I have had mixed successes with other people’s code. I know most of the people who write libraries and things are much more experienced than me, so I am definitely not complaining about that. But… some of the decisions just leave me wondering why…
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It’s weird, I still don’t really feel like a professional programmer, but I’m on my 4th game now, the first 3 being of differing successes. I guess I am then.
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As I mentioned, I have entirely rewritten my framework, practically from scratch. Strangely enough I’m missing the renderer, which would seem to be a major part of a game framework. Well, it’s getting there. Honest. Read the rest of this entry »

I keep complaining about how little I write… and then don’t write anything for 7 months. I’m useless.

I have been doing work though. As well as my new job down at Ideaworks 3D I have been experimenting with my application framework a little.

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Ok. I’ve been silent. This is bad. I also have not updated my honours project blog for a while. I’ve just been too busy with everything unfortunately. Now, however I will try and make amends here quickly, then update my honours project blog with slightly more coherent versions of the notes of what I’ve been doing. Anyway, back on topic. The framework. Read the rest of this entry »

I have been away over the weekend, visiting my Dad in the Netherlands, so I haven’t done much on any project recently. However, I have now acquired all the bits I need to finish the playstation I think. I hope so anyway. I just hope I don’t destroy the case first. Well… I already have… sort of. I took my Dremel to it. Read the rest of this entry »

Ok, I seem to have 2 non-programming projects on the go (3 if you count the amplifier as separate) and none of them are complete. This is not because I’ve got fed up of one, have no attention span or anything. I am working on everything, taking it in turns to keep things different. So, a quick update of where I am with these:

Amplifier: I have all the amplifier modules built up. I next need to build the case (possibly counting as yet another project) and mount the components inside. I still need a power button, rear connectors (2x phono in, 6x speaker out (3x red, 3x black), 3pin kettle power)volume control + nice black dial, transformers and a crossover. Not entirely sure how I can merge a stereo signal into a single sub output. I’ll work something out.

Speakers: I have begun the finishing on one of the speakers. It’s been primed, and sanded down, now it needs to be filled some more, sanded, primed, sanded etc until it’s as smooth as I can get it, then it will get a couple of coats of black spray paint. I will begin with the other speaker soon too. I have also got some 3mm black acrylic which I will cut into circular covers for the back of the speakers to mount the connectors in. Once both speakers are done, and the amplifier is built, I will begin work on an 8″ sub unit.

Playstation: Now, a few things have changed with this one. For one thing I decided it’d be crazy to try and spray bubbles with a can. I ended up acquiring an airbrush which I have been harassing the cat with. The paint is yet to arrive. I’ve also decided that the vents on the side of the PS1 are hideous and won’t be neat sprayed anyway. So I’m cutting them off, I’m also going to cut an arc out of the top on both left and right sides (well, would be an arc if the disc cover and buttons weren’t in the way) and then I will fix some sheet metal there with 3mm holes as ventilation. The buttons will be mounted in their original places, and where the bubbles were planned to be on the case, the holes will be blocked up and sanded flush with fibreglass.

Sorry there are no photos at this point. I’ve been busy with other things, and also have been collecting the things I need. I’m currently waiting on some diamond encrusted cutting disks for my Dremel (only £4 for 5!)  and the fibreglass then I can get started on the PS1. The speakers I’m slowly slaving away at, but visually there’s no real change in them at the moment.

Anyone have any comments? Done anything similar?

Ok, I haven’t updated this in a while. This is not to say I haven’t been working on it. As I’ve been using the application framework for my coursework I’ve been extending it for that. I have found a HUGE memory leak in it (ok, I kind of knew it was there anyway, but I hoped it wouldn’t be that big…) But the Vector class, the destructor doesn’t delete the elements stored. Which sounds easily fixable, apart from that my operators then throw a hissyfit. Yay. Anyway. I will be using the framework for my honours project, and should be extending it further with that. I need to speak to my lecturers to check it’s ok for me to put code I’ve now submitted as coursework online, but it should be fine. This should be updated soon then (hopefully)

Ok, this isn’t technically a mod, it’s a custom build… but it’s going in my mod section because I refuse to have loads of categories with next to nothing in them. So here it goes.

I have given up with PC speakers. The last set I had was a 4.1 Logitech set that worked well for several years until the connections in the back of the sub got so loose that every step I took across my bedroom, one of the speakers would turn off, and another would turn on. I replaced them with a set of not-too-cheap ones from Argos. They worked for a while, then randomly changes volume, anywhere on the scale. Useless. Now I’ve given up with PC speakers. I know that I can probably get some nicer ones that will work, I just can’t be bothered any more. Plus this sounds like a great little project. Read the rest of this entry »

Once again I am satisfied with how much coursework I managed to do today, so I got to have some time playing with my project. Good news. 2 parcels arrived today, the blue paint and the blue LEDs so I could have a bit more of a fiddle around. I love soldering Read the rest of this entry »