Difference between revisions of "Extended Snowglobe FAQ"

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(Formatting, and a little more explanation of the main FAQ/extended FAQ split)
(More formatting)
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= Why is this the "extended FAQ" =
== Why is this the "extended FAQ" ==


This is the "extended FAQ" because there is also a {{OSWebsite|faq|alt=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.
This is the "extended FAQ" because there is also a {{OSWebsite|faq|alt=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.
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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.
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? =
== Where is the main FAQ? ==


The {{OSWebsite|faq|alt=Main FAQ}} is located on the secondlife.com main website.  It covers questions that non-participants might have about this initiative, and covers questions of policy that are best handled on a static website.
The {{OSWebsite|faq|alt=Main FAQ}} is located on the secondlife.com main website.  It covers questions that non-participants might have about this initiative, and covers questions of policy that are best handled on a static website.
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= I assume this is going to happen gradually -- is there a roadmap or a timeline of Second Life being Open Source we can see? =
== I assume this is going to happen gradually -- is there a roadmap or a timeline of Second Life being Open Source we can see? ==


= How does Mono relate to Open Source SL? Are they going to come together? =
== How does Mono relate to Open Source SL? Are they going to come together? ==


= What are some examples of projects (features) we've been waiting for a long time that will reasonably come faster with Open Source? =
== What are some examples of projects (features) we've been waiting for a long time that will reasonably come faster with Open Source? ==


= How will Residents be able to collaborate on Open Source submissions? Will we be able to use Second Life itself to do it? =
== How will Residents be able to collaborate on Open Source submissions? Will we be able to use Second Life itself to do it? ==




= Are you going to be running a showcase for customized Second Life viewers with prizes for the best? =
== Are you going to be running a showcase for customized Second Life viewers with prizes for the best? ==


= I think it'd be cool to have a system to allow Residents with certain needs have them met by offering L$ or US$ for custom clients, what do you think of that? =
== I think it'd be cool to have a system to allow Residents with certain needs have them met by offering L$ or US$ for custom clients, what do you think of that? ==


= Is someone who builds their own Second Life viewer allowed to sell it? =
== Is someone who builds their own Second Life viewer allowed to sell it? ==


= How I get a copy of the code to play with? =
== How I get a copy of the code to play with? ==


See <a href="getit">Get it!</a>
See <a href="getit">Get it!</a>


= How do I build my own Second Life viewer? What are the technical requirements? =
== How do I build my own Second Life viewer? What are the technical requirements? ==


See <a href="getit">Get it!</a>
See <a href="getit">Get it!</a>


= Is there a website where I can find the homebrewed versions of Second Life that other people have created? =
== Is there a website where I can find the homebrewed versions of Second Life that other people have created? ==


Not yet.  When there is, it  
Not yet.  When there is, it  


= Can I do anything I want with the Second Life client code? =
== Can I do anything I want with the Second Life client code? ==


Anything within the applicable licenses.  The code itself is licensed under <a href="XXXFIXME">the GNU General Public License (GPL)</a>, which governs modification and redistribuition of the source code.  Use of Linden Lab's servers will still be governed by <a href="XXXFIXME"></a>
Anything within the applicable licenses.  The code itself is licensed under <a href="XXXFIXME">the GNU General Public License (GPL)</a>, which governs modification and redistribuition of the source code.  Use of Linden Lab's servers will still be governed by <a href="XXXFIXME"></a>


= 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! =
== 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.
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? =
== 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
See contributing page XXXFIXME


= Will you continue to offer a bounty for exploits that are found once the code is open source? =
== Will you continue to offer a bounty for exploits that are found once the code is open source? ==


= Are there going to be rewards (like L$ or US$) from Linden Lab for people who implement certain features or fix certain bugs? I remember awhile back Cory had a bounty ( http://blog.secondlife.com/2006/02/08/firefox-ubrowser-and-you/ ). =
== Are there going to be rewards (like L$ or US$) from Linden Lab for people who implement certain features or fix certain bugs? I remember awhile back Cory had a bounty ( http://blog.secondlife.com/2006/02/08/firefox-ubrowser-and-you/ ). ==


Yes.  [XXXFIXME - fill in details]
Yes.  [XXXFIXME - fill in details]


= What's going to happen to the Feature Voting Tool? Is it going to join with the new bug-tracking system? =
== What's going to happen to the Feature Voting Tool? Is it going to join with the new bug-tracking system? ==


That is the plan.  [XXXFIXME - need to shore up a plan for this]
That is the plan.  [XXXFIXME - need to shore up a plan for this]


