New to SL on Linux

I'm not here to post a problem I encountered using the SL viewer, or to ask for help (knock on wood). But I just wanted to let the Lindens know what a great out-of-the-box experience I've had using the regular Linux viewer, even if it's labeled an Alpha build. I'm running Ubuntu 7.10 64-bit on a Dell XPS, 2.4 GHz Intel Core2Duo processor, 4 GB RAM and an nVidia Ge Force 7300 LE card using the proprietary nVidia driver.

I've run the SL client on XP before, but was a little hesitant to try it out in Ubuntu after reading about some problems others were having with it using 64-bit Linux. I'm glad I took the chance, though, because I was amazed at how well the client performed. I especially like that it runs out of the directory where the folder is located without having to install anything on my system. Anyway, I noticed many things seemed improved with the Linux client compared to the Windows' one. Avatars' movements are smoother, which makes them appear more lifelike. Sims and graphics seem to load much faster. For instance, I went to PhatCat's knowing it's always crowded there -- thinking that if I'm going to have problems, it would probably be in a crowded sim with streaming audio. Not only did the client not crash, I never saw avatars, textures and graphics load that fast in PhatCat's when I've been there using the Windows client, which sometimes was painfully slow. The only issue I had was with audio. It was choppy and barely audible, but that's not a big deal for me given the performance improvements I experienced in other areas.

Also, I noticed the viewer doesn't use any more system resources than it does on Windows.

Anyway, just wanted to let you all know about my initial experiences with the Linux client. In fact, I think will be spending a little more time in SL now because the client runs faster in Linux.

Thanks for the feedback.

This version works better than the windows xp version for me,
I have an athlon 64 3800x2, 1gb. Ram and an Nvidia Gforce 7200.
Running Ubuntu 7.10 for amd64
I Agree with DavidLuis, the avatar movements are smoother and more real.
Great work.

Hi

I also had a positive feeling using Linux for several months (worked 100% and almost never crashed) - ubuntu earlier version. When upgraded to 7.10 I ran into problemos. I believe this is some clitch with my HW.

BR Celine