No Pity for the Masses2010-07-31T15:07:27ZJeremy CarsonCopyright 2010, Jeremy CarsonSPHPBLOGNEW BLOG!!!!New blog is located here.
The main feed will be updated shortly.
*Edit: Main feed has been updated. It now points to the new blog. *Edit2: I've removed the ability to comment on the old blog. I was getting too much spam.]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080802-2044592008-08-03T00:00:00Z2008-08-03T00:00:00ZReturn of Spam Just please be aware I'd never post anything in the comments myself. Especially not bullshit links to gold farming sites.
For those who are novice web users I HIGHLY recommend you look at your status bar at the bottom of Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Opera before you click on a link. The links I post are generally to legitimate sites. If you see something like http://123.253.34.35 don't click on it.
The blogging program I use is called simplephpblog. It hasn't been updated since 2005. When I first started my website I didn't do a ton of research for settling on a blogging tool, I went with the first tool that made sense. Unfortunately I didn't realize simplephpblog was dead. Why tell you this?: It means there aren't any new security updates. As far as a I know this blog is secure but you can never be too careful.
I've mentioned this before but I'll say it again: I will be porting over to Wordpress or something similar very soon. I'm currently trying to figure out how to get my old posts over to Wordpress. ]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080731-1120192008-07-31T00:00:00Z2008-07-31T00:00:00ZGoldbond makes my nards burn
"Kick him in the nards"... "Wolfman's got nards." From those 2 fateful lines of the 80's cult classic "Monster Squad" I've become enamored with the word "nard." I don't know that anything else quite sums up a man's nethers in so amusing a fashion. In reference to my subject line: I've been trying out "Goldbond" powder to see if I can mitigate chafing of my inner thighs.
Unfortunately no matter how thin I've been my thighs always touch. Coupled with the running I do throughout the week and you've got some pretty harsh heat rashage. Generally this isn't a problem except in summer months. Awesome. So this summer I decided to try Goldbond. Well... it does sorta work. Unfortunately what they don't tell you is that if you get it directly on your fun sack there will be a light burning sensation that doesn't end for an hour or so. Yay!
There was an interesting article today on Ars Technica (a site I highly recommend for the tech. minded) regarding video gamers and how they can further their own cause by not being dbags. What caught my eye was a recap of a discussion with venerable game designer Will Wright: "He told us about how he came across an article where the writer described a young man engrossed in some unfamiliar handheld object, apparently to the point where he was out of touch with his surroundings and didn't want to interact with others because it distracted him from his new obsession."
Turns out the tale he was regaling everyone with was from a medieval monastery and it was regarding books. I can't imagine there is anyone out there who thinks books are a bad thing. Although I'm sure there are some defenders of morality who would claim only text books are necessary.
The point is, and I agree with the Ars article here, gaming is the red headed step child of politics. And I also agree with Ars that gamers have to sell themselves well. It doesn't help our cause when game bashing politicians receive death threats from angry teen gamers looking for a laugh. Ironically what politicians don't realize is that these same gamers are the ones that call myself and others "asshats" online. We (the older gamers) don't like them any more than you (the politicians.) Believe me, if I could cull the gaming population of under 18 social retards I would. They don't help the cause and only serve to legitimize hate mongering. (If you are a TF2 player, find a server called Vidya's (slang for video) to see what I mean. 2 minutes in there and you'll be begging for a hot shower and social contact.)
At some point we need to grow the fuck up and put on a better front. Games that promote learning or serve a social good are perfect examples of what we can accomplish. If you aren't a game designer you can always donate to one of my favorite charities, The ChildsPlay Charity. ChildsPlay (as I mentioned in my very first post) is a charity start by Penny-Arcade to provide games to children's hospitals. I believe the first year it was opened it raised a half million dollars in cash and goods, this past year it raised 1.3 million. 1.3 million, that is a big "fuck you" to anyone who says gamers are shiftless ticking time bombs of anti-social behavior.
On that note, back to nard burning.
-Dakota
p.s. A few days I ago I was writing up a post on software engineering when I had to attend to something else. Here is that post in its unfinished entirety:
"Don't let software engineers tell you any different. What we do is inherently easy. How else do you explain the multitude of shit-programmers out there creating monolithic programs to do the most menial of tasks? I wish I could find a link because, and I shit you not, I've seen a program whose sole purpose is to copy specific file types from multiple folders in to a single folder. Honest to god it was over 100 lines of code long. That might not mean anything to a non programmer but to give you a sense of scale, you can do it in 3 lines:
FOR /F "tokens=1 delims=" %%A IN ('dir *.obj /s/b') DO ( cp %%A c:\dumpfolder )
*Just replace .obj with whatever file you'd like to pull. This is Windows .bat code. Real easy to learn.
