WEEKLY COMMUNITY MEETINGS 2012
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting March-24-2012(!), 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in the Welcome center on "Our Town" for information on the community
Minutes-20120310
================
Community meeting, March-10, on Nadah, start 2 pm, end 16:04
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Astro Balut
Zinnia Frenzy
Kered Owl
Saraleah Sands
Kristen Mynx
Dolfke Barbosa
Eve Quandry
Sean Shelman
Lazuli Pooraka
Gail Kilara
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
BG Singer sends apologies for not being able to attend today's meeting.
No other announcements or documents received today.
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without change.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted with the additions of Lazuli Pooraka addressing the meeting under point 7: Events and Activities. Under point 8 we will continue the issue of managing the Designer Showcase.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for property, reports that most land-for-sale is now ready. She is also happy to report that we recently added a few private regions.
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, reports all is progressing well at welcome. A DJ stream would be nice to have though, she explains. Kristen Mynx will look into that (as promised before). Finding greeters that can cover the US timezones is still a problem.
On Events, Zinnia is happy to report that Russell Eponym will be performing live for us every Monday, starting the 12th. Furthermore she is negotiating with Woodsong to get, most likely, a bi-weekly event sorted featuring him. And she has other contact in an early stage, more about those when it is opportune.
Zinnia Frenzy thanks Kristen Mynx for her work on a translator HUD which will allow non-English speaking visitors to roam the grid. The number of free translations is limited however, so we should only use the translator when needed.
Asto Balut, senior for Education, reports that work is still/again ongoing on importing a large collection of Freebies by Boater and Shelann. Copyrights and such are the issue to sort out.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, is not with us today, but Kira is certain he would ask us all to keep writing. Anything that you feel may interest the people in 3RG is welcome. Articles to be sent to WakiJanus@gmail.com
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Lazuli Pooraka, owner of 3RG and its main inspirator, addresses the meeting and starts by thanking all the admins, technicians, and community members who worked hard to make 3RG what it is today - a grid that stays and is filled with friendly people.
Lazuli continues by saying that he would like the grid to grow however, we are with few at the moment, and he expects that the upcoming benefit weekend for Doctors Without Borders can help with that. The DWB event, 16-18 March, is of course all about helping that great organization, by beating our own record donation of USD 1.200, but will also expose us to the rest of the (virtual) world.
Many live artists, great DJ's and other events are lined-up for the weekend of March 16 to 18. Posters and info are available and we will use 3RGTV to broadcast the events taking place in either SL or 3RG to the world.
Lazuli ask us all to first of all help spread the word, give the event as much exposure as possible, and also asks for people to help out during the weekend itself, by hosting events, greeting people, and all the little things that go on around such a busy weekend. The event is called Robstock by the way, and this is already its 5th edition. Check, among others, the website for more info ...
Volunteers to help out can contact Gail Kilara who is coordinating things.
The community will (of course) skip, postpone, cancel any community events during that weekend. The community cannot do same for private events, but will, where possible and necessary, contact those events and explain the situation.
8: Community Input
------------------
Lazuli Pooraka asks for reactions about the 'Office Hours' that have been held over the last week(s). Office hours is an opportunity for any citizen to have a 1-on-1 chat with a grid administrator/technician, get answers, and if possible, problems solved on the spot.
The general reaction is that the idea is welcome, and seems to be used too, but weekend sessions would be nice too. Lazuli will try to schedule weekend hours.
Kira Tiponi repeats the community offer to turn the lounge at welcome into an admin office. The offer is welcomed though Lazuli is considering setting up a formal office elsewhere on the grid.
Kered Owl remarks that setting a stream in welcome is somehow not possible for members of the Elder group. Kira will look into it.
The transfer of control of the Designer Showcase is still in progress. So far Sunny Tomorow is the only volunteer to take over management of the facility. More help is still welcome ...
Kira Tiponi proposes that we re-schedule the community meeting and make it a bi-weekly one. Her main argument being that we 'talk too much, and do too little'. All in the meeting agree a meeting every other week is better until we are with more people.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
Eve Quandry introduces Sean Shelman, a new resident. Welcome Sean to 3RG :-)
Lazuli Pooraka makes a few non-specific remarks about the way he feels the community functions at the moment. Some of these remarks are not well received by some and a somewhat heated discussion follows. As none of the critique is specific, it is however not possible for the community to address the issues. It is agreed (partially after the meeting) that after Robstock a meeting with the Elders and active members of the community will be organized to learn and improve where possible and necessary.
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 16:04 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for March-24-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting March-10-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
a - meeting frequency
b - Designer Showcase, volunteers to manage it
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Minutes-20120303
================
Community meeting, March-03, on Nadah, start 2 pm, end 15:13
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Astro Balut
Zinnia Frenzy
Kered Owl
Alia Soulstar
Saraleah Sands
Kristen Mynx
Dolfke Barbosa
BG Singer
Rosa Singer
Twilight Sparkle
Tookey Foray
Ryan Brooks
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
The meeting planned for last week never took place because just prior to the meeting Kira Tiponi was asked to step down as chairperson. A somewhat wild action around serious accusations at her address. A somewhat heated debate followed without a clear outcome. Kira prepared a formal response to it all which she enters into the meeting (see appendix). She offers the meeting to discuss it further if so desired.
As neither Nikki Navarita not Vbinnia Radek, the two people at the core of all this, bothered to turn up today, an opportunity to comment on it all will be made available at point 8 on the agenda.
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without change.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for property, feels the upgrade went fairly well, but she hasn't had the opportunity to work on projects much since.
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, apologizes for not being around a lot lately. She has been poorly herself, but Kered Owl, one of her seniors has been around to keep things going and meet and greet new people coming in. Zinnia expects to be up and running again this week.
Alia Soulstar, our Elder for education, also apologizes. RL kept her very busy over the last couple of weeks, and she need to catch up with current events over the next couple of days first.
Ryan Brook asks how long it will take to setup the region he bought today? (congrats Ryan and welcome). He is advised that it typcally doesn't take long, depending on when the right support people are available. Could be hours to a day, or sometimes two days.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, is not with us today, but Kira is certain he would ask us all to keep writing. Anything that you feel may interest the people in 3RG is welcome. Articles to be sent to WakiJanus@gmail.com
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
It seems we are graced with another live act in 3RG. BG Singer just gave a great concert today, and the intention is to invite him back on a weekly basis, most likely noon-1 pm on Saturday at the SoundShell on Aero, but check the calendar to make sure.
Saraleah Sands invites all to weekly gathering in her Orbit club, music and chat. Check the calendar around Thursdays noon.
Eve Quandry puts in a reminder for the Pictionary game Sundays. Fun game, all invited.
8: Community Input
------------------
Eve Quandry somehow feels she may have contributed to some of the confusion around the outcome of the voice discussions. And that this confusion led to the incident last week where Nikki and Vbinnia demanded the resignation of Kira as chairperson to the meeting.
Kira Tipon assures Eve that none of this is her fault in any way. If there is a fault at all it is Kira's for not making more clear that the charter prevents us to chose for voice in community core. It would divide us, and would exclude people. It simply wasn't an option to start with, and that should have been made more clear.
On a personal note Kira adds that she is disappointed that two people, who didn't involve themselves much (if at all) with the voice debate, suddenly came in guns blazing and demanding things without even bothering to discuss their grievances. Kira feels that such is not a very mature way to deal with disagreements and conflict. But, as far as she is concerned the incident is closed, though the two protagonists may have to deal with a loss of respect and credit in the community.
Nobody in the meeting is interested in continuing the debate on voice, so for the time being it is closed.
Kristen Mynx explains to the meeting that the Designer Showcase she created is something that doesn't fit her VL to manage. Sunny has agreed to manage it from now on, but more volunteers to help out would be welcome. In short the job is akin to managing a store: keeping it tidy and facilitating the creators that like to be there. All interested parties are invited to have a look at the info package of the Designer Showcase and we will come back to it next week. All agree the Designer showcase is a great initiative and worth saving.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
Eve Quandry recounts her step on SL while visiting the 3RG offices there. She got the ATM that converts Linden$ into Geodes to work, but had some trouble with the TV. It seems flash is a requirement and that is not available on all viewers. Kristen is helping her to sort it out
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 15:13 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for March-10-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
Appendix: formal response to resignation demand by Kira Tiponi
Voice – the debate continues
Preceding the community meeting of Feb-25, Nikki Navarita, backed by Vbinnia Radek, asked me to
step down as chair of the community meeting. Their reasons seem to be that I am not impartial and
force my own opinions on the community.
Digging deeper I found that the direct cause for all this was the article I wrote in the newsletter
about the voice debate.
- it is claimed the article expresses my personal opinions
- that I use a public platform to force a decision that was never taken
- that I stonewall anything I don’t like or treat it with indifference
- and that I don’t conduct the meeting properly
Looking back at minutes, and my article I do find some justification for the claim that the discussion
was never properly concluded. We had two long and sometimes heated meetings on the subject of
voice. The first one clearly highlighting how difficult a group of people this community is; people on
either side of the argument told me in private or even in the meetings that they would leave if the
outcome wouldn’t be to their satisfaction. Not an easy starting point …
At the end of the second meeting, a very civilized meeting where all arguments for and against were
presented and discussed, I did ask myself how we could conclude and end the debate without a
man-overboard result. I remember discussing this with a number of people, and was still looking for
an answer when the whole issue was lost somehow; it wasn’t raised again in the following meetings
and I sort of forgot it myself too.
Only when I was asked to write an article for the newsletter did the subject come back to me and I
reported a conclusion not reached formally but clearly implied…
First however I like to mention that the arguments/opinions I reported in the article are not mine.
The main argument in favor of voice is from Eve and mentioned in full and without reservation. The
main argument against is from Alia, again not mine. I consider the first claim about my article to be
untrue.
That a decision was never taken by the community is partially true. The arguments and discussion
clearly demonstrated (to me) that the use of voice would break the community charter and
therefore is not an option. A decision (vote or whatever) is then simply not needed or even an
option. Before we even can consider voice we would need to redefine the community.
But I do accept, in hindsight, that this understanding could/should have been clarified and discussed
better in the community before ending up in the newsletter. If desired and requested this aspect
could certainly be on the agenda. I do feel strongly that we should not rehash the whole discussion
on voice though; we had two full meetings on that (more if you count the discussions in 2011).
On the point of stonewalling issues, I feel that is simply unfair. On rare occasions there may be
subjects I feel we should not discuss. The reason always being either that they have been discussed
at length not too long before, or that they are a clear violation of community principles. It is my job
as chair to keep the meetings short and relevant. I also recall occasions where great ideas are
launched, but nobody willing to execute them, to do the work. If that feels as indifference, so be it.
We are only with very few people actually working in and for the community, and they typically
don’t work to order.
The accusation that I don’t conduct the meeting properly was made by someone who rarely if ever
attends the meeting and still talks about ‘this council’. Need I say more? I will not claim to be
perfect, but I can tell you chairing this meeting in 3RG is lots harder than any meeting in RL. Others
feel I am doing a fair job, but if anyone thinks they can do better …. be my guest.
The main reason, and one we also witnessed this time round, that chairing a meeting here is so hard
may well be that one has to weigh and measure every word, walk on eggshells all the time. It seems
that whatever you do or say here in VL can cause instant drama. It is not just the accusations made
that worry me, it is the way in which they are thrown at you, complete with insults and all. I can’t
help but feel that with this attitude from some, no chairperson would last more than one meeting.
Finally I like to remind you all that the community meeting is not a platform for decisions; it is a
platform for discussion, information, and simply staying in touch. Community decisions are a difficult
area for us all still. In order to allow everybody in 3RG to be involved, any major decision requires
publication of the ideas, followed by a vote over, say a week. The community meeting only covers a
few timezones and even then not all can make it to the meeting. In this case, as stated, a decision
wasn’t even needed, but in the past we have worked with a consensus model: given that most of the
people that would vote were in the meeting, it was felt that a strong majority in the meeting would
be representative for the community as a whole. This area is open for discussion.
It should be clear from my words that I don’t feel this whole situation merits giving the chairperson
the boot, so I will not resign over it voluntarily.
Kira
AGENDA'S AND MINUTES
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting March-03-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Minutes-20120218
================
Community meeting, Februari-18, on Nadah, start 2 pm, end 15:08
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Astro Balut
Zinnia Frenzy
Kered Owl
Kristobell Jiminy
Saraleah Sands
Kristen Mynx
Waki Janus
Dolfke Barbosa
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
No announcements or documents today
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without change.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for property, reports that she is still busy reworking some land.
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, reports a busy week with lots of travellers she hopes will stay.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, reports that the Februari issue finally got published this week. A bit later than he would have liked, but he is not in control of the 'printing'. Waki also is a little frustrated about copy sent to the newsletter@3rdrockgrid.com address somehow not being passed on to him and simple disappearing.
Waki asks us all to write for the next issue. Articles to be sent to WakiJanus@gmail.com
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy reminds us all that Jeremy Nightshade has moved his DJ event on Saturday to 10am-12noon.
Saraleah Sands invites all to the formal opening of her club orbit next Friday at noon.
8: Community Input
------------------
Kristobell Jiminy asks if there have been changes, will be after the upgrade, that affect scripts and textures. She is experiencing some problems with textures going blank lately.
None of those present are aware of any outstanding issues, nor expect any problems around textures from the upgrade. The best advice the meeting can give Kristobell is to contact support around concrete problems.
Also, and a general reminder to all, the beta grid is still available for testing of the new functionality planned for the upgrade. The address of the beta grid is: http://beta.3rdrockgrid.com:8002/
Make sure you click 'get grid info' after setting the main address.
Sunny Tomorrow suggests to create showcase like displays for all shopping centers we have. She feels nobody knows about them and likes to put displays up like the current Showcase boards.
In the ensuing discussion a number of little remarks are made about the idea, but the consensus is to give it a try. The area under the restaurant, in full view of all coming down the stairs from the landing deck is reserved for this very purpose, but displays along the railing of the main deck are prefered by most. A slideshow type display is prefered over individual shop boards.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy has worked hard to prepare her sims for the Scarab hunt that is coming soon. This included preparing the Cairo Museum with pictures, links to websites, and more. Zinnia hopes some can spend some time checking this all out and give her feedback.
Kered Owl remarks that the 'online now' page on the website has gone. He misses it. Many concur.
10: Adjournment
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 15:08 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for Februari-25-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting Februari-18-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Minutes-20120211
================
Community meeting, Februari-11, on Nadah, start 2 pm, end 14:58
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Astro Balut
Zinnia Frenzy
Kered Owl
Johnathan Raymaker
Kristen Mynx
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
Kira Tiponi reminds all about the upgrade of grid software planned for Februari-23.
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are not written yet.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for property, reports that many projects are sort of on hold till after the upgrade.
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, concurs. It is just meet and greet and wait for the upgrade.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, is not with us today, so Kira Tiponi repeats the call for new articles and expresses hope the februari issue will be published soon.
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy tells the meeting that Jeremy Nightshade is moving his DJ event on Saturday to 10am-12noon. Also Zinnia announces that a hunt is being planned by Jilly at HighTown, so keep an eye on the calendar.
Finally Zinnia reminds all about the upcoming Valentine dance on Tuesday.
8: Community Input
------------------
Kristen Mynx announces that she has incorporated the couple dance in an Itan style dance machine that rezzes the selected couple balls near your location on request. The gadget will be available onces the ownership of the dances is sorted out.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
Johnathan Raymaker explains that he has been and is working on improving the 3RG website. He asks for suggestions for further improvements ...
Many suggestions are made, and John is complimented on his work so far.
Zinnia calls for pictures and other input for our facebook page.
Kristen Mynx raises the issue of the website forums. Most agree there is a place for the forums given that discussions are visible for a long time, and also given the problems some have with privacy on Facebook.
Kira suggests to reduce the number of topic categories on the forum, she feels they are confusing at the moment.
Zinnia expresses a desire to have a portable translator available. Kristen offers to convert the current translator gadget in welcome into a mobile one.
10: Adjournment
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 14:58 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for Februari-18-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
Minutes-20120204
================
Community meeting, Februari-04, on Nadah, start 2 pm, end 15:13
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Astro Balut
Zinnia Frenzy
Kered Owl
Eve Quandry
Nikki Navarita
Dolfke Barbosa
Waki Janus
Crystal Rock
Alia Soulstar
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
No announcements today
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without any changes.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, reports that it has been a quiet week, and that she is still looking for greeters in the US timezones.
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for property, reports that work is ongoing on prepping land for sale, and a few other low key projects.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, reports that is has been difficult to put the next newsletter together. Lack of copy being one problem, and the untimely departure of his assistant editor another. But they are working hard to get an edition out soon.
Anyone who fancies helping Waki with the newsletter, please get in touch ...
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Eve Quandry announces that the popular Pictionary game has been given a few new categories to make it even more exciting. She invites all to try it, anytime, or Sunday at 10 am.
Kered Owl announces a Valentine dance in the ballroom on Hunter. All are invited for a romantic time with a loved one or friend. The ballroom on Hunter the only (or one of very few) place that offers couple dances. Valentine dance on Feb-14.
Kered will also take over the Monday event in the Diner on hunter for the time being. That event is every Monday from noon till 2 pm grid.
Alia Soulstar tell us she is working on arranging a fortnightly live music event on Aero featuring Woodsong. Details to follow soon.
8: Community Input
------------------
Crystal Rock is preparing a major upgrade of the grid software and presents some details to the meeting in 2 note cards (added as appendix).
All are invited to visit the Beta grid and test whatever is important to them. And of course share their finding with Crystal (through support). The Beta grid can be set in the grid manager using: http://beta.3rdrockgrid.com:8002/
There are only a few regions there, a copy of the state they were in at December-25.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
Sunny Tomorrow reminds us all that real t-shirts with the 3RG logo can now be ordered on the website.
Sunny also reminds us that there is an ATM in SL now that allows you to transfer funds from your SL account into your 3RG account. It can be found at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Monti/165/176/126
10: Adjournment
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 15:13 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for Februari-04-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
=====================================================
Appendix 1: general notes on the upcoming upgrade ...
=====================================================
This final testing phase incorporates many fixes that have been added to make Group Role Powers work correctly (details are further below)
Beta grid is up and running with a bunch of new features. I want to hear comments as to a Mid February roll out. Please Please do basic testing and feedback before then, to help decide if the roll out would be ready.
What is basic testing? Rez, create, sits, animations, dancing -- all the things we take for granted every day -- nothing will make us look like fools as when something very simple and basic fails to functionin the main grid.
Its running 0.7.2-post-fixes + 3rg Fixes.
**Clear your cache before logging in**
http://beta.3rdrockgrid.com:8002/ (get grid info, its changed since the summer upgrade)
Inventory is as of December 25th.
Region data is as of December 25th
Our Town will always be up if you can log in.
Other regions that might be up -- ROBs, Exchange, Sandboxes, Holo-Rock III
Features added by 3RG
=================
Beta grid is running a faster asset cache module
To test: testing is "does the place look right?", bad textures etc.
Money in My Wallet transactions now include the item description and region/location.
To Test: -- well you can't see My Wallet in beta, but general money transaction should be tested:
Pay person, Pay object, Buy Object -- check /recheck balances on both sides of the transaction.
Calling cards work.
To Test: -- all your friends should have a corresponding calling card in your Calling Card folder. (this hasn't worked since November 2011) Right click on a person, there should be a "Give Card" menu item. The person then has to accept it. This is how you get a non-friend calling card.
Friends Conference Chat works.
To Test: -- Click on 2 or more online friends, Click IM.. they'll each be prompted to accept the conference, and they'll join the conference. The participant list (right side, click on the << to show it), updates properly, and full moderation functions. A second way to start Conference Chat is to highlight one or more calling cards, then right click and "Start Conference". You can add people to the conference by dragging a calling card to a currently open conference. Voice is also enabled in conference chat. A "Call" button is available, when used, it connects you to the voice conference. Further testing is to be sure that your conference chat remains functional as you TP to various regions or cross region borders. The chat system must "find you" again each time you cross.
Group Chat is faster and puts less load on the grid.
To Test: Use groups as usual. The participant list works, as well as group moderators. In Group Roles, the Join Chat, Join Voice Chat
and Moderator abilities are fully implemented. Testing your groups where the roles are set so that chat won't include everyone would be helpful. Remember that in OpenSim, group powers are determined not by the tag you're wearing, but by the sum of all the powers in all the roles you are a member of. -- So if you have a role named "no chat" with Join Chat unchecked, but the "Everyone" role has Join Chat checked, then they can join. Voice is also enabled in Group chat. A "Call" button is available, when used, it connects you to the voice conference.
Fixes Added by 3RG
===============
(To Test: use the information in "Using Group Powers, Set, Share and Deed to Group Effectively" in a separate notecard provided)
Most of the Group Role Powers did not function correctly, these do
now, unless otherwise noted:
Object management > Manipulate (move, copy, modify) group-owned objects
Parcel Identity > Toggle 'Show in Find Places' and set category
*** OS & SL: This has no effect anymore -- to do this, you must set
the following power instead.
Parcel Identity > Change parcel name, description, and 'Publish on the
Web' settings
Parcel Identity > Set landing point and set teleport routing
Parcel Settings > Change music & media settings
Parcel Settings > Toggle 'Edit Terrain'
Parcel Settings > Toggle various About Land > Options settings
Parcel Powers > Always allow 'Edit Terrain'
Parcel Powers > Always allow 'Fly'
Parcel Powers > Always allow 'Create Landmark'
Parcel Powers > Allow 'Set Home to Here' on group land
Parcel Access > Manage parcel Access lists
Parcel Access > Manage parcel Ban lists
-- Parcel Ban Lists in general didn't always work in OpenSim -- now corrected.
Parcel Access > Change parcel 'Sell passes…' settings
**** OS: does not work, but neither does opensim honor sell passes for access
Parcel Access > Eject and freeze Residents on parcels
**** OS: does not work: eject and freeze does not function
Parcel Content > Return non-group objects
**** OS & SL: Does not work on pie menu. Enables the Objects/return
section of About Land, by role and section
Parcel Content > Landscaping using Linden plants
**** OS: No effect
Parcel Content > Return objects set to group
**** OS & SL: Does not work on pie menu. Enables the Objects/return
section of About Land, by role and section
Parcel Content > Return objects owned by group (includes object's shared with group by using the Share with group checkbox in the object properties).
