Thanks Thilo.
As a matter a fact I have now made some more progress, I've compiled a standalone version of the program (which is more difficult than it sounds :P), in case anyone else wants to give it a go.. it's downloadable at http://koti.phnet.fi/hynrau/timo/masterbator.7z
I've also been having a go with a qualifying result table. I'm also going to try making a simple F1 (or more like motogp) style real-time timing to go along with it.
Also, since fetching the race standings from the tracker is quite a simple thing, I have thought of making another version aimed at the racers - something that takes less screen space. Perhaps also (when I manage to spare the time) a blue flag detection that tells you weather the blue flag your getting from lfs is legit or not.
As you might imagine I am doing other stuff as well, namely being confused with the C syntax that makes no sense, and logic ports that are a pain in the arse to design. That along with industrial management assignments that consist of creative writing and slight hangovers every now and then. So you'll see I can't give anything any release date more accurate than early 2009.
As a matter a fact I have now made some more progress, I've compiled a standalone version of the program (which is more difficult than it sounds :P), in case anyone else wants to give it a go.. it's downloadable at http://koti.phnet.fi/hynrau/timo/masterbator.7z
I've also been having a go with a qualifying result table. I'm also going to try making a simple F1 (or more like motogp) style real-time timing to go along with it.
Also, since fetching the race standings from the tracker is quite a simple thing, I have thought of making another version aimed at the racers - something that takes less screen space. Perhaps also (when I manage to spare the time) a blue flag detection that tells you weather the blue flag your getting from lfs is legit or not.
As you might imagine I am doing other stuff as well, namely being confused with the C syntax that makes no sense, and logic ports that are a pain in the arse to design. That along with industrial management assignments that consist of creative writing and slight hangovers every now and then. So you'll see I can't give anything any release date more accurate than early 2009.
I might take that as a plan for the future
Some of them easier, some of them harder. I do not plan to write my own race tracker (even though I think I could improve on the one used now) so some data depends an awful lot about the tracker and how it stores data.
I'm trying to learn something new everyday on the way. WIP indeed.
I thought I said that...
I actually thought of that myself. Then I decided the original names will have to do, as they don't take too much space. Also, it's not that hard to make the order go on and off with a timer: The only reason for me not doing that (yet) is because the commentators would get confused and start the same functions many times over - resulting in chaos
That was the reasoning behind it but it's not really an issue to cover that as well.I have actually done some research on 'a bit more advanced graphics'. The problem with last years overlays was that it was done with a 3rd party software. It also meant someone had to prepare the overlay pictures on advance and they are completely static. Also, someone has to keep running them. So this program is meant to just simplify things for the broadcast team.
As I said, I have done some research. In theory I know how to make a window appear on top of a lfs instance without lfs loosing focus. Problem is I've got no idea how to implement a function that calls a window and sets it's location and content. Also getting rid of the window is a bit tricky, after all we don't want the graphics to stay on forever. I also tried transparent windows for even more 1337 effect but I scrapped that because the library in question is apparently written by an ape and thus makes no sense.
It's WIP so to say .
What an argument! Like "No, Johnny did not rob the bank, he had a fiver" Or "No, Timo doesn't need to get laid, he has had sex once." Or "No, the US did not attack Iraq for the oil, they have their own!"
Incidentally, the other day I was bored and decided to try if I could open sockets. That resulted in the birth of sheepshagger - The IRC bot.
As some may have noticed during last round #ndr had the bot running. Currently it only greets you, and prints the tracker info when requested. If you have any ideas on what it could do I'd appreciate input. I'm all out of ideas myself
As some may have noticed during last round #ndr had the bot running. Currently it only greets you, and prints the tracker info when requested. If you have any ideas on what it could do I'd appreciate input. I'm all out of ideas myself
Broadcast overlay improvement improvement suggestions, part 3
No, I did not fail with the title. It is literally improvement suggestions for my improvement plan. :|
Anyway, short story short, a few months ago I started to ponder about lfs broadcasts having a few areas I'd like to improve. Actual video streaming aside (as multibc does/did that, and I can't argue with Martin because he is German), I decided I can improve on the overlays tv director makes. Being a network programming major I figured how hard it could be so I wrote a small insim program. The first version I gave wilko shortly before round 2. It had a small technical bug that made it completely useless. So I gave it another go and had the second version ready shortly before round 3.
