What is OpenSimulator?
OpenSimulator is an open source multi-platform, multi-user 3D application server. It can be used to create a virtual environment (or world) which can be accessed through a variety of clients, on multiple protocols. OpenSimulator allows virtual world developers to customize their worlds using the technologies they feel work best - we've designed the framework to be easily extensible. OpenSimulator is written in C#, running both on Windows over the .NET Framework and on Unix-like machines over the Mono framework. The source code is released under a BSD License, a commercially friendly license to embed OpenSimulator in products. If you want to know about our development history, see History.
Out of the box, OpenSimulator can be used to simulate virtual environments similar to Second Life™, given that it supports the core of SL's messaging protocol. As such, these virtual worlds can be accessed with the regular SL viewers. However, OpenSimulator is neither a clone of Second Life's server nor does it aim at becoming such a clone. On the contrary, OpenSimulator lacks support for many of the game-specific features of Second Life (on purpose), while pursuing innovative directions towards becoming the bare bones, but extensible, server of the 3D Web.
OpenSimulator is getting more stable as it approaches release 1.0, but we still consider it alpha software; so should you.
Features
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Supports online, multi-user 3D environments as small as 1 simulator or as large as thousands of simulators.
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Supports 3D virtual spaces of variable size within one single instance.
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Supports multiple clients and protocols - access the same world at the same time via multiple protocols.
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Supports realtime Physics Simulation, with multiple engine options including ODE.
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Supports clients that create 3D content in real time.
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Supports inworld scripting using a number of different languages, including LSL/OSSL, C# and VB.NET
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Provides unlimited ability to customize virtual world applications through the use of scene plugin modules.
For a more extensive list, see the Feature Matrix.
Running an OpenSimulator-Based World
OpenSimulator is an open source project, and is powered by the community members that devote time and energy to the effort. There are many ways to participate and contribute to the community:
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Participate via IRC - #opensim (for users), #opensim-dev (for developers) and #opensim-scripts
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Participate via the Mailing Lists. There are mailing lists for OpenSimulator use and development, as well as broader topics such as education and HyperGrid.
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Contribute to this wiki, making the OpenSimulator documentation even better. Don't be afraid of making mistakes - they can be easily corrected.
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Report bugs or submit patches via our mantis bug tracker. If you're submitting code, please read through the Contributions Policy before starting.
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Create an OpenSimulator related project hosted on the Forge or elsewhere on the web. In the forge there are over a dozen registered projects, and it's a great way to further extend the OpenSimulator community.
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Participate to open content creation for OpenSimulator. More details at Artist Home.
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Blog about OpenSimulator, and let us know about that blog on #opensim so it can be added to Planet OpenSim
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Participate in the weekly Office Hours for OpenSimulator development.
