This is the spot where we will try to answer your questions. If you have a question you would like to see answered here, please email it to Cara Coffina or to John Howard at 3DWorld@learningtimes.com.
Q. What are the technology requirements to run the Firestorm Browser software? Answer
Q. We are having trouble getting voice chat to work. What do you suggest? Answer
Q. When I log in my avatar doesn’t show up. I just look like a cloud. What can I do? Answer
Q. We seem to have too little bandwidth. Our avatars are loading slowly or acting oddly once we get in. What can we do? Answer
Q. My avatar is trapped in a building, bus or other location and I can’t find the way out. How do I get back? Answer
Q. I changed my avatar’s skirt, but the pink skirt is still still there. Any ideas? Answer
Q. I lost my voice when I went to a different region. The microphone icon is all greyed out. I don’t want to have to log out and restart Firestorm. What can I do? Answer
Q. What are the technology requirements to run the Firestorm Browser software?
Answer: Each participant must have at-school access to a computer (desktop or laptop). System requirements include:
Operating System: Current operating system (either Mac 10.9+ or Windows 7+)
Computer Memory: 1 GB (recommended 4 GB or more)
Second Life Browser: Latest Firestorm Browser (http://www.firestormviewer.org/downloads/)
Headset: Headset with a built-in microphone. Check to make sure the cable is compatible with your computer.
Connection to Internet: Wired, if possible.
Please see http://secondlife.com/support/system-requirements/ for the most current system requirements.
Q. We are having trouble getting voice chat to work. What do you suggest?
Answer: Please try these steps. If you continue to have issues, please contact Cara Coffina to set-up a support time. Although you may use either viewer, we strongly recommend using Firestorm as your first choice.
Troubleshooting Steps for Voice:
1. Connect headset BEFORE logging in.
2. Go to: Avatar menu > Preferences > Sound and Media (on left side)
3. In General tab (at the top):
Turn volume down slightly
Make sure that Voice Chat is ENABLED
4. In Voice settings tab (at the top):
– Make sure Enabled Voice is checked
– Click in Audio Device Settings:
For Input choose Built-in Mic
For output choose Default
See if you are getting any levels – the boxes should turn green when you speak, but should not be going into the red. If you are getting no levels here, change the Input selection and see if you can get levels.
Once you get some levels, click on Apply, then click on OK to exit the menu.
Check voice. If it does not work, you may need to quit and log back in, then go through troubleshooting steps again.
Please note that while you are in the Audio Device Settings, you will not be able to hear conversations around you, nor will you be able to be heard by others (until you exit the menu).
You will know that voice is working when you exit the menu and see green lines above your avatar’s head.
Q. When I log in my avatar doesn’t show up. I just look like a cloud. What can I do?
Answer: If your avatar just looks like red smoke…
Here is a quick fix, but if you use this one, you will have to “redo” any customizing you did to your avatar.
- Click on the Avatar menu at top left of screen
- Click on Avatar Health
- Click on “Reset Default Male Avatar” or “Reset Default Female Avatar”
- That usually fixes it.
If this does not work let Corwin Core know in world and he will assist you.
Q. We seem to have too little bandwidth. Our avatars are loading slowly or acting oddly once we get in. What can we do?
Answer: This seems to be a common problem so far. Here are some simple changes you can make to your Preferences in the Firestorm software that should help.
First, before logging in, open the Preferences box by choosing the Viewer menu at top of the Firestorm login screen, then choosing Preferences.
Second, find the tab at left that says Network and Cache. Click on it.
-Set Maximum Bandwidth to 300
-Set Cache size to 250 mb
-Click Apply
Third, find the tab at left that says Graphics
-Move the Quality and speed slider to Low to enable faster performance.
-Click Apply
Last, find the tab that says Sound & Media. Click on it
-Uncheck the boxes next to Enabled for Streaming music and for Media
-Click Apply
-Click Okay to close the Preferences screen
This may not solve all the problems, but it should improve performance some.
Q. My avatar is trapped in a building, bus or other location and I can’t find the way out. How do I get back?
Answer: Click on the Home button at the top of the Firestorm screen 
(underneath the Comm menu). This will return your avatar to the spot near Citywide Bank where you logged in the first time.
Q. I changed my avatar’s skirt, but the pink skirt is still still there. Any ideas?
Answer: The easiest way to fix this is to cmd-click on the pink skirt to select it, then choose detach from the pie menu that appears. You can also look in the “Worn” tab of your inventory and detach clothing items from there.
Q. I lost my voice when I went to a different region. The microphone icon is all greyed out. I don’t want to have to log out and restart Firestorm. What can I do?
To get your voice back without having to quit and restart Firestorm, try this:
1. Go to: Avatar menu > Preferences > Sound and Media (on left side)
2. In General tab (at the top)
3. Uncheck the box for Voice Chat Enabled, then press Apply.
4. Recheck the box for Voice Chat Enabled, then press Apply, then press OK.
Voice should be working again after several seconds.
Otherwise, restart Firestorm.