26-Jun-2002

  • OK, thrown away html generation, it was very mucky, now using the Velocity Template Engine to produce the blog.
  • supplied a sample template.vm for the main blog page
  • and templateXML.vm for an rss.xml version

All still very pre-alpha, all available for download
12:44:56 BST     

if you shoot the space station, vipers will now appear (up to 4)...
09:20:54 BST     


 25-Jun-2002

uploaded the pre-pre-pre-alpha version of my local blogger, it may never turn into more, but I place it in the public domain for anyone who's interested. download from here. You'll need a JDK and Ant to build.

limited instructions
Unzip and type ant run to begin.
put any old html into the Editor Pane and hit blog to generate, it will generate a file in the working directory called -blog.html
go to config tab, and change details to your website/ftp upload area
click upload button on blog tab to copy generated blog to your site. enjoy...
08:39:20 BST     


 24-Jun-2002

Started writing a little side project, I needed to be able to enter the latest news and details, with the minimum of fuss.

I was using an online Blogger, but my 30 days expired. Thus I have written a little offline Blogger, that creates the webpages on my laptop and can upload them later.

I might even upload the source to my little blogger somewhere soon ;-)
16:53:54 BST     


 28-May-2002

  • started coding some of the tactics engine, particularly the bits when you shoot a space station, and it launches the coppers...  Not uploaded any of that yet, but soon (thursday...)
  • added a forum to the website, look forward to your comments...
15:47:33 BST     


 27-May-2002

  • added the Sun to each system, having trouble with fast rendering of individual pixels, to get that hazy look, hence using a simple filled circle for the moment.
  • fixed lasers, at last, you can fire away using the 'A' key.
  • added ability to toggle framerate limiter, so you can now see the real speed of your machine, unfortunately more than the original 13fps is a bit unplayable.
  • full screen exclusive mode (press key '7') is closer to working, obviously some issues still stand.  Don't press this button yet ;-)
  • Added space station at other planets, so have now succesfully launched from Lave, hyperspaced to Zaonce, whizzed off towards the planet, found the space station. Docking is still not implemented...
08:39:41 BST     


 24-May-2002

  • I've added the ability to hyperspace, yay!.  Just select a destination (F5/F6) and then hit the 'H' key to move to that system...
  • Also implemented the jump key, so you can speed towards the planet, just hit 'J' and you will speed towards planet
  • Fiddled with sound code again, still can't get it to work  :-(
  • Put another quick config change key in, if you hit '7' it will try and switch the game to full screen exclusive mode, not sure if it will work yet...
08:19:02 BST     


 23-May-2002

  • sorted out centering of cross onto other planets, so you can
    now get 'Data on Planet' for other planets.

    However I was getting this problem with Zaonce (fixed now!):

    javanicus
    ---------
    Tech.Level:8
    Population:3.7 Billion
    Gross Productivity:29304 M CR

    newkind
    -------
    Tech.Level:12
    Population:5.3 Billion
    Gross Productivity:41976 M CR

    all the rest are the same.

    These three are all the complicated calculations in
    Planet.generatePlanetData()

    now sorted, used local variables instead of get/set.
  • implemented the display of destination planet and distance.
  • implemented pretty wrap around text for description of planet.
  • added alternate keys, you can now use arrow keys to control ship
  • added inventory screen (f10)
  • begun work on hyperspace
09:20:35 BST     


 22-May-2002

I've added a 'Summary of Controls', which you can access by pressing the letter 'K' during flight, it isn't perfect, but should help those of you who don't know the keys.

I've also tried to get the short range/galactic chart to centre on other planets, but it has a 'thing' about a planet called 'Leinte' which is 23.2 Light Years from 'Lave'. Don't know why, probably some stoopid variable not being set right ;-)  will sort it out in the coming days...
08:18:46 BST     


 21-May-2002

finished the site rewrite (mostly), hope it feels a bit better organised now.
08:18:35 BST     


 16-May-2002

this morning on the train, I've been rewriting the http://javanicus.org/ website, so that it is a bit better organised.  Not yet uploaded it, as I have to sort out a funky looking button to press, to launch the game.
09:26:04 BST