CodeTrucker, it might not be too late yet!

On recent Windows versions when you are using a disk with NTFS, Windows has built in 'past versions' support. Rightclick the file in Explorer, and choose Restore previous versions, or alternatively go to Properties and look at the Previous versions tab.

It might not have your newest changes, but it should have some version of your code at least.

-worstje (December 29, 2010, 12:05 AM)

Thank you for this tip.  I was not aware this was possible.  I'll look into it and see what I can do.  Do you know anyone who has mastered time travel or at least can suspend it?

Is there going to any sound in your app?  Voiceovers?  Background music?

-kyrathaba (December 24, 2010, 11:27 PM)

Well......

That *was* the plan until I discovered my algorithms went down the tubes (doesn't work).  The upshot is now I have to hard code all the responses.  To give you an idea what I am up against...

• I only chose 16 "most common" "Veggies"
• For every Veggie the child(?) places on the screen, I have to run a collision routine on all the other sprites and test for compatibility/incompatibility and then display an apropos response.
• If the child(?) clicks on any other Veggie, I have to repeat the step above, but with a mod for not presenting the same response to keep from being tedious.
• Keep in mind THIS only applies to one of each Veggie.  I haven't even broached the necessity for multiple "tomatoes!"  Wooo!  This is FUN!
• I have some help files prepared, but I have to rewrite to the level of a third to fifth grader.  Fortunately I have one to help me!
• There's other things like sound, help diagrams, etc., but I need to get back to work.  

Keep the suggestions coming, though.  I DO appreciate them!  

Given the amount of work and the shortage of time, I will aim for having a few Veggies done right in a complete app and provide new versions as I polish it.  

Ciao,
Calvin

Here is a peek.  More to come.

Hello

Not sure if this helps but, if people are worried that children might form negative views of vegetables based on any negative reactions in the game (by which I mean the "I'm not happy you're here" responses), would it not be possible to turn it round a bit?

So that, rather than being annoyed &/or not very friendly because they don't get on, the vegetable (or whatever they are put next to) could react because they are concerned for the newcomer's well being and suggest they move for their sake?

Not sure that's very clear but I was thinking something like:  "large roots run in my family I'm afraid and I wouldn't want to squash you" or "It's ok here for a carrot* like me but wouldn't you be happier in the sun?" (for example)

Ok, sounds a bit daft now I've written it down - and it's probably way too wordy - but hopefully you get the general idea

-insomnianiac (December 12, 2010, 02:03 AM)

Hi insomnianiac ... actually, this doesn't sound daft to me at all; on the contrary, your comment has caused me to change my tack altogether.  I especially like the instructive nature of "suggesting" a Veggie would be "more comfortable" elsewhere.

Anyway, I also wanted to say that I love the idea, and I love that you want to include as many different phrases as possible - believe me, if my daughter is anything to go by, children do not appreciate hearing the same response over and over again when playing a game. In fact, there's nothing more annoying.

I mean, when the response indicates they need to rethink something, it becomes aggravating and patronizing and, when they get something right and they just hear the same thing time and again it isn't a very satisfying reward!

This has also been my experience.  Fortunately, I have a pretty good resource in my own children to populate this database, but feel free to add to it here.  It might provoke other responses too.

Lastly then, I think allowing them to use their own backgrounds is an excellent idea - as is the ability to print something - anything - to show for their efforts. Children (and grown ups) love anything they can customize and make their own somehow - and the printing would add a bigger sense of achievement and something to aim for which would keep them interested on a level where it doesn't just feel like learning.

(if that makes any sense )

All just my opinions of course but hth anyway

Take care

g.x


*please note that I am not exactly great at gardening so I may have chosen completely the wrong type of vegetable for this example - see, I need to play the game myself

I'm not at that stage yet, but it appears the ability to print the window should be included.  We'll see.

Thanks for your input!

~ CT

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@SJ - Thanks for your input.  What you were shooting at you hit right in the bull's-eye, but it wasn't the target I was trying to put up.  Maybe I didn't get my words just right? 

Within the context of what I am trying to get to, what you are talking about is "acquiring information" (sort of), but what I am trying to get at is something less poindexter-ish (2D) and more gut-level (3D) is "eating knowledge."  I know that sounds kind of odd (it does to me), but I'm trying to the idea that just like food, knowledge becomes a part of us and not just external.  Just like food we eat has a direct effect on our outward body, the knowledge we "consume" on this level has a direct effect on our "outward" mind. 

