So. I started on a venture to create a simple kid orientated game for the iPhone. I made the decision to go down this road to learn something new, and hopefully earn a few dollars in the end.

The process has been interesting and fun with a bit of frustrating sprinkled here and there.

I first had to get acquainted with Objective-c. Fair enough.

I usually like to look at some code before I start reading on a new programing language. The thing is (even though I know C, Java, Python) this doesn’t really conform to most other language structures. There is definately a disconnect, Apple and Objective-C just don’t seem like they go together, but it is what it is.

Out of the box there isn’t much that one can do to get started on a game (unless you are an OC whiz and know a thing or two about OpenGL). Enter Cocos2d.

Cocos2d is a essentially an OpenGL wrapper with lots of extra goodies that makes this process SOOOO much easier.  I highly recommend it. Best of all its free, open source and commonly employed (think Farmville).
First using the MVC pattern (Model View Controller for the un-initiated) was to lay out the components.

Asset Organization

We’ve got got the Model (DataWarehouse),  the Controller (Gamescene, coupled with our App delegate), and the Views (Layers). This should make simple sense, but keeping things organized can be tricky especially when learning a new language, framework and standards.

At this point we are ready to start coding. That will be for the next post. Creating sprites, menus and simple (or not so simple) interactions.

Here is a nice little *FREE* pack of high resolution textile images. Consisting of:

Tissue

Polyester Mesh

Flannel

Cardboard

Burlap

Download: Texture Pack 2

Enjoy! Please show off your work here by posting a link of how you are using them.

Subject: Compensation for heartache
To: Microsoft
From: Pete Peterson

Hi Microsoft,

My name is Pete, and I have been doing work on the web for about 10 years now. Although I do not blame you (Microsoft) for the active use of Internet Explorer across the inter webs, you did however produce this atrocious piece of software. The versions have been steadily getting better, but, there is this thing called the a “standard” for web delivered information which would be great if you could find time to read them and apply them to how Internet Explorer renders web pages.

Here is a web address (also called a URL) for reference: http://www.w3.org/standards/

As I mentioned before, I don’t blame you (Microsoft) for the hundreds of thousands of people who still use your archaic browser (specifically IE 6), but since it was you that produced it, I feel I should be compensated for the countless hours spent in hacking html, css, javascript to get your browser to display the way it should. Not to mention all the aspirin, ibuprofen, coffee, Valum, whiskey that I have had to consume in order to endure having to work with this shoddy piece of ether that has been the bane of my existence since I decided on this career path.

I believe that $5000.00 is fair. Please enclose a check payable to Peter Peterson. No hard feelings.

Regards,

Pete

————————————–
My customer support id for this message is 1135554260
please feel free to follow along.

[EDIT]

I recieved a response from Microsoft regarding my gripe:

For replacement media or hardware please contact the Microsoft Order Desk by calling (800) 360-7561. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time.

Please note this is an unmonitored alias. If you have further questions for customer service please contact us by Email: https://support.microsoft.com/contactus/emailcontact.aspx?scid=sw;en;1208&ws=orderautoreply

Thank you,
Microsoft Customer Service

I guess they aren’t going to pay me.

I’m a big fan of the ocular arts. Every now and then I find a little morsel of “visual crack”: blog.yimmyayo.com.

Be Warned: Some of the content is NSFW. But all is tasty in its own way.

Enjoy.

I’m not a heavy duty gamer. At least not any more. I still enjoy the occasional shoot ‘em up game, mostly I enjoy the quick and dirty mini-games I can get in and get out quickly. Yes I am a Wii man.

The prospect to get some of the games I’ve enjoyed in my younger years at the drop of a hat, at my discretion on my Mac is very appealing.

Enter OnLive. I was a bit dubious of a streaming game service, but they have done a fantastic job. The game play is impressive. If I were into the best graphics, sound, screaming performance I might find the service sub-par. But you can’t shake a stick at the convenience and cross platform aspect.

I think most game players (especially those like me who are not avid gamers but would like the option to play some of the newer involved games on your Mac) will be very pleasantly surprised.

So, I’m not that big into lists. But on occasion, I have been known to organized. So here I present my top 5 favorite *free* Android apps.

Swype (http://swypeinc.com/index.html) Softkeyboard replacement. This is one of those things where it just makes sense. I was not too thrilled with the softkeyboard on my HTC Hero. With this app though, I look forward to having to type on my phone. Its quick, simple and fun.

Timeriffic (http://code.google.com/p/autosettings/) I use my phone as my alarm clock, and I was in the process of writing my own app to control the settings on my phone based on time of day, when I came across this app. It does the job very well, and can have multiple profiles, for say, the weekend, vacation, etc. My phone all but turns off at night, and automatically sets the ring tone volume, and notification volume back to normal at a decent hour.

