AITech Solutions Blog
AITech Solutions Blog
ATDAlpha - Asteroid_Base map with Hangar
Here is a quick but exciting update!
We now have on our initial Asteroid Base Map with (the beginnings of) a Hangar bay for spacecraft. We also include three craft of two designs. These ships will enable our space hero's to go out on their first campaign\quest. There is an optional tutorial and "play yard" (to be forthcoming in a later post) to get accustomed to the game mechanics and weapons, etc...
We also further developed the internal framework to include new modules (and hooks for plug-ins). The planetary _time/season module has been added to provide proper timekeeping so six seconds of (real, UTC based) time = 1 minute of game time. This is used as a time base for the "Universe" where the planets rotation is used to determine the hours per day when our travelers are on orbit or on planet. This is destined to tie into the (Still to come) lighting system to provide realistic day, night and transition periods. If the character is not on a Planetary Object like a planet, asteroid or a wormhole, .... Like flying in space, then they will use a "universal" space time standard which all planets can sync to for event and player coordination and collaboration.
Hope you are as thrilled as we regarding our relatively quick progress.
Thanks to the team, contributors and FIFE and it's team and project members.
All the best, Until next time,
Tim
support@aitechsolutions.net
We now have on our initial Asteroid Base Map with (the beginnings of) a Hangar bay for spacecraft. We also include three craft of two designs. These ships will enable our space hero's to go out on their first campaign\quest. There is an optional tutorial and "play yard" (to be forthcoming in a later post) to get accustomed to the game mechanics and weapons, etc...
Main Map- Focused towards the Hangar Bay w/blue force field door
We also further developed the internal framework to include new modules (and hooks for plug-ins). The planetary _time/season module has been added to provide proper timekeeping so six seconds of (real, UTC based) time = 1 minute of game time. This is used as a time base for the "Universe" where the planets rotation is used to determine the hours per day when our travelers are on orbit or on planet. This is destined to tie into the (Still to come) lighting system to provide realistic day, night and transition periods. If the character is not on a Planetary Object like a planet, asteroid or a wormhole, .... Like flying in space, then they will use a "universal" space time standard which all planets can sync to for event and player coordination and collaboration.
Hope you are as thrilled as we regarding our relatively quick progress.
Thanks to the team, contributors and FIFE and it's team and project members.
All the best, Until next time,
Tim
support@aitechsolutions.net
ATDAlpha - A Star Wars Fan RPG Using the FIFE Engine
Please welcome to our newest category - Gaming!
Our game development team is currently working on a Star Wars inspired but unique FAN RPG project that uses FIFE - Flexible Isometric Free Engine as the engine.
Currently we refer to the game as ATDAlpha, but that is just a placeholder for the games real name. We've been so busy coding and creating objects, well... we have not had the time to kick that one around much yet !
But, as with all projects the only thing that is permanent is change ;-)
At the least, we are in good company as we join others games that use FIFE such as:
Let me thank the FIFE team and the other game project members for all their help and inspiration. Especially chewie, vtchill and prock.
And without the flexible (and did I mention FREE!) FIFE engine, Our ATDAlpha Project might not ever came to be - Thanks FIFE !
Finally a HUGE Thank You to our team members because of whose awesome skill, dedication, feats of raw pwnage as well as and putting up with me (A non-trivial accomplishment !) has brought the game to this stage so quickly. You guy's Rock!
We started in the beginning of June 2010 getting the team together, studying the engine, developing an initial story line and building the Python game code framework. Right now we have a roughed out initial map for the asteroid base, over a dozen weapons and 2 ships (The hanger is forthcoming !). The characters are the most difficult to create due to our demanding specification so we temporarily borrowed 2 characters from FIFE's demo just to test the code.
We have a functioning HUD including a small and large action log and Dual Pane Inventory Manager subsystem, A skills subsystem. XML based (currently) Object Attribute\Value Manager. Containers can be opened and objects transferred to and from the Player Character's inventory. Objects can also be examined or picked up and placed in inventory. Our very own custom walls and floor tiles with "real" textures. On demand sounds with cycling background music, Planetary_Object database with a game clock\calender that automatically adapts to the objects rotation period and orbital cycle (as well as syncing with a standard time base reference for galactic events and space travel) and more.
