21 May 2009
Renewed blog
It's been quite a while since the last time I wrote in my blog. But I can explain - I was lazy.
Today I finally fixed some links, namely the Archives and Cat-s, and spent some time debugging the search algorithm. I think they work properly now, if they don't soon you'll be able to report this using the comment system I'm about to finish one beautiful day.
I also added a new section, How to make RPG (the game, not the rocket launcher), feel free to visit it.
Next scheduled job is adding comment system, and probably making some Gallery. For the gallery I might use some ready script, I'm still in search.
So long for now, I'll try to write more often.
Take care,
Alex
Categories: Blog
Today I finally fixed some links, namely the Archives and Cat-s, and spent some time debugging the search algorithm. I think they work properly now, if they don't soon you'll be able to report this using the comment system I'm about to finish one beautiful day.
I also added a new section, How to make RPG (the game, not the rocket launcher), feel free to visit it.
Next scheduled job is adding comment system, and probably making some Gallery. For the gallery I might use some ready script, I'm still in search.
So long for now, I'll try to write more often.
Take care,
Alex
Categories: Blog
03 Jan 2009
How to become a gamer programmer?
I liked last week's group activity class we had in the university, probably because of the Xmas atmosphere around (yes, it was 25th and yes, in Japan we study on Christmas). We didn't do any work, as always, but this time sensei accommodated us in his office since in was way too cold in the hall we usually have meetings. I liked the office.
I liked it a lot.
The newest MacbookAir and MacbookPro on the desk, some 22" screen (Apple again) on the same desk and a little 50" TV screen on the opposite wall. Plus small meeting table with 5-6 chairs which out group occupied. Nothing additional, no papers, documents, stationary whatsoever.
When we brought up the question about the newly acquired items and how he can now "enjoy" doing his research, he countered us:
"Look at yourself! Five guys with five laptops, there is no thing like this in any other faculty. People are happy to get even one computer for their group work."
Users. But true, each one of us had a laptop pretending we came to do work.
"When I was your age we didn't have such fancy machines. The Famicon (Japanese call the console games Famicon, abr. from family computer, with Nintendo 8-bit being the most typical example) just came out and everybody wanted it."
Well, they had some really nice games for that time.
"Yes, but all my friends got a Famicon and my parents bought me a MSX."
MSX? What's a MSX, I asked Google. A computer from Sony, it suggested. So, weren't the computer games better than Nintendo's?
"Far form it. It took ages for the environment to load from the cassette device then the fun began. I received weekly issues from one video games magazine and in each one they had a small game."
Cool. Was it that huge 5" floppy?
"It was printed as a source code in the magazine itself. We had to retype it line by line in Basic and compile the game in order to play."
Printed game? I bet your typing speed improved significantly. But once you have it just save the -.exe to a floppy and play it again next time.
"I wished. My parents bought me a computer but no floppy device, 'cause it was expensive."
Way to go. So you have to retype the game every single time you wanted to play?
"Yup."
I bet you had a major typing speed improvement.
"But this is why I decided to study Computer Science later. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the games I played."
True.
If playing Pong got him to professor's chair, where can Zelda get me?
Off to find out.
Alex
Categories: Programming
I liked it a lot.
The newest MacbookAir and MacbookPro on the desk, some 22" screen (Apple again) on the same desk and a little 50" TV screen on the opposite wall. Plus small meeting table with 5-6 chairs which out group occupied. Nothing additional, no papers, documents, stationary whatsoever.
When we brought up the question about the newly acquired items and how he can now "enjoy" doing his research, he countered us:
"Look at yourself! Five guys with five laptops, there is no thing like this in any other faculty. People are happy to get even one computer for their group work."
Users. But true, each one of us had a laptop pretending we came to do work.
"When I was your age we didn't have such fancy machines. The Famicon (Japanese call the console games Famicon, abr. from family computer, with Nintendo 8-bit being the most typical example) just came out and everybody wanted it."
Well, they had some really nice games for that time.
"Yes, but all my friends got a Famicon and my parents bought me a MSX."
MSX? What's a MSX, I asked Google. A computer from Sony, it suggested. So, weren't the computer games better than Nintendo's?
"Far form it. It took ages for the environment to load from the cassette device then the fun began. I received weekly issues from one video games magazine and in each one they had a small game."
Cool. Was it that huge 5" floppy?
"It was printed as a source code in the magazine itself. We had to retype it line by line in Basic and compile the game in order to play."
Printed game? I bet your typing speed improved significantly. But once you have it just save the -.exe to a floppy and play it again next time.
"I wished. My parents bought me a computer but no floppy device, 'cause it was expensive."
Way to go. So you have to retype the game every single time you wanted to play?
"Yup."
I bet you had a major typing speed improvement.
"But this is why I decided to study Computer Science later. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the games I played."
True.
If playing Pong got him to professor's chair, where can Zelda get me?
Off to find out.
