[sldev] Re: AWG - Scope (Future SL Architecture versus Multiworld Interoperability)

[Lawson English]

Rob Lanphier wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> There seems to be some confusion about what we're trying to achieve
> here, where "we" is even a little fuzzy.  This is our attempt (Zero and
> I) to express Linden Lab's viewpoint.
>
> Some of the confusion may stem from the IBM/Linden Lab press release:
>     http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/22428.wss
>
> Near the end of that release, there are two paragraphs, one outlining
> IBM's initial industry wide efforts, and one about our own AWG:
>
>     (1) "IBM is actively working with a number of companies in the IT
> and virtual world community on the development of standards-based
> technologies. This week IBM hosted an industry wide meeting to discuss
> virtual world interoperability, the role of standards andthe potential
> of forming an industry wide consortium open to all. This meeting is
> expected to also begin to address the technical challenges of
> interoperability and required and recommended standards."
>     
>     (2) "Linden Lab has formed an Architecture Working Group that
> describes the roadmap for the development of the Second Life Grid. This
> open collaboration with the community allows users of Second Life to
> help define the direction of an interoperable, Internet-scale
> architecture."
>
> #1 is an industrywide effort with many companies, including Linden Lab
> and IBM, working as peers to develop a range of interoperable 3D virtual
> world standards.  These may range from things like the "Universal
> Avatar" project mentioned in the press release to something as
> comprehensive as seamless integration between different kinds of virtual
> worlds.   The timelines have not yet come into focus for this effort,
> but we're enthusiastic participants in that process.
>
> #2 is a group designed to create interfaces to open up the Second Life
> Grid.  We believe this effort will be both compatible with and in
> support of effort #1.  Linden Lab is running the AWG to drive our
> development of opening up the Second Life Grid, and the group will need
> to work within our constraints if it is to be successful.
>
> You might want to consider participation in one or both efforts.  The
> AWG effort is more narrowly focused, and the industrywide effort has the
> potential for a much wider scope of solutions.
>
> You'll note that Linden Lab is an enthusiastic member of both efforts,
> so in either case, you're helping define the future of Second Life.
>
> We'll discuss this and more at Tuesday's (and Thursday's) meeting.
>
> Zero and Rob
>   
I would say that the AWGroupies' focus is a cross between these two. 
Certainly, we all (that I am aware of) want to help see LL's plans in 
the second point are achieved, but the AW Groupies have been working 
from the larger perspective of #1 partly because Zha is from IBM, and 
partly because all of us think that the first task is a superset of the 
second. Certainly, all of the webpages published under rhe AWGroupies 
category are concerned with fulfilling the first task,  in the long run, 
at least, though Zha has indicated that we need to focus more on LL's 
needs in the near-term, if I understand her comments correctly.

Lawson