Then, as we all know Wilko was being himself and it was never used. So by round 4 I had added a bunch of stability and some cool new features too. Sadly (again) because deko has alzheimer's and wilko is... special, I failed to get any feedback that time either.
So before the season ends, I'd like you all to tell me what, if any, improvement suggestions you can come up with. I intended to see how people liked the features in a broadcast but at the current rate it'll actually be used early 2009.
Endu race overlay machine - The Masterbator
This picture should tell you all there is to know what it does:
The Masterbator is a completely manually operated program that lets the user control the overlays. It has a computing power efficient text based user interface, and it features an innovative menu. The race classification is fetched from the tracker, making problematic time outs history.
So, besides naming issues, I'd appreciate input on what you would like to see. C&C&Q welcome!
Anyway, short story short, a few months ago I started to ponder about lfs broadcasts having a few areas I'd like to improve. Actual video streaming aside (as multibc does/did that, and I can't argue with Martin because he is German), I decided I can improve on the overlays tv director makes. Being a network programming major I figured how hard it could be so I wrote a small insim program. The first version I gave wilko shortly before round 2. It had a small technical bug that made it completely useless. So I gave it another go and had the second version ready shortly before round 3.
Then, as we all know Wilko was being himself and it was never used. So by round 4 I had added a bunch of stability and some cool new features too. Sadly (again) because deko has alzheimer's and wilko is... special, I failed to get any feedback that time either.
So before the season ends, I'd like you all to tell me what, if any, improvement suggestions you can come up with. I intended to see how people liked the features in a broadcast but at the current rate it'll actually be used early 2009.
Endu race overlay machine - The Masterbator
This picture should tell you all there is to know what it does:
The Masterbator is a completely manually operated program that lets the user control the overlays. It has a computing power efficient text based user interface, and it features an innovative menu. The race classification is fetched from the tracker, making problematic time outs history.
So, besides naming issues, I'd appreciate input on what you would like to see. C&C&Q welcome!
Yes you can.. Quite obviously you can't change car or setup whilst physically on track (duh... :doh
but you can do so while spectating.For example: You enter a server, determine the track, somehow determine which cars are allowed. If you have previously driven that combo a button saying "you've driven this combo previously" would appear and by clicking it you send /car and /setup commands to the game.
I'm not sure what you're getting at:
Why exactly do you need to know when you're in what screen? You can change /car and /setup also whilst not in the garage, so why is it a problem?
Why exactly do you need to know when you're in what screen? You can change /car and /setup also whilst not in the garage, so why is it a problem?
Would you like some good criticism or prefer none at all?
1) The beginning is quite awful. I don't want to go round a track so fast. Also the "welcome to watch" thing is a bit unneeded, just a plain title would have sufficed. Then the transition from the intro to the grid is a bit tacky. First you're going super fast and now super slow. It kills the immersion completely.
2) In the grid the first camera angle is daft. No one can spin their head like that, especially with a helmet on. Then again, I've always thought that owls should be allowed to take a driving test.
3) The camera going across the track and suddenly changing to something else... not good.
4) Your camera transitions are quite poor.
5) Camera angle of the start is so unrealistic it hurts my pockets.
6) The lag is horrid. All cars jitter, majority of them bounce in addition.
7) First corner camera angle is even worse.
8) Sounds aren't that good.
9) Camera changes on the incident at 1:15 make no sense whatsoever.
10) The replay thing is quite daft. You would think you could do better with a ****ing computer and all.
11) Unrealistic crashes don't appeal to a simracing community.
That's the first minute and a half. I cba to watch more. If you were to correct all of the above you would have a semi-decent replay of a race. I wouldn't call it a movie yet but hey, it would be a start.
