Thursday, July 13, 2017

Z&A HUD Manager

I had purchased a HUD manager Z&A HUD Manager which works well but also has some problems I wish the creator would address and then it would be perfect. One problem is that you are limited to nine folders [inside your #RLV folder] and while each folder could contain multiple HUDs, in practise there is a small number of HUDs you can place in each. I believe that, one is limited to 9 HUDs total with this solution. Not enough ....


The creator it seems, has designed this menu with a very specific problem in mind [Perhaps builders?] , and of course I want to use it a bit differently LOL. I do not need or want to lock or unlock my HUDs, I simply want to get them up on my screen in the shortest possible time. Here you can see above that you will press the 'ADD' button to get to your list. In addition, after you do add your HUD, it will pop back up in case you wish to add more HUDs, which is slightly annoying after awhile [to me anyway].

Still, it works and very well. Can't beat the price which is zero Lindens, either. And the HUD [Yes! A HUD for for your HUDs] is very small so that is good. You DO need RLV enabled for this to work. Here is a picture which contains the small on-screen ICON or HUD, the one which shows a PLUS MINUS sign:


This misled me at first into believing that it actually had two functions but it does not- you can click the + or - but it brings up always the dialog in the first picture. Please Mr. Fairport keep working on this! This could go from 4 stars to five very easily I think. I don't even need a 'detach' function - its actually faster for me for to right click a HUD and detach than use this.

HUD craziness



We all have numerous HUDs [Heads Up Display] to deal with in SL, even more so if you wear a mesh head or mesh body. As part of my SL organization towards lean & clean vs. Big Hot Mess, I have been wondering about how to deal with all the HUDs I use, or at least the most common ones. I do realize that it is not going to be possible, probably, to have all of them ready to hand. The following are just my own opinions and trials.

My first thought was to use my wonderful CTS Wardrobe to do this, and yes it works. However my wardrobe itself has a HUD which is not always up, and I decline to keep it up througout my entire SL day. In addition - it is a lot of clicks to bring up one HUD. I DO have friends that use the Wardrobe for this purpose.

I tried the Z&A HUD Manager [See previous post by the same name] but for the reasons given I decided to try something else.

I am not completely satisfied with this solution, either. One could also make a folder in inventory and keep all your HUDs there. CTL + I to bring up inventory, type HUDZ or whatever to show your folder contents.

My second thought was a tip from a friend who suggested using the Firestorm Viewer Outfits pop-up. I have been using this as the Outfits button is always on the bottom of my screen in the toolbar. Basically I click the button and then click the Outfits tab and select the folder which I named 'AAA'. Imaginative, huh? This gives me a list of HUDS which I have placed there. And then I can simply add or detach from there. 3 clicks minimum. What I like is that this is a Firestorm-provided solution which is already present and no extra hud on-screen to deal with. And probably there is also a keyboard shortcut to pop-up the thing....

Fewest possible clicks please we are all busy....

I am using the Outfits method - for now. Please share your tips if you have any, below.







Hair Fair VENT




I recently went to the Second Life 2017 Hair Fair and I have to say that , while I DID find some wonderful new hair- shame on the organizers for the most ridiculous Fair layout I have ever seen.

By all means , do go- but read the following.

Being not all that bright, I followed my ususal policy of collecting demos to take home and leisurely try them on. When I went back in the afternoon, I was immediately face with a giant problem - can't relocate the stores. I had a premonition of this while shopping intially but I met up with a friend there, and you know......

Area search simply doesn't work, the map that you land in front of has no store names, there is not even a 'C4' type parking lot type of sign for a block of stores. Zero, nada. In adddition, although the stores DO have a sign out front, this doesn't help when there are TWO huge sims and each store looks exactly like the next. I saw many Avi's floating in the air like me, trying to cam in on store signs.

Yes, I understand that the organizers want to expose you to as many vendors as possible, but this is insane. It sure doesn't help buyers, and on the flip side I don't see how it really helps the hair sellers either. There needs to be a balance. Suppose I only wanted to see new Exile hairs? Good luck finding it. I searched online and at both sims for some type of 'Shopping HUD' to teleport around. No luck Charlie Brown. If there is ANY Help around, it should have been available right at the sim landing point(s). Generally at Fairs, trying to Landmark a specific store also doesn't work as all of your LM's will simply take you back to the landing point.

OK I have developed a new personal policy for Fair shopping, but that is a response to the insane layouts and I really don't see this as a plus. I would much rather try on my demos at home, instead of having to make a buy or not buy decision in the store? Aside from THAT, how could one even plan to explore the sims like this? Just wander up and down until your little avi collapses from exhaustion?

The WORST shopping experience that I have ever had in SL. Ever.

P.S. For any person or vendor that will respond by saying "Oh you should have done this or that, there was this or that thing available. I don't give a piece of peach pie!! It should have been clearly stated and readily available AT THE LANDING POINT.