Last night, the wonderful Akela Talamasca made a post at Second Life Insider about a new SL client for Windows called SLeek created by DeltaPHC.

SLeek basically is a halfway point between the full SL client and Ajaxlife. Functions such as local chat, IM, and teleporting are all available, but it also gives access to an inventory, friends list, and a people search.

Screencaps after the break.

The login page with grid status opened:
 

Main chat (similar to IRC):

Friends list with an opened profile:

Inventory:
 

Search with a Teleporting window open:
 

IM:
 

One of the largest drawbacks of SLeek is the lack of a places search and/or the ability to select a certain point in a sim without having to know the exact coordinates. Also, I did notice that the client showed a health meter in non-damage areas, but that’s minor nitpinking.

Definitely a good choice if you want to run SL along with multiple other programs and are not worried about seeing the graphical world (or sitting down), but at least give it a run through before passing judgement on it.

If you have looked at the SL blogosphere within the past 4 hours the name Katherine Berry should be quite familiar by now.

Ms. Berry’s AJAX SL client has now opened a multitude of possibilities for SL residents every where. No longer is a beefy graphics card required just to log into SL. Plus, the long requested ability to IM without logging into the client has now been partially realized.

Yet, what I find to be even more amazing than the web-client, itself, is Ms. Berry’s amazement that the popularity that her build has received.

From New World Notes:

The load currently being experienced was completely unplanned; it was planned as just a “I’m bored and want to talk to m(y) friends in SL from school.”

My mind boggles at the idea that one could build something like this, but not consider how much of an effect it would have on the community.

However, as with every piece of software, there are flaws, some unavoidable considering that there is no ability to “see” into SL. The inability to move your avatar is the most major, as it means that if you are with a group of people 1) they must stay within range of you since group IM don’t work yet or 2) one of them must constantly send you Teleport requests to keep you in range.

Flaws aside, though, I still think it is extremely wonderful to have this and I cannot thank Ms. Berry enough. Here’s to smooth sailing with the continuing development of the client!