Cubed (http://abrantix.org/rockon.php) Link is to producer, not the actual app. This player is top notch. Great interface, and impressively well done for a free app. This IMHO puts my phone on par with my iPod. (for the features of music play).Cubed Music Player

Dolphin Browser (http://browser.mgeek.mobi/) The built in browser is good, but Dolphin is better. Gestures, and a slew of other great features make this my browser of choice. I’m interested to test out Fennec (Firefox Mobile) when it comes out, it might be a contender for this spot.Dolphin Browser

Layar (http://layar.com/) Search + Location Aware + Augmented Reality . Points you in the right direction for whatever you are looking for. This thing is awesome! I’ve used it often and is one of the first apps to get showcased when talking to anybody about my phone

Runner ups (Yelp, Wapedia, Google Voice, Replica Island)

Clayton Boyer is a wood worker, or a conductor conducting a symphony comprised entirely of the wood section.

He is also a clock designer and a bit of an engineering marvel in my opinion. His clocks are masterpieces that rival convention and inspire oohs and awes.

Bird of paradise

The designs vary from intricate to simple elegance. His designs are also up for grabs. He believes that most anybody can re-create one of his creations by following his plans which he sells through his website.

I am a moderate tinkerer, and my skills at wood working are fine for general carpentry. I know my way around chisels, lathes, hand saws, and a myriad of power tools; I would be dubious at my ability to complete one of his designs.

He even has a section for the über determined, the masochists’ corner. He will only sell you the plans for one of these clocks if you have successfully completed one of his more “basic” designs. So there you have it. A challenge.

If I wasn’t already up to my ears in projects, I would definitely attempt one.

If you are like me and just into admiring and imagining how one of these art pieces would look in your home or office, here is a Youtube link for several of his designs in action.

Clayton Boyer’s clocks in action

There is also a Flickr gallery of some of the completed clocks done by others.

Clocksters completed works on Flickr

Links:
http://www.lisaboyer.com/Claytonsite/Claytonsite1.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisaboyer/sets/72157622224676987/

Telegraph.co.uk just did an exposé on Lisa Lichtenfels. Her art is unlike any other in that her technique is more akin to a craft or, what I might consider to be what a grandmother might do for her grandchildren, but she has taken her craft and elevated it to a level that can only be compared to a 16th century artisan. She uses silk stockings and padding to create these ultra lifelike sculptures.

When I first saw an up close shot of her sculpture, I imediatly thought of Jim Henson. My instincts weren’t too far off. Here is an excerpt from her online bio:

While working at Disney she developed three-dimensional figurines with posable skeletons for stop-motion animation. Like Judy Jampell’s constructions, they had nylon stocking skins. Lisa left Disney to explore the potential of these techniques, expecting to return to animation in a year or so; but it has now been over twenty-five years, and she is still working in nylon and feels she has only barely begun to realize what is possible in the medium.

Her sculptures are dolls essentially. With an internal skeletal structure, just like the stop motion puppets created for animation. Given from where the origins of her craft stem from, its no surprise that artists and critics would not give her medium the respect it now demands.

I still cherish my first soft sculpture, and it reminds me of the time I showed her to a college professor. He proclaimed it the “worst piece of junk” he had ever critiqued, and chastised me at length for having the gall to present it. I also remember how hurt he was that his words didn’t bother me. How could he have known that all his harsh castigation could possibly achieve was the cementing of a permanent relationship between a new artist and her work? In any case, I can’t say I explored my medium as much as followed where it took me. It has been such an enlightening, enriching, and forgiving journey that I always feel excited in the morning when I go into my studio.

She has come a long way and I can’t wait to see her work in person. And if you happen to be in the New York area, you can see her work at the CFM Gallery, 112 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012.

I’ve been playing with a browser I found by accident in Android Market for about a day now, and I’m quite impressed. I was happy with the built in browser, but this one gives customizable gestures, tabs, and a whole slew of popular sites, and social links as a catalog of bookmarks by default. Its interface is well thought out, the tabs can hide to give up that valuable real estate.

The browser even supports multi-touch for the cynogen builds, which I haven’t tested, but I am willing to bet it makes the power of this little browser that much more awesome.

I would highly recommend this browser to anybody, especially if you are a web junky like me.

Dolphin Browser (Social&Smart) was developed for Android by MGeek. Get it in the Android Market or use your scanner here or through the official website: http://sites.google.com/a/mgeek.mobi/browser/

I recently became the proud owner of a Sprint HTC Touch, and as such I wanted to protect the screen from getting scratched up. But my not-so-fat wallet protested at the $20 for commercial screen protectors.

I mean, it is plastic right? $20 is a lot in my opinion. But even if you do go that route, it is still cheap insurance. I chose to find my own way, and I came across this article on instructables.com http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-your-own-screen-protector./

I added my own spin on things, since I didn’t want to use the soapy water solution.

After placing the tape, I used a credit card to smooth it from one end to the other to lay it down while removing air bubbles. Worked out pretty well.

After its placed its just a simple step of cutting the excess off…

And that is it. You just protected your gadget for free (if you had the tape laying around like I did).

I hope this helps some of you. With today’s economy, we need more tips like these.