Fluffy Sharkfin

Yeah, you're not wrong. Perhaps I should have clarified that by "everyone" I meant everyone that asks the question in good faith and is genuinely interested in finding a realistic answer, as there are some who have adopted the talking point and regurgitate it as a "gotcha!" when arguing against what they consider "special treatment" for minorities and others who will contemplate no compromise when it comes to defending what they see as their right to individuality or to belong to whatever minority/community they identify with. It would be nice to find a clear answer in order to be able to finally debunk the notion that the two concepts are mutually exclusive.

Well, you're definitely unique and irreplaceable.

This seems to be a major stumbling block in a lot of conversations and a point that's come up in many arguments in various circles. The question of how we promote a sense of equality and unity for everyone while at the same time maintaining our own sense of individuality and cultural identity is complex and I've yet to see a clear answer that satisfies everyone.

Coincidentally, your choice to resurrect this thread does coincide quite nicely with the recent announcement of VRChats new Avatar Dynamics System (not directly related to SL I know, but still an interesting look at the types of features dealing with avatar interaction that are being explored on similar platforms). VRChat’s Avatar Dynamics System Aims To Upgrade Interactions ETA: Official Blog Announcement (and Youtube preview video for those that prefer to watch rather than read). Avatar Dynamics is Now Live

Children can be remarkably cruel, then they grow up and learn subtlety.

That's fair enough and we can each decide on the terminology we choose to use for various things. I think it's just personal preference how rigid we all are when it comes to using certain terms (for example the profession of "brick layer" say's nothing of all the additional work involved in the process of building a brick wall and yet seems to be the official universally accepted term). As I already said my original post was mostly just meant in jest, with the emphasis being that creating content for SL can sometimes feel over-complicated and backward in comparison to the workflow used for other platforms. For example, if you look at a lot of the current development platforms they're all moving toward better integration and compatibility between the software used to develop content and the environment the content is intended for, meanwhile SL is using the collada format. Asserting that creating content for Second Life within it's limited capabilities is at times frustrating and over-complicated doesn't equate to saying that it somehow requires additional skills that aren't necessary in other areas of the 3D industry, just that trying to incorporate a workflow that includes as much of the capabilities of modern software as SL can support is at times cumbersome and less intuitive than creating for other platforms. Anyway, I think we've dragged this thread off-topic for long enough debating the importance of semantics, although at least in doing so we helped keep it from sliding off the first page for a while I suppose. Hopefully the OP will find a modeler, mesher, polygonist, vertexician, triangle-wrangler or quad-slinger who can help them with their request, I doubt they'll care what they call themselves as long as they can get the job done!

Pretty much, and to be fair it's not hard to also subtly imply that somebody is a bad person for their actions or the opinions they hold when expressing an opposing opinion and there are times when people can be a little antagonistic in their responses so the line can sometimes get a little blurry. While voicing negative opinions of others is not allowed on the forums, they've never really bothered me anyway since for an opinion to have merit it must be based on fact and not assumption, so the only opinions about me that really matter to me are those of the people that know me.

I think part of the issue with peoples perception of what constitutes bullying lies in the distinction between the two opinions you mention here (italics and bolding added for emphasis). People often equate being told that something they've done (or are doing) is wrong with the implication that they're a bad person for doing it. I agree that nobody should be posting their negative opinions about others on these forums, but there's a pretty big difference between believing that someones actions or opinion is wrong and implying that they're a bad person, and those that can't make that distinction will often see bullying where in reality there are just differing opinions.

People often form lasting opinions of others based on their initial encounters with them (which is why everyone makes such a big deal about the concept of "first impressions" and how important they are) and it's an invaluable tool when dealing with large numbers of people as a lot of people do in modern life. The problem is the internet has effectively increased the number of people we deal with exponentially, to the point where it's almost impossible to afford anyone more than a brief precursory glance before engaging with them. Perhaps as online communication becomes more and more ingrained into our culture people will come to realise that while in real life there are very real dangers that we're instinctively trying to predict by evaluating things on face value, when dealing with people on the internet there's very little need to form a first impression, and certainly no reason to voice it.

As Tazzie pointed out above, most mesh body dev kits can only be acquired by filling out an application and usually require that you have a pre-established store and that you show examples of your work. There are a few dev kits that are easier to obtain, probably the most well known of which is the kemono which is freely available to download from the creators website (along with some other resources). There are also quite a few threads on this subject that have links to useful resources, try searching the forums for the term "dev kit" and you'll find plenty of helpful information on the topic.

