Just Leap In

[Bruce Lehmann]

Just Leap In:

This is pretty cool

A quote: “JLI supports true shader-driven graphics, physics, rich lighting, full sound, and a diverse range of immersive experiences that are usually associated with video games.
As we roll out new features later this year, we think you'll be impressed with the range of online expression we make possible.”

This is a very rich and attractive program. It is relatively easy to navigate through and figure out. Users can set up a space from a number of premade templates, furnish it and decorate it with objects provided, and upload pictures, movies and sound. The user can also create multiple spaces and add portals to them that allow them to “beam” from one to the other. You cannot upload your own 3D content at this point but they (JLI) have stated that they have plans for this.

Portals

Scene

I have been playing around with it since its closed Beta and am very impressed with how it looks and works. It has been likened to Lively and it kind of works a similar way. You can add an applet to Facebook and enter a space from there. You can also go directly to the site and launch your space, so there is an opportunity for either an embedded experience or for a more immersive one.

Like some other new virtual platforms coming out, this one will need some computer power. The requirements are:

Windows PC

* OS: Windows XP or Vista
* Memory: 1 GIG RAM or higher
* Browser: Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2 and 3
* Ethernet: Fast broadband connection (wired/wireless)
* DirectX 9.0c (the more cores, the better)
* Graphics: nVidia GeForce 5500/equivalent or higher (pixel shader 2.0 capable)

Macintosh

* CPU: Intels are best, but G5+ PowerPCs work
* OS: Mac OS X 10.3 or higher
* Graphics: ATI Radeon 9500 series or higher
* Memory: 1 GIG RAM or higher
* Browser: Firefox 2 and 3
* Ethernet: Fast broadband connection (wired/wireless)

When they say IE7 they are not kidding. It will NOT work on IE6. I use Firefox 3 with it and it works fine.

The pluses here are;

1: The look, it simply looks great. Good shader effects and lightmapping.
2: Ease of installation/operation
3: Collaboration. I have yet to try this as I go up at night and so far have not run into anyone else to collaborate with.
4: No weird hoops to go through for Mac users.

Some minuses:

1: It takes real power to run. So it will only work well for people that have newer machines. The machine I have is a Quad Core with a 640 Meg video card and 4 gig of ram so I don’t see any problems. I have tried it on an AMD 3700+ 64 with a 128 Meg video card and a gig of ram and it is a little laggy there.
2: No way (so far) to upload your own created content, so you are limited to their provided items, although their content is very good.
3: There appears to be no way to actually if anyone else is online there so you can connect with them. I ran into the same problem with Exit Reality although on it you can see someone if they are in your “Buddy” list.

There is a forum on the site so you can ask questions, post comments, and learn more about it at: http://forum.justleapin.com

Of course, the best way to judge it is to go there and try it. It is fun and easy and I hope it has a future. I don’t see it going the way of Lively, however.

Hop up to; http://www.justleapin.com/index and give it a try.

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