The numerous designers and organizers and patrons of sailing in SL have done a grand job of bringing us as close to the RL experience of sailing as is technologically feasible…given what we have to work with. A big part of sailing - the sense of community, the thrill of competition - stems from what one might term the “user experience.” The user experience matters a lot - both in RL and SL. We’re more aware and focused on this term in SL because, naturally, we like to think we are somewhat more in control of it. As mentioned, I believe that our community has done a tremendous job in shaping the SL Sailing user experience with the available tools.

Have a look at this snap:

The shot was taken yesterday - a self portrait of sorts - on a sunset sail under a pirate sky. Sounds pretty, right? Looks ideal. But what the hell does it mean?

I’m running the trial Windlight client. Witness some of the manifestations of this new technology. In essence it provides a huge leap in a more realistic, immersive environment - a user experience upgrade. The moon sparkles off the water. The clouds refract the setting sun and scud across the sky before a westerly blow.

If you have the graphics capability you can play with the editor, selecting all sorts of presets for the sky and the water…one of which the brilliant engineers have named “pirate sky.”

Sailing is something that occurs within and, in fact, derives its literal power from - the environment. It stands to reason that the more realistic and immersive virtual environmental technology becomes, the more powerful sailing in SL will become as well. Some years down the road fellow SL sailors…unlike ourselves…will not need to employ their imaginations as forcefully as we do now. They’ll step aboard their (virtual) boat, feel her shift under their weight, hold a finger up and test the prevailing breeze.

Red sky at night. Sailors delight.

LL