Beams and ribbons....

I would like to see beam and ribbon based effects in sl.

A beam is a series of particles connected to each other forming a straight or semi straight line between point a and point b. This is useful for things such as lazers, lightning, rail gun trails, light beams etc.

A ribbon is a series of particles connected to each one forming a chain of particles. They are emitted like normal particles with a few exceptions listed below.

Ribbons are contiguous.
Ribbons have slightly different orientation properties, usually they are locked on specific axis.
Ribbons support different particle types, Cross (litterally two particles in a Cross or X formation, Tri-Tube (a triangular tube using 3 connected particles), Quad tube, Hex Tube and Penta tubes are also common.
Ribbon particles stretch based on the life, number of particles spawned (usually spawning is determined by particles/meter vs particles/step/frame/sec) and so is far more effecient for smoke trails, contrails etc than traditional particles that have to overlap.
Usually have options to alpha fade the first and last particles (in addition to the starting and ending alpha values)

Anyway, these could be cool and usefull.