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Reaching Audience

Kat Sunset
Registered User
Join date: 8 Apr 2005
Posts: 20
05-30-2006 10:03
I understand that much of SL's capabilities work on the server's end and not hte end user computer's end of things.

Still, I think in some ways that SL is losing alot of thier audience by the way things are operating at the current time. Having an Intel 82845G Graphics Controller is admittedly not the fastest laptop vid card I could have. My computer is about 2 years old so in computer terms it is already an antique.

Despite this, I can in fact run things like Alias Maya and 3D Studio Max on it with no problem. I know there simply must be a way that people like me can enjoy SL without severe lag. I know Im not the only one out there that doesnt have the latest and greatest video card out there.

Can SL ever properly reach the common denominator -- those that have run of the mill video cards?
Torley Linden
Enlightenment!
Join date: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 16,530
05-30-2006 13:14
Hey Kat! I love seeing SL spread far and wide. Especially for those who are on a budget or just don't have the newest hardware (and who does? Things change so often). There are also times when someone's at a family member or friend's with a decidedly scrappy computer, but they still want to get onto SL. That means a lot to us. :)

What I think you'll see is that as technology advances, the system requirements for SL will even out. For example, a "mid-range computer" today is far faster than one was just a couple of years ago. This includes graphics cards. So some of it is just a matter of time.

Some have also pointed out that there are other online world experiences they enjoy with lower system requirements in some respects. For example, World of Warcraft does support certain Intel Extreme chipsets with limited pixelshader support. Similarly applied to SL, that might mean that while you don't get the best eye candy, at least things will run stably.

As it stands, we don't want to leave people out, even given technological constraints. And while we don't currently support various integrated chipsets that are "run-of-the-mill", there are a number of Resis who run on Intel Extreme et al. with mixed results. Some get lucky because of a certain combination of system components, while others find they get weird glitching and artifacts.

I know a lot of Lindens who'd want to make what you suggest possible. It'd certainly open SL up to a lot more. While I don't have any news today for if and when this will be done because we don't have the resources to do all the quality testing required--at least not yet--the idea is certainly agreeable.

Thanx for your suggestion! :)
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