Linden Lab está preparando desde hoy la primera ronda de sucesivas pruebas del "proyecto Skylight", que tendrá comienzo el próximo 8 de noviembre. SL Skylight permitirá acceder de forma limitada, pero contundente, al mundo virtual Second Life desde cualquier navegador web sin necesidad de descargar ni instalar el cliente oficial.

La información que hemos recibido sobre SL Skylight proviene directamente de Linden Lab, quienes nos han invitado a participar en esta primera fase de testing, que se prolongará durante dos semanas, ya que la isla Virtual Spain ha sido seleccionada para formar parte del grupo inicial de localizaciones de Second Life que podrán ser accedidas por los primeros usuarios de las pruebas en una versión especial de la Guía de Destinos oficial (SL Destination Guide).

Durante estas dos semanas de pruebas, cierto número de nuevos usuarios recibirán, en el momento de crear sus nuevas cuentas, una invitación especial para probar el acceso a Second Life desde su navegador usando SL Skylight. Esta versión web y reducida del cliente oficial no tendrá acceso a todas las funcionalidades: por ejemplo, los avatares podrán caminar y emplear el chat de texto para comunicarse con el resto de usuarios de SL, pero no podrán escuchar ni hablar empleando la voz, no poseerán inventario para almacenar objetos ni podrán tener L$ o comprar. Estas primeras pruebas limitarán también el uso de SL Skylight a 60 minutos.

Linden Lab señala en su invitación a participar en las pruebas que el resultado de las mismas decidirá el uso y el enfoque de SL Skylight en el futuro. En nuestra opinión, SL Skylight puede llegar a decidir favorablemente la expansión de Second Life en el futuro entre el público "casual": Second Life hasta la fecha ha sido y sigue siendo un jardín privado para usuarios avanzados, y la mejor forma de abrir la enorme riqueza de este mundo virtual al público general es permitir un acceso sencillo e inmediato a sus contenidos, aunque sólo sea en parte.

Imaginamos URLs que "se pueden ver": un enlace en una página web que en lugar de mostrar una imagen o un vídeo, permiten al usuario "meterse" en el contenido, explorar en 3D una localización, conversar con otras personas en tiempo real que han llegado "allí" movidas por el mismo interés. Posiblemente estas visitas sean ocasionales, y a estos usuarios poco les importará tener o no tener un inventario o poder o no programar usando Linden Scripting Language. Y desde luego, si cualquiera de ellos se siente atraído por esta faceta, siempre podrán descargarse el cliente oficial con toda la funcionalidad de Second Life.

SL Skylight puede "democratizar" el acceso al mundo virtual de millones de nuevos usuarios. Creemos que las posibilidades son enormes, y vamos a trabajar con Linden Lab para hacerlo realidad. Esperamos poder comentar al término de las pruebas las lecciones aprendidas, y cuando sea posible, avanzar más información sobre su futuro desarrollo.

En relación con aspectos más técnicos de SL Skylight, este acceso web a Second Life podrá realizarse desde PCs con Windows XP o Windows 7 y navegadores Internet Explorer, Firefox, o Chrome, y Mac O/S X empleando Safari, Firefox, o Chrome.

La siguiente imagen es un simple montaje para mostrar el concepto de acceso a la isla Virtual Spain desde el portal http://www.virtual-spain.es, pero NO es una demostración real de SL Skylight:

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Para ampliar información, reproducimos aquí las FAQ suministradas por Linden Lab en relación con las primeras pruebas de noviembre:

FAQ:

1. System and Access:

Q: What are the system requirements?

A: The web experience can be accessed from PCs running Windows XP or Windows 7 using Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome and Mac O/S X using Safari, Firefox, or Chrome. Access to the experience will also require a broadband internet connection -- we’ll be testing various connection speeds during the test.

Q: How does a guest access the experience?

A: During the test, a select number of participants will be presented with the option of accessing a web-based version of Second Life. For those guests, a link will be displayed that can be used to launch Second Life inside their browser.

Q: Is this open to existing Second Life Residents?

