Hi folks. The OpenSim 0.6.8 source packages are now ready for download either in tar.gz or .zip form. The source code in these packages needs to be built before they can be used. Binary packages should follow in the next few weeks (there isn’t a continuous end-to-end process for producing these yet). I know I said this for 0.6.7 but this time it should happen!
The OpenSim 0.6.8 release was branched from trunk on the 23rd November 2009. Thanks to all the many people who make OpenSim happen.
As usual, please bear in mind that Opensim is still at the alpha code quality stage with documentation to match (improvements in the opensim wiki are always welcome). Only minimal testing has been performed on this release. It may contain regressions compared to the previous release.
Here is a summary of the major changes between 0.6.8 and 0.6.7. This is a very high level view – please see my own weekly summaries for more details or the OpenSim git log for the patch-by-patch plays. Apologies in advance for any inaccuracies or major omissions – corrections are welcome.
- The minimum level of Mono required to build and run OpenSim is now 2.4.2.
- The version of libomv used by OpenSim was upgraded to 0.8.0-pre.
- The grid service has been moved to the new ROBUST infrastructure. The User and Messaging servers still exist as specific executables. If you’re moving to OpenSim 0.6.8 from 0.6.7 then there is migration information on the wiki. The OpenSim configuration wiki page has also been changed to reflect the current setup situation with 0.6.8.
- Parcel information was added to OpenSim region archives (OARs).
- Inventory Archive (IAR) functionality was improved.
- JPEG2000 texture generation was considerably improved, which should mean less missing texture information in general. However, 64 bit users may see an increase in the number of exceptions with the new CSJ2K code which replaces the OpenJPEG library in various spots. Bug reports are welcome.
- Considerable work has been done to reduce memory leaks.
- Excessive flailing when an avatar walks over very moderately bumpy ground was fixed.
- Objects on sale at L$0 can now be bought.
- The Linden Lab Second Life client stack was overhauled. This should be improve server responsiveness to client requests.
- OpenSim’s use of the Open Dynamics Engine (ODE) physics plugin was improved to increase performance.
- The DotNetEngine scripting engine was removed. We recommend that anybody still using it migrate to the XEngine scripting plugin (which has been the default for sometime). This does not affect anything at the language level – all scripts will continue to work as before.
- The performance and reliability of scene object manipulation code was improved, though some bugs will remain. Linking code is as yet largely unchanged, hence existing object linking bugs very probably still remain.
- Prim collision meshing has been improved.
- An issue where avatars could not automatically land on prims was resolved.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Robert Myers and meta open, Justin Clark-Casey. Justin Clark-Casey said: New blog post – OpenSim 0.6.8 source packages released. Binaries will hopefully will follow soonish – http://bit.ly/82wKD0 [...]
I think that the OpenSim software is turning out GREAT, looks really promising, can’t wait till about 0.8 or 0.9! But before they reach version 1.0, I think they should try including a better GUI for installing and configuring OpenSim. The command line tools and that will keep it from being used by the masses I fear.
[...] Isso foi apenas algumas novidades, outras melhorias em diversos aspectos foram feitas, você pode ver mais algumas delas nesse link. [...]
hey cool on being able to buy $0 items – nice. and thank you for writing this in such a way that it educates peeps like me. (ener secretly in love with justin – shhh, don’t tell anyone) =)
so that version of Mono is higher than sl’s isn’t it? what type of comparison can be made, in simple terms, to express the efficiency of the current OpenSim vs. SL? i know it’s not that simple, but for what we have been doing with reaction grid, it certainly seems much smoother for machinima
[...] 0.6.8 was released! See the mailing list announcement or my blog entry for more [...]
@Aussiedude. I think we will eventually see that, whether it’s in the main OpenSim project or in a downstream distribution.
@Ener Hax. You’re making me blush
Mono 2.4.2 certainly has performance improvements over previous Mono versions. I wouldn’t want to venture a performance comparison though – there are far too many complex variables that influence simulator performance.
justin, in my eyes and those of iliveisl, you are a rock star! in reading your bio and resume, it is very tempting to want to get into the hosted OpenSim business. heck we spend $2920 a month isl (of course, much of that is offset by residents)
but we do spend several hundred per month. you have the skills and passion to make this work, so no need to blush, just allow yourself to be recognized for your true talent =)
namaste
@Ener – well, I don’t actually do any OpenSim hosting Ener, at least not yet