Testing the SL Linux Client (1.8.4.7)

Testing the SecondLife linux client (1.8.4.7) under Fedora Core 4, x64.

The client functioned well after installing the nVidia drivers. No sound was supported, but to my knowledge it is intentionally not supported in the alpha release. The graphics and everything under this client appeared to work as I am used to in the Windows client.

The main drawback I have encountered with the linux client over the Windows SecondLife client is that WASD keys *Do Not* control avatar movement, even when flying. For some, this may not be a problem. I always make use of these keys (as they are standard movement keys in many games like World of Warcraft, etc) and found it slightly awkward to convert to the directional keys, which also limit ease of access to hotkeys.

To improve all clients, I would like to see the option for users to key-map the controls to their own taste. After several days of using SecondLife's controls, I still find the camera control to be akward and frustrating for quick zoom-ins and general exploration of the environment. Perhaps some work can be done to make it more user friendly, as it can draw you out of the game slightly when you need to cognitate the controls to supplement its less-intuitiveness.


I might suggest being able to scan your environment by simply holding the left-click, or while holding the shift key. I would say the shift key because it is readily accessible to both control styles; directional keys and WASD users. This would free up users from specifically zooming in on one object to get a sense of the surroundings without going into mouselook mode.

The control (CTRL) key would still remain and be functional as it is. The alt key may then only need to be used when specifically zooming in on a particular object or avatar, and would in my case be used less frequently than it is now.

The key-mapping, would also help this situation for it could allow one to map the CTRL key function to perhaps the space bar, which would provide perhaps a more convenient placement to command the Shift and Control functions more easily from a WASD placement.

Shift and Control are also friendly to users of the directional system, and any preferred modification can thereby be done through key-mapping.


Overview of Suggestions to Improve Clients:

-Support WASD-key movements.
-User configurable key mapping.
-Improved camera controls.

As a test, I heard that users had success emulating SecondLife under WINE. I was able to install the SecondLife windows client under linux with WINE with no added configuration and play SecondLife. It emulated well, if not slightly better than the linux client on my system. It also allows one to use the WASD keys for movement as expected, if preferred.


Test System Specs:
---------------------------
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
768 MB RAM
100 GB SATA\150 HDD
GeForce 6600 GT 128MB PCIe
Asus A8N-SLI motherboard

Keytol Stilman

I have posted a similar write up on my blog

http://ninjafoo.blogspot.com/2006/03/linux-alpha-vs-windows-beta.html

It's not that the sound "intentionally" doesn't work, it's just that it hasn't been ported yet. It's a known missing feature (not quite a bug)

As far as I know, the WASD keys are another known missing feature / bug. I mean, in the "Known issues" thread in this forum it does mention both sound and some keys not working.

I've never used the Windows (or mac) client, so luckily I don' tknow what I?m missing, can't miss what I don't know.

I want to add a few comments on sound following on from Ninja Ng's blog. Sound is everything for me in SL. I have scripted interactive in-world musical instruments and particularly love howling to the moon and at the odd sexy DJ much to their grief

"This isn't as much of as issue as you would think, from my own experiences and having spoken to a lot of residents in world it seems the general trend is to mute the sound and put some mp3s on anyway."

Well that's taking it a bit to far.. but with regard to streamed audio that is being played by a live DJ or at a friends pad, may I suggest the following the solution? Ask them what URL they are streaming on and play it through a stand-alone media player, e.g. mplayer. First of all it's a great excuse to chat up the DJ, second its an excellent conversation opener about using Linux and the client. Quite a few Av's have said to me that they actually prefer Linux, only use windows because of SL, etc etc.

I will be the first to admit that I havn't explored the sounds of Second Life to the full, That was however my point, the Windows client has lots, the Linux client has none, and if you don't know what you're missing then ignorance is bliss. You can live without it if you don't know its there.



I really asked what people did regarding the in world sound. Winamp was the most common answer.

This kind of issue is rather off-topic here, but of course your comment is entirely true, not just for Second Life but for all UIs of all games. The problem is very wide reaching indeed.

A perfect universal control scheme simply doesn't exist, because control preferences are a highly subjective and individual thing. What's more, being forced to change controls from those that suit you best to those which some particular designer happens to prefer is pretty uncaring, not to say fascist.

Any half-decent UI that takes the needs of people into account should allow arbitrary keystroke and mouse button rebinding in whatever way the player chooses. End of story.

This has nothing special to do with the Linux client though.

Indeed. I use the Dvorak keymap, so even *when* we get WASD movement in Linux, it won't do me a mote of good. I mean... that would put forward at comma, left stays at 'a', back moves to semicolon, and right is at 'h'... I'll stick to the directionals!

I disagree about the camera controls, though. I find them exceedingly intuitive. Maybe I'm the lone voice in the crowd on that one, though.

I've gotten use to the windows SL form of camera controls, but sadly holding Alt alone seems to be captured by Gnome to move my window about rather than move my camera about in game. >/

Sound is important for me in SL, I like hearing footsteps, rushing wind, the roaring water of my waterfall, and of course streamed music. Sound support is pretty much the only thing keeping me from using linux full time.

On KDE, change the window manager modifier key from ALT to META (windows key). I am sure you can do the same with Gnome but exactly where .......

I think its preferences/keyboard and then the third tab. But I would rather wait if we get a decent version 1.9 soon with a fullscreen mode. That should change things.

While we wait with baited breath for the new version, is it reasonable to imagine that object based, in world, sounds are being implemented? This would really float my boat! And while they are at it, integration of the ex-world streaming applet.

To anybody that has any idea, just how problematic are these additions? I'm reminded of OSS vs ALSA hassles I've had with various distros and apps but I guessing the second missing feature is a more difficult prospect without really understanding the legal issues surrounding the use of certain codecs and containers.

My comments on my experiences running 1.8.4.* are in need of a little bit of an update. No, not every DJ is happy to dole out their URL. A friend pointed out me that in advertising a URL you make it possible for someone to enjoy your feed without coming to your club. As if! Likewise, not every music streamer has the time to address every IM request, particularly if they are playing a guitar or singing at the same time.

It's just unfortunate that it is running SL on the linux platform that really makes it possible for me to dip in and out of that world. As long as I'm offered an impoverished experience, soundwise, it's not really there for me yet.

While we wait with baited breath for the new version, is it reasonable to imagine that object based, in world, sounds are being implemented? This would really float my boat! And while they are at it, integration of the ex-world streaming applet?

To anybody that has any idea, just how problematic are these additions? I'm reminded of OSS vs ALSA hassles I've had with various distros and apps but I guessing the second missing feature is a more difficult prospect without really understanding the legal issues surrounding the use of certain codecs and containers.

My comments on my experiences running 1.8.4.* are in need of a little bit of an update. No, not every DJ is happy to dole out their URL. A friend pointed out me that in advertising a URL you make it possible for someone to enjoy your feed without coming to your club. As if! Likewise, not every music streamer has the time to address every IM request, particularly if they are playing a guitar or singing at the same time.

It's just unfortunate that it is running SL on the linux platform that really makes it possible for me to dip in and out of that world. As long as I'm offered an impoverished experience, soundwise, it's not really there for me yet.

Very doubtful.