Low-Lag Scripting at SL6B

Low-Lag Scripting
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL6B%20Nano/49/149/23

Learn how to avoid LAG in your LSL scripts.

You all know that LAG is the biggest problem with any scripts or creations in SL. As an experienced scripter in SL, I’ll share some of my scripting secrets to create scripts with low lag. We can all benefit from better scripts that avoid to be laggy, so I will discuss:

1. When do scripts produce LAG?
2. Do listeners produce LAG?
3. How to reduce LAG for Particle-Emitters?
4. How to use sensors wisely to keep LAG low?
5. Which low-LAG animations can I use for my objects?

More information: IM Jim Gustafson – jim.gustafson.sl@googlemail.com – http://www.secondpresentation.com/blog/

Gimp Einsteigerkurs bei der vhs in SL

Das Programm Gimp gilt als kostenlose Alternative zu teuren Grafikprogrammen wie Photoshop. Leider ist die Bedienung eher gewöhnungsbedürftig. In meinem 3-teiligen Kurs “Gimp für Einsteiger” erkläre ich jedoch, wie man sich recht schnell und einfach an diese Programm gewöhnen kann.

Gimp Grundlagen – Objekte retuschieren
Termin: Freitag 17.07 um 20 Uhr
Dieser Kurs zeigt eine einfache Retuschier-Technik, mit der sich beispielsweise Logos oder unerwünschte Objekte aus einem Foto entfernen lassen.

Gimp Grundlagen – Nahtlose Texturen erstellen
Termin: Freitag 24.07 um 20 Uhr
Dieser Kurs zeigt eine einfache Technik, wie man nahtlose Texturen (zum Beispiel für Second Life) mit “the Gimp” erstellen kann.

Gimp Grundlagen – Objekte Freistellen mit Pfad
Termin: Freitag 31.07 um 20 Uhr
Dieser Kurs zeigt eine einfache Technik, wie man fotografierte Objekte (zum Beispiel für Second Life) mit Gimp freistellen kann.

Anmeldung bitte direkt bei der Anmelde-Box im Infotreff der vhs (bei den Ausstellungstischen, der erste Tisch links). Zwei Anmeldungen sind bereits eingegangen, es sind also noch 8 Plätze frei.

Falls du noch nicht sicher bist, ob du dich anmelden willst, komme bitte in eine der kostenlosen Infoabende:
Do. 02.07 um 19 Uhr oder
Fr. 03.07 um 20 Uhr oder
Sa. 04.07 um 20 Uhr

Falls du noch kein Gimp installiert hast, kannst du an einem der folgenden kostenlosen Einfürungskurse teilnehmen:

Mo. 06.07 um 19 Uhr oder
Fr. 10.07 um 20 Uhr

Cross-Grid Communication

Today 12 PM SLT
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL6B%20Nano/49/149/23

“The future of virtual worlds” is the theme of this year’s exhibition. We have to think about 3D-worlds like Second Life but also other grids like reactiongrid, osgrid or legend city online. Some of us are already active in other grids, even if they don’t work as seamless and smooth as Second Life.

One of the biggest problems may be, to keep track of all the different avatars that are logging in to different worlds. Especially for business people it’s hard to get an overview on all the different messages that comes from different accounts.

I have developed a web-based system called GridMessage that should help to make messaging independent. You can come to my exhibition booth and grab a free beta version and try it out by yourself. I will give you a short demonstration and I’m available to answer your questions.

More information: IM Jim Gustafson – jim.gustafson.sl@googlemail.com – http://www.secondpresentation.com/blog/

Scripting Class at SL6B

Today 10 AM SLT:
Basic Scripting 101
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL6B%20Nano/49/149/23

Basic Scripting 101 – Orientation: Why do we need scripting?

This is a demonstration of my self-paced classes. I’ll be there to answer questions.

What is LSL? Where to find more information? The Wiki explained.

I will show you some scripted objects to give you an idea what is possible in LSL.

