There was an update. There was a blog entry. No mention of the friend list nonsense. Still semi-unworkable for me. I should say, it is back to unworkable. I had a functional list briefly. Maybe it'll be better today. Maybe I should re-update my video card.
The blog did mention that there was an issue with group voting IMs. Read it here.
In other news, the sculpted prims are a go. This has been fun, if for no other reason than it has renewed my interest in Blender. I had put it aside a long time ago, having no real reason to bother with it. It isn't as much of a pain as I was led to believe. In fact, many of the things I had heard people have issue with, are actually more to my style of interface. I encourage people to figure out the sculpted prims. The wiki has some good info. Also check here for some helpful tips.
Additionally, an earlier Linden Blog announcement noted the LL acquisition of Windward Mark, the developers of WindLight, which will provide atmospheric rendering in Second Life. In a perfect world, this is a great addition. However, there remains the issue of implementation and impact. At least it looks remarkable from a distance. Check out Torley's pics.
5.24.2007
5.22.2007
ABC's SL sim vandalized
Head of strategic development in ABC Innovation, Abigail Thomas, says an
unknown party has "bombed" the island and various features have been
removed.
Features that have been removed from the Island include the
Amphitheatre, the Ecohouse, media pods, Dreamtime Cove and the Island's
favourite destination, The Sandbox.
The Second Life island home of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation got a taste of the seedier side of SL. Apparently LL is going to roll them back, but it seems like ABC may need a little primer on life in the 'verse. They claim the griefers "breached existing security", but you have to wonder. I smell an inside job! (^_~)
By the way, these episodes are getting truly unimaginative. If you have to go on with something like this, please come up with something better than a standard prim bombing and object deletion.*
Thanks to Some Guy I Know for bringing this article to my attention.*This is in now way suggesting that anyone do anything of the sort. In fact, I advocate going for a bike ride and going to the malt shop with your sweetie.
5.18.2007
Shipwreck Nets Silver Cache
Deep-sea treasure hunters, Odyssey Marine Exploration have claimed potentially the most lucrative shipwreck treasure in history (I guess Dirk Pitt and NUMA dropped the ball on this one). Their recent find netted them 17 tons of colonial-era silver and gold coins from a site in the Atlantic Ocean with an estimated value of around $500 million.
As you can imagine (Pirates, yo!), the Tampa-based company has been tight lipped regarding details and location of the wreck. The AP article notes that court records show the coins could have come from a 400-year-old ship found off the coast of England. Apparently, Odyssey had recently petitioned for permission to salvage a wreck site near the English Channel. Last fall, an Odyssey attorney told a federal judge that the company had potentially located the remains of a 17th-century merchant ship, which sank with valuable cargo about 40 miles off the SW tip of England.
All this is smashing news for Odyssey, the only publicly traded company of its kind (read some SEC docs here). Odyssey salvaged 50,000+ coins and articfacts from the wreck of the SS Republic near Savannah, Georgia, USA in 2003 and netted quite a pretty penny. However, the company posted losses in 2005 and 2006 due to the capital intensive nature of the business and the extreme difficulty of achieving successes. The Odyssey folks are out to prove that its expertise and techniques, including the use of expensive, state-of-the-art ships and underwater robotic equipment will prove them to be a viable ongoing concern.
So far, they are establishing a track record of success, having won permission from the Spanish government in January to resume a search for the wreck of the HMS Sussex, head of the British fleet in the that sunk off Gibraltar while running to the Mediterranean Sea for a war with France in 1694. The company believes this lode will fetch more than $500MM, but terms of an agreement with the British government will net them 80 percent of the first $45MM and some where in the neighborhood of 50% of proceeds exceeding the $45MM.
The richest wreck recovery to date was from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank off the Florida Keys in 1622. Mel Fisher discovered it in 1985, a reported $400MM in coins and other goodies. I have a fondness for the swashbuckling aura brought to mind by these treasure hunters. I've always loved taking some time to visit the McLarty Treasure Museum in Sebastian and watching the looters sift away off the coast over the years.
As you can imagine (Pirates, yo!), the Tampa-based company has been tight lipped regarding details and location of the wreck. The AP article notes that court records show the coins could have come from a 400-year-old ship found off the coast of England. Apparently, Odyssey had recently petitioned for permission to salvage a wreck site near the English Channel. Last fall, an Odyssey attorney told a federal judge that the company had potentially located the remains of a 17th-century merchant ship, which sank with valuable cargo about 40 miles off the SW tip of England.
All this is smashing news for Odyssey, the only publicly traded company of its kind (read some SEC docs here). Odyssey salvaged 50,000+ coins and articfacts from the wreck of the SS Republic near Savannah, Georgia, USA in 2003 and netted quite a pretty penny. However, the company posted losses in 2005 and 2006 due to the capital intensive nature of the business and the extreme difficulty of achieving successes. The Odyssey folks are out to prove that its expertise and techniques, including the use of expensive, state-of-the-art ships and underwater robotic equipment will prove them to be a viable ongoing concern.
So far, they are establishing a track record of success, having won permission from the Spanish government in January to resume a search for the wreck of the HMS Sussex, head of the British fleet in the that sunk off Gibraltar while running to the Mediterranean Sea for a war with France in 1694. The company believes this lode will fetch more than $500MM, but terms of an agreement with the British government will net them 80 percent of the first $45MM and some where in the neighborhood of 50% of proceeds exceeding the $45MM.
The richest wreck recovery to date was from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank off the Florida Keys in 1622. Mel Fisher discovered it in 1985, a reported $400MM in coins and other goodies. I have a fondness for the swashbuckling aura brought to mind by these treasure hunters. I've always loved taking some time to visit the McLarty Treasure Museum in Sebastian and watching the looters sift away off the coast over the years.
5.17.2007
New Marine Species Found
The ANDEEP project (Antarctic benthic deep-sea biodiversity) completed three sampling expeditions to the Weddell Sea area with the RV Polarstern during the period between 2002 and 2005. As a result of the project, researchers gained valuable insight into the scope of biodiversity within the Southern Ocean. The research team gathered data using traditional sampling methods (water and sediment samples were taken from 2,500 to 20,000 feet deep in the Weddell Sea and surrounding area) in conjunction with video imaging and the latest molecular techniques from these expeditions and has published a letter this week in the journal Nature.
According to reports, new creatures were discovered, including a carnivorous sponge (Chondrocladia), free swimming worms, and 674 species of isopod (an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice). Of the 674 species of isopod, 585 species had never been observed before.
Expedition leader, Angelika Brandt, of the Zoological Institute and Zoological Museum at Germany's University of Hamburg was quoted in a Reuters article as saying, "We now have a better understanding in the evolution of the marine species and how they can adapt to changes in climate and environments."
According to reports, new creatures were discovered, including a carnivorous sponge (Chondrocladia), free swimming worms, and 674 species of isopod (an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice). Of the 674 species of isopod, 585 species had never been observed before.
Expedition leader, Angelika Brandt, of the Zoological Institute and Zoological Museum at Germany's University of Hamburg was quoted in a Reuters article as saying, "We now have a better understanding in the evolution of the marine species and how they can adapt to changes in climate and environments."
Photos and descriptions at NationalGeographic.com
Polarstern
Ctenocidaris
Cylindrarcturus
glass sponge
5.08.2007
3D Printer Price Revolution
DailyTech has a bit about Desktop Factory, a company founded by IdeaLab, having plans to bring a desktop 3D printer to market at around $5,000. The price drop is predicted by the end of 2007. The required material should be priced around $0.50 per cubic inch. Models are created using nylon mixed with aluminum and glass, then hardened with heat.
I agree with A. Michael Berman, CTO for Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, who was quoted in the piece. When the machines were prohibitively expensive, nobody knew they needed one, but as the price is whittled down, inventive people will come up with things to do with something like this.
Most importantly, though, I bring this up because of this quote:
I agree with A. Michael Berman, CTO for Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, who was quoted in the piece. When the machines were prohibitively expensive, nobody knew they needed one, but as the price is whittled down, inventive people will come up with things to do with something like this.
Most importantly, though, I bring this up because of this quote:
"We are Easy-Bake Ovening a 3-D model" IdeaLab Chairman Bill Gross
5.05.2007
OOPS!
Ok, the Derby didn't go as I expected. Neither did the Bulls game.
That horse ran a nice race, though. I didn't see anything spectacular, but watchers with me seemed to think he had a spark.
I'll be sure to add some equally wrong comments prior to the next big race.
That horse ran a nice race, though. I didn't see anything spectacular, but watchers with me seemed to think he had a spark.
I'll be sure to add some equally wrong comments prior to the next big race.
5.04.2007
What are the odds?
The Kentucky Derby runs tomorrow. Hope you've done your handicapping already. If you need any serious info, go over to Daily Racing Form. They are cool enough to give you the Past Performances for the main event free of charge in PDF (with Moss Pace Figure Enhanced). It may look complicated but it is chock full of data. Just take a quick look at a definition page to see what it all means. Beyer speed numbers, times, finishes, conditions, jockey, lineage, you name it.
Anyway, let's get down to it. Looks like the weather forecast (according to The Weather Channel) is calling for 60% chance of rain (1/4 inch) and temps ranging from 65 in the morning to 75 in late afternoon. Probably not a major impact, but certainly not helping some of the speed horses.
The field is absent of the type of horse to put a fast pace up front, which may hamper some of the stalking horses. Overall, nothing super about this field. It will be fun to see who emerges.
