[sldev] [POLICY] OpenSL considered harmful?

[Lawson English]

Joshy Squashy wrote:
> OpenSL (http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Main_Page) is an open source 
> alpha Second Life server framework.  It is extremely crippled, with 
> limited scripting options and a large number of missing features; 
> however, it is functional.
>
> The laboratory at my college has been doing research using synthetic 
> worlds in education software projects and software engineering 
> projects for some time.  We have been following development of OpenSL 
> for some time, as we are very excited with the possibilities of having 
> access to the source code for both the client and server (particularly 
> in situations when the SL server should also be some other type of 
> server).
>
> Though OpenSL isn't much at the moment, we are approaching the point 
> where we plan to try OpenSL servers for some very simple projects.  
> However, some colleagues disagree that we should consider OpenSL, 
> claiming they are reverse-engineering Second Life's message protocols 
> and that having the potential for hosting "free" Second Life servers 
> is a threat to Linden Labs so Linden Labs will either shut down OpenSL 
> or release client versions that render OpenSL unusable.
>
> While I don't know Linden Labs opinion on the subject, I would think 
> that such claims don't amount to much.  Releasing a client version 
> that renders OpenSL unusable can't really happen because the client is 
> open source so it's a trivial matter to remove the code that prevents 
> interoperability.  However, shutting down OpenSL I see as conceivable 
> but unlikely; the OpenSL server is so crippled that one would need 
> very specific reasons as to why it would be desirable to use it, and 
> Linden Labs hasn't taken action yet.  I simply don't see Linden Labs 
> as considering this to be a threat, particularly considering their 
> substantial existing userbase and that my understanding is that 
> they've been toying with the idea of releasing the server code 
> outright themselves for some time already.
>
> Still, my colleagues and I would be very interested in hearing Linden 
> Labs direction in dealing with those involved in developing 3rd party 
> Second Life server frameworks.
>
> ~Squash Otoro
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not speaking for Linden Labs since I can't, but LL is working with 
OpenSim as part of the architectural working group

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Architecture_Working_Group

so I would say they are serious about their goal of open sourcing the 
servers andthat they don't see Open Sim, Open SL, etc., as a threat.

Also, a shameless plug, you and your colleagues are cordially invited to 
attend the AW Groupies meetings ( Tuesdays, 9:30 AM SL time). IM 
Saijanai Kuhn, Tree Kyomoon or Zha Ewry for an invite since the meeting 
is held on a private IBM island.

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/AW_Groupies

AW Groupies is an in-world group comprised of people wanting to help LL 
with the goals of the AWG. We also look past their 2-year plan to the 
design of the next generation of grids based on Second Life, with a 
long-term goal of interoperability with other possible virtual world 
architectures.

 
Lawson English (Saijanai Kuhn)