Updated: Xenki Brings OpenSim and Second Life to the Browser

The OpenSimulator Project's Adam Frisby wrote over the weekend about a new development for OpenSim and Second Life.  Xenki [source available here] is an open-source approach to bringing Second Life and OpenSim to the Web browser running on XBAP.  The idea is to create an embeddable version of these virtual worlds, like Google's Lively, that run without installation in their own secure sandbox, like Java.

"Why this approach is a good idea [:] The answer here is simple - we dont need to install anything, so web designers can embed Xenki controls on their website and expect people running Windows to be able to see them without any installations required," blogged Frisby. "All you need is to be running a OpenSim, or have a space in Second Life that your users can be sent to, and be using either Internet Explorer or Firefox."

It's not a perfect solution, though, for users wanting to bring their richer virtual worlds experience to the browser. Unless users download an application, they can't store access their local storage. That limits the reach of Xenki's applications for casual users, but still makes it possible for Second Life and OpenSim developers to quickly bring users in over the Web. Unfortunately, Frisby explains that it only works for Windows Vista users, which limits its potential base, excluding, for example, myself.

That's why, for now, Xenki is a side project running alongside the OpenViewer project.

"I think there’s two different niches here," Frisby told UgoTrade. "OpenViewer is general purpose alternate viewer - much like the mainline SL viewer. Xenki I’m aiming at something possibly a bit more lightweight and embeddable."

You can follow Xenki's process at Frisby's blog.

Update: Frisby says that Windows XP will work if you install .NET 3.5.

Comments

[Pops]

I would not be suprised to see Microsoft getting involved in this effort. After all XBAP is MS technology, It would make very good business sense to have a plugin of this nature available for Explorer. We can only hope.

[Prashanth]

Hi .. i downloaded Xenki_0.1.0 solution . when i build that am getting log4net.dll version error . anybody please guide step by step procedure to bring opneSim viewer to browser