I would posit that anyone can write code if they are properly versed. These programmers reel from problem to problem like a drunk sailor hoping to score, eventually ending up with crabs.... I didn't really think that analogy out. Ignore the crabs part, the drunken stumbling is still apropos. The point is that crappy programmers will spend their careers fixing bugs created by patches they wrote for other bugs. It's an ugly cycle.
Good software engineers are a rarer breed. These are the coders that write proactive code and apply real fixes to a problem instead of patching a leaking ship. No one should want to maintain the Titanic. That's not to say good coders don't write gritty patches once and awhile. Anyone in the field will tell you that time is always a problem. Sometimes shit needs to get done and you've not the time to attend to some problem: Like clicking a button takes you to an adult only website instead of to google. Sure it's a problem but with the right "spin" you can call it a feature. Tell people that the program guesses the users interests and no one will admit they are linked to porn pages because who wants to admit that's their taste?
"But Jeremy" you might say "Aren't there any folks in the middle?" Sure. These programmers are still awful but they've learned to bullshit better than the rest. These are the programmers making real money, the contractors, the consultants, etc... I'm reminded of a poster I once saw that says "There is good money to be in prolonging the problem." These coders consider bugs as job security. Lets say they work on a program for 3 years that cost 6 million dollars to make. If it crashes who are you going to pay to fix the problem? Sick of paying them to fix the program? Can you justify spending another 6 million on a new contractor? This type of coder is easily characterized by an over-abundance of power point presentations, buzz words, and a slick car salesman demeanor.
My point.. I guess my point is that if you are honestly thinking of a career in software engineering don't be a douche."
]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080731-0554362008-07-31T00:00:00Z2008-07-31T00:00:00ZAirTran can suck it
In this day and age it's always surprising to me that I can still BE surprised by the douchebaggery of corporations (or whatever AirTran is considered.) In making flight plans for the end of August I purchased a ticket home on Monday. Later that night I decided I'd rather leave on Tuesday so I called up AirTran. So much for that fucking thought. Their cancellation/change policy stipulates that you have 4 hours in which to make changes without incurring a fee. 4 hours! Who the fuck realizes their mistakes in 4 hours? I'm making an appointment 2 months out and I was trying to change my ticket 6 hours after purchase. 30 minutes of which was spent on the phone with AirTran's amazingly piss poor phone service. Yay!!!!
Airlines seem hard pressed to stay afloat in todays economy. I would honestly think they'd try and accommodate lighter requests from customers in the hopes of maintaining customer loyalty. So fuck em. If I could be sure they'd not sell my seat I would take the $75 dollar hit just to screw them out of the remaining money.
Especially AirTran. Have you ever flown on AirTran? It's like riding in a shopping cart pushed by a bag lady. The staff is unprofessional, the planes are dirty, and, as I stated above, the customer service is about as good as a ball-less man in a procreation contest.
In a completely unrelated note, the Judge from the disbarment trial of Jack Thompson is apparently recommending permanent disbarment. Zoinks yo. When your professional conduct is so piss poor that the Judge doesn't think you can be rehabilitated with a short disbarment you know you're a D-Bag.
]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080709-1911362008-07-10T00:00:00Z2008-07-10T00:00:00ZImage Widthhttp://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080702-0942082008-07-02T00:00:00Z2008-07-02T00:00:00ZHavok and Ogre pt1*** Blog has been moved to here. There is also a part 2 to the havok/ogre post.
For anyone finding this page through google: You can ignore the first paragraphs of blather. The code examples are linked at the end.
[Intro:] I've talked adnauseum about using open source engines for game development. As I stated in previous posts there is a bevy of open source libraries for sound, physics, networking, AI, scripting, etc.
About 2-4 months ago Intel released a free version of the Havok physics engine. The license allows you develop personal and educational software and I believe you can sell games under $10 dollars without having to license the full engine.
For projects I'm currently working it became necessary to link Ogre3D with Havok. Please bear in mind when looking at my code that it's only meant for testing. I copied, pasted, and kludged a shit load of code from examples together to test various functions. I tried to keep things object oriented but there were times when I simply wanted to try something new.
I really just wanted to post my code in the hopes that it might help someone else.
[Primer:] Conceptually it's pretty easy to understand the Havok library. Every object you add to ogre needs to be encapsulated by a Havok object type. So for every ball you add to ogre you need to create a corresponding sphere in Havok. You then link the 2 so when the Havok sphere moves it moves the Ogre ball. This is, as far as a I know, how all engines work. What this means is that you actually create 2 worlds when making a game: the visual (Ogre3D) and the physical (Havok). Yeah I know that sounds simple to anyone who programs but there are a surprising number of novices who don't understand that concept.