Additional features and capabilities are added virtually daily.
Here are some early testing screen-shots just to give you a idea what the game looks like.
Additional info:
If you wish to make a comment you may do so below, or alternately you can use the contact us form on our AITech Solutions Parent site.
TIP: The contact us method typically has a faster response time. Comments in the blog are moderated and have the capability to be included in the blog post.
Current Team Members
At the present, the Subversion (source code) and Bugzilla ticketing system are for in-house team use only but we will likely open them up to the public down the road a bit as time/priorities allow.
BTW - We would welcome any help or suggestions so if you are interested in joining the project or just want to pop off an email to us, please use the contact us form on our AITech Solutions Parent site. We will handle all email and addresses confidentially.
Well that about does it for this post. New posts will come with updates and more information so please visit us again!
Maybe see you on FIFE's IRC or Forum sometime.
Thanks and all the best!
Abracadabra
Our game development team is currently working on a Star Wars inspired but unique FAN RPG project that uses FIFE - Flexible Isometric Free Engine as the engine.
Currently we refer to the game as ATDAlpha, but that is just a placeholder for the games real name. We've been so busy coding and creating objects, well... we have not had the time to kick that one around much yet !
But, as with all projects the only thing that is permanent is change ;-)
At the least, we are in good company as we join others games that use FIFE such as:
- Zero Projekt - A post-apocalyptic turn based RPG inspired by genre classics of the 90s and 80s, like Wasteland and Fallout.
- Unknown Horizons is a 2D realtime strategy simulation with an emphasis on economy and city building.
- Zero Sum Cascade - an Open Source 2.5D Isometric Cross Platform Psychological Horror game
- PARPG- A post-apocalyptic isometric 2D role-playing game
Let me thank the FIFE team and the other game project members for all their help and inspiration. Especially chewie, vtchill and prock.
And without the flexible (and did I mention FREE!) FIFE engine, Our ATDAlpha Project might not ever came to be - Thanks FIFE !
Finally a HUGE Thank You to our team members because of whose awesome skill, dedication, feats of raw pwnage as well as and putting up with me (A non-trivial accomplishment !) has brought the game to this stage so quickly. You guy's Rock!
Ina Galaxy really really close ...
In a Galaxy really really close ...
We started in the beginning of June 2010 getting the team together, studying the engine, developing an initial story line and building the Python game code framework. Right now we have a roughed out initial map for the asteroid base, over a dozen weapons and 2 ships (The hanger is forthcoming !). The characters are the most difficult to create due to our demanding specification so we temporarily borrowed 2 characters from FIFE's demo just to test the code.
We have a functioning HUD including a small and large action log and Dual Pane Inventory Manager subsystem, A skills subsystem. XML based (currently) Object Attribute\Value Manager. Containers can be opened and objects transferred to and from the Player Character's inventory. Objects can also be examined or picked up and placed in inventory. Our very own custom walls and floor tiles with "real" textures. On demand sounds with cycling background music, Planetary_Object database with a game clock\calender that automatically adapts to the objects rotation period and orbital cycle (as well as syncing with a standard time base reference for galactic events and space travel) and more.
Additional features and capabilities are added virtually daily.
Here are some early testing screen-shots just to give you a idea what the game looks like.
Main Game Screen - With Targeting Cursor for security skill use to unlock the container
The Inventory Manager - With some weapons and a (Medical) Canister, Light-saber is equipped
Additional info:
If you wish to make a comment you may do so below, or alternately you can use the contact us form on our AITech Solutions Parent site.
TIP: The contact us method typically has a faster response time. Comments in the blog are moderated and have the capability to be included in the blog post.
Current Team Members
- ATDestroy - Level Design, Storyline, Map Building, Graphics (Blender and paint.net), Game Mechanics and Object Specifications, XML, ...
- OuchCzar - Graphics (Blender and paint.net), Game Object (Ships, Characters and Weapons) Creation, XML, Research, HTML (Web Pages) ...
