The second noteworthy construction environment of the online virtual world is going open source.
Linden Lab, creator of 3D virtual world Second Life, is releasing the code of its Viewer application to the open source software development community. Developers—including AEC vendors, if they so choose—can now access the source code to the Second Life end-user software in order to make modifications, enhancements and to add new features.
I say "second noteworthy construction environment of the online virtual world" because I consider Google Earth to be the first. The move to open source is of strategic importance to Linden Lab, and it makes a statement. They want to be THE development platform of the online virtual world, and they (rightly, I believe) see open source development as the way to achieve and cement their leadership position. The alternative, to continue as a closed proprietary system, left them open to both competition and marginalization.
Click to read the complete article, "
Linden Lab to Open Source Second Life Software."
--RSN