2012.03.07 13:00 - mesh and minor gods

The Guardian for this meeting was Storm Nordwind. The comments are by Storm Nordwind.

Mr. North in attendance.

Storm Nordwind: Hi Raffi. Looks like Fefonz can't make it today
Raffila Millgrove: hi North
Raffila Millgrove: i was afk a bi tthere waiting to see if anyone comes.
Storm Nordwind: That's the first time anyone's called me that! ;-)
Raffila Millgrove: oh i am sorry.
Storm Nordwind: hehe - no worries!
Raffila Millgrove: i was distracted.. i have aphasia.. it's easy for me to do that.
Raffila Millgrove: at least i got part of your name right and didn't call you South.
--BELL--
Storm Nordwind: haha! I'm just lazy anyway. I use the same name in Second Life as I do in real life. :)
Storm Nordwind: At least for this avatar.
Raffila Millgrove: this is your real name? Storm?
Storm Nordwind: Yes. It's actually what most people call me in RL, though it's an abbreviation of Stormerne, my full name
Raffila Millgrove: oh
Raffila Millgrove: what a cool name.
Storm Nordwind: You're very kind :)

A house by the sea.

Raffila Millgrove: i saw your house today.. well i cammed it.. from Bleu.. she sent me lm.. you both have amazing houses.
Raffila Millgrove: i was up at hers so i peeked at yours.
Storm Nordwind: Oh the one by the coast
Raffila Millgrove: yes
Storm Nordwind: I cheated with that one - I just bought it
Storm Nordwind: But that's fine. Being an artist is about knowing what to use.
Raffila Millgrove: yeah i went to see.. that creator's store.. after i noticed the house.
Raffila Millgrove: she makes some nice houses.
Raffila Millgrove: i loved the way you decorated.

Buy or build.

Storm Nordwind: She does. I believe if it exists elsewhere, and it's not too expensive, I'll save time by buying it
Storm Nordwind: If it doesn't exists elsewhere, I'll make it
Raffila Millgrove: i do the same.
Raffila Millgrove: i see no reason to make something that someone else did better than i could.
Storm Nordwind: I stuck my own weathervane on the top - there isn't one like that in SL
Storm Nordwind: And I populated the seas in the sim with seasnakes! :)
Storm Nordwind: And the gulls flying overhead
Raffila Millgrove: ah.
Raffila Millgrove: i like to mod. and re texture. i love buying stuff that can be modded and "improving" or changing it.. to fit my need.
Storm Nordwind: But I eschew any snobbishness in buiilding. Quite happy to use the creations of others
Storm Nordwind: Yes, and that includes modding for me too
Raffila Millgrove: i am much better at editing than doing the original.
Storm Nordwind: Perhaps because you like changing textures?
Raffila Millgrove: well.. somethings.. example
Raffila Millgrove: yesterday i got this police interrogation office .. desk and chair with accesories.
Storm Nordwind nods
Raffila Millgrove: becuase i wanted the anims in the chair
Storm Nordwind: haha right!
Raffila Millgrove: and.. the grunge look for the police station.. well that's ok..
Raffila Millgrove: but it textures up so gorgeously.... cause it's mod.. i redid to suit the hospital decor. stainless steel and lighter colors for all of it.
Storm Nordwind: I had a peek :)
Raffila Millgrove: omg. it looked awful. i hope you come back.. it's so NOT finished.
Storm Nordwind: I made a few animations last year because they didn't exist in SL - I couldn't buy them separately or in a product
Storm Nordwind: I'd be delighted to visit again :)

Scales.

