[Ql-Users] New game for the QL under development
Hello QL community, After many years of trying unsuccessfully to have fun writing software for other computers, I recently realized that I missed writing QL programs, especially 68000 assembly. I know that to maximize my motivation a project has to be challenging, as writing a chess program from scratch for the QL (Blackknight) was many years ago. So here is my project: I am currently writing a game for the QL. The game will be a fast paced 3D wireframe of the type "shoot everything you can as fast as possible or else you will crash onto it" I decided the game has to be fast and challenging, the graphics smooth and colorful. I also wanted to include some nice presentation screens using high color modes and maybe some kind of film sequence between the different levels. That was a month ago. I did not want to talk about it to soon because I was not sure it would be possible to achieve that kind performance on a QL. But now I think I can do it. As of today, the complete 3D engine is written and is performing well. It is a real 3D engine, not a pseudo 3D. You can navigate around in any direction, the object can have any shape and any movement, etc. It does take a lot of processing power from the QL, so I don't think a bare QL will be able to handle it but I am hoping that a GoldCard will be enough. For the moment the engine can achieve between 20 and 30 frames per second, depending of the complexity of the scene, running on a SuperGoldCard. The game will support the following system / graphics in its first iteration Standard QL mode 4 : very little flickering, 4 colors only, good performance in fps Standard QL mode 8 : very little flickering, 8 colors, fat ugly dots, best performance in fps Minerva QL mode 4 : No flickering, 4 colors only, good performance in fps Minerva QL mode 8 : No flickering, 8 colors, fat ugly dots, best performance in fps Minerva QL mode 4 : Lots of flickering, 10 colors, bad performance in fps Minerva QL mode 8 : Lots of flickering, 27 colors, fat ugly but colorful dots, bad performance in fps Aurora QL mode 16 : little flickering, 16 colors, sharp graphics, worst performance in fps I don't think I will do an Aurora 256 colors version. Not because it is difficult, but because it really gonna be too slow. As I don't have a Q40 or QPCII, I am not doing anything to support their additional graphic modes, but maybe sometime in the future I will look into that too. Feel free to ask any question, any word of encouragement is also welcome ! François Lanciault ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ql-Users Digest, Vol 103, Issue 10
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2012 20:10:33 +0100 From: "Geoff Wicks" To: "ql-users" Subject: [Ql-Users] Websites The bill for the current 12 months of my website came to ?47.84. I use a commercial host that many small businesses and organisations use and I get a good service. That website that, by universal acclaim, is the best QL website ever is run more cheaply than I run mine. The host is Tony Firshman and I understand the owner of the site gets a good service from him. Last year Quanta spent ?346 on its website, which is more than seven times what I am paying. Could someone please explain to me what Quanta is getting for this money that I am not getting. And why, after spending so much members' money, the Quanta website, apart from the news section, appears to have been at a complete still stand for about 18 months, Best wishes, Geoff 1. Annual Cost = Fiscal responsibility 1.1 Are they by some reason avoiding a perceived conflict by Not Using his service? 2. Web Site maintenance = SOMEONE has to pay attention to it. Probably would be a GOOD place to visit if it had an 'Editor' type that saw to its timeliness of news and feature updating. NOT just checking to see that it still works. 2.1 There are free software programs that can aid in revising/editing a web page IF someone wished to learn how to use it AND had an interest in doing so. Ergo Degree of commitment?? 2.2 Hay, this seems like a 'sit-down' job, how hard would it be to get someone to do it that is still associated with QUANTA?? (off mini-soapbox now) -- Paul Holmgren Mine: 2 57 300-C's in Indy Hers: 05 PT GT R/T HO Stage 1 Hoosier Corps L#6 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Websites
I maintain a website for two different local non-profits. Unless you make a concerted effort to make updates every month or so, it is fairly easy for sites to get stale (I'm guilty of that myself). Who ever maintains the site needs to set a schedule (similar to a newsletter) and update the site with something. If someone knows a fair bit about web programming, I'm sure update could be sent in via e-mail and automatically posted. But this all takes knowledge or money to hire someone. So, it really is just a matter of making the effort. It also helps to have information to post on the website. Tim Swenson ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Websites
Geoff Wicks wrote, on 23/Sep/12 20:10 | Sep23: The bill for the current 12 months of my website came to £47.84. I use a commercial host that many small businesses and organisations use and I get a good service. That website that, by universal acclaim, is the best QL website ever is run more cheaply than I run mine. The host is Tony Firshman and I understand the owner of the site gets a good service from him. You missed out a line I think. You are talking I am sure about Dilwyn's site. I currently charge £18 per year plus VAT. Last year Quanta spent £346 on its website, which is more than seven times what I am paying. Could someone please explain to me what Quanta is getting for this money that I am not getting. And why, after spending so much members' money, the Quanta website, apart from the news section, appears to have been at a complete still stand for about 18 months, Interesting question. I understand they use a content management system, but if the site doesn't change, that seems superfluous! Tony -- t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm