After having over 30 years of technical work experience, it can be said that working with OpenSim has been one of the most challenging experiences (and the most fun). It has also been a learning experience for certain. Watching it progress over the period has been exciting, and also frustrating at times. If one gets frustrated with the Usability issues in SL, then OpenSim is not yet for you...or is it?
Linden Labs posted their plans for 2010. It is not certain if there were OpenSim plans posted for 2010, but, in no particular order, the following are some thoughts of what is believed needed to happen to make the technology proliferate even further.
Keep in mind, there is tremendous respect for all those that have worked (and work) on the continued development of OpenSim. I am amazed at the effort. I think I have met some of the smartest folks ever while working on OpenSim, and other virtual technologies.
- What is up with the viewers? They spring up, and then seem to pass, or lack functionality. Hippo was the preferred viewer of choice on this end. What happened? In partiular, the ability to link more than 255 prims was a great feature even though it probably should not be done as a rule. Linden Labs will be implementing a new viewer in 2010. The OpenSource viewers need to continue to be developed, but the field should be narrowed a bit. Someone pick up the continued development of Hippo?
- Documentation - I know folks like to work on the fun stuff, or the complex stuff, but documentation is critical for extended success. It needs to be clear enough for the "common folks" to implement. K-12 (and some higher-ed) institutions miss out on SL. Here is an opportunity for expansion. Even after 30 years of software eng., sales, managerial, and teaching experience, I sometimes read the documentation (Wiki) and say "what?". I get through it, but sometimes it is a struggle. (You need a volunteer?). When I write technical documantation, it is usually given to a non-technical person. If their head spins, then it needs work.
- With regards to the above, SQLite support should continue. Attachment persistence should be included. Many new users need not go through the mysql process for a small localized server. It is easy, and requires less "installation".
- Corporate support - continued corporate support is essential..actually critical. In addition, researcher (like myself) support also needs to expand. Get the word out!
- Linden Labs Support - yes what happened to their "seeing an OpenSim future" for the comapny. The beta grid? The integrator of disparate grids? More? It is a wonder what they are actually thinking of with some of the "corny" things they do.
- There has been no mention of hypergrid for a long time...what's up? Hypergrid is essentail for success and the creation of "The Metaverse".
- Where is the media? OpenSim is one heck of a great piece of work. Linden Labs has lost its spotlight. Time for OpenSim to get into the spotlight.
- Continue to shorten that ini file (for the general user).
- Continue to implement sound Usability and Human Computer Interface (HCI) theory. Linden Labs loses about 90% of its users over time. Many a time, it is because of the interface.
- Further improvements to avatar concurrency is warranted, but great work so far!!!
- Wow - megaregions - great, great, great!
- Wow - Load / Save iar - works great, but how come object from inventory say "Loading..." rather than a Creator?
- Don't give up! Keep the devlopment rolling! Web 2.0 is running out of creative ideas.
- Finally, collaborate with the popular social networking spaces for future integration, or include hooks into them. Understand why Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others have many millions of concurrent users. SL only has about 65K at best now. You see why? Linden Labs doesn't! It is not that hard to figre out! Hint: Nascera is nowhere near the solution.
If anyone wants assistance, feel free to contact us at: http://bit.ly/7M5Y1M
Let's make this happen: http://bit.ly/7hvDDW