**** OS & SL: Does not work on pie menu. Enables the Objects/return section of About Land, by role and section
Parcel Management -> Deed and Buy Land for group
Parcel Management -> Abandon Land
Parcel managment -> Set Land for Sale Info
Parcel Managment -> Subdivide and Join Parcels
** Important Note when using group powers**
Some of these powers cause various things in the viewer to be enabled/disabled. In OpenSim, a Group Power is effective even if you are do not have the right Group Tag activated. However, the viewer still is "thinking" in SL terms, so for several of the group powers to work as expected (especially in land options and when working with group deeded objects) you *must* activate the proper group tag.
Group Shared Objects Contents
Objects deeded to a group or objects with Share WIth Group set, now work fully. Prior versions worked to change or move the object, but
control of object "Contents" were lost on group deeded objects and were not shared. After many fixes, this work as they would in SL now. Deeding objects to groups, and still retaining control of their contents works well now.
Land Deeded to Group, and Group Deeded media players or music url setters, work as expected.
Giving a Friend power to edit your objects works as expected now, including changing "Contents"
OpenSim core developer Fixes
======================
"Inconsistent Attachment State" message has been removed from OpenSim by the developers. We'd appreciate reports of items dropping from your avatar when teleporting, or if this was a completely useless message anyway.
This version of OpenSim supports Mesh, but its doubtful that many of our residents use V3 compatible viewers. If you do, any reports on
mesh would be appreciated.
General information about the 0.7.2 release is here: http://opensimulator.org/wiki/0.7.2_Release -- however much of the information on this page relates to operating a region or grid, as opposed to using it as a resident.... What follows here is excerpts of
the things that apply to residents:
-- excerpts from http://opensimulator.org/wiki/0.7.2_Release --
Welcome to OpenSim 0.7.2. Despite being a point number upgrade, this is actually quite a major release, incorporating a large number of fixes and improvements made since the release of OpenSim 0.7.1.1. The major changes are listed in the sections below. In particular, this release incorporates experimental support for meshes as used by the latest version 3 Linden Lab viewers.
Known Issues
--------------------
Sometimes creating body parts or clothing fails with no error message. This is not consistent - work around is simply to try again.
In a stock Linden Lab viewer 2/3, various tabs and buttons will point back to the Linden Lab website. In particular, the profile data will try to fetch from the Linden Lab website. It's not known currently how/whether this can be changed in the stock viewer.
In viewer 2/3, an avatar will appear to slide for a short while before the walking animation kicks in.
No form of prim equivalence is implemented for meshes.
Loading scripts from the simulator library does not work properly.
Multiple attachments on a single attachment point not supported. However, in viewers which do support multiple attachments, the enforcing of a single attachment on the simulator end should be much smoother.
General Simulator
--------------------------
Mesh implemented experimentally as seen in latest Linden Lab version 3 viewers. This includes upload. Not all aspects of this work, prim equivalence is not implemented, and if you want a physics proxy you need to select a high level of detail on the physics tab.
Agent limits implemented for regions.
Prim limits implemented for regions.
Region border crossings improved by sending all attachment data in one go rather than each attachment individually and by compressing the transfer. Also, "Inconsistent Attachment State" warning disabled - this was causing more trouble than it's worth.
Undo/redo largely fixed. Some anomalies remain, notably a double undo being required after a prim size is changed.
Inter-simulator communication improved.
Object return fixed.
Pay prices preserved in object serializations.
Fixed issue where hover text could become unexpectedly green since the wrong value was used on persistence.
Avatar autopilot largely fixed, though some edge case bugs may remain.
Fix a problem where adding a script to an attachment which had no existing inventory contents would crash viewer 3.
A user who has the right to edit a parcel's properties can now always enter that parcel.
Prim limits enforced for parcels.
Fix situation where object return to a user would crash them if they were using viewer 3.
Appearance
-----------------
Appearance updating improved. Hopefully fewer avatar clouds.
Attachments support improved and various fixes made (e.g. a fix for dropping attachments).
Appearance settings (e.g. height slider) now correctly persisted for viewer 2/3.
HUDs for one user no longer occasionally appear on other viewers.
Inventory
-------------
Bug fixed where viewer 1 users with very large inventories could freeze the sim.
Startup time improved by only saving library asset data to the database if it's not already there.
Updating of the viewer's inventory fixed when they receive a given inventory item.
Facility added to automatically create the necessary minimum body parts/clothes to render a clothed default avatar. This is necessary
for viewer 2 and 3 since they don't have a built in default avatar to display if the required body parts/clothing isn't found.
Scripting
-------------
llGetLinkNumberOfSides(), llRegionSayTo() implemented.
llGetParcelMaxPrims() fixed.
llGiveInventory() fixed if the user is in another simulator or offline.
llSensor() fixed so that if it's in an attachment, the detection cone faces in the direction of the avatar rather than in the rotation of
the attachment relative to the avatar.
llFindList() fixed for situations where some functions used within a list did not work properly.
llTextBox() fixed.
llGetVel() fixed on attachments to return the avatar's speed rather than zero.
llGetPrimitiveParams() fixed for prim hollow/hole shape return values.
bug fixed where setting an alpha level on a prim that was using only the default texture would fail.
llAttachToAvatar() fixed.
llGetTorque() fixed.
llSetPrimitiveParams() fixed.
osMatchString() fixed.
osGetPrimitiveParams() and osSetPrimitveParams() fixed.
osTeleportAgent() and osTeleportOwner() fixed so that they don't send the user to a similarly named sim if the named sim does not exist, or sometimes even when it does exist. These are also fixed for scripts in attachments.
LSL integers can now start with a leading + sign.
Viewer crashing issue with llDialog() boxes fixed.
================================
Appendix 2: on group settings...
================================
Using Group Powers, Set to Group, and Share with Group effectively
Since much of this has not worked properly in OpenSim before, I thought I'd give some brief information of how these features work.
Firstly, some of these powers cause various things in the viewer to be enabled/disabled. In OpenSim, a Group Power is effective even if you are do not have the right Group Tag activated. However, the viewer still is "thinking" in SL terms, so for several of the group powers to work as expected (especially in land options and when working with group deeded objects) you *must* activate the proper group tag.
Secondly, when you give someone a new group power, by adding a role or changing an existing one, it may not take effect immediately. There is a 30 second "cache" of group information within the region. So it can take 30 seconds or more to become effective (usually only in the neighboring sims). Also, the viewer caches group information. If a user is logged in when their powers are changed, they must force a refresh of the viewer information. Unfortunately, some bugs in the viewer prevent the group "refresh" button to be fully effective. To be sure that your group powers are effective in the viewer, activate the "None" group, then activate the appropriate group along with its proper tag. A re-log will also clear up any group power lags in the viewer.
Group Land
=========
Setting your land to a group
To set your land to a group, just stand on the land, go to World >About Land, and then click the Set button. Pick your group from the group list and then click Select. Doing this alone only serves some basic purposes. It allows group members to create objects on the land (if group-only building is enabled), and prevents objects with the group tag set from being sent back to inventory if autoreturn is
enabled. It's also necessary if you want to limit land access only to members of your group.
Unless you actually deed your land to the group, only the following group abilities will be available to group members, regardless of what
your group roles say:
Parcel Powers > Always allow 'Create Objects'
Object management > Deed objects to group
Object management > Manipulate (move, copy, modify) group-owned objects
Deeding your land to a group
Everything possible on land that's set to a group is possible on deeded land, but deeded land enables many more role-specific group
abilities to take effect as well. The following abilities are only available to group members on deeded land
When deeding land -- to see the change to the land, do about land on another parcel or region, then recheck the parcel.
