Light blue polyester

I saw the Dazzle viewer changes made it into the latest release candidate.

And you know what, it's a fairly fast client and all that... more professional looking, sure... but my SL experience is totally changed.

Gave it a week, as recommended a ways back when Dazzle first came out, but guys, I just can't get into this.

I want a *less* professional client viewer! Really.

The Dazzle look is extremely good from a corporate or educational standpoint. Flawless for that.

But it just ain't us.


You know, us goths and furries and vamps and neovictorians and elves and... well, us, your kinda twisted but deeply into it types.

- Can you imagine a heavy metal enthusiast with Judas Priest posters, beer next to the monitor, a cigarette in his mouth and... a Hello Kitty style SL client? He's your customer.

- Or a geek girl with Halo posters, Warren Ellis on the bookshelf, C++ compilers on the desktop, a webcam, and... an SL client fit for Barbie? Eeek! She's your customer.

- How about even grandma with Norman Rockwell on her wall, mahogany and the bible study guide next to her... you just put high tech light-blue shiny on top of her Ethan Allen. Ouch, man. She's your customer.



You guys went so far - did SUCH a good job with the concept of Dazzle... only to use the default color scheme of a 1970's polyester suit. Alright, maybe the corporates and the educators need that. I can see that. For the rest of us... take that last step and give us a 'classic' UI option... or something, even a monochrome before this becomes official. Heaven would be something like the WinAmp skin options. But I don't dare ask. Dream, but not ask.

Sure, I know I can just paste the edit of the directory of the hack and then steps 1 2 3 and follow the easy directions and et voila, it's whatever I want.

But that's not the point, I'd like a shared experience that isn't a hacky-patchy thing. I spend a bloody fortune trying to create an ambiance inworld... have you ever seen the whimsical world of 19th century steam through Dazzle? Immersion. Shattering. Experience.

I'm begging. I don't rant much, and I'm usually a total fanboy - so much of a one that it makes people gag when they read my posts. I've been wrong about stuff too - hey, I'll confess, the transition to voice wasn't near as big a deal as I thought it would be.

You guys were right. A proper look to the client is HUGE. I see that now. More than I ever thought possible! I'm a believer.

So please, save us from the 1970's blue polyester scheme, and give me that old time rock and roll.

You're the new CEO, dammit... issue a decree or somethin'.

P2

Agreed Desmond!

That coloring is cool for corporate, but it hurt the eyes of programmers who need to stare at them for a long time!

LL has a plan to provide UI re-skinning -- see JIRA 6027 (https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/VWR-6027) "Skinning Phase 1". 6027 is very unusual in that it is a meta-issue created by the Lindens, corresponding to a project plan posted in the wiki. However, the plan has 5 or so phases ... I fear it will be a while before we see results.

My takeaway from your post, Desmond, is that a patch to provide a single darker skin should be made available immediately to support all who "live" in dimmer light -- neo-Victorians, gritty urban, most medieval, Gor, and many many others. I think I'll comment on the bug accordingly, but realistically Desmond, your vote & comment re:Caledon would carry much more weight.

[LL will definitely carry through on this project, because corporate entities that want to provide their own grid ala IBM or even a portal onto the SL grid will want to re-brand the interface .]
.

A number of enterprising people have already created custom skins for Dazzle. If you feel brave, give them a try.

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins