MERC zBoard “Driver” Update

In order to get the MERC zBoard to detect running games and other applications (non-default) you are going to need to load a “custom” config file. The file structure is simple, it’s just “appName=settingsFile”. The settings file will be a xModMap readable file that my program will load when it detects the app running.

There is a possibility that you could crash the “driver” if you were to run two applications it can detect at once. In order to get around this problem I think I am going to have it only apply the settings for the first one executed (the one with the smaller PID).

MERC zBoard “Driver”

No, I’m not making a “driver” so to speak – however I am working on a problem to manage xModMap for the MERC zBoard. It will detect programs running and change the settings accordingly (based of some standard profiles you can change). Once I get it functional I may just make it an xModMap manager and not only for the zBoard. It’s about 2/3 done at the moment but I havn’t had much time to work on it (about three hours) so we’ll see. It is a pain, however, to learn the Linux API for C++; it’s like learning C++ all over again.

Zboard on Linux

I’ve been working on getting my MERC Zboard functional on my linux install. Track my progress here and here.

Benchmark Follow-up

Here’s some data to base the ratings off of:

Some lazy coding…

I made a simple bench marker… it runs some complicated math problems and rapidly saves stuff to ram, reads it, compares it to another location in memory, and clears the space. It can be downloaded at the link below (both x86 and x64 versions included). The archive is a 7zip file so you need a program that can extract it (google it if you don’t know what it is). My computer’s rating is: 905890 (the higher the better).

Download me!

Correct Coding Style

There is a correct way to write code in C++ (and any other lang but it’s different for each) and their is a wrong way. Both produce programs that work – and may work as fast. The correct way creates code that is easy to read – the wrong way creates code I refuse to read. For anyone that cared – this is what I say the right way is…

Spaces, spaces, spaces! - Place spaces before and after every operator!

Right:

if (foo == bar)

moosecow = hotshit + ass;

Wrong:

if (foo==bar)

moosecow=hotshit+ass;

Call in support we have Brackets! – Never place brackets on the same line as if/class definition!

Right:

If (moosecow == hey)

{

ADD CODE HERE

}

Wrong:

if (moosecow == hey) {

ADD CODE HERE

}

Those are the major ones; I agree almost 100% with this site (google cache).

TSEACUS… wrrr…

Well… I have an assignment to write one simple paragraph so I guess I shouldn’t be complaining… but… we need to follow this annoying format my teacher created. I mean, I guess the format “works” so to speak – as it does make us write decent body paragraphs – but it makes me do something as apposed to just writing off what I remember because we need to put two quotes per paragraph.

The format:

  • T – Topic Sentence; The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It is the writer’s promise to the reader to stay on topic and prove a point.
  • S – Summary; Putting the text (quote) into your own words (paraphrasing)
  • E – Evidence; A quote taken directly from the story (text) that proves your opinion. A quote is any word, phrase, or sentence that comes from the story (text).
  • A – Analysis; Breaking something into parts to understand it more clearly and to identify the deeper meaning or purpose.
  • C – Coherence; Details are arranged in a logical order and thoughts move smoothly from one sentence to another.
  • U – Unity; All sentences relate to and prove the topic sentence.
  • S – Style; An author’s flair; technique
    • Sentence variety
    • Use of figurative language
    • Sentence Structure
    • Word Choice

I just realized I could have had the paragraph done by now…

New Pages

I created a few new pages (see left) that outline some of the programs I was/am working on that will be released to the public soon.

Alert Zee Internets!

I fixed the SVN!

It’s quite a happy occasion for the people here at Valde Games. I fixed the SVN. I just started work on the game again – I just added code for “nade charging” the longer you hold fire, the farther the nade will go. Hopefully the rest of the team will get motivated… or come back… or something.

Global Warming; and the radicalists

Global Warming – the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation into the future.

Global Warming is a threat to our current way of life, and could turn out posing a major crisis down the rode. The earth is warming and it most likely has some link to the emissions we put in the atmosphere. However, our emissions (CO2) are not the primary cause of the earth’s warming. This is a standard climate change we are witnessing, not a major human-caused problem. Reducing or even eliminating our emissions would be a great thing, it would slow down the warming and maybe not make them as extreme as they are going to be – doing this will not stop global warming. There is no evidence that proves this warming is caused by man and man only. There are no ice samples old enough that prove this. I understand people’s fear and the fact they want to act because they should. This should be taken care of. I just do not want people in my school telling me that I am waisting oil and melting the planet because I forgot to recycle a can. I do not need people thinking and telling me that if I do not take an interest in this and help presser officials with letters and e-mails like “they” are I am a bad person. I do not care what you are doing to fix this problem, I hope it’s something, but I do not need to hear about what you’re doing. Writing letters and driving hybrid cars does not make you a better person then me. You can think your perfect and smell your farts and live in your fake world but please, for the love of god, don’t tell me about it.