Parcel Identity > Toggle 'Show in Find Places' and set category
*** OS & SL: This has no effect anymore -- to do this, you must set
the following power instead.
Parcel Identity > Change parcel name, description, and 'Publish on the
Web' settings
Parcel Identity > Set landing point and set teleport routing
Parcel Settings > Change music & media settings
Parcel Settings > Toggle 'Edit Terrain'
Parcel Settings > Toggle various About Land > Options settings
Parcel Powers > Always allow 'Edit Terrain'
Parcel Powers > Always allow 'Fly'
Parcel Powers > Always allow 'Create Landmark'
Parcel Powers > Allow 'Set Home to Here' on group land
Parcel Access > Manage parcel Access lists
Parcel Access > Manage parcel Ban lists
Parcel Access > Change parcel 'Sell passes…' settings
Parcel Content > Landscaping using Linden plants
**** OS: does not work, but neither does opensim honor sell passes for access
Parcel Access > Eject and freeze Residents on parcels
**** OS: does not work: eject and freeze does not function
All of these "Return" objects powers may not work as you might assume. The "Return" item on the "Pie" menu when right clicking on an object will not be enabled. Instead, what these powers do is enable the "Objects/Return section of About Land". Avatars with the corresponding powers will be able to return things from there. This power does not work on an individual object basis (the pie menu). I've cross checked in SL, and it is the same there.
Parcel Content > Return non-group objects
Parcel Content > Return objects set to group
Parcel Content > Return objects owned by group (includes object's
shared with group by using the Share with group checkbox in the object
properties).
Should you deed your land?
If you simply want to let group members build on your land while preventing the general public from doing that then setting your land to the group and adjusting your About Land options is all you need to do. If you want group members to have more freedom, such as the
ability to set your land as their "Home" location, then deeding is the way to go.
Setting/Sharing/Deeding Objects to Group
===============================
Setting an object to Group.
There only thing this really does is to prevent parcel auto-return from returning your objects on group set or group owned land. On group owned land it also places your items in a "Set to Group" category to help them from being returned by a group member with return powers.
Sharing Objects with Group
If you "check" the Share With Group option in an object, ALL group members can move it, change it or delete it. This would include the
"Everyone" role. Sharing an object with group is a very broad power to grant to an object. Within the "Contents" of the object, each item can be "Share with group" or not. If an item is shared, any group member can change that item. This is useful if you'd like anyone in the group, for example, to edit a configuration notecard for an object.
Deeding Objects to Group.
If you Deed an object to the group, you are transferring ownership to the group. The group now owns it, you do not. If you have no
special group powers, you will loose all control of it. Only group members with the "Object management > Manipulate (move, copy, modify) group-owned objects" ability are able to do anything with the object. Similarly the contents of the object are changeable by a group member with that group power. The Group Owner or Group Officers always have that power. Note that the permissions will take on the "Next Owner" perms when deeding an object to the group. It is just like a transfer to another user.
Media settings on Group Deeded Land
If you have an object that changes the Music URL or the Media URL, and you're using it on Group Deeded land, you *must* also deed the object to the group. Notecards in the object will be editable by those with the "Object management > Manipulate" power.
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting Februari-04-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Minutes-20120128
================
Community meeting, Januari-28, on Nadah, start 2 pm, end 14:50
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Dolfke Barbosa
Kristen Mynx
Zinnia Frenzy
Kered Owl
Eve Quandry
Sarahleah Sands
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
Alia Soulstar sends apologies, taking her dog to the vet prevents her from being with us. No further announcements today
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without any changes.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, reports that today a large group of Aldo's students arrived. All in all that went fairly well, better than expected considering many problems during the week. Some did take a while to rezz though.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, not with us today surely would remind us all that a newsletter needs articles ...
As always, contributions for the next issue: Send them to WakiJanus@gmail.com
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy announces an Easter-Egg-Hunt on Good Friday, that being April the 6th this year. It will be held on her Egyptian themed sim and involve lots of crawling through secret passages in pyramids and such like.
8: The community
----------------
Kira Tiponi hears that the marketing effort may in the near future shift slightly to include people new to virtual life. This would create a need for an introduction course, and/or a series of instruction boards, like we all remember from our first steps in SL. Kira asks for volunteers that have the time and energy to look into this.
Eve Quandry, Saraleah Sands, and Kered Owl volunteer to have a look at Linda Kellies stuff, Eves own tutorial boards, Kereds learning material, and whatever else they can find. Alia Soulstar seems very busy in RL atm, but needs to be in the loop as Elder for education.
It would be nice to offer this material in other languages aswell, but that requires good translations, which inturn require native speakers ...
We also need more boards, signs, LM givers, etc, in welcome, but that is in the planning already.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy remarks that Vbinnia has added to her collections of freebies and commercial wares. Visit Plato and Orient to see them.
Kered Owl reminds all about the new Facebook page. Please have a look at it and use it if you like. The address is:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/326597774030494/
10: Adjournment
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 14:50 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for Februari-04-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting Januari-28-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Minutes-20120121
================
Community meeting, Januari-21, on Jennifer, start 2 pm, end 16:17
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Ástro Balut
Alia Soulstar
Zinnia Frenzy
Kered Owl
Eve Quandry
Waki Janus
Sarahleah Sands
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
No announcements today
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without any changes.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for Property (land), reports she continues to prep land for sale, and hopes to have most of it prepped and listed shortly. A suggestion to publish land-for-sale, or at least 'specials' on Facebook will be considered and discussed by the MT.
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, reports that she continues to work on the freebies for the welcome center. She still likes to have more greeters aswell, in particular greeters in the USA timezones.
Alia Soulstar, our Elder for Education, reports she is talking to some prospective teachers and announces some interesting classes for the near future. Details to follow when all is finalised. Alia furthermore reminds all of the upcoming live music event on Aero. Woodsong Zapatero will perform on Aero, Saturday Jan-28, 12 noon grid time.
During questions for the Elders, both Eve Quandry and Saraleah Sands noticed that only very few attended their recent building classes. Alia offered to get together with both and streamline the programs. In general attempts will be made to create more publicity around the course program.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, reminds all its getting near the end of the month again; article time. Waki himself will try to interview Crystal and Laz to get an insight in their plans for the year ahead. He would welcome an article about education, and perhaps some articles for and against voice.
As always, contributions for the next issue: Send them to WakiJanus@gmail.com
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Alia Soulstar repeat her announcement on Woodsong, next saturday, noon. And an early announcement for a UFS anniversary on Feb-05. Details to follow
Saraleah Sands announces a little fun treasurehunt on Myst 4 for Sunday (grid). From 6 am grid to midnight.
Eve Quandry points out potential confusion around dates in our international group. She suggests that spelling out the month instead of using the month number would help loads. All agree. Kira suggests we should, in general use a date format according the widely accepted ISO 8601 norm, which is YYYY-MM-DD.
8: The community
----------------
Continuing the discussion on voice from last week, Kira invites all to present their argument, uninterrupted. After which she likes to give all the opportunity to react, again one speaker at any one time. And even a 3rd round if needed.