1) The beginning is quite awful. I don't want to go round a track so fast. Also the "welcome to watch" thing is a bit unneeded, just a plain title would have sufficed. Then the transition from the intro to the grid is a bit tacky. First you're going super fast and now super slow. It kills the immersion completely.
2) In the grid the first camera angle is daft. No one can spin their head like that, especially with a helmet on. Then again, I've always thought that owls should be allowed to take a driving test.
3) The camera going across the track and suddenly changing to something else... not good.
4) Your camera transitions are quite poor.
5) Camera angle of the start is so unrealistic it hurts my pockets.
6) The lag is horrid. All cars jitter, majority of them bounce in addition.
7) First corner camera angle is even worse.
8) Sounds aren't that good.
9) Camera changes on the incident at 1:15 make no sense whatsoever.
10) The replay thing is quite daft. You would think you could do better with a ****ing computer and all.
11) Unrealistic crashes don't appeal to a simracing community.
That's the first minute and a half. I cba to watch more. If you were to correct all of the above you would have a semi-decent replay of a race. I wouldn't call it a movie yet but hey, it would be a start.
My mum had no clue what I was talking about
How awesome is it to get advice from people who have never been in your position 
A few tips however from someone who actually has a military rank:
1) If you decide to nuke North Korea, mind the south border.
2) Don't piss off the one superior who decides upon your promotion (Been there done that.)
3) Do some work to get a good position. There are good jobs for good men, and then there are jobs for men.
4) Take note of all the luxury you're used to and how army taught you to appreciate it.
A few tips however from someone who actually has a military rank:
1) If you decide to nuke North Korea, mind the south border.
2) Don't piss off the one superior who decides upon your promotion (Been there done that.)
3) Do some work to get a good position. There are good jobs for good men, and then there are jobs for men.
4) Take note of all the luxury you're used to and how army taught you to appreciate it.
I thought you couldn't do races for more than two teams? I never understood why but it was boothy himself who iirc decided that
Why are people bashing the Multipla? It's SWEET!
Or not.
My entry though is the Toyota RSC
Or not.
My entry though is the Toyota RSC
Isn't it? After all the day when you are born is your birthday. A year passes by and it's again your birthday...
It's funny how people get confused with numbers. The birthday logic you lot advocate does exist though: For example, why the **** did we celebrate the millennium on the night of dec 31st 1999? If you count to 10 you don't start from 0. You start from 1. Therefore 2000 is the last year of the 1990's, and millennium should have been on the night of dec 31 2000. Or the decade 2000: If the century 1900 ended in 1999, the decade 2000 would start at the beginning of the year 2000 (still follow me?). If the end of the decade 2000 is the end of the year 2010 you would have 11 years in the decade!!
So you see, it's not really as clear as everyone seems to think.
I'm sure Thilo will find all this very interesting as he is a man of science (though a chemist, so he'll more likely be laughing his arse off in the meth fumes)
Well that's not much, after all my pot plants feel smart because of me. That's because I give them names. They're all named after sausage brands though.
Clue is in the name
He's turned 20, therefore it's his 21st birthday. EOD.
21st you sodding twat. Is maths really that difficult?
C# is like a hooker: Learning is a small price compared to the results you get. The downside is the procurer*.
C++ is like a fleshlight: Designed to work in a non-sophisticated environment.
Python is like an ex highschool prom queen: It's amazing fun to play with. Sure it's daft as hell, you can't actually do anything smart with it and it's memory use, oh dear...
*This joke probably doesn't work.
C++ is like a fleshlight: Designed to work in a non-sophisticated environment.
Python is like an ex highschool prom queen: It's amazing fun to play with. Sure it's daft as hell, you can't actually do anything smart with it and it's memory use, oh dear...
*This joke probably doesn't work.
Yes, I guess plain 'knob' would suffice.
The remark isn't really directed at you (specifically.) It's just kinda the whole point of the thread.
FGED GREDG RDFGDR GSFDG