SLMC

luketemplar · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 314 Location: United Kingdom

This guide is under construction and is to be distributed by the SLMC ONLY. Please add your suggestions and corrections below. I will incorporate it into the guide at some point.
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I have listed some limitations with using SL to perform below.

1) Software issues
SL technology is considered fairly cutting edge in terms of graphics and infrastructure and the software that is constantly being improved. There are regular updates and bug fixes that sometimes introduce more bugs! The SL client is notorious for crashing - more so on the MAC than on the PC due to OpenGL problems on the MAC. Having said that - there are many performers in SL that use a Mac.

2) THE LAG!
Lag is when SL runs really slowly. It can happen for a few reasons - serverside issues, network load, graphic card load or even computer resource problems. For those of us that attend concerts regularly, it's a fact of SL. Lag is most prevalent when there's a lot of avatars crowded together and that may be an issue if you are performing.

3) Listener cap
Most venues are located in single sims - the maximum for any of these venues is theoretically 100 but practically speaking probably around 60 - otherwise the lag makes interaction cumbersome and spoils the experience for everyone. At higher numbers you also run the risk of crashing the sim. There are multisim venues that try and get over this maximum cap by placing the venue at the intersections. I know this sounds minute when compared to for example an internet radio stream that supports 2000 listeners - but this is 60 people who have come to see you specifically. If you perform regularly - it won't be the same 60 people all the time.

4) Sim crashes and region restarts
When you are performing and suddenly you notice that altho everyone is there and dancing no one is talking and the minimap has gone red. This is usually a sign that the sim has crashed. It's an annoying part of SL and it is common if not irregular in occurence. With region restarts - you get an advanced warning if a sim is about to be shut down.

5) Inconsistency in audience numbers and tips
Your crowd can vary depending on the day, month and time you perform. You may get a large crowd at one performance and a smaller one at another. There are a few tricks to keeping your attendance up which will be addressed in a seperate FAQ. Tips do not always correlate with audience size and this can sometimes be feast or famine.

The SL Music Community is a rich mix of talents and services that support independent artists and music. Please refer to our forum at http://slmc.myfastforum.org/
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