Zinnia Frenzy starts the proceedings with the following statement: (included verbatim)
I can be concise. The issue is that I am happy for private sims to use voice. I am not happy about C=Core using voice as it compromises Welcome in ways of hearing and accent. None English translation doesn't work in voice. I can see it's uses for the people with typing difficulties and hearing (=>seeing (edit.)) difficulties and in that respect a compromise needs to be reached. Who loses out and how do we manage that
(end of inclusion)
Eve Quandry states the following: (included verbatim)
All I'm asking for is the chance to choose if, where and when I use it
It would be optional, not compulsory
It would be a very useful tool in teaching, but I can see the drawbacks to it too. However I cant see why something should be discarded for everyone because a few don't like it.
(end of inclusion)'
Alia Soulstar shares her thoughts with next: (included verbatim)
something about the voice issue in core has bothered me from the start so i spent some time examining the issues. Bear with me please, i'll be as concise as i can be ...
Introduction of Voice to 3RG?
Introduction of Voice to Community Core?
These are two separate questions and one can be dispensed with easily. Voice is an add-on feature for the grid that can be considered beneficial to some land owners while not affecting others.
An example study is Virreynato, a role-play group set in historic Mexico/South America. The participants of this RP use an older, formal Spanish among themselves. Voice facilitates the play and the group are delighted to have this feature.
Conversely, land owners who don't want this feature will leave it off. Voice capability clearly adds to the richness of the grid in some private areas and provides a welcome choice.
The second question regards Community Core, a shared space owned and managed by 3RG residents. This is a considerably more complex and vexed question.
C-Core is an inclusive space. There are no restricted areas. There is zero tolerance for obnoxious behaviour. No individual is permitted to profit from this zone. The area is designated PG so that all residents are comfortable in this space, which is its main objective: to provide the 3RG community with an area that is welcoming, safe, and can be enjoyed by all. Underlying this tenet is the notion that a communal area that benefits all will bring the community closer together.
Community values are placed ahead of individual freedoms in so far as community values accord all individuals with the same freedoms. C-Core was granted to community by management under this proviso and is handled as a contract between management and community with its terms laid out in the Community Charter, accepted by both parties.
The reason that introduction of voice to C-Core is vexed is that voice enablement changes the nature of interactions in those public areas where it is turned on: it creates a separation where some will be voicing, others typing and this generates duel dialogue streams that are mutually exclusive and (certainly, as seen in second life) this quickly erodes into division. Voice operating in any environment impacts on everyone in that environment, whether they are using it, merely listening in or have it turned off.
The debate regarding voice enablement in C-Core has thus far been framed by its supporters as an on/off individual choice: in the same sense that land owners can choose to have it on or off in their sims, avatars can choose to activate or deactivate voice. However, the argument misses a key expression of this feature.
Having it on in the community space changes the environment for everyone and as the attached analysis shows, positively for those who use it and in a negative fashion for some of those who choose not to. It also directly challenges the credo of inclusivity that is a fundamental tenet of C-Core. Voice is a paradigm-altering feature for public spaces and as such, it requires a careful analysis plus a conscious shift in community policy.
Bear in mind that the notion of turning it on by default as a "freedom" (for those who want it) is analogous to the personal right to choose to smoke in a public area, your freedom of choice impacts on others with side-stream smoke which is laden with carcinogens. I have heard it argued that the non-smoker in this situation is "free" to smoke, thereby nullifying the influence of communal smoke. That is not an equal distribution of freedom. The decision to use voice by any person in a community area affects the people around them. Freedom, in this case applies only to the user and impacts on non-users. That is not an equal distribution of freedom.
A cost/benefit analysis allows us to ask important questions: What problems does this feature solve? What problems does it create? And is a shift away from communal inclusivity in the direction of individual freedoms in C-Core desirable?
Benefits
1. Roleplay. In certain role-play group situations (refer Virreynato) it augments the fluidity of role-play. C-Core has no RP at present but there are RP-designated areas in the Core Plan.
2. Education. It facilitates some (but not all) education scenarios, speeding up the transmission of data and interaction between teachers and pupils.
3. Interaction. It speeds up personal interactions among its language-compatible users.
4. Tone. It allows for easy emotional inflection between same-language speakers.
all worthy goals
Costs
1. International exclusivity. Translation is impossible with voice—there are in-world and out-of-world tools for translating text that do not apply to speech. 3RG will peg itself as an exclusively English-speaking grid if there is a background babble of spoken untranslatable English in community areas. This will adversely impact on recruitment/retention of non-English speakers (I invite you to try out the Italian grid Virtualife to experience this dynamic yourself as a non-language speaker).
2. Disabled exclusivity. Virtual realities are a haven for certain classes of disabled people, especially those with mobility issues (blind, tetraplegic and illiterate people do not engage in VR for obvious reasons but deaf, speech-impaired and paraplegic people form significant user groups). Such people are marginalised by voice. 3RG has residents falling into this category. There is a spectrum of mild visually or digitally impaired users for whom voice is an enhancement, but such people also cope well with texting or they are not in Virtual in the first place.
3. Clique Exclusivity. Voice operating in conjunction with text sets up two discrete dialogue channels. While most (but not all) users have the capability to follow both streams, the speed of interaction is dictated by the lowest common denominator (text). This will inevitably set up dynamics where some conversations become one way and non-interactive, and cliques form in shared spaces. It also lowers the threshold for abusive behaviour and ill considered commentary (obviously that occurs in text too, but there is more opportunity to reconsider before sending).
4. The Babel Effect. Multiple languages and accents lower comprehension. Even an international community of English-only speakers will be challenged by the strongest accents.
5. The Babble Effect. A stream of verbal chat in the background will not suit everyone and some will simply turn it off. Many people are shy, private, or just don't enjoy unfiltered streams-of-consciousness chatter, and this will divide the community into Star-Belly Sneeches (those with a dot above their heads) and Plain-Belly Sneeches (refer: Dr Seuss).
6. Cognitive dissonance. A key attraction of virtual reality for many of its users is the "second life" concept, the ability to enact an alternative reality. Hence there are many fantasy portrayals made at the point of avatar selection. Many people in Second life have animal /demon /dragon /neko, etc, avatars. In 3RG we have aliens, nekos and child avatars. Beyond this, pretty much all avatars are youthful and attractive regardless of the age or gender of the wearer. A child or youthful avatar who speaks with a middle-aged voice breaks the spell, as does a switched-gender avatar or someone with a speech impairment. There are psychological consequences for both parties as suspension of disbelief is broken by cognitive dissonance, the listener is stuck with having to pretend to be speaking to a woman who is clearly a man or a child who is clearly an octogenarian.
People who happily use voice are not concerned whether their avatar portrayal reflects their real life, but a significant portion of residents do care. There is a massive potential for unwanted consequences from this. People who choose not to use voice for whatever reason, will feel pressured to quell rumours about them, especially gender-based aspersions. It will certainly result in a loss of residents, fewer people in the community areas, and may, in a worst case scenario, create an exodus.
In conclusion, it is clear that the benefits of voice relate to interest groups and individuals. The costs impact mainly on community function and community ethos. The Community Vision, the starting point in our Community Charter states:
1 Community Vision
The vision of the 3RG Community is to provide its citizens with a stress-free and safe environment. An environment where all are welcome, regardless of their background; where all can grow together through sharing, participation, and cooperation, without regard to personal gain or status. An environment that is open, honest, and rational, without the pressures of marketing, religion, or domestic politics. The community vision is therefore very much an attitude - a state of mind. Citizens of the 3rd Rock Grid that participate in the community are expected to:
• be respectful, cooperative, courteous, helpful, and tolerant
• have a sense of community
• attempt to be rational, honest, impartial, fair-minded, and positive
• care about other citizens and for other citizens
• enable and facilitate each others aspirations
• be inclusive; all are welcome
To facilitate the community vision, a portion of the grid has been set aside for the community: the community core. The OneCore plan furthermore aims to translate the vision into functions the community wants to offer and allocates them to a location in community core.