I'm sorry, "diatribe"? What thread are you reading? 😅 As for believing we can compare our experience in the area of 3D modelling, well if you really feel so assured that you are at the pinnacle of knowledge in the field and could never hope to meet someone of similar experience then who am I to argue... congratulations, well done on your considerable accomplishment! I'm always open to hearing opposing views to my own, and often welcome it because a fresh perspective is a good way to learn and learning keeps the brain active and the imagination fertile. However if the view you're espousing is "people have to use the words I want them to use, and anyone that doesn't is wrong and should be mocked!" then I'm afraid I must, respectfully, disagree.

Yes, the first 8 words of my post confirmed that modellers make 3D models, I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that I was disputing that as the rest of my post was mostly intended as tongue in cheek and aimed at pointing out the annoying hoops that we have to jump through in order to make content within the constraints of SLs current capabilities. As someone who, like myself, has more than 3 decades of experience in 3D modelling I'm sure you're aware that in order to stay relevant you must continually be learning and improving and adapting to new technologies and workflows, and so are familiar with the disparities between the type of workflow currently used in most modern development scenarios when dealing with up to date platforms and that of creating content for SL, a platform which has it's own quite unique requirements. As for redefining words, while the word mesher does have some existing definitions they're all quite obscure and none of them have any relevance to 3D modelling, so introducing it as a new term to specifically describe 3D modellers who create content for Second Life isn't going to cause any confusion (not to mention it's logical... "modelers make 3D models, meshers make SL mesh"), unless of course you have some objection to the idea of any clarifications beyond "modeller" in which case you may also want to take that up with all the people advertising their services as "digital sculptors". Regardless of what terms we choose to adopt to refer to things, we both know from years of experience that those who are not as well-versed in the terminology of 3D modelling will sometimes use the wrong words.

Stomp on baby ocotpi? But they're so cute... I could never!

I don't think anyone has any misconceptions about the definition of interpersonal disputes, the problem is that avoiding conflict is one thing that humans are notoriously bad at, which has resulted in some of the most horrific and tragic events in history. Honestly in comparison to some places these forums are remarkably tame and tolerant. Could we do better? Sure, but then there's always room for improvement and despite a few incidents now and then I think people try not to let themselves go too far, it's just we all have varying ideas on exactly where that line lies.

This video on UDIMs in Blender might help to further explain the process of splitting your mesh into multiple UV's and gives a good explanation of the general principle, but bear in mind that while they're talking about using 4k vs 16k resolutions and large numbers of textures you'll need to be a little less extravagant when making stuff for SL since you're limited to 1024x1024 and 8 materials/faces per mesh.

It would be nice if SL supported frame interpolation and the ability to control ease in/out via script when swapping animations, it would also be nice if they gave us the same options we have for texture animation (things like specifying playback speed, start/end frame, reverse and ping-pong).

I've never been to an SL wedding myself, but I did go to a "birthing" once and it was a pretty traumatic experience. My friend insisted that I come and watch, but when she TPd me nothing was rezzing, I was standing in the spot and turning around waiting for things to rez and when they eventually did I realized my friend had been standing in front of the mother-to-be when she sent the TP, so of course I'd landed on top of her as she was laying on the delivery table and, thanks to my AO, had been stomping on her as my avatar was turning around. Her partner and family were all present and understandably horrified by what they'd just witnessed and I spent the rest of the time standing in the corner trying to be inconspicuous. 😶

Lack of content has definitely been a major issue for most of SLs competitors in the past, but given the crazy amounts of money being spent on developing these new metaverse products I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the bigger players hiring professional developers to start churning out content. LL has always taken a fairly hands off approach to content creation and left it up to the residents to generate the content, but that doesn't mean other companies will do the same. For example, another way to encourage early adoption by content creators would be to offer additional benefits like cheap/free land to the creators of content that's recognized as exceptional. Of course, trying to do something like that in SL wouldn't work simply because of the number of residents and sheer amount of content that gets created on a daily basis, but in a fledgling world where there are far fewer residents it's a lot more feasible, and rewarding those who create high quality content by providing them more resources to create and display even more high quality content is a great way to make your shiny new metaverse look good and generate free promotional material.

