SL Versions

So... my computer has aged out of SL. I get the warning that my computer no longer supports it and I play at my own risk. Yesterday, I found here the web site that gives links to old versions and I downloaded the version I last played well at. To no avail... You must upgrade to continue. My question is, do I try a viewer version? Does that bypass SL's insistence that I upgrade (until I can upgrade my computer?)?

Please answer simply. I am computer literate only to a point. My graphics, etc. are set to their lowest points already.

You may want to try one of the 3rd party viewers. they are basically overlays that go on top of the Linden viewer.

The Nicholaz Viewers are very stable and smooth especially on lower end machines.

http://nicholaz-beresford.blogspot.com/2008/05/version-overview.html

you can use the old version from nicholaz

http://nicholaz-beresford.blogspot.com/2008/05/release-bleeding-edge-be-w.html

install 1.18.5 and then copy&paste his files over the installation, it won`t ask you to upgrade

I am not sure what you mean about copy and paste. Can you be more specific? I know how to copy and paste, but when you install a program, where is that option?

all described in his installation quide (wich is very simple and short)

Yes. Take a look at his site. He describes all his viewers, and what they do as opposed to the Linden viewers, there are links to download the Linden viewers, and his intructions, which really are simple. Take a look, and if you still have questions come on back and ask.

When you go to the download page for each version of Nicholaz's viewer, you'll see a list of files. Download to your hard drive the .zip file containing everything, and unzip it. (Go with the most recent version, alphabetically. For example, the Eye Candy installation comes with EC-f, EC-g, and EC-h; EC-h is the latest version.) Inside, you'll find several text files, some .xml files, and a Nicholaz.exe file. One of the text files is Installation.txt and gives you full instructions.

You'll need to install the correct SL official viewer first. Look at the Version Overview page that Brenda linked to above, and decide from that (and your computer specs) which one you'll need. Toward the bottom of the Nicholaz page for that version is a direct link to the original relevant viewer download, so install that first of all.

Then, you have to copy the .xml files and .exe file from the Nicholaz .zip file you downloaded, and paste them into the original SL viewer Program Files directory (usually something like: My Computer > Drive C > Program Files > SecondLife). Then all that you do is create a shortcut to the Nicholaz.exe file and use *that* to log into Second Life. It's really pretty easy

You can also try the Cool Viewer from Boy Lane. I am using it now after using Nicholaz for a long time. It installs pretty much the same was as Nicholaz' viewer. I use the 1.19 Non Windlight version and it really works great.

Thanks Brenda, here is a better link with the latest versions

http://my.opera.com/boylane

Boy

Thanks for your help everyone. I was able to successfully install the Nicholaz viewer and what a difference in performance it made for me!

LOL. I didn't realize mine was an old link. Damn Googles! *shakes fist*

I'll edit my link out.

One of the reasons I never stuck it out with Nicholaz. I kept crashing all the time with whatever was the current Nicholaz version a year ago. And I just plain couldn't understand all that e, f, g, etc. stuff when I looked later at the blog.

I'm sure the viewer is great, and I'm glad so many have found to be a way to stay in SL, but it is just beyond me. Didn't help that when I looked last it was a blog set-up instead of a website setup.

People might think I'm joking when I say I am not good with computers and am surprised I'm actually able to log into SL. I'm not joking.

Besides Henri's Linux Thread here; there's a new support forum for the Cool Viewer , thanks to Darien Caldwell. Please check out her new web, I'm sure you will find it . Of course you can also still use my blog for help requests.

Boy

There is a workaround. You can add a "--channel something" option to the command line (in the shortcut on Windows, in the arguments.txt file on Mac) and it will keep working.

BUT if you do that DO NOT USE STREAMING AUDIO OR VIDEO, DO NOT USE THE INTERNAL BROWSER, AND DO NOT VIEW WEB PAGES ON PROFILES, because all these things will let the people serving these streams and pages know your IP address, and there is a security hole in the older clients that will let someone who knows you're running an old version of SL take over your computer.

I was a long time user of the Nicholaz viewer but changed to Coolview a month or so back, very happy with it... {I hate docked windows in the SL viewer}

Same here. The 1.19 Cool Viewer is running great for me. Thank You.

I went back to the Nicholaz viewer for one main reason - using anything from 1.19 and higher will no longer support the highlight and copy from those group notices that pop up in the upper right corner -- and I use that a lot.

1.21.6 does.

Not being one to take warnings very seriously, occasionally I run SL on an old Mac Cube and get that message. I just ignore it. So far nothing horrible has happened. Well, other than getting 3fps.