Raffila Millgrove: i am frustrated over the scale. this guy named Scout Destrius.. he had a place called RX medical and all his stuff was so great. hno more.
Storm Nordwind: People come and go. And what they produce changes according to whim or what's profitable.
Raffila Millgrove: and he's the only one.. who made a dr. office scale that looked great And had measurements in both metric and pounds.. so you could measure avis.. height and weight in both ways.
Raffila Millgrove: if i can find that.. combo.. then the scale is ugly.
Raffila Millgrove: if i find a good scale--doesn't have that script.
Storm Nordwind: It's easy enough to script a conversion
Storm Nordwind: If you have mod rights to change the script up delete the existing one and add your own new one, I'd be happy to help
Raffila Millgrove: what i want.. is both a good looking scale.. AND the ability to step on it.. and Change.. the measurements. that's how it worked.
Raffila Millgrove: no the scales are also no mod.
Storm Nordwind: Is it a digital scale or analog?
Raffila Millgrove: the reason why i want this is very simple. it's a good conversation starter.. it sets people at ease.. to have something to talk on.
Raffila Millgrove: reports in chat. the avis. height and weight--for real.. in metric. ..then you step off and touch it. and next time you step on. gives averdupois.
Storm Nordwind: Is chat good enough. Coudl easily make analog or digital: Electronic digits or moving pointer.
Raffila Millgrove: it measure the avatar.. it's so interesting.. esp when you ahve sytstems that both Americans and other countires.. can relate to it.
Raffila Millgrove: yes it's chat.
Raffila Millgrove: chat's better. just reports in chat.
Raffila Millgrove: Strom is x x tall and weighs xx.
Raffila Millgrove: then you step off and on again after touching and it will tell you in metric.
Storm Nordwind: OK. I imagined a nice rotating pointer thing - stylish. But if chat is more useful, fine!
Raffila Millgrove: yes it is. cause then a group standing there. can see .. in chat.
--BELL--
Storm Nordwind: So why not find (or build) a moddable scale that you like and that's not ugly, and I'll script it for you?

Educating.

Raffila Millgrove: what i do.. Storm is educate.. you know i come from Sl bdsm community but i am also in the rl one as well.. and have a medical professional background.. i try to teach people here in SL.. how to play .. how to rp and even more important.. how to do it safely.
Wol Euler: hello raffi, storm
Storm Nordwind: That's a really important role Raffi. Yes I know your background, as much as is on your profile, and too little attention is often given to safety.
Storm Nordwind: So - if you find or build your ideal scales, the offer stands and I'll script it for you to give the chat you want
Raffila Millgrove: if people are going to do things.. i rather they learn how to be careful with each other.. and negotiate first. this scale thing is always the first thing i use.. to get people relaxed and show them how easy it is to rp.. and to be natural in it.
Storm Nordwind: Hi Wol!
Raffila Millgrove: hi Wol
Wol Euler waves

Funny Wol.

Raffila Millgrove: this morning i comment on how funny you are.. in the logs. while i was looking for quotes.. i realized how often you say something very funny.
Wol Euler: me?
Raffila Millgrove: yes.
Raffila Millgrove: boxy agreed.
Wol Euler: *blushes*
Raffila Millgrove: kind of a toss away, dry humor. it's great!
Wol Euler: thank you :)
Storm Nordwind: These English... ;)
Wol Euler: I'm glad you enjoyed it
Raffila Millgrove: thank you Storm.. for the offer and I will take you up on it.
Wol Euler: ((brb, just got in, tea is brewing))
Storm Nordwind: You're welcome. Anything I can do to help
Storm Nordwind: Black for me please Wol, no sugar

More scales.

Raffila Millgrove: that will be such a great help as i have looked til i am silly. for this scale and its still here in sl.. just no transfer and you cannot buy it. i saw a hospital where they ahd a lot of my old stuff.. i would offer to buy them new stuff to trade out.. but it's no transfer so it won't work.
Raffila Millgrove: this Scout was really.. such a superb creator..he had so many amazing things in his store.
Storm Nordwind: I understand! It can be frustrating.
Wol Euler hands out tea and settles back to listen
Storm Nordwind: Mmm thank you Wol :)
Raffila Millgrove: oh we were just talking very.. non philsophical.. stuff Wol.. Storm offer to help me in this quest to replace a couple things.. important for the medical center.
Wol Euler: non-philosophy is good too :)
Storm Nordwind: let's just call it "applied philosophy" :)
Raffila Millgrove: yeah we didn't figure out yet how to drag in acceptance, seeing, being and so forth. i am sure it's there someplace.
Wol Euler: and storm's building skill is exceeded only by his generosity
Wol Euler smiles.
Storm Nordwind blushes
Raffila Millgrove: he is!

Anniversary plans.

Raffila Millgrove: how do the anniversary plans go?
Wol Euler: oh, no idea :) I'm totally out of that loop
Storm Nordwind: I'm not sure. I'm taking a peripheral supporting role at best. Though I may make a treasure hunt like i did last year. It was popular as I recall
Wol Euler: indeed it was :)
Wol Euler: and the fireworks!!!!
Wol Euler smiles.
Storm Nordwind: Oh yes!
Raffila Millgrove: can't go wrong with fireworks.
Raffila Millgrove: remember that guy who did the show here.. several times a day. wow .. those were simply the best. did you ever see it?
Wol Euler: well, assuming commonsense and a bit of hand-eye coordination
Storm Nordwind looks in his inventory for a firework freebie
Wol Euler: I don't remember that
Raffila Millgrove: there was a guy.. he did phemenonal shows.. i have the photos on my hard drive. can't recall name. amazing.. FILLED the sky!
Wol Euler smiles.
Raffila Millgrove: Tommy Parrot
Raffila Millgrove: that's his name.
Wol Euler: no, don't know. Is he still around?
Raffila Millgrove: probably not. i seem to feel more ancient every day. lol

Junkyard from the past.

Raffila Millgrove: went to Yadne's junkyard today. that's a blast form the past.
Storm Nordwind: Whaooooo - is that still going???
Raffila Millgrove: yes and no.
Wol Euler: how so?
Storm Nordwind prepares to be disappointed
Raffila Millgrove: few things offered as freebie.. that are "new" but mostly really old stuff. 2004-2007
Wol Euler: hmmm
--BELL--
Storm Nordwind: I remember going to that junkyard when I arrived in SL, June-July 2006. Some things were a single Linden dollar, some were free. And there were money trees in those days too.
Wol Euler: heh, yes
Raffila Millgrove: yes. the money tree.. it's still there.
Wol Euler: they still exist, actually, there are some around
Raffila Millgrove: and all is free...
Raffila Millgrove: when i came here. so many intersting free things. just everywhere.
Wol Euler: and camping places :)
Raffila Millgrove: you could "take copy" all the time on things.
Storm Nordwind: Yes. The generous spirit of the pioneers still lingered at that point
Raffila Millgrove: and store owners.. gave you beautiful gifts just for visiting their store. no need to join anything.. just for coming they had a gift for you.
Raffila Millgrove: and not cheapies. very nice things.
Wol Euler nods.
Storm Nordwind: Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. ;)
Wol Euler chuckles.

A want of exploring.

Raffila Millgrove: with linden giving everyone their avatar now.. they don't have to go around world.. to get fixed up. i think that's sad.
Raffila Millgrove: cause volunteer groups used to help them get all fixed up.
Raffila Millgrove: we liked doing that.
Wol Euler: yep
Storm Nordwind: Less exploring
Raffila Millgrove: there were mentors and helpers .. everyone could be involved.. with newbies.
Raffila Millgrove: now. you never see any real newbies.. and you cannot friend them and help them get going.
Wol Euler: oh, we get a few day 1 people here
Wol Euler: but not many, it's true
Storm Nordwind: They wander over from the welcome center to the south
Raffila Millgrove: used to be everywhere. i friended a newbie a week i think.. in the old days.
Wol Euler: drawn by the green dots on the minimap
Raffila Millgrove: i live near here. i found this place.. by flying around to see what's... around and noticed the temple..
Storm Nordwind: That's why I built this pavailion open to the south, with the arbors as welcoming arms
Raffila Millgrove: i used to fly over.. a lot more often. sometimes walked thru to see what's new.
Storm Nordwind: I didn't know you lived around here. Though the same thing happened to me in another way... one of the first places I found was a Kuan Yin gardens - run by a Jewish woman - and I eventually bought my first place 2 sims away and ended up owning all the land around the original place
Storm Nordwind: All by exploring

Shortsightedness.