- TAbracadabra (AKA Abracadabra) - Lead Programmer, Project Manager, Server Administration (Bugzilla TTS, Subversion Edge SCM, Apache HTTP Server
and ISC Bind DNS Servers) , Web site(s), ...
At the present, the Subversion (source code) and Bugzilla ticketing system are for in-house team use only but we will likely open them up to the public down the road a bit as time/priorities allow.
BTW - We would welcome any help or suggestions so if you are interested in joining the project or just want to pop off an email to us, please use the contact us form on our AITech Solutions Parent site. We will handle all email and addresses confidentially.
Well that about does it for this post. New posts will come with updates and more information so please visit us again!
Maybe see you on FIFE's IRC or Forum sometime.
Thanks and all the best!
Abracadabra
mup.sys boot hang on windows
Hung at mup.sys is a fairly common error on a Windows 2000, XP, or Vista system. If you scan the net for solutions for a mup.sys boot hang on windows you will find that there a many different resolutions recommended to solve this apparently confusing boot issue.
The truth is, this hang is not normally caused by the mup.sys driver itself. In fact, you can use the windows xp recovery console to disable loading mup.sys at startup and you will see the hang will then occur at the driver that had loaded previously to mup.sys. The real cause of this boot hang actually occurs during the windows boot process that follows after loading mup.sys.
What is happening during this boot process? Well after mup.sys loads windows starts configuring itself to the hardware specific to your system. It refers to ESCD data, PNP information and its registry. If there are problems processing that data you will get the described lockup or in some cases go into a reboot loop. Alas, there are even some more causes that get the best troubleshooters scratching their heads! Find the resolution here.
We have an updated tips and troubleshooting guide that will help you get to the root of this nasty boot hang issue and resolve it fast. As an added bonus we provide a unique, easy to understand description as to what actually mup.sys does from windows programmer resources.
Jump to Resolve mup.sys boot hangs on windows to get the full story.
Any questions, kudos, opinions, success stories or whatever?, Please feel free to leave a comment or two.
I'd really appreciate that!
Good luck and best to you! Thanks for stopping by.
The truth is, this hang is not normally caused by the mup.sys driver itself. In fact, you can use the windows xp recovery console to disable loading mup.sys at startup and you will see the hang will then occur at the driver that had loaded previously to mup.sys. The real cause of this boot hang actually occurs during the windows boot process that follows after loading mup.sys.
What is happening during this boot process? Well after mup.sys loads windows starts configuring itself to the hardware specific to your system. It refers to ESCD data, PNP information and its registry. If there are problems processing that data you will get the described lockup or in some cases go into a reboot loop. Alas, there are even some more causes that get the best troubleshooters scratching their heads! Find the resolution here.
We have an updated tips and troubleshooting guide that will help you get to the root of this nasty boot hang issue and resolve it fast. As an added bonus we provide a unique, easy to understand description as to what actually mup.sys does from windows programmer resources.
Jump to Resolve mup.sys boot hangs on windows to get the full story.
Any questions, kudos, opinions, success stories or whatever?, Please feel free to leave a comment or two.
I'd really appreciate that!
Good luck and best to you! Thanks for stopping by.
DNS Server and Home Page Updates
Main site updates -
DNS Server tips and how-to's - Added additional notes in regard to query logging for blackholed and negated query IP's.
Redesigned home page Now includes quick and easy links to major subtopic's
Enjoy!
DNS Server tips and how-to's - Added additional notes in regard to query logging for blackholed and negated query IP's.
Redesigned home page Now includes quick and easy links to major subtopic's
Enjoy!
How to resolve RewriteLog issue - Not logging processed redirects
RewriteLog issues? See Working with Apache Redirection - Help! RewriteLog not logging rewrite data.
We recently ran into this issue with a customer that had a WAMP server that was encountering mod_rewrite logging issues when using mod_rewrite directives in the directory definition context (non-.htaccess) for a virtual host. I Google'd and couldn't find any quick answers. Well, I worked it out and here is the fix.
Click on the link above to jump to the article and find out all the gory details needed to make it work!
In all honestly it wasn't that bad. Check and see!
Enjoy!