Given that activation of voice in C-Core is a serious shift away from this vision of community values in the direction of individual freedoms (in fact voice stands as a direct violation of the community charter) this debate needs to look instead at redefining the values of our Community Charter before voice can be properly considered. Just how the Community Charter can be changed to favour individual freedoms over community values without breaking the C-Core contract with management is for the community to ponder.
and....I would like to add a final person note to this....
I'm a vegetarian and sometimes I get asked to dinner. Poor old carnivore's often struggle to cook me a meal—a lot of people think that vegetarians survive on lentil mash and bean curd, not very recipe-friendly ingredients (and not true either). But, obviously I appreciate the effort they make to create a meal we can all enjoy, knowing they are missing out on flavours they like. And from their point of view... well, would you invite a vegetarian to dinner and serve them steak?
It's as simple as that.
Our community values are based on caring about one another. Those values would be eroded by voice in C-core, because the users of it really don't take into account how uncomfortable it makes non-users feel for the myriad reasons listed. They gain something by its introduction and that seems to be all that matters, regardless of the fact that others lose something and, by way of that, so do they. I'd like to think that 3RG is better than SL, that people actually care about each other here. That we all embrace the vision of the Charter which is the vision of management in gifting us a hub for our community, and that we can put aside our personal interest in steak so that everyone can eat from the same table.
That's all. Thank you.
(end of inclusion)
This ended the first round of statements on the use of voice in community core. The discussion continued with a second round:
Zinnia Frenzy: Alia summed up my own feelings much more eloquently and in depth. It's not a matter of saying we won't use it because a few don't like it. It goes further than that and implicates on everybody -thats it.
Astro Balut: I have nothing to add, Alia said it all. I just want to state that I support this fully.
Kira Tiponi (as private citizen): History has a tendency to repeat itself ...
A little over a year ago the then community council was kicked out by the management, a serious and rare thing. There were many reasons, but one is relevant to today's discussions:
There was a group of Skype users then, and that was an excluding group: if you didn't use Skype, you were not welcome. Also, very much like Alia mentioned, one of them suggested I must be male because I didn't like to use Skype .... All in all it was not a happy time, and I sure like to avoid a repeat of that.
Eve Quandry feels its all a foregone conclusion and that her prepared statement would be a waste of time. After some encouragement from the group she agrees to present it anyway: (include verbatim)
Concerning the use of voice in core.
Recently there was what should have been a simple and straightforward question asked during the weekly meeting on ? 14th January.
"Should we have Voice in core?"
There followed a rather heated, and frankly confusing debate. I was astonished at the vehemence shown during the debate; some people even resorting to personal insults against those whose opinion differed from theirs.
So much so, that I felt compelled to write this response.
There is an unfortunate tendency in human nature to regard people with whom they disagree as “stupid” or “ignorant” both terms were leveled at me during the debate. I freely admit that I am “ignorant” on a huge range of subjects, as is everyone else. Ignorance merely means a lack of knowledge; however that does not make me “stupid” that implies an inability to understand, which I assure you is certainly not the case.
I heard the various arguments, both pro and con, and formed my own opinion accordingly.
The pro’s, as I see them are:
The ability to impart information to a number of people quickly and easily, in the way that we naturally evolved to do. A tool that would be extremely useful in my personal field of education.
The con’s, seem to be that some people are unable or unwilling to use voice.
Some of the reasons given were:
It causes lag:
Yes it does, but only for those using it, the sim and everyone else on it are totally unaffected.
Not everyone speaks English.
Does that mean they can write it perfectly well? Of course not. The argument in this case is that translators only work with text. A valid point. The solution? Use text.
It can be confusing when several people are talking at once:
Have you actually seen local chat?
It can be used for abuse:
This view was put forward by the very person who used personal insults to me via IM thereby negating their own argument.
People not using voice would be at a disadvantage if others were:
How? People talking behind your back? IM’s do that already.
Some people have a hearing, or speech impediment:
This too is a valid point, and I have the greatest sympathy for those who suffer from it. However I don’t see a reason why others should have to forgo the use of something, just because some people can’t use it. Would we ban bread because some people have a wheat allergy? Or cars because some people can’t drive? Of course not! I can’t fly in real life; does that mean we have to turn it off in core?
Now to come to the point.
Someone asked me “You said you probably wouldn’t use voice, so why are you arguing for it?”
I’m not arguing for Voice in itself, I’m arguing for the option to use it if I want to, there is a difference.
To say to someone “I don’t like it, so you can’t have it” seems to me to be very akin to censorship. If it was suddenly decided that we all must use only voice while in core, everyone would be up in arms, and rightly so, I myself would probably be at the front shouting the loudest. That is why I am taking this stance; to remove voice is to effectively say we all must use only text.
I want the option of choosing if, where and when I use it. Not at set times dictated by committee, or having to book a time slot, or to have to go and find an elder and ask them to please turn on voice so I can explain something to someone.
The whole point is that it would be optional, not compulsory; an addition, not an alternative. If someone is using voice, they and you can still use text. If you don’t like Voice, then don’t use it, it’s as simple as that, you don’t even have to do anything, the default setting is off.
If you want to use it occasionally, then go to preferences’ and turn it on for as long as you need it then off when you are finished.
In conclusion.
There are several con’s listed here, and there are probably a lot more that I missed, and all are perfectly valid to various people for various reasons. However I feel that the one pro I listed far outweighs them all.
Voice would be a very useful and powerful tool. It’s not perfect by any means, but it should not be discounted merely on the grounds of personal preference or bias.
All I am asking for is the freedom to choose for myself.
I'd also like to add ... Alia made some very valid points, a lot of which I agree with, but some were just odd. To compare the use of voice with smoking is clearly ridiculous, no one ever caught anything from passive listening, and to say that voice would be a menace to the grid as a whole sounds like scaremongering. However what I said before stands: I feel that the decision has been made, so I rest my argument.
(end of inclusion)
This ended the 2nd round of the discussion on voice in community core. A open discussion followed with mostly clarifications of points made formally and personal experiences. For the sake of brevity I like to refer those interested to the chat log. A few points however here too:
Alia Soulstar: It was me who insulted Eve last week. I apologised immediately, and the following day and I'd like to do it again in this public forum. Personal insults are deplorable and I'm quite ashamed of what I said to you Eve. I was somewhat frustrated that you didn't understand what i thought were simple points but that is my problem not yours. And certainly no excuse to call you a name.
The passive smoking thing is a principle Eve. It is just a case where one persons "freedom" impacts on the freedoms of others, not a literal comparison. I believe that your other points are all answered in what i said earlier so will not argue with your other points. Again, i apologise. (Apology accepted by Eve Quandry)
The one use for voice all seem to agree on in community core is education (when applicable), and in special cases. Some comments around that:
Kered Owl: I find it easier to use written notes in education as the student then has a copy of what is said in class but the advantage of voice is that it is easier to answer a question but then there is no record so the student may not remember the answer. So I do not mind the use of voice in general, but understand the difficulties it can cause.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy remarks that the new 3RG facebook page is up and running. A dynamic and fun page. The page can be reached through this link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/326597774030494/?notif_t=group_activity
Alia Soulstarreminds those that have taken large stalls in the designer Showcase should try to get at least 10 free items up. If they have less than ten to give away, they should switch to the upstairs vendors
Obviously these things take a bit of time, but a couple of weeks should be enough to organise yourself.