Raffila Millgrove: my landlord has almost.. extinguished our whole beautiful Hollow. She couldn't compete with the LIndens and their free houses/free land thing. She's nearly out of business now. i have li8nved there from Day two here. so i have hard time seeing it disappear .. bit by bit.. until only a few of us are huddled together in what's left.
Storm Nordwind: That's a touching story that I appreciate as I've seen the same happen to others too
Wol Euler nods sadly
Storm Nordwind: Though Wol and I do our best in various parts of this continent :)
Raffila Millgrove: oh it's happened to all those landlords here in mainland. they cannot compete. and the makers of the smaller homes etc. LInden put their own residents out of usiness. did the same with store owners.
Wol Euler smiles.
Wol Euler: yes, that was a strange/bad decision
Storm Nordwind: Shortsighted strategy
Wol Euler: short-term win for newbies, at the cost of old residents
Raffila Millgrove: exactly. they've Never had a long range plan ...
Wol Euler: comes of their obsession with retention
Wol Euler: "facebook has lots of users, let's make SL like FB"

Many viewers.

Raffila Millgrove: and they get caught up in the weirdest stuff like Viewer 2. which spit everyone into multiple viewers so you cannot help people with their issues.. with 3rd party viewers abounding.
Raffila Millgrove: and now it's mesh.
Storm Nordwind: But turnover of transients does not make loyal longterm users
Raffila Millgrove: gosh this mesh is just not all that cool.
Raffila Millgrove: they pick strange priorities and screw up the stuff they had right.
Wol Euler: sadly, yes
Storm Nordwind remembers treading in some viewer 2 on the way over...
Wol Euler: hehehe
Raffila Millgrove: lol
Raffila Millgrove: that sucked up i think two years of the energy and money. it was such a waster.
Wol Euler nods.
Storm Nordwind still proudly uses viewer 1 (unless building for others)
Raffila Millgrove: me too. i only switched last month.. to see mesh and now i can crash all the time and be confused where is everything.. in the viewer. it's not intuitive . that's for sure.
--BELL--
Raffila Millgrove: viewer 3.. is huge improvement on 2.. but it's still pretty weirdly organized.
Raffila Millgrove: at least the frames are gone and you can arrange for clean screen and tidy buttons on the top and bottom only. that helps.
Storm Nordwind: I use Firestorm if I want to go for that experience... and for a 90% loss of framerate
Raffila Millgrove: try 3.. it's not that bad. it's much better than 2.. you can have the viewer one screen back.
Storm Nordwind: Firestorm's at 3 now
Storm Nordwind: I can even make things look very v1-like with it
Wol Euler quite likes firestorm
Raffila Millgrove: i never went to Phoenix, so i skipped Firestorm.
Wol Euler: the usefulness of v1 combined with mesh and co.
Raffila Millgrove: well official viwer 3.. i made mine just like 1.. you can do that now.
Storm Nordwind: Frame-rate and robustness are what I look for. That's where v1 still scores
Raffila Millgrove: totally!
Raffila Millgrove: it's still at the top of stability scores.
Storm Nordwind: yes
Wol Euler: I had strange graphics-card deaths with firestorm at first, but only when camming in a certain sim
Wol Euler: turning off basic shaders stopped that, but at a fairly high price in prettiness
Raffila Millgrove: ah. i should try that. icrash all the time, caming. in one sim only.
Wol Euler: that's it :)
Raffila Millgrove: i have the draw rate at 64.. but i forgot about the shaders. i am goign to do that.
Wol Euler: and updating your graphics drivers, but (a) you probably already do that, and (b) updating didn't solve my problem
Raffila Millgrove: yes i did it.
Raffila Millgrove: it seems to have helped a bit.
Raffila Millgrove: Ge force Nvidia bought out a new driver in Feb.
Wol Euler: ah!
Storm Nordwind: Updating my 5 year old laptop might help, but it ain't broke in other ways so I'm loth to fix it :)
Wol Euler: hehehehe
Raffila Millgrove: wow the time passed. i am embarassed we don't have some impressive log, but i sure had a great time chatting with you guys!
Storm Nordwind: haha!