A: Any existing Second Life Resident has the potential to access this test. However, only a small number of participants will be exposed to the link needed to access this test.

Q: Can an existing Resident login with their SL account?

A: No. This test aims to validate access options with potential new Residents and, thus, there is no option to login with an existing Second Life account. Participants will appear as guests and will not have the option to use an existing username or to define a new username during their visit.

Q: Is this going to replace the Viewer?

A: No. This test is not meant to compete with or replace the existing Second Life Viewer.  Depending on what we learn from our testing, we may ultimately pursue some or none of these approaches, and your help with this test can help us to determine if this approach should be part of Second Life’s future.

Q: How long will this test be conducted?

A: This test is currently planned to begin on or around Nov. 8 and will run approximately two weeks. However, Linden Lab may extend or shorten the duration of this test in reaction to our early findings.

2. Destinations:

Q: How are the destinations selected?

A: In order to introduce the best Second Life experience to potential new Residents, Linden Lab has selected a small sample of locations that demonstrate some of the most interesting, entertaining, and popular types of Resident-created content. Test participants will only have access to limited features and interactivity, so Linden Lab aimed to omit locations that rely on features not supported in this version (such as HUDs, etc.).

Locations were selected from the wider Destination Guide, which also factors in a venue's popularity, appeal and overall quality. More information on general Destination Guide criteria can be found on the Second Like Wiki (http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Destination_Guide).

Q: Can test participants teleport to all existing Second Life location?

A: No. Test participants will only be able to teleport to the set of locations listed in a streamlined version of the Destination Guide.  They cannot respond to teleport requests sent from residents or to SLURLs posted into chat.

3. User Capabilities:

Q: Will the test participants be distinguishable from existing residents?

A: Yes. Each guest will have a temporary username that distinguishes their “guest” status. All guests will be identifiable through use of a common naming protocol.

Q: Can they buy items in Second Life or in the Marketplace?

A: No. Test participants can not give or receive L$ and cannot have inventory.

Q: Can they change avatar appearance?

A: As they begin each session, test participants will be able to select from several introductory looks. They will be able to change between the available looks at any time during the session. However, since they will not have inventory, further avatar customization will not be possible.

Will their avatar and username be saved after the session ends?

Test participants will have a maximum of 60 minutes to explore and experience Second Life. However, the avatar and username information is not retained once that time has expired. Guests will have the option to download the full Second Life Viewer and register a unique username to continue their exploration, or they may return through the Web Viewer and initiate a new session.

Q: How many times can a guest visit through the web viewer?

A: There is no limitation on repeat visits during the test.

Q: Where do users go for help?

A: General Second Life questions and troubleshooting can be found in the Support section of the Secondlife.com website. (http://secondlife.com/support/)

4. Interactions with Residents:

Q: Will users be able to IM(chat) with other test participants and Residents?

A: Participants will be able to use text chat with all Residents. Guests will be unable to hear or initiate voice chat.

Q: What happens if a Resident offers inventory or a notecard?

A: Test participants will not see any incoming inventory offers, including notecards. They are unable to receive, give or hold inventory.

Q: Can a Resident offer friendship to the users?

A: No. Friendships will not be supported in this test.

5. Landowners:

Q: How many people can we expect to visit our region?

A: At this time, Linden Lab cannot provide an exact estimate on the number of test users that participating landowners can expect. We estimate the total number of visitors to be less than 100 guests per region, over the length of the test. However, we will be monitoring closely the impact of our testing to ensure that there is minimal disruption to participating venues.

Q: What is being done to prevent region overload?

A: As part of the test, we plan to randomly rotate and feature different venues to better distribute exposure to all participants. Thus, not all test participants will see the same set of venues in the streamlined Destination Guide.

Q: Can a landowner choose to opt out of the beta test, after it has started?

A: Landowners can opt out of the test by sending a notecard to Blondin Linden.

Q: Is there a support contact if problems are encountered?

A: Landowners are encouraged to contact Blondin Linden if they have any questions or support issues related to this test.