Preview Grid Common Questions

This article lists some frequently-asked questions that come up during beta tests of new Second Life server releases on the Preview Grid, before it becomes an official part of the Second Life Grid.

I can't log in; It's asking about checking my password for caps lock. What do I do?

First, make sure the creation date of your avatar is earlier than the date when the database snapshot was taken. This information will usually be published when a new project on the Preview grid opens to the public, and can be found on the preview page. Also, if you have changed your password since the database snapshot date you will need to use your old password from that date to login.

I've logged on but my clothes or skin dont look correct?

When first logging into a viewer on the Preview Grid, it is usual to have only your inventory items copied from the main grid for items up to that date, but the Preview Grid or test grid snapshot/database may have been copied weeks or months ago. Before reporting a bug, try changing to another skin and set of clothes so that your avatar is correctly updated. You may also find that your attachments being worn are those from the date of the database copy-- and not the day you logged in.

I have lots of Linden Dollars here. Can I spend it how I like?

Yes the Preview grid is designed for testing and isn't connected to the main LIVE grid ,so no Linden Dollars you spend here will reflect on your balance on the main grid. It also means you cant transfer the L$ back to your main grid account or any objects you create/buy in the Preview Grid. It also means 3rd party websites cannot be used as well as network vendors.

Can I buy Land in Preview Grid?

Sorry, due to the automated system for land buying, it is currently not possible to buy land on the Preview grid. The transfer of land and other related functions will be tested internally by Linden Lab. We will endevour to provide enough free building space to test out various feature additions and bugfixes.

I think I've found a bug but cant quite explain it, Can you help?

Yes, Please do your best to fill out a Bug Report. But if you have special objects or condition that you cant quite describe or want to pass on, you should contact a member of the Quality Assurance Team who will try to reproduce and help file a report.

Will there be various tests provided that I can help test this new Preview Grid version?

Yes we will try and put out some tests either before or just after the Preview Grid opens to the public. Apart from doing those tests its generally a good idea just to explore the new features for the new Project/Feature in beta and see if you find any other mistakes and bugs. This also goes for other areas of the Preview Grid viewer where bug fixes have taken place.

I have an Idea for a new feature or can you tell me about upcoming features :)?

While we try to discuss and provide info on the features in the upcoming server release, we're simply not allowed to discuss (or are unaware of) upcoming feature plans now matter how nicely you ask. Also we cant take new feature suggestions either inworld; the best place to get them seen by the development team is to create a Feature Request in the Public Issue_tracker.

Can I buy more Linden Dollars using the currency exchange?

Sorry, but like land, this system will be tested by internal Linden staff. We will try and provide you with enough funds to do adequate testing of the features without needing any extra Linden Dollars on the Preview Grid.

I'm a Private Estate owner. Is it possible to test using my Region on the Preview Grid?

Yes this is possible but limited to demand. A region may only be made available for a few days to share out simulator resources. The contents and availability of the region will be limited to the day the database snapshot was taken.

Are there other systems that wont work on the Preview Grid?

Yes, Features such as XML-RPC, llEmail and Postcards-to-Email have been disabled, This is to prevent such features being used to transfer L$ or goods on the main grid using Preview Grid's Linden Dollars. As such, inworld ATMs as well as email network vendors will be non-functional. These functions will be tested by internal Linden staff.

The region I was in went down and hasnt come back up. The grid is unavailable, what do I do?

Sometimes regions will crash and may not come back up, due to the beta nature of the software, the region may not be repaired until the next working day. On other hands, we may have to disable to free up machines to test other features. So while we try and maintain a core area of the Preview Grid, any region is subject to change. This also goes for the availability of the Preview Grid itself, it may need to be taken down for testing or upgrades-- these are usually done at short notice, and as is the nature of beta testing, you may have to download quite a few versions of the viewer during the life of an ongoing beta test.

Are the release notes and known issues accurate for each server build that's released on the Preview Grid?

Wherever possible these will be accurate-- to a point. While we believe a bug has been resolved when we list the issue as "Fixed", it is possible that bug may manifest itself in a different way and has not actually been successfully fixed.