Filed Under (Geekery) by Ben on 19-07-2010
So, I learned the basics of programming in Java at Louisiana Tech University but never really did much with it. Maybe because Java isn’t a language I was ever interested in. I’ve bought a lot of books on learning C++, but never really got into many of them. I picked up “Beginning C++ through Game Programming, 2nd Edition” last week and it’s working pretty well. It teaches you to program C++ by teaching basic game code. I’m only on Chapter 2 so far. The end of the chapter asks to make a program where the user enters a number and has the computer try to guess it. It took about an hour, but I got it out. It’s pretty basic, but the book really makes learning interesting.
Click here to download source and binary.
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Filed Under (Geekery) by Ben on 03-03-2010
Everyone keeps speculating what Cupertino’s problem with adding Adobe Flash to their iPhone and the upcoming iPad is. Most side with Apple with the thought that Flash is just too great a resource hog to run on the phone. Of course, I don’t know if this is true or not, but I do know that my Motorola Droid runs on a processor that’s 50mHz slower and it multitasks and transitions with no hick-ups. I really don’t think that a bogged down processor is the problem
The fact is that if Flash was allowed on the phone, Apple’s closed source, closed market would falter because at least 80% of the apps are available for free in Flash format.
Why would someone pay for Apple’s top selling apps Bejeweled 2($2.99) or even Tetris ($4.99!) when you can surf over to Goriya or OnlineFlashGames? There are plenty of apps that Flash can replace for free.
….seriously? $4.99 for Tetris?…
Top iPhone app downloads via The Apple Blog
Filed Under (Geekery) by Ben on 16-01-2010
To be honest, I’ve only just recently been playing with geolocation apps. Applications like Foursquare and mobile sites like Gowalla (who will soon have an Android app) are two of the big ones that I have been using. Personally, I prefer the UI and graphics of the mobile Gowalla site to the app that Foursquare has put out, but I have been using Foursquare much more simply because it’s easier to run an app than it is to visit a site and log in. When Gowalla releases their Android app, I’m almost sure I’ll make the switch.
However, I don’t see the holding power of these services. Other sites credit them as geosocial games, but really…who cares if I’m the mayor of some place or if I’ve finished completing a user created “trip”. Their not very game-y.
What I’d like to see? Tron. Hell yeah. I’d like to check in at a series of locations and pit myself against a friend. You would check in and and an imaginary line would extend from your last check in spot. The object, of course, would be to make your friend hit the wall you’ve created.
Tell me that wouldn’t be bad ass.
