Linden Lab

If you keep an eye on Linden Lab announcements, you might have seen that we recently acquired Desura, the community-driven digital distribution service that puts the best games, mods and downloadable content from developers at gamers’ fingertips, ready to buy and play. Now, Second Life is available on Desura (oh, and Patterns is too)! You can still access Second Life as always, but this now makes it easier for anyone with a Desura account to get into Second Life as well. If you have friends who are Desura players, help spread the word! And, if you’d like to check it out yourself, it’s free and easy to create a Desura account.

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Angel Tzara" by ◢ AyE ◣ ART with heart... ღ. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Tribal Warrior" by Anna Sapphire. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Inside the Club" by Jon Vetinari. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Ivy Tree" by Leonorah Beverly. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Rabbit & me" by coco. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

A new set of Materials work has become a Release Candidate Viewer. This Viewer includes support for Materials underwater, render support for impostors, and fixes that will address issues with transparency and alpha layers. See the Release Notes for full details. A quick coral study with Normal and Specular maps shown underwater. Land Impact is 14. As of today, approximately one fifth of the regions in Second Life have at least one object using Materials, and this is increasing at a rate of about 2% per week. Users with high-end graphics cards are seeing a significant increase in frames per second when Advanced Lighting Model (ALM) is turned on -- we highly recommend that those users turn ALM on. In addition, we will be updating the GPU tables to include newer graphics cards, allowing more users to take advantage of advanced graphics features like Materials. Thanks to those who have already tried out Materials and submitted a bug report to the MATBUG JIRA project! Once this release candidate has completed the release process, we will be moving any active MATBUGs to the BUG project and track any future issues from the BUG project. If you’d like to experiment with Materials, download the Materials Release Candidate Viewer today. And don’t forget to check the Good Building Practices wiki for more tips and tricks and the Knowledge Base for updated user documentation.

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Hold on to Summer" by ellekirshner. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "12❤" by Nati Williams. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

This week, the server component of Project Sunshine will go live across the entire grid! This means that all the improvements we discussed in our previous post will be available to everyone in Second Life. It’s important to remember that you need to be using an up-to-date Viewer to enjoy these improvements. If you’re still using an outdated Viewer, the server-side changes rolling out now will cause you to see some avatars as broken or incomplete. As of this week, all avatars will be using the new system and will appear broken to you if you don't update. If you haven’t already, please update your Viewer now and enjoy Sunshine! Catch a look at what Project Sunshine has to offer .jwglL3VXI80

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "You Are Beautiful, It's True" by Reema Xue. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Trace, Celestial Realm 08" by Leonorah Beverly. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

In this episode of the Drax Files, join machinima artist Draxtor Despres as he showcases his explorations in Second Life with an interview with Elie Spot, co-owner of Mon Tissu and Celoe in the Mayfair sim. In this interview, Elie talks about the joys of balancing Kentucky culture, the freedom of grid life and the joy of creating her own mesh designs and clothing (and it shows). But don’t take our word for it, watch the below and see for yourself! Y89KjbBwMBA Soothing design and bold fashion at Celoe. And if you haven’t caught up on the earlier Drax Files, now’s a great time to start. Check the links below or visit Drax’s website at draxtor.com. The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 1: Kriss Lehmann The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 2: Jo Yardley The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 3: Eshi Otawara The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 4: Fantasy Faire / RFL The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 5: Engrama The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 7: Rod Humble The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 8: MadPea Games

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "rain down" by owl.dragonash. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Vintage" by Ruriko Bracken. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Even the trees are dancing" by Lisanna Lauria. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "@Collins Land" by Charlie Namiboo. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Yesterday is dead and gone...." by Naniel. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Carnivals, Fairs & Ferris Wheels" by l í n d α . r є d d є v í l. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Black Basalt Beach - a different view" by Winter Wardhani. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Paint the sky with stars" by Ariadna Dragon Writer. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

In our quest to uncover and share the new and wonderful inworld creations, we spend a lot of time delving into Second Life. So without further ado, we’d like to highlight a little bit of what jumped out at us this month. For you investigative types, we have an ultimate hunt for... well, stuff, and a fiendishly difficult search for those interested in a challenge. Rounding things out are a beautifully rustic Viking village, a lovingly re-designed shopping center and a triple-tiered nightclub to let out that wild side. We always love seeing your creations, so join in the fun and submit your own. See you inworld! The Ultimate Stuff Hunt With over 220 designers, new home products and the latest in men's fashions, the Ultimate Stuff Hunt is a month-long hunting extravaganza. Find unique items to make your house a home or try out that new look with bold fashions and intricate accessories. And don’t forget the free gifts at the lounge. The hunt starts on August 2nd, so get down here! Visit in Second Life The Bleeping Bunny Hunt Welcome to the Bleeping Bunny Hunt, a hunt so hard you'll want to curse! Every designer is providing a hint, a riddle or a scavenger hunt to find those pesky exclamation points. This hunt is meant to be hard. If it was easy, why do it? You'll encounter decoys along the way, but stick with it for your just rewards. The Bleeping Bunny Hunt runs from August 1st through the 15th, so don't wait. Visit in Second Life Syrinx Syrinx is a beautiful and authentic Viking village. This moderate, non-combat location includes period-appropriate buildings and activities, they've even got the animals and plants native to Scandinavia. There are many places to engage in chores, spiritual and cultural exploration, relaxation, chores, adventure and maybe a little romance. Beware of sharks and bears! Visit in Second Life Zed Designz "Keep up Darling, we'll hit the Men's level next!" "But Babe, what about the alien shooting game?" The Mothership landed in Second Life with a fabulous range of mesh clothing and accessories for ladies and gents by Zed Designz. Arrive in style by monorail then enjoy lucky chairs, hunts and fabulous prizes. Shop 'till you drop and party through the night at Club Zed. Visit in Second Life Equilibrium Night Club Travel to the world of music with Equilibrium Night Club! Come see talented live musicians and DJ's from every corner of the globe in three unique atmospheric zones. Enjoy live concerts at Music Garden, shake your body at Dance Hall and don't forget to bring your sweetheart to VIP Hall while you bask in the views of the city. Friendly to all races, so come on by. Visit in Second Life

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Quiet After Evening" by Loverdag. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Me by the amazing Felicity Blumenthal" by Oakley Foxtrot. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!

Check out the Second Life Pic of the Day, "Wishes come on the wings of Birds" by bom. Don't forget to check out Second Life on Tumblr, Facebook and Google Plus!