BEGINNER level

PREREQUISITES: none
More information: IM Jim Gustafson – jim.gustafson.sl@googlemail.com – http://www.secondpresentation.com/blog/

Update on the Hope Hunt + Race

This is the message I’ve got from the hope hunt:

As we promised earlier today, a decision has been made regarding the Hope Hunt + Race.  With great sadness, we have determined that the event should be halted and rescheduled for later this year.  This is the best way to preserve the integrity of the Hope Hunt + Race, and the Relay for Life which is the reason behind it all.

The problems we experienced were not due to a lack of preparation.  We were well prepared.  We have an excellent database system, and the scripts were all thoroughly tested during May and early June.  The scripts and database worked as expected during the event.

The problem, without being too technical, is that each click of a Rose created an HTTP request/response between SL and the database … and the servers simply could not handle the volume.  Our problem, as has been said before, was that this event has been such a HUGE success.  We were too successful for the servers to handle.

That is what caused the problems you experienced–Roses giving messages with bad or missing information, and Roses “locking up” (due to lag in the HTTP communications).  The script/database system was good–but it did not have the server resources needed to process the volume of information generated.

These issues will be resolved, and the Hope Hunt + Race will be successful.  This is not something that can be fixed easily or quickly, though.  Any solution that would enable us to finish the event on schedule would be a quick-fix, degrading the experience for everyone involved.  Therefore, we will reschedule the event when the server issues have been ironed out.

For the participating merchants, the Roses which are currently out will automatically delete themselves, as planned, on July 5; you can delete them before that time if you would like to do so.  When the Hope Hunt + Race is rescheduled, you will be given the same number of Roses for the event.

For the hunters, the event will restart when it is rescheduled.  This is the fairest and most equitable solution for everyone.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.  This has been exciting and fun … and a bit frustrating, perhaps.  Know that we look forward to continuing to work with you as we make this event a success, and we will keep you posted as those plans unfold.

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and participation.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Sidda Jubilee &
Arete Diplomat

Hope Hunt + Race database problems

It seems the hope roses have been so popular, that they have serious problems to maintain the database with this approach. The idea is really good, you touch a rose and you get a message how many roses are still around in the region. Unfortunately the scripter did not anticipate the big data load, so the database is currently down for maintenance.

SL6B Exhibition is in outer space

As you may have heard, the celebration of SL®’s 6th birthday will be on an asteroid sim in outer space. Therefore the coordinators have requested that all flora (plants or trees) must be contained in an AEC (Artificial Environment Chamber).

I know, prims are very scarce on these sims, so I made such a chamber out of 2 sculpted prims. I sell them for a very small fee at $10 Linden (about 4 US-cent) on XStreet. They are full-perm, so everybody who buys them, can copy them for their own booth and give copies to friends if they like.

You’ll find them on XStreet.

Hope Hunt + Race

Are you tired already because you did so much hunting lately? Let’s have another hunt that is for a good cause. The American Cancer Socitety (Relay For Life) is now doing a grid wide Hunt+Race to spread cancer awareness and earn money to aid cancer research.

Come and find all the yellow roses in the shops. You have to click each one of them and you will be counted (ony one click per rose) and published on the leader board so you can see who is in the lead. You can also win big linden prizes:

1st Prize: 45.000 Linden

2nd Prize: 25.000 Linden

3rd Prize: 10.000 Linden

In the event of a tie, prizes will be divided

The hunt will start on June 21 and run until July 4

More Hunts in June

Another X-hunt is planned from June 8th – 15th, check all details here:
http://www.jeaniesing.com/Xmarksthespot.html

For male avatars, there is also a grid wide “Make him over hunt” with cool stuff for men only:

http://huntlocations.blogspot.com/2009/06/make-him-over.html

creating cool sound effects with audacity

I’ve created a new screencast “creating cool sound effects with audacity” that is hosted on the video tutorial platform mindbytes.com. The screencast is part of a competition and it’s free to view during the competition, so please feel free to have a look and vote if you like it.

Here is the direct link to the video. And here you can vote for my video if you like.

Edit June 5: Currently received 10 votes so far, thanks to all voters

MindBites Screencast 4 Cash Contest