Mark Twain also said "Don't let schooling interfere with your education", I wonder what his thoughts would be on basing your values and opinions on proverbs and ideals created centuries ago by individuals who, despite their wisdom at the time, would most likely be at a loss for words if confronted with society as it is today?

Thanks for sharing, it's nice to get insight into peoples lives and helps remind us that even if we hold very different views in some respects a lot of the core moral values that we hold are the same. I can certainly understand people having "traditional views", there was a considerable age gap between my father and myself (and a similar age gap between he and his father) and after my parents separated when I was still very young it was left to my fathers eldest sister to look after me while he was out working, and by that time she was nearly 70 years old. Effectively I was raised by people who's own parents were born in the late 1800s, so I know a little about being raised with traditional values myself. Fortunately, despite having some pretty outdated notions on the concept of gender, etc. my father was one of the most intelligent, tolerant, kindest and gentlest people you could hope to meet, and above all else taught me the value of empathy, respect for others and most importantly the value of critical thinking and examining evidence and facts and using your own intellect and sense of morality to formulate an informed opinion. The result was that as I grew up and eventually rejected some of his more out-dated perspectives in favour of the idea that everyone should be treated equally regardless of their differences we had some quite heated debates over various subjects, and while he may not have entirely changed all his previously held opinions, over the years we both grew a lot and I learned that sometimes you don't have to completely change someones mind and "win" the argument, it's enough to just give them reason to question their previously held beliefs and provide a new perspective so they can arrive at a new, more well-informed opinion rather than clinging to beliefs that are based purely on honest misunderstanding and lack of relevant experience and perspective. So, if I seem combative when stating my opinions or responding to anyone then it's really not meant as an attack on them or their character. I'm not trying to put anyone down or alienate anyone, my whole point is that we should be more tolerant and accepting of each other, if more people realized that there's no "other" there's just us then they'd find it a lot easier to get along and we'd all be a lot safer and happier.

Hmm, yeah that's a little frustrating and pretty inconsiderate of others that may want to read and participate in the thread, but I guess by removing some of their more contentious comments it at least suggests that their conviction to whatever opinions they were trying to express isn't completely unwavering?

Not discounting the rest of your post but essentially this statement here is the crux of the issue. The point is you should be allowed to have a flawless, young, beautiful avatar and not be bugged by anyone wanting something from you. Sure you can cite human nature and our subconscious desires as reasons for some peoples behaviour but I'm just not buying that people are slaves to their desires and are simply unable to contain themselves. It's about time that people realized that those around them don't exist simply to fulfill their personal desires (regardless of what appearances may suggest to them) and learned to show a little self-restraint. Humans have learned to curb all sorts of instinctive urges over the centuries, why should their attitudes in this particular instance be considered so immutable?

Yeah I've witnessed the "friendliness" of others when people are dealing with someone they believe to be female. It's true some people can be more patient and helpful, but I've also seen the end result when those same friendly people eventually try to push the friendship into something more and are rebuffed. Once it's made clear to them that their advances aren't welcome some of them can become incredibly bitter, abusive and toxic. Honestly I can't really disagree with you on this but would argue it depends largely on the individual. I know from experience that people can be very suspicious of others motives. It's a shame but in a lot of cases you can hardly blame them given the sheer amount of random IM's that some people receive whenever they're in public. Some people are just defensive and less approachable regardless of what avatar you happen to use, but if you try to engage them in conversation and don't jump straight to "hey, you're sexy, do you like to dance?" or other similarly transparent attempts to get them onto a pair of poseballs then most are pleasantly surprised and will happily talk to you for a while.

I vaguely remember back in the early days of multiplayer FPS games people would use female character models because they were not only harder to spot but also had smaller hitboxes so gave a mechanical advantage compared to the larger male character models.

I can understand people being sensitive about others misrepresenting their gender when involved in a relationship, being lied to by someone you're close to is always painful, but I'm not sure how that equates to "exploitation". If you're just having a conversation with someone why does their gender even matter? I'm pretty sure my parents didn't conceive me by bumping pixels in a virtual world. I understand what you're saying about biological imperatives but your viewpoint seems a little cynical. if people can't even control their primal urge to breed when sitting alone in front of a PC talking to others in Second Life then it means we're all essentially slaves to our instincts, and I just don't think that's true.