Google checkout released !

The new google service is released:

Google checkout

It is a new payment system, similar to paypal. There were plenty of rumours before about GBuy , but it is called Google checkout now.

Rusty Nail

another photo:

Texture manager idea.

After some experience with the current Galactic Engine, I am improving some of the classes used, making them more efficient, easy to use (from both programmers and user perspective).

Here is a texture manager idea, I am going to post it for my own future reference and for other people who may find it useful.

Overall structure:



Maing goals:

• As minimum code as possible
• Texture loading / unloading
• Video parameters changing should not affect loaded textures

The primary class is Texture Manager. It is static class, but should not be used directly, except when changing video mode. This class takes care of all the work, by adding , removing and refreshing textures.

The Texture Loader, is another class or library (DevIL for example). Its main goal is to load texture from the file, get memory, and get OpenGL id. That are stored in the Texture class.

Texture Interface is the class that user code is working with. It supports only these functions that are needed:

• Loading
• Binding
• Unloading
• Refreshing

The implementation of these functions is made in the Texture class in the Texture Manager. 

A few possible problems:

1. One texture used by multiple Texture Interfaces
   
2. Setting new Video mode
3. Image missing

The first problem can be solved, by adding a counter to the Texture class, so that if the Texture Interface requests already existent texture, then it would increase the counter. If some Texture Interface is deleted, then counter is decreased. The real Texture would be deleted only if counter reaches 0.

The second problem can be easily solved by accessing Texture Manager directly and requesting to Refresh all the Texture in the list. The Other way is to refresh each Texture manually through Texture Interface.

If somehow the image requested for texture is missing, then there isn't really  much of a choices to choose from, except using default Texture. The default Texture can be created by Texture Manager, or it can be some other Texture from the Texture List.

Finished my education

After 3 years of education for the speciality - programming, I finished my education, and got this diplome today:



yeee!

New camera by SONY

A new player has entered the market.

Although SONY is known for their compact digital cameras, they didn't had anything to offer in the Digital SLR range.

But it is going to change with the release of new camera - Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100. It was made with the cooperation with Konica Minolta.



It is positioned as a proffesional entry level camera. Something similar to Canon EOS 350D, but higher.

One of the strongest points are :

10 MP sensor

Compatibility with many previous Minolta lenses

Super steady shot ( The image stabilisation technique )

Automatic dust removing option from the sensor

The prise is within the range of 1000$, so it is a really good bargain.

GameDev 4 elements contest

The GameDev 4 elements contest has started.

The four elements for this round are:
1. Emotion
2. Economics
3. Emblem
4. Europe

I am also considering for joining it. But it is pretty hard to figure out how to make a game small enough, and have all the 4 E in it.