What I've done in my code is created a couple of classes that encapsulate both an Ogre entity and a Havok object. As of this writing there is only a class for Spheres and for loading a 3D world. As I stated above: I simply wanted to test new things. Eventually I'll write a real set of OO classes to encapsulate all the necessary objects.
[Models:] The Havok engine comes with a nice set of examples. The CharacterController/CharacterProxy example comes with the map you see in the above screenshot. One nice feature I found in Havok is the ease of importing custom geometry. If you download the Havok engine you'll find a set of .tk models. These are ASCII files that you can open in any editor. The same CharacterProxy demo shows how to use the GameUtils.cpp file to import .tk files as a physical geometry. Being the lazy bastard that I am I wanted to find a way of importing these in to Ogre directly so that I would have a 1 to 1 mapping of physics and visuals. (I haven't had time to write an actual level editor so I have precook all the levels.)
If you open the .tk files (they are in ASCII format) you might notice they look similar to WaveFront .obj files. There are 2 lines with a single integer value, these can be commented out. There are multiple lines with a '3' at the beginning, these are faces. The other lines should all have 3 floating point values, these are vertices. All you do is place a 'v' in front of the vertice lines, an 'f' in front of the faces, and a '#' in front of the 2 single integer value lines. Lastly you need to increment every face indice by 1 or it won't load in blender. After which you simply import the level.obj file in to Blender and then export using Ogre's blender export script.
Just search through my code for instances of level.mesh and you'll see where I load the file. Right now it's in FrameListener::LevelLoad(). I was doing a quick test for geometry and didn't have time to write a level class.
The last thing to note is that the model is oriented with the z-axis being "up." Look at HKCharacterController::Step and you'll see an up vector listing. Why do this? I have no idea, this is how Havok created their level. I didn't have the time or desire to properly orient the map so I just went with it.
It will also work from your browser. You'll need to modify the solution paths to point to your Ogre and Havok SDK's, I won't provide those on my server.
The main Havok class is GHavok. GHavok is a Singleton class that is initialized once and called from all other classes. You use GHavok to setup the Havok environment and add entities to the world. GHavok will eventually encapsulate all calls to the Havok library, I just haven't had time to implement them all.
HK<ClassName> : These are all havok wrappers. The current setup is thus: GHavok is initialized, FrameListener creates an HKFactory, Objects are created and then added HKFactory, FrameListener ticks and updates HKFactory who in turn updates all the objects, FrameListener updates HKCharacterController, repeat.
I realized after messing with the code that both HKFactory and HKCharacterController don't both need to step through the physics world. Eventually GHavok will contain a single Step that will iterate through all of the classes and update them accordingly.
I would love to get in to detail with my code but I've not the time today. Download my example and feel free to play around and ask questions. I'm not claiming I know a lot, hell I won't even claim I know a little. But I have got a working Havok/Ogre build that runs fairly well.
*edit: 7/24/08: There is a 'bin' folder inside of the repository with an obj to tk converter. Just export your .obj from blender and run this little utility prog. to get the Havok .tk file. The program assumes the .obj file faces start at index 0, not 1. Honestly what fucking programmer starts from 1?
I've also added a few more classes and rearranged the code a bit. I've got a better understanding of what I'm doing and where I'm going. Hopefully in the next month or so I'll have a working level editor, networking, and sound.
]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080702-0844572008-07-02T00:00:00Z2008-07-02T00:00:00ZThe cheese in my pants in the dark
I've never been one for art. Too many heady concepts compounded by the general pomposity (this is actually a word) of art aficionados. Why should I struggle to find ridiculous meanings that may or may not have been the original artist's intent. If meaning can't be conveyed to all but the supposed art elite the message has failed. And yet not all works need a meaning, there are occasions when I simply wish to enjoy a piece because it is a clever or looks interesting. The above photo is from artist Mark Jenkins. It's an embed located in DC. I like the clever use of reality with fantasy and I imagine having this located on an average street corner causes some turned heads.
Or this. Perhaps there is deeper meaning, perhaps not. It doesn't matter to me because the image itself is beautiful and unique.
I've mentioned this in previous posts and I'll mention it here again: I am constantly amazed by new technologies that merge an artistic look and feel with functionality. In the form vs. function argument I've always leaned towards function. What good is pretty if it doesn't do anything? That's why this glass keyboard concept is so amazing. It's both beautiful and functional (or I should say it will be functional if the concept is ever fabbed.) It's unfortunate that all of these things cost so fucking much.
Related Article]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080623-0620212008-06-23T00:00:00Z2008-06-23T00:00:00ZCondensed Theme *[06/22/2008] Edit - I've fixed the image scaling problem, all of my blog images should restrict themselves to the boundary of the main content area.
