Difference between revisions of "Extended Snowglobe FAQ"
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= Where is the main FAQ? = | = Where is the main FAQ? = | ||
=== What source code will you be releasing? === | |||
All of the code necessary to build a viewer for accessing Second Life. Some components, such as our JPEG renderer, have been replaced by open source components that currently don't work as well as the proprietary (third-party) components in the mainstream viewer. We hope to work with the community to ensure that the open source counterparts improve to become viable replacements for the current components. | |||
=== What source code won't you be releasing === | |||
We don't (yet) plan to release the code that runs our simulators or other server code ("the grid"). There are limited portions of viewer code we've licensed from third parties that also will not be released. We hope to get to a point where we can eliminate proprietary dependencies in the viewer code. Over time, we hope to release more and more of Second Life's technology as open source, assuming things go well with our viewer release. | |||
=== Wait, doesn't that mean anyone will be able to change anything in the code? === | |||
Anyone will be able to create a new viewer for their own personal use, or share that modified viewer with others. Anyone will be able to submit code to Linden Lab, which we will consider including in the Second Life viewer that most people download from secondlife.com. However, we will carefully review any submission, and ensure that it is safe and stable code that will be of broad benefit to all before we accept it into the mainstream version of the Second Life viewer. | |||
=== Why is Linden Lab releasing the source code for the Second Life viewer? === | |||
In the short term, we look at this as a way of improving the processes we use to build Second Life, creating greater transparency, and giving the community the means to participate in and improve the way we create software. In the long haul, we hope this move will accelerate innovation in Second Life, enabling anyone to enhance the viewer in all sorts of ways. | |||
=== Won't someone be able to create a hacked up viewer that steals all of my Linden (L$)? === | |||
No. The important logic for transfering L$ between accounts happens on our servers, not in the viewer. The simulator code on our servers doesn't assume that the viewer is "trusted" code. We can't foresee every possible way that some people might be able to create an abusive viewer, but we've done a thorough audit and taken other precautions to ensure that the new availabilty of source code will be an unambiguously positive experience. | |||
=== How I get a copy of the code to play with? === | |||
See [http://robla.webdev.lindenlab.com/developers/opensource/getit Get it!] | |||
=== How do I build my own Second Life viewer? What are the technical requirements? === | |||
See [http://robla.webdev.lindenlab.com/developers/opensource/getit Get it!] | |||
=== Is there a website where I can find the homebrewed versions of Second Life that other people have created? === | |||
Not yet | |||
=== Can I do anything I want with the Second Life client code? === | |||
Anything within the applicable licenses. The code itself is licensed under the [http://robla.webdev.lindenlab.com/developers/opensource/XXXFIXME GNU General Public License (GPL)], which governs modification and redistribuition of the source code. Use of Linden Lab's servers will still be governed by | |||
=== Who can answer my questions about changing the Second Life code? I have some ideas for improvements but I don't understand how it works! === | |||
Ask your question on one of our forums or mailing lists. XXXFIXME - need to work out real-time chat strategy - could be an in-world developer center, or could be something as simple as IRC. | |||
=== If I find a bug in Second Life, and know how to fix it, how do I submit the required code change? === | |||
See contributing page XXXFIXME | |||
=== Will you continue to offer a bounty for exploits that are found once the code is open source? === | |||
=== Other questions/answers === | |||
More questions and answers can be found on the [http://robla.webdev.lindenlab.com/developers/opensource/FIXME Second Life developer wiki]. | |||
{{OSWebsite|faq}} | {{OSWebsite|faq}} | ||
Revision as of 17:43, 21 November 2006
Why is this the "extended FAQ"
This is the "extended FAQ" because there is also a main FAQ. The main FAQ is meant for non-participants and newcomers who may not understand what this initiative is about, who might get confused about being thrown to a wiki just to find an FAQ. The extended FAQ is for people who are already excited about participating, and are mainly asking questions about how to do stuff.
Of course, that's only part of the answer. The other part of the answer is that we wanted to make sure that some of the FAQ was on the website to answer basic questions when we launched this initiative, while also having a place on the wiki for flexible collaboration with the community on other questions.
Where is the main FAQ?
What source code will you be releasing?
All of the code necessary to build a viewer for accessing Second Life. Some components, such as our JPEG renderer, have been replaced by open source components that currently don't work as well as the proprietary (third-party) components in the mainstream viewer. We hope to work with the community to ensure that the open source counterparts improve to become viable replacements for the current components.
What source code won't you be releasing
We don't (yet) plan to release the code that runs our simulators or other server code ("the grid"). There are limited portions of viewer code we've licensed from third parties that also will not be released. We hope to get to a point where we can eliminate proprietary dependencies in the viewer code. Over time, we hope to release more and more of Second Life's technology as open source, assuming things go well with our viewer release.
Wait, doesn't that mean anyone will be able to change anything in the code?
Anyone will be able to create a new viewer for their own personal use, or share that modified viewer with others. Anyone will be able to submit code to Linden Lab, which we will consider including in the Second Life viewer that most people download from secondlife.com. However, we will carefully review any submission, and ensure that it is safe and stable code that will be of broad benefit to all before we accept it into the mainstream version of the Second Life viewer.
Why is Linden Lab releasing the source code for the Second Life viewer?
In the short term, we look at this as a way of improving the processes we use to build Second Life, creating greater transparency, and giving the community the means to participate in and improve the way we create software. In the long haul, we hope this move will accelerate innovation in Second Life, enabling anyone to enhance the viewer in all sorts of ways.
Won't someone be able to create a hacked up viewer that steals all of my Linden (L$)?
No. The important logic for transfering L$ between accounts happens on our servers, not in the viewer. The simulator code on our servers doesn't assume that the viewer is "trusted" code. We can't foresee every possible way that some people might be able to create an abusive viewer, but we've done a thorough audit and taken other precautions to ensure that the new availabilty of source code will be an unambiguously positive experience.
How I get a copy of the code to play with?
See Get it!
How do I build my own Second Life viewer? What are the technical requirements?
See Get it!
Is there a website where I can find the homebrewed versions of Second Life that other people have created?
Not yet
Can I do anything I want with the Second Life client code?
Anything within the applicable licenses. The code itself is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which governs modification and redistribuition of the source code. Use of Linden Lab's servers will still be governed by
Who can answer my questions about changing the Second Life code? I have some ideas for improvements but I don't understand how it works!
Ask your question on one of our forums or mailing lists. XXXFIXME - need to work out real-time chat strategy - could be an in-world developer center, or could be something as simple as IRC.
If I find a bug in Second Life, and know how to fix it, how do I submit the required code change?
See contributing page XXXFIXME
Will you continue to offer a bounty for exploits that are found once the code is open source?
Other questions/answers
More questions and answers can be found on the Second Life developer wiki.
http://secondlife.com/developers/opensource/faq
Temporary link to draft main FAQ: Open Source Draft FAQ (LL internal wiki)