We recently ran into this issue with a customer that had a WAMP server that was encountering mod_rewrite logging issues when using mod_rewrite directives in the directory definition context (non-.htaccess) for a virtual host. I Google'd and couldn't find any quick answers. Well, I worked it out and here is the fix.
Click on the link above to jump to the article and find out all the gory details needed to make it work!
In all honestly it wasn't that bad. Check and see!
Enjoy!
Updated mod rewrite on Apache Redirection Page
We have just updated the Working with Apache Redirection page to include more working examples using mod rewrite. The "how it works" details have also been expanded so the viewer can better learn from the examples and be better prepared to modify the examples to suit their needs.
We also added an example showing how to get a server error 500 and details on why it happened, also in keeping the users interests in mind.
One common question I get is "How do I redirect from a non www URL to a www URL? When I searched the web I found numerous examples but with little explanation as to how they worked. When I tested the various versions I got... well, various results. Some of them unpleasant!
Most just plain didn't work or work in all situations.
Others threw the server into a tizzy winding up with the dreaded error 500.
A few actually worked as advertised. I'll include a tweaked version here for the benefit of all:
<IfModule rewrite_module>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.example\.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*) http://www.example.com/$1 [R=302,L]
</IfModule>
This version goes in the server or virtual host context.
It will temporarily redirect any domain request that is not www.example.com to www.example.com.
If you want this redirection to be permanent, change the 302 to a 301.
If you want to use this in the .htaccess context just remove the <IfModule> and </IfModule> directives.
Also be sure FollowSymLinks is in effect in your context. I have tested and currently use this version on my server so I have undeniable proof it works!
Hope this makes it easier for someone else to find than it was for me.
If you want the details on how this works, please use the Working with Apache Redirection link topside to get to the article.
Any questions, complaints or whatever?, Please feel free to leave a comment or two.
Enjoy!
We also added an example showing how to get a server error 500 and details on why it happened, also in keeping the users interests in mind.
One common question I get is "How do I redirect from a non www URL to a www URL? When I searched the web I found numerous examples but with little explanation as to how they worked. When I tested the various versions I got... well, various results. Some of them unpleasant!
Most just plain didn't work or work in all situations.
Others threw the server into a tizzy winding up with the dreaded error 500.
A few actually worked as advertised. I'll include a tweaked version here for the benefit of all:
<IfModule rewrite_module>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.example\.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*) http://www.example.com/$1 [R=302,L]
</IfModule>
This version goes in the server or virtual host context.
It will temporarily redirect any domain request that is not www.example.com to www.example.com.
If you want this redirection to be permanent, change the 302 to a 301.
If you want to use this in the .htaccess context just remove the <IfModule> and </IfModule> directives.
Also be sure FollowSymLinks is in effect in your context. I have tested and currently use this version on my server so I have undeniable proof it works!
Hope this makes it easier for someone else to find than it was for me.
If you want the details on how this works, please use the Working with Apache Redirection link topside to get to the article.
Any questions, complaints or whatever?, Please feel free to leave a comment or two.
Enjoy!
New Apache Servers section added to our www site
We have just added a new section on Apache Servers to our www.aitechsolutions.net site. "Using Redirection on Apache servers" is the first installment in this section. Redirection on Apache servers discusses why you may need to use redirection and describes each type of redirection giving example situations and actual directive syntax.
mod_rewrite, ServerAlias, Meta Refresh and DNS configurations are also discussed.
There are links to RFC's, Apache's documentation, and an excellent, easy to understand IMO, intro tutorial on Using Apache's rewrite engine, mod_rewrite, at http://forum.modrewrite.com
We have also posted a new Site Map page, available on the home page, that shows at a glance the main topic pages and provides a way to quickly jump to your favorites.
Another new page is the How to link to Us! page that gives you the markup so you can easily copy and paste a link to us directly on your web page. Besides just the home page, there is also markup to link to the Networking, PC support, and web site and Servers sections so you can use a link that relates better to the particular needs of your target audience and site theme.
As usual, we have more pages in the works. Almost completed is the the 2nd installment to our Building a quality and SE friendly website series, which will cover topics such as: using link validators, page viewers, how to use nofollow for pages and links and more. Look for it soon!
Also, We are thinking about adding a wiki and have been doing some testing with pmwiki. If anyone has any suggestions on a free, open source, flexible wiki that will run on Apache using flat files or mysql, feel free to post your comments and recomendations.
Thanks!
'Till next time,
Enjoy!
mod_rewrite, ServerAlias, Meta Refresh and DNS configurations are also discussed.
There are links to RFC's, Apache's documentation, and an excellent, easy to understand IMO, intro tutorial on Using Apache's rewrite engine, mod_rewrite, at http://forum.modrewrite.com
We have also posted a new Site Map page, available on the home page, that shows at a glance the main topic pages and provides a way to quickly jump to your favorites.
Another new page is the How to link to Us! page that gives you the markup so you can easily copy and paste a link to us directly on your web page. Besides just the home page, there is also markup to link to the Networking, PC support, and web site and Servers sections so you can use a link that relates better to the particular needs of your target audience and site theme.
As usual, we have more pages in the works. Almost completed is the the 2nd installment to our Building a quality and SE friendly website series, which will cover topics such as: using link validators, page viewers, how to use nofollow for pages and links and more. Look for it soon!
Also, We are thinking about adding a wiki and have been doing some testing with pmwiki. If anyone has any suggestions on a free, open source, flexible wiki that will run on Apache using flat files or mysql, feel free to post your comments and recomendations.
Thanks!
'Till next time,
Enjoy!
Matt Cutts - Top Engineer at Google Gets his Blog Hacked..or did he?
It was just after midnight, in the wee hours of april fools day. I was perusing the google webmaster forum to see who I could help and pick up some tips when I (Abracadabra) saw a post with a link I found interesting. It was
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/google-supports-meta-noodp-tag/
But to my surprise, instead of the words of wisdom I expected, I found a big black page reading "This
site has been hacked" "The Black SEO Team"
I the posted to the thread my findings. See this link:
http://groups.google.com/group/Google_Webmaster_Help-Indexing/browse_thread/thread/de2ec19cb52a1d4c/e4936ee377dad548#e4936ee377dad548
Then everthing went aflurry. Posts started appearing in forums, Blogs and even on DIGG.
What a headline.
No I can't take all the credit. I imagine many others noticed it too. When their rss feed died it was probably a good clue.
To my knoledge, I was the first in the Google webmasters forum to post it. That much I do know.
It was pure luck though.
It was fun to be there in the beginning of it all and following the wave.
BTW, on another note I added a couple of new pages on our main site:
http://www.aitechsolutions.net
Topics concern using HTML validators and the first page of a tutorialette for HTML on using the target= attribute of the anchor element. IMHO it makes the _parent option value more understandable than some explanations I've seen out there. Enjoy! FYI, I have 4 more pages in the works to be posted this week.
Oh, I almost forgot,
To find out what really happened to Matt Cutts Blog try this link:
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/april-fools-day-2007/
Thanks for visiting and have a great day!
We welcome comments!
Creating a quality and search engine friendly website - Part 1 Using HTML and CSS validation tools
Our Technical staff have just published a new article:
Creating a quality and SE friendly website - Part 1 Using HTML and CSS validation tools
Not only does a validated web page help insure cross browser compatibility, but also helps searchbots in effectively spidering your pages without getting lost!
Use these tools and tips to to help insure the HTML markup and CSS in your web page design is published correctly the first time!
Enjoy!
We hope you find this free resource useful.
Please use the "add comment" option below to post any comments or suggestions regarding the article so we can improve the usefulness of the content.
We're here to help and appreciate your feedback!
New article posted regarding PC Hardware - ATX Power Supply Fault Isolation
Our Technical Support staff have put together a new, unique, in depth article for our website.
This article pertains to PC Hardware, Specifically, ATX Power Supply Fault Isolation.
We hope you find this free resource useful.
Please use the "add comment" option below to post any comments or suggestions regarding the article so we can improve the usefulness of the content.
We're here to help and appreciate your feedback!
Check it out at ATX Power Supply Fault Isolation