= Will source code availability make it possible for me to run my own grid on my own servers at home and not be connected to your (Linden) network? =
== Will source code availability make it possible for me to run my own grid on my own servers at home and not be connected to your (Linden) network? ==


Not really.  While it's theoretically possible for anyone to create a server that is compatible with the open source viewer, it's not something that will be easy to do.  While we hesitate to underestimate the ingenuity of the resident community, we don't expect that anything like this to evolve quickly.  Linden Lab is not open sourcing the server infrastructure at this time; and even if we were, the system isn't designed for home deployment.
Not really.  While it's theoretically possible for anyone to create a server that is compatible with the open source viewer, it's not something that will be easy to do.  While we hesitate to underestimate the ingenuity of the resident community, we don't expect that anything like this to evolve quickly.  Linden Lab is not open sourcing the server infrastructure at this time; and even if we were, the system isn't designed for home deployment.


= Tell me about this new open bug-tracking system which will be used with your Open Source initiative. =
== Tell me about this new open bug-tracking system which will be used with your Open Source initiative. ==


= What's more important with Open Source SL, fixing new bugs or adding new features? There are a lot of bugs to be fixed and I think it'd be great if all the bugs could be worked on first. =
== What's more important with Open Source SL, fixing new bugs or adding new features? There are a lot of bugs to be fixed and I think it'd be great if all the bugs could be worked on first. ==


= Will someone use a hacked client to copy all my content without my permission? =
== Will someone use a hacked client to copy all my content without my permission? ==


= Won't someone be able to create a hacked up viewer that ignores my parcel/estate permissions? =
== Won't someone be able to create a hacked up viewer that ignores my parcel/estate permissions? ==


= Will someone be able to use a hacked client to steal my SL identity? =
== Will someone be able to use a hacked client to steal my SL identity? ==

Revision as of 19:19, 1 December 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?

The Main FAQ is located on the secondlife.com main website. It covers questions that non-participants might have about this initiative, and covers questions of policy that are best handled on a static website.

XXXFIXME - Temporary link to draft main FAQ for Linden Lab employees to edit: Open Source Draft FAQ (LL internal wiki)


I assume this is going to happen gradually -- is there a roadmap or a timeline of Second Life being Open Source we can see?

How does Mono relate to Open Source SL? Are they going to come together?

What are some examples of projects (features) we've been waiting for a long time that will reasonably come faster with Open Source?

How will Residents be able to collaborate on Open Source submissions? Will we be able to use Second Life itself to do it?

Are you going to be running a showcase for customized Second Life viewers with prizes for the best?

I think it'd be cool to have a system to allow Residents with certain needs have them met by offering L$ or US$ for custom clients, what do you think of that?

Is someone who builds their own Second Life viewer allowed to sell it?

How I get a copy of the code to play with?

See <a href="getit">Get it!</a>

How do I build my own Second Life viewer? What are the technical requirements?

See <a href="getit">Get it!</a>

Is there a website where I can find the homebrewed versions of Second Life that other people have created?

Not yet. When there is, it

Can I do anything I want with the Second Life client code?

Anything within the applicable licenses. The code itself is licensed under <a href="XXXFIXME">the GNU General Public License (GPL)</a>, which governs modification and redistribuition of the source code. Use of Linden Lab's servers will still be governed by <a href="XXXFIXME"></a>

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?

Are there going to be rewards (like L$ or US$) from Linden Lab for people who implement certain features or fix certain bugs? I remember awhile back Cory had a bounty ( http://blog.secondlife.com/2006/02/08/firefox-ubrowser-and-you/ ).

Yes. [XXXFIXME - fill in details]

What's going to happen to the Feature Voting Tool? Is it going to join with the new bug-tracking system?

That is the plan. [XXXFIXME - need to shore up a plan for this]

Will source code availability make it possible for me to run my own grid on my own servers at home and not be connected to your (Linden) network?

Not really. While it's theoretically possible for anyone to create a server that is compatible with the open source viewer, it's not something that will be easy to do. While we hesitate to underestimate the ingenuity of the resident community, we don't expect that anything like this to evolve quickly. Linden Lab is not open sourcing the server infrastructure at this time; and even if we were, the system isn't designed for home deployment.

Tell me about this new open bug-tracking system which will be used with your Open Source initiative.

What's more important with Open Source SL, fixing new bugs or adding new features? There are a lot of bugs to be fixed and I think it'd be great if all the bugs could be worked on first.

Will someone use a hacked client to copy all my content without my permission?

Won't someone be able to create a hacked up viewer that ignores my parcel/estate permissions?

Will someone be able to use a hacked client to steal my SL identity?