Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Where...

Where am I going, and why am I in this hand basket?

Monday, December 29, 2008

And exactly WHY am I standing here?

My alarm went off at it's typical 7 this morning. I stumbled out of bed to discover that my wife had stumbled out of bed first to use the bathroom, and that pfkat was parked on the couch playing a video game, having not slept all night. As I was still tired, and both of these events are somewhat unprecedented, I was at a complete loss as to what to do next. I stated my confusion and my daughter explained the state of things, throwing in mention that I was standing there looking dazed. I realized that I reflexively wanted to go into the living room to sleep for another hour, but as the pfkat was there this was not an option.

Now my wife is desktopping in the kitchen, the pfkat has gone to bed, and as I sit here I realize that I'm working the late shift today and I don't even NEED to be awake yet.

So, I can hardly say that this day is not starting out well as technically it is not even supposed to be starting yet, and really nothing bad has happened.

I think I'm going to do something next that involves more sleep. I'm reasonably sure that this is a good idea. I think.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Joyeux Noel

I'll admit that my heart isn't deeply into Christmas this year. But I have a great many friends with whom I am blessed, and their joy and happiness means a great deal to me. May you all find the joy somewhere in this holiday season. Find whatever reason that feels real to you, and make it a reason to celebrate.

Merry Christmas. May peace one day come to earth, and, also, may it come one day to each and everyone of your hearts.

Alphonsus / Steve

Sunday, December 7, 2008

The CAT is BACK


I am proud to announce the release of Cataporter 3.0, which overcomes the problems with the Havoc 4 physics engine and once again allows avatars to fling themselves willy-nilly across the grid.

I'm SOOOO happy!

It seems that there WAS a change in SL physics with the new engine.  In Havoc 4, it is true that an object in motion tends to remain in motion.  However, it seems that an avatar in motion tends to instantaniously stop its motion when detached from the object, and fall flat to the ground.  Since the object disapeared within 0.5 seconds, this falling tended to happend distressingly close to the Cataporter itself.

The fix was obvious once I realized that this was happening.  Now the object (called a toss-about), stays invisible yet fixed to the avatar throughout the flight.  The flight is now a bit more chaotic, as the avatar spins through the air, but the landing can be a bit more unpredictable.  It can result in a bounce, a roll, or a simple stand, depending on a number of unpredictable factors.  The "splat" can still happen, but not quite as frequently.

Anyway, I have it back on XStreet SL,(http://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=264951).  I would still like to make a few more tweeks (making it easier to program in coordinates across sim borders, for example), but that can wait for version 3.1.

So, I'm happy, and I'm sure that the SL will be beating down my door as soon as I start my advertising campaign again.  I'm going to have to go through and give fresh copies to all my previous customers (that shouldn't be TOO hard).

But, it's back.

/me sighs happily.