Lot of attention on Curlin, who I'm discounting right off without a start as a 2-year-old (The last time a horse didn't run as a 2-year-old and won the Derby was 1882) only 3 career starts (The last horse to win the Derby off just three career starts was Regret, a filly, in 1915) and he's never faced a double-digit field size. I also see talk about town regarding Cowtown Cat, Circular Quay and Nobiz Like Shobiz.
I'm keeping an eye on these horses (odds from Bodog, as of this minute):
Scat Daddy (10-1): Negative talk of this being a long race for this colt and the fact that he's never posted a triple digit Beyer. He's also a stalker and if the pace is slow and the field bunched, it could pose issues. However, he has the ability to avoid trouble with situational speed. I happen to like the 5-week layoff (same as Barbaro), the fact that his last run was winning the Florida Derby and Prado astride him.
Tiago (15-1): Santa Anita winner, where he posted a 100 Beyer. Only 4 career starts, but one as a two-year-old. Half-brother of 2004 winner Giacomo, which is enough for me to give him a look. Another stalker. Smith at the reigns brings experience.
Dominican (20-1): Bit of a long shot, lots of things working against him. Been slow late in races and hasn't run well on dirt, having run mostly PolyTrack. No triple-digit Beyers. However, last two races looked good, including a win at Blue Grass over Street Sense and Zanjero, and has posted a good 5-furlong bullet on 4/29. Looks ready to make a push. As long as the odds stay longish, I'll take a shot with this one.
The mighty Bulls tip off against the Pistons Saturday night and I really want to throw a few bucks on Bwana Bull for the hell of it, but I might as well just burn the cash. Bwaba Bull is greatly outclassed here.
As always, I would tell you the winner if I knew. Unfortunately, the universe has not seen fit to give me precognition. As such, I'm reduced to playing spin the bottle with painted horse figurines and making up pompous sounding analysis, complete with horsey lingo, to explain my selections.
Good luck, ladies and gents. The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home.....
Anyway, let's get down to it. Looks like the weather forecast (according to The Weather Channel) is calling for 60% chance of rain (1/4 inch) and temps ranging from 65 in the morning to 75 in late afternoon. Probably not a major impact, but certainly not helping some of the speed horses.
The field is absent of the type of horse to put a fast pace up front, which may hamper some of the stalking horses. Overall, nothing super about this field. It will be fun to see who emerges.
Lot of attention on Curlin, who I'm discounting right off without a start as a 2-year-old (The last time a horse didn't run as a 2-year-old and won the Derby was 1882) only 3 career starts (The last horse to win the Derby off just three career starts was Regret, a filly, in 1915) and he's never faced a double-digit field size. I also see talk about town regarding Cowtown Cat, Circular Quay and Nobiz Like Shobiz.
I'm keeping an eye on these horses (odds from Bodog, as of this minute):
Scat Daddy (10-1): Negative talk of this being a long race for this colt and the fact that he's never posted a triple digit Beyer. He's also a stalker and if the pace is slow and the field bunched, it could pose issues. However, he has the ability to avoid trouble with situational speed. I happen to like the 5-week layoff (same as Barbaro), the fact that his last run was winning the Florida Derby and Prado astride him.
Tiago (15-1): Santa Anita winner, where he posted a 100 Beyer. Only 4 career starts, but one as a two-year-old. Half-brother of 2004 winner Giacomo, which is enough for me to give him a look. Another stalker. Smith at the reigns brings experience.
Dominican (20-1): Bit of a long shot, lots of things working against him. Been slow late in races and hasn't run well on dirt, having run mostly PolyTrack. No triple-digit Beyers. However, last two races looked good, including a win at Blue Grass over Street Sense and Zanjero, and has posted a good 5-furlong bullet on 4/29. Looks ready to make a push. As long as the odds stay longish, I'll take a shot with this one.
The mighty Bulls tip off against the Pistons Saturday night and I really want to throw a few bucks on Bwana Bull for the hell of it, but I might as well just burn the cash. Bwaba Bull is greatly outclassed here.
As always, I would tell you the winner if I knew. Unfortunately, the universe has not seen fit to give me precognition. As such, I'm reduced to playing spin the bottle with painted horse figurines and making up pompous sounding analysis, complete with horsey lingo, to explain my selections.
Good luck, ladies and gents. The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home.....
5.01.2007
Project Open Letter garners Lab response
Today we received a letter signed by over 1,500 Residents requesting that
Linden Lab focus on performance improvements in several areas in Second
Life. We’re drafting a response to provide more details on the specific
issues that were raised, and scheduling a Town Hall with Cory for later this
week. We’ll also give you an opportunity to ask questions to be answered at
the Town Hall.
More of the same or a step forward? Stay tuned.
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