S.L.O.S.T.

Here are some tips for reducing lag and optimizing graphics, that have worked for me and various other people who I have told, for any SL client not just Windlight. Please post a comment if it works for you, or even if it doesn’t and what happened. Hopefully this helps.

Quicktime & Codecs (PC ONLY for this Section)

When installing any new codecs always remove all and any previous codec packs. Also close all programs or windows. (if you don’t do this, Quicktime will sometimes not work in web browsers and programs, like second life, that were open during install. Trust me, I learned this the hard way and reinstalling and rebooting is never fun.)

Quicktime has a major security flaw that allows for serious problems with the SL client (Click HERE to read more), so make sure you have the latest Quicktime installed and delete any old versions as well. I use the codecs at this link. KLM Mega Pack, for everything else and then Quicktime Alternative for Quicktime. I have a extreme distaste for Apple software, but its a matter of preference. I don’t use ITunes and I hate how annoying Apple’s upgrades are on the PC. I wont get into OSX..all I have to say is Sad Mac =]

(yes..I made 4 links to Quicktime Alternative..

its that important for Second Life performance,

and security in windows as well..

and tutorials bore me so..heh =]..trying to keep it light..

Quicktime Update/install (Mac/Linux)

Apple Quicktime Security Update (I hate to do this but for the Mac users there is no other choice, as far as I know)

Second Life Video in Linux (article) recently streaming video was made available in Linux. Make sure that you have all the latest Gstreamer packages installed in your distribution. I have tried this it does work. (I will post more information on this soon)

Graphics and Performance

Make sure you have the latest Graphics card release update, and make sure you know which card you have exactly before you install it..(if you don’t install the right one, you could cause yourself a lot of trouble, and have to fix it in safe mode which is never fun..you cant say i didn’t warn you =])

There are many graphics card manufacturers but most cards (that work with Second Life) use either one of two chip sets made by either Nvidia (which seems to have the best drivers out as of late) and ATI (decent drivers but more problems especially using Linux)

(PC ONLY for this Section)

Another thing that will help overall system performance as well as the Second Life viewer and also web site browsing, is downloading CCleaner (which is the more politically correct name for a program called CrapCleaner) Basically it cleans out all the crap that gets downloaded onto your machine, and also the second tab on it, cleans out your registry which also helps for performance.

Second Life Client Update & Alternatives

There are a few different choices for Second Life Viewers/ Clients (what you use to view SL, but regardless of which one you use, always make sure you are running the latest version of your particular version. This is very important for performance as well.

SL Standard Client (Direct Download (Win, Mac, Linux [alpha])

Most people use this it is said to be the most stable and most tested,but this is not always the case. Test software could run much better on your system,but you need to try it to find out.I recommend this client for people who just want to get SL running fast and not mess with performance and graphics enhancements and tweaking.

SL RC Client (Direct Download (Win, Mac, Linux [alpha])

This is a client that is best for most people to use when available, Release Candidate Clients have the most up to date bug fixes, and these clients are usually released as the main client once the bugs are worked out on the main grid. Good for most SL users.

SL First Look Client (Direct Download (Win, Mac, Linux [alpha])

First Look Client (currently Windlight) is kinda like a step between the Beta Grid and the Release Canidate. Good for users who want a bit more of a cutting edge experience when it comes to graphics and performance. (I use this client, the graphic enhancements are great but can be straining on older graphics cards.)

SL Beta Test Client (Direct Download (Win, Mac, Linux [alpha])

***This client does not run on the main Grid so that means its not live, its strictly a testing environment but, this one will let you see how future projects live the Havoc 4 physic engine will affect your machine, and also help the testers as well.

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3rd Party Alternate Clients Click this link to try a client created by Nicholaz Beresford that I have been told by many crashes about 20 % less then the main client. Many people swear by it, I haven’t tried it yet, tell me how it is with a comment if you do try it.

Electric Sheep Company Alternative Client (Article)

Performance Settings (in game under Edit >> Preferences >> Graphics Tab or Ctrl P)

 

 

If your using Windlight you can use the recommended graphics setting, that usually works the best. If your using an older client here is a place that you can change the settings around to best fit your machine.

Network Tab (in game under Edit >> Preferences >> Network or Ctrl P)

This tab lets you configure network settings, for most people setting Maximum Bandwidth to 1500 kbps (slider bar all the way to the right), works the best. And for Disk Cache size I have found recently (thanks to Veyron Supercharge) that setting this to about 500 megabytes for most people is good. If this is too high you will have lagg and performance issues, because SL tends to use more memory with this at 1000 megabytes. Its also good to clear your cache from time to time as well.

(I will post more tweaks and performance/ graphics tips as I come across them, if you have any post them in a comment and I will add them to this post, also let me know if you find any errors or broken links and I will fix them as soon as i can.)

 

12.24.07 UPDATE: SL Performance Video (Torley Linden)

[display_podcast]

Hope this helps..leave a comment and tell me how it works for you by clicking here