To get an idea of what I mean, let's assume you were a science geek, football brute or band member.  Do you remember the history you learned in high school?  If you were like me the answer is, "naw... I don't think so."  Why?  Because it was only temporary data I (we?) "acquired" for the purpose of passing the test with a "C."  We really didn't "learn" it in the sense I mean.  Now this makes perfect sense to me because my brain never entered "passing gear" due to the fact I never really worked to learn it.  All I wanted was just to get it in short-term recall long enough to regurgitate it on to paper.  Once that was done, I had no reason to retain it, so my brain never engaged on a "3D" level and what I "acquired" went out with the garbage.

[Disclaimer - I can see what I am after, but I'm not having much success in explaining it.]

Just try to think of it like a drawing on paper and a hologram.  I conjecture the brain compensates us based on our effort.  If we take the easy way out, the brain helps us just to get by, but if we really work, our brain really gets it's own shoulder under the wheel too!  Think of the brain as a kind of self-aware entity inside of our selves.

Hi CT,

I am late to the party. There was a similar thread here:

https://www.donation....msg187798#msg187798

SMF is a good choice. They are straightening out their differences and are going full steam ahead releasing v2 gold.

A system with more hooks (like mouser allured to) would be MyBB.

You may want to incorporate links to Picasa or an online storage system for picture and documents, which may help in spreading the risk of loosing the material over time.

-brahman (November 22, 2010, 11:19 AM)

Hi brahman,

Thanks for the links and the comments.  Do you know what kind of security issues (if any) MyBB has had to face?

Timing is everything!  I *just* got off with the phone with my wife who was standing in an "Office Depot!"  I found this thread because I, "just wanted to check out what DC might have to say,,," and BINGO!  It was already done for me! 

I, too, appreciate all the comments on Dragon, but was wondering how it compares to the native SAPI5 available with the Vista OS?

In the FWIW Department...

I spent all day trying to find some information on Google and never found it.  Then I tried a search engine called...


[Click on the graphic.]

And found what I needed the first try!  Guess what was the search that was so difficult...

"Outlook 2010 next unread message"

No kidding, that's all it was and every other iteration I could think of to try.  FYI - I have no affiliation with Yippy.

PS - After a check on the DC search and finding no hits, I copied this from another thread to give it some better visibility.  FYI - this used to be www.clusty.com which was a "cluster" oriented search which served me well.

I do, but in a non-traditional social feed reader that is perfect for this type of thing. I use friendfeed's private group feature to create "imaginary friends" to follow that nobody but me can see. I add feeds and user names from various sites and services, give them an avatar, and it's just as if they had signed up on the site and made an account...but only I can see it.

-app103 (November 19, 2010, 11:11 PM)

I can't pretend I fully understand exactly what you are describing, but I get the gist. If it's not too much trouble, could you explain it in detail either here or in a PM?  If it's your own "brew" it's ok if you skip it.  Thanks.

My apologies for double posting, but I did not want this to get lost.

Historical precedent demands that any discussion of information aggrandizement and control by an entity as large as Google must encompass the lessons of history.  I am not prophesying this will occur within any specific time frame, but please consider the ramifications of the inevitable "what if" when the vast power and resources are usurped by a future non-benevolent government?  This is the real "inconvenient truth."

It just goes to show that when a given company becomes this prominent in cornering any sort of market (could be automobiles, oil, etc., but in this case happens to be searches), it leads to abuses.

-kyrathaba (November 19, 2010, 06:03 PM)

Lord Acton was right... "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

...
Making a clear and intuitive organizational structure will, I think, be key.

You may also end up having to look at plugins like a gallery system for photos (attaching all photos to forum posts may not ultimately be that great for later viewing).

-JavaJones (November 19, 2010, 02:50 AM)

JavaJones I really appreciate these comments, especially at the outset when mass edits are less painful.  Your comments and others are sparking quite a debate among my family.  It makes for quite a dinner time discussion!
FYI - So far, the "family" consists of only my wife and I and our eight children.

Your comments provoke other questions, but I like the way this thread is heading.  I don't want to derail it, so I'll start another thread that's somewhat related.