Minor gods.

Storm Nordwind: What is this "impressive" that I keep hearing about? ;-))
Raffila Millgrove: wel i duno.. you get certain folk in here and suddenly we're minor gods.
Storm Nordwind: But great to see you and chat.
Wol Euler smiles.
Wol Euler: very minor gods
Storm Nordwind: Only minor?? Pah!
Wol Euler: god of budding split peas, perhaps
Storm Nordwind chuckles
Wol Euler: or of dandelion aphids
Raffila Millgrove: Terry Prachett wrote a book called Small Gods. i always liked the idea.
Wol Euler: indeed :)
Storm Nordwind: I only keep the company of bodhisattvas :)
Raffila Millgrove: well i think that's the title. dont' quote me on it.
Wol Euler: it explains so much :)
Raffila Millgrove: but he liked small gods and i do too.
Raffila Millgrove: they're earier to worship.
Raffila Millgrove: easier
Wol Euler: more grateful :)
Storm Nordwind: They're all small - it's only relative ... but don't get me started on that one! ;)
Raffila Millgrove: well most religions eased out the small gods so you had one Big one.. uber powerful.
Raffila Millgrove: i like ancestor worship a lot.. cause it's like the ancestors are now small gods interested in what you are doing in the kitchen.

Heathen.

Storm Nordwind: Even The Big One (tm) has limits, in power, existence.... but remember I was a heathen ... so you'd expect me to say that! ;)
Raffila Millgrove: was a heathen. not "still one"?
Storm Nordwind thinks about deleting that from the log! ;)
Wol Euler smiles.
Wol Euler: it's your log, go ahead
Raffila Millgrove: don't you dare! lol
Storm Nordwind: heathen as in worked with the old heathen gods of Northern Europe
Raffila Millgrove: oh. my ancestors. haha
Storm Nordwind: Fell out with Ol' One Eye
Wol Euler raises an eyebrow.
Storm Nordwind shrugs
Storm Nordwind: after 13 years of him being my patron
Wol Euler sighs.
Raffila Millgrove: really.. who is "one eye"?
Storm Nordwind: But I worked with so many
Wol Euler: Wotan
Storm Nordwind: Or Odin
Raffila Millgrove: ah. thank you.
Wol Euler nods.
Wol Euler: same guy, many names
Storm Nordwind: The guy we names today after
Wol Euler smiles.
Raffila Millgrove: oh is Wednesday named after him?
Storm Nordwind: Wodensday
Storm Nordwind: yes
Raffila Millgrove: ah ha.
Storm Nordwind: Guess who tomorrow is named after! ;)
Raffila Millgrove: Thor?
Wol Euler chuckles.
Storm Nordwind: Bingo!
--BELL--

Bye!

Wol Euler: my dears, I'm going to install that new driver now and will probably have to reboot
Raffila Millgrove: ooh i really have to get going. ty for the visit.
Wol Euler: so I'll say goodnight now just in case
Storm Nordwind: Me too - work calls!
Wol Euler: take care, be happy and productive
Raffila Millgrove: bye Wol. Bye Storm.
Storm Nordwind: Great to see you both
Raffila Millgrove: xo
Wol Euler: thanks for a nice conversation