Status Update
Posted by Brimstone Press | Filed under Members
Slowly working my way through various How-to and tutorials for BlitzBasic and tinkering and experimenting with it as I go along.
Set up a side tumblr blog for logging my progress
* http://brimstonelabs.tumblr.com/.
Status update
Posted by Brimstone Press | Filed under Members
Doing some reading on BlitzBasic.Challenges in team development
Posted by Brimstone Press | Filed under Members
Building a harmonious team can be extremely rewarding, but is a never ending journey. The adage “it’s not the destination but the road you travel to get there” could not be more true!
Yet, in a world that increasingly focuses on short term rewards for the individual, creating a culture and mindset which favors mid to long term investment, as well as robust interpersonal relationships, and good work ethic, can be very challenging.
In the months to come, I will be investigating methods of taping into present day motivations and structuring rewards that encourages and nurtures the growth of an effective and productive team culture.
Food for thought - goal setting
Posted by Brimstone Press | Filed under Members
Every project needs goals and rewards, especially in an industry that’s more often than not rough, and thankless at best of times.
After successful team building, development pipelines have been tried and tested, and theoretical budgeting has taken place, the next step is to set our sails and work towards a common goal. Luckily, the games industry has a variety of competitions that attract many would be game development crews. Not only are they a fantastic opportunity to showcase talents, but also a good place to network and form friendships and alliances.
IT Setup
Posted by Brimstone Press | Filed under Members
Bought a new DELL XPS laptop about 6 months back, leaving the DELL Latitude free for business and hobby projects.
Until now I’ve been pretty slack setting up a system purely for game development.
This new setup includes an assortment of administrative, audio, visual, and programming tools for the job. The most unexpected application is one called “HourGuard Time Sheet” which helps track time and costings.
Another useful tool is “Tumblr Post” an extension for FireFox that allows the user to make Tumblr posts simply through the FireFox application it self. I’ll be investigating budgeting as time goes on.
hurf
Posted by Does Not | Filed under Members
hurfLooking for something different? Listen to this…
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
I was browsing Uncrate today, and was very pleased to see that one of my favourite bands had released a new album. In celebration, I'm going to point you to not only this band, but one of my favourite (newly discovered) electronica outfits as well.
First off, the Cold War Kids have a new album out. I'ts called Loyalty to Loyalty, and if you've ever had the pleasure of listening to Robbers & Cowards, you're in for a treat. Do give them a listen. It's something totally different from your run-of-the-mill indie band.
A while ago there was this video on Gizmodo of some or other 3D concept-iphone-application, and it has quite an awesome backtrack. After a bit of digging I discovered The Knife. I really don't know how to describe their music. It sounds like a mashup of Bjork, Gary Numan and Tone with a bit of extra oomph...only not. I've only managed to get a hold of one of their albums, Silent Shout, and I've listened to it quite a few times. I've yet to grow tired of it. Each time something new pops up and surprises me.
Damnit, I have to make time to start composing and producing again.
Car audio and the iPod Touch
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
Let's try this again. I wrote a whole post last night, and misclicked, losing the whole thing.
Anyway, I've been looking for a way to seamlessly integrate my iPod and car radio for a while now. You would think that an FM transmitter like the iTrip would do the job just fine, but you'd be wrong. I had the problem of the darn thing simply switching off if it detected a stronger broadcast on the same frequency. Very irritating.
Then I started shopping around for a head unit that would allow me to directly connect the iPod. I was overeager and purchased a 2007 Pioneer head unit from Hi-Fi Corp. What I didn't know was that back in '07 it was still a novelty to be able to connect your iPod to your head unit, and an extra cable was needed (at about R750, if you could even find it in SA). In my defense, the salesman did assure me that the cable was included. Luckily I got my refund from a bitter, lambasted salesman.
Then I found something much more promising. The Pioneer DEH-600UB. which I went ahead an ordered from Autostyle online.
They're selling it for R2200 (only R200 more than the crappy model HiFi Corp is selling) and offer free shipping as well. I had it installed shortly after I received it (damn idiots didn't connect the dimming control, which dims the screen when the headlights are switched on - small thing, still irritating) and I've been using it for about two weeks.
My verdict? Awesome head unit. Direct iPod control? Check. Displays song info? Check. Doesn't need a proprietary cable? Check! It has a regular USB port. It also has some other cool features, like being able to navigate your iPod music library exactly as you would on the iPod itself. Oh, and the OEL screen is gorgeous. It even sounds better than my previous head unit after tweaking a few settings. So yes, it works perfectly with the iPod Touch. Apparently it even works perfectly with the iPhone 3G.
In short, if you're looking for a super-effective 3rd party solution to integrate your iPod Touch with your car audio, you can't go wrong with this unit.
Tip: If you're using your stock standard speakers like I am, getting balanced sound from compressed formats can be tricky. Here's what I did. Set the Bass to 1 or 2, depending on your preference, but no higher. Set the Sound Retriever to 1, and the Loud option to High. Then just tweak the equalizer to your taste. This should give you an even spread of lows, mids and highs.
What lies ahead…
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
These past couple of weeks have, for me, been extremely busy, eventful and exciting at the same time. kast is finally done (I'm giving the presentation tomorrow). My academic career is slowly, but surely, reaching its end after six years.
A series of very fortunate events have assured me of a job next year (this year, actually). Seeing as all that needs to be done is for me to put pen to paper and sign the contract, I guess I can come out and tell everyone about my future. Not in detail, though. ;P The gist of it is that I'll be involved with some cutting edge stuff concerning the consumption of controlled vocabularies for a large multi-national. It will involve aspects of Analysis and Design, Project Management, UX, Support, Training, Testing, Development, Knowledge Management, Documentation writing and bits and bobs of other things that interest me immensely. This is my perfect job, and the experience I'll be gaining is going to be invaluable.
My plans to continue my studies will have to wait, as this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. So, finally I'm joining the corporate world. I will miss the easy going days of being student, to be sure, but this job will mean more to me in the long run. I can always do my master's some time in the future.
Three or four assignments, a test or two, and my mini-thesis are all that's left. Two and a half months. Here's to the home stretch...
The state of kast.
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
My university development project, kast, is at the halfway mark. We've gotten an extension up until the 15th to finish it, along with all the documentation. It should have been done by now, but getting an extension tends to make one fill up the extra time with other things1.
I like what I'm doing with the whole thing, though. It's very user-orientated, and everything is within easy reach and easy to use. It may be a bit heavy on the AJAX, but in all the right places (or I think so, anyway). All that remains is item management and the voting system. If time allows I'll add a few niceties.
