Linden Lab have posted a new blog post : Performance, Performance, Performance! The post details some impressive improvements to Second Life from Linden Lab’s metrics. In terms of the Second Life Marketplace the post informs us :
We recently deployed infrastructure upgrades for the Marketplace, and the site has since shown some of the best performance we’ve ever seen from it. Even during peak usage periods over the weekend, when in the past performance would degrade, we’re seeing response times that average 70% faster and page load times that are 30% faster than before the changes.
Then we see a bold claim, I mean this is a very bold claims, it’s so bold that I’m almost speechless, but Linden Lab are improving Group Chat! Indeed they’ve recently deployed new chat server configurations which metrics show have resulted in dramatic improvements in group chat performance. Now before we all get too excited, they also acknowledge that some groups are still seeing a reduction in performance but early indications suggest that group chat is improving. Linden Lab aren’t washing their hands on this matter though, they are still very much working on continuing to improve group chat.
Faster texture and mesh loading has been facilitated by Linden Lab utilising a content delivery network to the whole grid. This is more likely to be felt by people further away from Linden Lab’s data centres in the USA and the initial reports do indeed sound very impressive :
Our testing showed dramatic improvements: average download times for textures and meshes have been reduced by more than 50% on average, and the improvement is even more dramatic outside of North America.
The final improvement mentioned in the blog post is with regards to the HTTP Project. This has been a long ongoing project that has slowly but surely brought improvements to Second Life. The basic concepts is that the way the viewer communicates with grid services has been improved. The blog post once again posts some impressive stats :
With the HTTP Project Viewer out now, the faster content download times you’ll see thanks to the CDN change get even better – we’re talking 80% faster!
However there is one more improvement highlighted via this blog post, although it’s not one Linden Lab are blowing their own trumpet about.
The final improvement is with regards to Linden Lab’s improved communication channels with their customers. The final paragraph of the post states :
So, How’s Second Life Performing for You?
Performance improvements are generally behind-the-scenes work, and we know it’s not always as exciting as rolling out a new feature, but these changes directly impact all our Second Life experiences and our daily lives inworld. We hope you’re starting to notice the effects of these improvements – if you are, please let us know in the Forums, on Twitter, or however you prefer.
That is such a refreshing change from the communications between Linden Lab and their community in recent years and I find this very encouraging. Ebbe and Oz Linden have already been busy in the forum thread, responding to some folk who unfortunately don’t feel Second Life is improving but that’s part of the feedback process. However what would be nice would be if people who are seeing improvements, let Linden Lab know about it. Generally people are more motivated to comment when they disagree or are annoyed, this is human nature, bad experiences stay in our minds longer.
That’s not to say that those who are not seeing improvements should be dismissed, feedback of positive or negative experiences are useful for Linden Lab. Feedback of either kind is better when it’s constructive, but please don’t be shy about letting Linden Lab know how Second Life is performing for you.