[Opensim-dev] thinking about a viewer

[Diva Canto]

Hi Mister Blue,

You ask a great question.
Here are some of the things I would like to see in a future virtual 
world viewer:

#1 - Open source -- goes without saying

#2 - Multi-platform -- it should run on the Web, standalone, and 
tablets. JavaScript maybe? Or something that compiles to it.

#3 - VR-enabled -- it should be ready to run on the Oculus and other VR 
displays and inputs

#4 - Modular with a small core -- the core viewer should be as simple as 
possible, possibly just a non-interactive *viewer* without avatars, and 
all features (such as avatars, chat, build, etc) should be added as 
plugable, optional moduleswith corresponding server-side support. In 
fact, the viewer-side modules should be downloaded from the server-side 
as people visit the server (a la JavaScript on the Web) -- that's the 
maximum flexibility, as it allows for all kinds of additional features 
and differentiation. Voice chat is an important feature for many, but 
should also be optional.

#5 - Modern graphics -- I don't really know what this entails, but it 
would be nice to have environments and avatars like those in Call of 
Duty. This may be at odds with #2.

I'm not sure if this requires a whole new server side or if we can use 
OpenSim for a while. People have added WebSockets support, and that's 
ripe for being improved.

If you start this project, I hope I have time to help! I would like that 
very much.



On 8/4/2014 6:08 PM, Mister Blue wrote:
> I've been seriously thinking about creating a new viewer project. But 
> with Maria's survey[1] and all the different virtual world 
> announcements happening and the lively OpenSimulator vs Unity 
> discussion on the opensim-user list, I'd like to open up the 
> discussion to the OpenSimulator development community[2].
>
> LL is making a new world and viewer (closed and proprietary as far as 
> I know). HighFidelity is making a new world and viewer (open source 
> with commercial 'grid services'). Unity 5 will have a multi-platform 
> web viewer and a new multi-user backend (pricing not announced). There 
> are various wonderful open source virtual world projects (realXtend, 
> Virtual World Framework, ...) as well as many emerging technologies 
> (xml3d, html5, asm.js). There are several forks of OpenSimulator 
> (Aurora, ArribaSim, ...) that have made many enhancements to the base 
> system. Add to that several successful virtual worlds build on 
> OpenSimulator (inWorldz, Anvination, Kitely, ...) as well as a few 
> packaged distributions of OpenSimulator (Diva, ...). Add to that the 
> many SL/OpenSim third party viewers based on the LL viewer. And that's 
> just in our sphere. There is much more happening in the gaming and 
> education and training communities.
>
> So, what could a new viewer add to the mix? Whatever a new view does, 
> it approaches the question of what OpenSimulator should be three years 
> from now.
>
> For me, there are two basic choices[3]: evolutionary change or 
> revolutionary change.
>
> Evolutionary change says to build on existing OpenSimulator. Make due 
> with the existing LLLP (Linden Lab Legacy Protocol) and improve 
> vehicles, make installation and use easier and add an easier to use 
> and improve viewer.
>
> Revolutionary change would be striking off on a new virtual world 
> architecture. It could have LLLP support but only for downward 
> compatibility and to keep that community and content. But other 
> questions arise: How would one build a viewer/virtual world where a 
> HiFi avatar could stand next to a SL avatar? How could content be 
> delivered to a viewer so it is displayable but is not in the original, 
> copyable form? How to leverage the distribution and power of 'the 
> cloud'[4]? How could one make hypergridable grids across the many 
> virtual worlds?
>
> What do you  think? Evolution or revolution?
>
> -- mb
>
> [1] 
> http://www.hypergridbusiness.com/2014/08/survey-better-vehicles-search-most-wanted-in-opensim/
> [2] I see this expanding to other forums eventually.
> [3] With a lot of gray area in between
> [4] I'm always amazed by Google Maps -- it displays the map with 
> traffic overlays and I can zoom in and out with almost immediate 
> response. Why can't a virtual world viewer do that?
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Opensim-dev mailing list
> Opensim-dev at opensimulator.org
> http://opensimulator.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/opensim-dev

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://opensimulator.org/pipermail/opensim-dev/attachments/20140805/060d95fa/attachment-0001.html>