10: Adjournment
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 16:17 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for Januari-28-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting Januari-21-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
a - voice in the community/community core
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Minutes-20120114
================
Community meeting, Januari-14, on Jennifer, start 2 pm, end 16:03
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Ástro Balut
Alia Soulstar
Zinnia Frenzy
Oshi Shikigami
Kered Owl
Nikki Navarita
Eve Quandry
Till Easterwood
Waki Janus
Savino Svm
Sarahleah Sands
Topper Brenham
Crystal Rock
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
crystal Rock asked for the following announcement to be made (included):
Beta grid is up for testing.
Its running 0.7.2-post-fixes + 3rg Fixes.
http://beta.3rdrockgrid.com:8002/ (get grid info, its changed since the summer upgrade)
Inventory is as of December 25th.
Region data is as of December 25th
Our Town will always be up if you can log in.
Other regions that might be up -- ROBs, Exchange, Sandboxes, Holo-Rock III
(end of inclusion)
All are invited to test their issues there.
Kered Owl has been appointed Senior for Welcome by Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for welcome. Congrats to Kered :)
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without any changes.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Alia Soulstar, our Elder for Education, starts her report with a reminder, especially for the greeters, that Eve Quandry runs a highly personalized building tutorial every Saturday at 1 pm.
Also, Alia and Zinnia are working hard on cleaning up the freebies in welcome, a quality check and a new picture on each. Crystal Rocks adds that they will be loading more Linda Kellie stuff in the coming weeks. Possibly 4 or 5 regions full. All are invited to visit the current LindaKellie sim, or the lindakellie.com website. Another good place for free stuff is http://opensim-creations.com/.
Zinnia Frenzy, our Elder for Welcome, reports that she is very happy with the new welcome center. She still likes to have more greeters though, in particular greeters in the USA timezones.
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for Property (land), reports she continues to prep land for sale. She also likes to get involved with setting up the Linda Kellie stuff.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, reports it was a bit of a scramble around xmas and the new year celebrations, but they got a newsletter together in the end. He is pleased with the help offered by Andress Renault. Her efforts were a great help on this month's issue.
As always, contributions for the next issue welcome. Send them to WakiJanus@gmail.com
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Zinnia Frenzy and Oshi Shikigami are working on plans for a poetry/short stories event/activity.
Eve Quandry likes to get more people participate in the Pictionary game each weekend.
Zinnia reminds all that the formal ballroom on hunter, quite near the welcome center, is open and ready. Anyone who likes to hold a formal dance or alike there is welcome.
8: The community
----------------
Kira Tiponi opens the discussion with an apology. Last week she announced that voice is now available in 3Rg and promised a discussion on it. Although this subject was addressed already last year when it looked we would get it then. The conclusion then was that we would not use it in community core other than for special events in education and alike. Kira invites all to voice their current opinions and ideas around the use of voice in (the) community (core).
During the discussions a fair number of arguments are mentioned against the use of voice. Key in those arguments that it would exclude many people. The argument in favor of voice seems to focus on a perceived freedom of choice of what is considered an optional extra. Nobody actually seems keen on using it at all though.
For the time being it is decided to switch it on for Hunter and Rocker so people can experiment and experience it for themselves. A further discussion, after all had the opportunity to consider the implications, and in a more structured and calmer way, will be held next week.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
No other business this time
10: Adjournment
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 16:04 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for Januari-21-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting Januari-14-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Minutes-20120107
================
Community meeting, Januari-07, on Jennifer, start 2 pm, end 15:14
People attending:
Kira Tiponi (chair)
Sunny Tomorrow
Ástro Balut
Alia Soulstar
Johnathan Raymaker
Kristen Mynx
Nikki Navarita
Eve Quandry
Sarahleah Sands
Dolfke Barbosa
Andress Renault
1: Opening / welcome
--------------------
Kira Tiponi opens the meeting, and welcomes all present.
2: Announcements and documents received
---------------------------------------
Kira Tiponi announces that voice is coming to 3RG soon. Details to follow when they become available. Another very exciting development is that the technical people are close to releasing exchange terminals for Linden dollars to Geodes and back (if she understands things). Surely something that would really open up 3RG to the people in Second Life. And lastly Kira announces, what most already know, that the new welcome center has been deployed. There is still a lot to be done, but it is ready to receive guests, outfit them with free items, etc.
3: Approval of minutes previous meeting
---------------------------------------
The minutes of the previous meeting(s) are approved without any changes.
4: Setting the agenda
---------------------
The provisional agenda is accepted without change.
5: Reports from the Elders
--------------------------
Alia Soulstar, our Elder for Education, expects tho start a new round of courses and classes in a few weeks. Residents Boater and Shelann have offered to give a masterclass on terraforming. People interested can contact Alia. Also Alia is still interested in skins/shapes/hair for fantasy avatars for the startup copllection. Again contact Alia if you like to contribute to this project.
Saraleah tells us she is working on a collection of high quality freebies. To be released in a few weeks. A most welcome offer.
Kristen Mynx reports that the Designer Showcase is basically ready for designers to display their collections. The Elders are invited to test the displays. All is automated, and instructions are available in the mall.
Sunny Tomorrow, our Elder for Property (land), reports she continues to prep land for sale, and is happy to announce that we added a new private sim today.
6: The Community newsletter
---------------------------
Waki Janus, our editor in chief, is not with us today. It is suggested that he is very busy in RL atm. Unfortunately this means a delay around the Januari issue of the newsletter. Alia Soustar offers to contact Waki. In the mean time we will, with the help of Gail Kilara see if we can make a newsletter anyway.
Andress Renault has offered to help. An offer gracefully accepted, but we need to find out what is up with Waki first.
7: Activities and Events
------------------------
Kristen Mynx, who kindly offered to help out with the listings of events and the calendar feels there are too many involved with that already and will stay in the background for the time being.
No other news on events and activities at this time.
8: The community
----------------
Andress Renault raises the issue of commercialism in community core again. In particular in relation to artists performing in community core. In the ensuing discussion it becomes clear that first of all the non-commercial restiction only applies to community core, the 25 regions around Our Town. Tipping artists is not prohibited. All are free to do that. What we as community try to avoid is putting undue pressure on people to tip through a constant stream of 'commercial messages' that call for tips for the artist, tips for the host, tips for ..., etc. It is suggested that we create a community appreciation board that relays tips to the artist (who has to logon to the board). It should be noted that the community does have its own tip jar too. The funds thus acquired will be used for things that benefit the community as a whole.
9: Any Other Business (AOB)
---------------------------
SaraLeah Sands announces she is working on a number of interesting projects on Myst. Among them a school for newbies, and a sim where everything is 50 times larger than in RL
10: Adjournment
--------------
Kira Tiponi closes the meeting around 15:14 and thanks all for participating.
The next meeting is planned for Januari-14-2012, 2 pm PDT on Nadah!
Kira Tiponi, chair and minutes secretary
Agenda (provisional)
====================
Community meeting Januari-07-2012, 2 PM - 4 PM grid time, Nadah meeting place 3RG
All 3rd Rock citizens are invited
1: Opening / welcome
2: Announcements and documents received
3: Approval minutes of previous meeting
4: Setting the agenda
5: Elders reporting
6: Newsletter (editor reporting)
7: Events and activities
8: Community Input (discussion)
9: AOB (Any Other Business)
10: Adjournment
NB: please visit the community corner in Welcome (Landing Rock) at Our Town for information on the community
Archived Minutes and Agendas 2011
Archived Minutes and Agendas 2010
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