Alex
Categories: Programming
15 Dec 2008
(almost) Complete 3D Immersion
Me on the picture, wearing the dorky-looking safety goggles of (almost) complete 3D immersion. On each side there is a small infrared LED, which wasn't turned on when I shot the picture. My bad, I'll fix it next time so you can see the small pink light on each side.In addition to the goggles with two LEDs safely attached to them by double-sided tape, there was also a Wii Remote (not on the picture) placed on a Mac (not on the picture either) and combined with a few hours of coding (definitely not on the picture).
The final achievement was (almost) complete 3D immersion thanks to the head-tracking technique (see more) using the Wiimote and the glasses. The program I wrote (named "Floating Otange Boxes on a Sky-Blue Screen") looked pretty 3D indeed. Only if it wasn't for my 13-inch screen. Next time I should try one of those 40 inch TV boxes we have in the university. And not to forget to keep the program as simple/ugly as possible so I can convince potential witnesses this is my Science project.
Alex
Categories: Computers Nintendo
12 Dec 2008
Touch Screen
OMG, when did it become December?
Well, not a big deal, I guess I've been busy with repots again. I think I'm developing some kind of addiction to the electrical circuits experiments and laboratory exercises. Combined with the need to turn my mac into touch-screen monster today I even stayed an extra one hour in the lab to make my infrared pen.
I love the soldering iron. Not only can you attach wires to one another, but you can also burn holes and model plastic. When I come to think about it, most of the things you'll ever need to assemble are metal and/or plastic so this is the ultimate tool you'll ever need.
As for the pen, it's pretty simple and straightforward tool - a battery, a switch and an infrared LED on the top. You can't really see it lit since is infrared, but when looked at through a camera it seems to emit some pinky-purplelish light, so I guess it's working just fine.
So what do I need a light for if I can't even see it? Well, it turns out the Nintendo Wii Remote (the Wiimote) has an integrated camera for infrared light and can detect multiple LEDs emitting it. On top of this it is a Bluetooth device so you can connect it to your computer and with the proper software you can turn any screen into multitouch-screen.
This is me writing something on my "touch-screen" mac. The accuracy isn't that good yet but my screen is pretty small and on something bigger it should work better. Next thing I think I'll buy some cheap second hand projector and play some RTS on my desk :)
This video explains exactly how the magic is done.
Alex
Categories: Computers Nintendo
Well, not a big deal, I guess I've been busy with repots again. I think I'm developing some kind of addiction to the electrical circuits experiments and laboratory exercises. Combined with the need to turn my mac into touch-screen monster today I even stayed an extra one hour in the lab to make my infrared pen.
I love the soldering iron. Not only can you attach wires to one another, but you can also burn holes and model plastic. When I come to think about it, most of the things you'll ever need to assemble are metal and/or plastic so this is the ultimate tool you'll ever need.As for the pen, it's pretty simple and straightforward tool - a battery, a switch and an infrared LED on the top. You can't really see it lit since is infrared, but when looked at through a camera it seems to emit some pinky-purplelish light, so I guess it's working just fine.
So what do I need a light for if I can't even see it? Well, it turns out the Nintendo Wii Remote (the Wiimote) has an integrated camera for infrared light and can detect multiple LEDs emitting it. On top of this it is a Bluetooth device so you can connect it to your computer and with the proper software you can turn any screen into multitouch-screen.
This is me writing something on my "touch-screen" mac. The accuracy isn't that good yet but my screen is pretty small and on something bigger it should work better. Next thing I think I'll buy some cheap second hand projector and play some RTS on my desk :)
This video explains exactly how the magic is done.
Alex
Categories: Computers Nintendo
29 Nov 2008
Nintendo Wii
Wee... I mean, Wii!! Today we bought one and joined the ever working out Japanese population with the Wii Fit game, which offers several simple exercises to keep you fit, or at least that's what they say. Among them were yoga, working out (like push-ups and stuff) and a couple of balancing games. Besides the annoying Japanese voice explaining all over again the rules of each game and long waiting time, the games were pretty fun - in all of them you should stand on the balancing board (something like scales, actually, and yes it can measure your weight too) and distribute your weight between left-right and front-back to keep whatever is on the screen balanced.
Apart from the Fit game there are some built-in options you can even "play" without paying for them. One of them was character creator - Mii - where you can build your avatar. (The same avatar appears later in the Fit game, so don't make it too ugly, you two are going to be stuck together for all eternity or till bug in the firmware takes you apart.) That on the picture is Bogi's.I'm very happy with the other functions too. The thoughtful guys from Nintendo put Weather and News channels - which work through network connection for unknown to me reasons. Considering you need a TV to play the Wii now you can use your box to check the weather and to read news as well. Wow! Who'd have though of this!
Well, enough with the sarcasm, the console is actually pretty neat.
Can't wait to hack it :)
Alex
Categories: Games Nintendo
26 Nov 2008
New blog
Congratulations! - another blog has popped into existence and claims a bit from the vast I-net space. All of it is my work, so if you're facing any major or minor problems please let me know. I'll try to fix them someday.
So far most, not to say all, of the links are not working but I'll build the other modules little by little.
Take care,
Alex
Categories: Blog
So far most, not to say all, of the links are not working but I'll build the other modules little by little.
Take care,
Alex
Categories: Blog
Made on a Mac