View source for Version 0.3.0

{{ReleaseNotesSidebar}}
=[[Second Life]] version 0.3, released January 20, 2003=

==OBJECT TAXES==
Previous to this release, the [[tax]]ation scheme for [[objects]] was that each shape received a fixed charge of [[L$]]3/week.  

With this release, the per [[shape]] charge will be variable, based on the size of the shape and its height above [[ground]]. Small objects or those near ground level will generally enjoy reduced taxes, while large objects or those high in the air will be taxed more. For example, under the old scheme, a [[default]] shape created near the ground would be assessed L$3/week, whereas under the new plan, it would be assessed L$1/week. Similarly, a maximally [[scale]]d (10 meters) [[box]] raised to 20 meters above ground would be assessed L$3/week under the old scheme, but charged over L$30/week under the new plan.

The exact tuning of these numbers will likely change during the [[beta]] period. Most [[user]]s will see a drop in their object taxes as a result of this change. Those with enormous towers or very large/high objects may see an increase.

You will now also be able to see the exact weekly tax an object will cost, by selecting/editing and looking in the general [[properties]] panel. Selecting multiple objects will display the total tax for all those objects. So it should be easy to check what your taxes are going to be on a given project.

The charges for [[light]]s will remain the same as before.

==LAND TAXES==
[[Land]] taxes now have a discount awarded for land located close to other land owners. The discount is based on the percentage of [[resident]]-owned land near the center of the chosen [[parcel]], and can reach as high as 50% (this number will be subject to tuning during the beta). In other words, if you buy a plot which is completely surrounded by neighbors, it could be as much as 50% cheaper to buy and maintain than a plot sitting alone in the countryside. Additionally, the rate applies to your own plot as well, making it somewhat cheaper to buy one large plot versus several small ones scattered around.

The discount rate (for all [[property]] owners) will change dynamically as new residents move in, so you drop the taxes of your neighbors by moving in next to them, and vice-versa. This should make choosing neighbors fun--you make their taxes lower by living near them! Choose wisely! 

==STARTUP AND SHUTDOWN ISSUES==
* You can't run two copies of Second Life at the same time. This used to cause [[crash]]es.
* If your graphics card does not support Second Life, we put up a [[dialog]] explaining this, rather than crashing.
* Second Life will no longer crash on startup if your computer's clock is slow by more than a few days.
* Crash reporter improvements: You now have the ability to enter a note saying what you were doing at the time of the crash. Providing us with a description of what you were doing can vastly increase the probability that we will find and fix that crash.
* We now put our temporary files and logs in the correct locations (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data).

==LAND ISSUES==
* Hovering the mouse over other [[avatar]]s shows their names. You might consider changing your [[preference]] for "Show Avatar Names" to "Show Temporarily", which will fade the names out after 10 seconds.
* Land claim dates are now shown correctly.
* Selecting land is improved. You no longer have to drag a rectangle around the edges of the land. You can now click in the center of any piece of land and drag to select a larger parcel.
* If you are in an area where you cannot [[build]] new objects, the word "No Build" appears at the bottom of the screen. 

==AVATARS AND ATTACHMENTS==
* You will need to readjust the size of your avatar's [[hair]] using the "hair volume" [[slider]]. A change in the way hair size is calculated causes many hair styles to shrink. However, this change also makes it much easier to create bald, beautiful people!
* There are a few new facial slider options (eyelid puffyness, lip cleft depth, eyebrow height, jaw angle, and more makeup [[color]] choices in the color sliders).
* There are many more [[attachment]] points, organized hierarchically.
* Avatars are better looking (lit more realistically).
* A "[[Snapshot]]" [[animation]] plays when you take a snapshot. Everyone can see this animation.
* Attachment [[size]] and [[rotation]] modifications maintained across simulator boundaries.
* The avatar looks in the proper direction now (much less head jiggling).
* [[Script]]ed objects should no longer disappear after being attached.
* Trying to [[joint]] two attachments will not crash the [[simulator]].
* Revised data set used for randomizing avatar appearance.
* Fixed [[bug]] that could cause [[clothing]] and [[body part]] settings to be lost after a long file transfer delay.
* New outfits now include underwear (if being worn) by default when they are created.


==USER INTERFACE AND GRAPHICS==
* The [[shadow]]s cast by objects should now be more correct, but slower. To improve performance and reduce [[memory]] consumption, you can now disable shadows via the Preferences/Display panel.
* Some other [[viewer]] performance improvements have been made, which should result in better [[frame rate]]s.
* You can now scroll the [[account history]] dialog. There's interesting stuff at the bottom!
* Objects you own appear in the [[map]] in <font color=blue>blue</font>.
* Hitting [[Tab]] to look at last [[chat]]ter now centers on their head, not their pelvis
* New and improved [[selection]] "glow". Also, frame rate is improved when you have complicated objects selected.
* Decoding of a corrupt [[sound]] file no longer continually attempts to decode the bad file.
* You can now use sound queuing to queue up another copy of the currently playing sound (previously it had to be different sound).
* Sound files are now released immediately after [[upload]] (allowing you to move or delete the original files).
* Online [[help]] has been updated.
* People directory no longer crashes if the window is closed before results display.
* New "Bad keystroke" sound.
* Un[[link]]ed objects with [[physics]] turned on no longer fall through [[heightfield]].
* [[Sit]]ting on complex objects no longer [[lag]]s the [[physics engine]].
* Jointed objects should move much smoother now.
* Using "move" to manipulate objects now works correctly when your avatar is sitting.
* Fixed bug that would make garbage appear in chat editor when in "overwrite" mode.
* The [[code]] for creating and [[rez]]zing objects will inform you more quickly if it fails to collect all the information necessary to perform the transaction.
* [[Instant message]] sessions are more session oriented. For instance, it is now easily possible to have more than one session with the same user.
* Crashes when using the [[land tool]] near the edge of a simulator have been fixed.
* We expanded the kinds of [[BMP]] files that can be uploaded.
* Deleting an object someone is sitting on no longer gives you an extra $10.
* You can't use the [[edit tool]] to change other avatars' face and hair [[texture]]s or name.

==SCRIPTING==
* [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=llRezObject llRezObject()] puts objects into the [[world]] with [[permissions]] for ''everyone move'' and ''everyone modify''. This prevents malicious or buggy scripts from polluting the environment and blocking people's movement.
* Script call: [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=llRotLookAt llRotLookAt()] has been made more stable, and the [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=damp damping] [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=parameter parameter] has changed slightly. Damping can be a [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=float float]ing point number between 0.0 and 1.0. A damping of 0.0 causes no damping; the object may overshoot its [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=target target] [[rotation]] and oscillate as if it were on a spring. A damping of 1.0 causes the scripted object to exhibit no oscillation or overshoot as it rotates toward the target rotation.
* [[Tooltip]] for [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=llSetStatus llSetStatus()] script call now includes STATUS_BLOCK_GRAB flag. Set this status to prevent other users from [[grab]]bing and [[physical]]ly moving the object.

==ECONOMY==
* (This change went out a few days ago)  You should now always be given your weekly [[stipend]] and charged your weekly maintenance fees at the same time.
* When texture uploads fail, you are no longer charged.

==KNOWN BUGS==
If you have attachments that have scripts and you [[teleport]], the scripts will be [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=resetting reset] and go back to their initial [http://secondlife.com/badgeo/wakka.php?wakka=State state].
[[Category:Release Notes]]