Difference between revisions of "Extended Snowglobe FAQ"

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(Eliminated the duplication between the main faq and extended faq. Please edit the main FAQ on the osiris wiki)
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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 Some components, such as our JPEG renderer, have been replaced by open source components that currently don't work as well as the proprietary (third-party) components in the mainstream viewer.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.
{{OSWebsite|faq}}


=== What source code won't you be releasing ===
Temporary link to draft main FAQ: {{InternalWikiLink|Open Source Draft FAQ}}


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


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


=== Why is Linden Lab releasing the source code for the Second Life viewer? ===
= What are some examples of projects (features) we've been waiting for a long time that will reasonably come faster with Open Source? =


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


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


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


See [http://robla.webdev.lindenlab.com/developers/opensource/getit Get it!]
= Is someone who builds their own Second Life viewer allowed to sell it? =


=== How do I build my own Second Life viewer? What are the technical requirements? ===
= How I get a copy of the code to play with? =


See [http://robla.webdev.lindenlab.com/developers/opensource/getit Get it!]
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? ===
= How do I build my own Second Life viewer? What are the technical requirements? =


Not yet
See <a href="getit">Get it!</a>


=== Can I do anything I want with the Second Life client code? ===
= Is there a website where I can find the homebrewed versions of Second Life that other people have created? =


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
Not yet. When there is, it


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


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.
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>


=== If I find a bug in Second Life, and know how to fix it, how do I submit the required code change? ===
= 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
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/ ). =
 
Yes.  [XXXFIXME - fill in details]


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


More questions and answers can be found on the [http://robla.webdev.lindenlab.com/developers/opensource/FIXME Second Life developer wiki].
That is the plan.  [XXXFIXME - need to shore up a plan for this]


{{OSWebsite|faq}}
= 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. =


Temporary link to draft main FAQ: {{InternalWikiLink|Open Source Draft FAQ}}
= 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? ==

Revision as of 19:13, 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?

http://secondlife.com/developers/opensource/faq

Temporary link to draft main FAQ: 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?