Internet Explorer 6.0 does not seem to display my CSS content properly. I'll not be adding a fix for this so I recommend upgrading to IE7, Firefox 2 or 3, or Opera 9.7. Other browsers may work but they need to be recent to within the last couple of years. ]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080622-0014522008-06-22T00:00:00Z2008-06-22T00:00:00ZSpore-ious
"Spore is a multi-genre "massively single-player online game" under development by Maxis and designed by Will Wright. It allows a player to control the evolution of a species from its beginnings as a unicellular organism, through development as an intelligent and social land-walking creature, to levels of interstellar exploration as a spacefaring culture. It has drawn wide attention for its massive scope, and its use of open-ended gameplay and procedural generation." - Wikipedia
After years of what looked like vaporware EA has finally released a tangible part of its upcoming game Spore. You can now download the creature creator and begin playing with procedural code at it's finest. The above picture is "Macey", so named for the mace like appendage on his tail. Fuck you, I'm as original as I need to be.
I'm a huge fan of procedurally generated content. I think that in this world of social networking the ability for millions of users to create unique creatures is a huge boon. However I'm curious to see if Spore will live up to any of the hype. The concept is sound but, like social networking sites, I fear it will become diluted with trivial bullshit. How many walking penis' will propagate to your corner of the universe before you close the doors to user content. I'm sure we'll see many "Top 100" sites spring up around Spore.
That being said, I'll be the first to admit my initial creature will probably have monster balls, a ground dragging dick, and a penchant for cannibalistic infanticide. :) Gobble gobble gobble
-Dakota ]]>http://www.daksystems.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080617-1900492008-06-18T00:00:00Z2008-06-18T00:00:00ZTrain of thoughthis recent battles with the Florida judicial system. Most notably his possible impending disbarment. That got me thinking: "I wonder if there is a Zero Punctuation review of GTA IV." This lead me to a fairly cool video on the web:
*Let the video get about half-way before forming an opinion. It's kinda neat.
And yes, there is a Zero Punctuation review of GTAIV:
There are times when I wonder if the net isn't completely occupied but fucktards and morons. Just look at the top 100 videos on youtube and you'll have an idea who I'm talking about. The net has created a generation of self loving webcam whores so convinced of their own importance that they can't help but be a drain on society. Will the next generation push the boundaries of science? Possibly, but I'm not holding my breath. To quote someone from my high school graduation (and I paraphrase) "Some people grow up to be garbage men, and that's ok." This speech was given by one of our pompous valedictorians who is now an "actor" of little fame and zero talent. Way to go, ass.
My point, I guess, is that it seems the next generation is being told how amazing they are and that they deserve everything. And yet our society is based almost entirely on instant gratification and zero accountability. It's not that anyone wants to be that garbage man but I fear the next generation won't even consider it a fallback option. I fear that when these kids don't meet the unrealistic lifestyle their parents have told them they "deserve" that they'll simply become a drain on our societ and not a viable base for a future growth.
You know... in my attempt to write a blog people would read I've been striving to come up with some sort of theme. In this pursuit I think I've lost sight of why my friends read the bullshit I write. My emails and original posts (on myspace) were really just streams of consciousness without a purpose... I think I need to get back to my roots.
So I saw the latest Indiana Jones. If you haven't seen the movie, skip the next paragraph. Still reading? Good. Alright so for me the movie truly jumped the shark when Indy survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a lead lined fridge. Yeah we all get that lead limits radiation but that he somehow survived the shockwave and temperatures? I'm no physicist but it seems to me that Indy's insides would be nothing but a pink fucking mist. Now I know I'm supposed to suspend disbelief... but none of the other Indy movies were so blatant in their disregard for some realism. Alright so he survives a nuclear blast, what's next? How about aliens. Listen, I can handle glowing stones, an arc, and even a holy grail, but fucking aliens. That is a tough pill to swallow. Not only aliens, aliens with semi magnetic (semi as in they can pull objects other than metals) and a collective consciousness. What? Were all the fucking legends left in history not good enough? How about the original rock containing the 10 commandments.
If the iconic movies of my youth can't be given a proper script then fucking leave them alone. *cough* Rocky *cough* I don't go bastardizing "Singing in the Rain" by casting Ashton Kutcher in the lead and making it a story about discovering Atlantis so don't fucking ruin my Indy movies. You hear my Lucas and Spielberg, leave that shit alone. And seriously, I know all these old directors are all buddy buddy with Lucas but at someone point they've got tell him his writing is atrocious and no one wants more fucking Ewoks in their movies. He's like a friend who can't let go of his frat days. Sure he's still a friend but you wouldn't trust him with your daughter. Ok that's a pretty bad analogy.
It seems my future holds nothing but vapid sequels and empty headed emo kids. Awesome.
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