Having been part of the testing group for the “new” Second Life Viewer 2 for several months, I pretty used to using it by now and for anyone who’s finding it difficult to get to grips with: relax – it’s easy once you stop clinging to the old format.

The new viewer represent a much cleaner User Interface – a kind of interface which users of other programs would be familiar with. Despite that it looks like an Adobe Air product now, things actually make much more sense in the new client. However, I’m not going to bore you with where all the bits have moved to as both Sasy and Arminax have already done a marvellous job on that.

Also, there’s guaranteed to be a hundred blogposts all complaining about the viewer, which I’m well past doing. If anything, I’d quite like to write a blogpost about how unusable the old viewer is!

So anyways, the Viewer 2.0 isn’t the only piece of news to have come out today. It’s been like the usually dormant SL Marketing department all took coke before coming into the office this morning, because they’ve been on overdrive with news.

Third Party Viewer Directory

Sort of related, and in my opinion, much bigger news is the introduction of the Third Party Viewer Directory, and outlining of their policy.

Unfortunately, Linden Lab have shied away from any form of policing the third party viewers which can access Second Life. The directory is essentially just a way to say “Hey guys – we’ve not checked these clients out, but they said they’re awesome and that’s good enough for us!”. If they’re not awesome, they’re relying on us – the users – to let them know. Probably after an illegitimate viewer has screwed us over.

I’m all for a directory as a way of bringing together all the fantastic clients out there, but it’s hardly difficult for people to find illicit viewers at the moment. Which is why systems like CDS have been developed. The reason Second Life spawns vigilantes is because the Lab won’t police the grid.

Linden Endowment for the Arts

In more positive news, it seems someone at Linden Lab read my blog entry on Second Life’s social issue, and they’re making an effort to support the arts. This makes me all shades of happy, as I’m a strong believer that the artistic community is vital to the future of SL. An effort by Linden Lab to support the non-commercial arts within Second Life is one of the most positive steps forward I’ve seen in a long time.

How this programme will work remains to be seen, but I encourage all residents to nominate their favourite Second Life artists and musicians and get behind this effort, and hopefully it’ll serve as a platform which will encourage more amazing art and experiences which are struggling due to elevating costs.

That said, I still want to see support for non-profit venues in Second Life. I recently announced the closure of my bar The Crown and Pearl due to spiralling costs, and after months of seeing many other venues close, I can’t see the situation improving.

M Linden Speaks Out!

Also in the news today, Mark Kingdon, CEO of Linden Lab and known as M Linden in world has been giving an interview to Building43, in which he’s promoting Second Life. It’s an interesting outlook on trying to bring in new people into Second Life, and how the bossman explains it. And he says he wouldn’t buy a pair of Stiletto Moodys.. which I’m sorta thankful for.

LL:UK Expansion Pack

Seems Linden Lab in the UK are growing too, having moved into bigger office space. Why do they always put their national headquarters in the gay capitals, anyways?