It cold also be used as a means of excluding people or the imposition of ‘base avatar’ rules in the more popular areas. What do you think - is bling the target here?

Popularity: 4% [?]

Linux Second Life Client goes beta

Linden Lab have announced the availability of a beta-version of its client for Linux users.

There’s a dedicated bunch of Australian Linux users in Second Life and it’d be a fair guess they’re a little excited by this announcement. If you’re a Linux user, post a comment on your experiences with the beta. Good luck!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Second Life viewer now supports Vista

Al the details here. Do have a good read of the specific system requirements, as your PC’s video card may still be the primary cause of any issues.

Popularity: 3% [?]

New WindLight viewer available for Second Life users

All the details here. I love the aesthetic improvements WindLight brings to Second Life, just hoping this release is a little more stable than previous ones…

Update: A new non-WindLight viewer is now available for download

Popularity: 4% [?]

Fixes on the way for Mac users of Second Life

Linden Lab have announced a new optional Windlight viewer update and in the process have claimed a bunch of fixes for Mac users. As a Mac-using Second Life resident I don’t think I’m alone in saying stability has been an even bigger issue than those on Windows-based computers. The progress is indeed welcome.

Popularity: 3% [?]