Update 2003-2 of earth-locations: 5536 =>11262!!

[selden]

Since one of my hobbies is digital video, I would personally love to see someone revamp the video capture code to capture the entire display and then reduce it to the selected frame size. This requires some expertise in video CODECs, capture coding, etc.

A while ago, when I was looking for a decent freeware Windows screen capture utility (I'm now using "Screen Grab Pro"), I came across one that includes the ability to make video files of on-screen activity. I don't know if it would be able to capture Celestia's output when running full-screen, but it might. I'll try to locate it again. (Its user interface was more complicated than I was interested in for a simple screen grab.)

Some days I wish the 'net was 10 times faster and live, international video conferencing was a reality. One day, maybe <smile>.

Although it's biased toward supporting Physics labs, you might want to take a look at http://www.vrvs.org/ I suspect Fridger may already be aware of it...

[don]

Howdy Fridger,

I think nevertheless, there were also a few good lessons to be learned for both of us;-).

Yes. It's just a tough way to learn <frown>.

Concerning the "cheerleader" issue, I might let you know by PM of a few more examples (not related to me in fact), if you are interested.

Of course I'm interested. Please feel free to PM (or e-mail) me any time.

I usually ignore such things myself more or less;-), since I know that American "friendlyness" is something that often appears exaggerated to many Europeans.

With me personally, I am a bit more friendly than the "average" American. That's just me.

Conversely, my bad reputation among some Americans in this forum, as a thoroughly "abrasive" character;-) , is usually not shared by the majority of Europeans that know me (notably in person).

As with the folks who know me personally too <smile>. I get on pretty good with my friends in the UK and some in France, but the German folk have always been a bit difficult for me to follow. Sorry. Nothing personal at all. Just those international differences getting in the way <sigh>.

Concerning the list of Authors, we had a joint discussion quite some time ago, and it was agreed to list the individual 'merits' only in case of the acknowledgements to the Celestia 'contributors' that also exist somewhere.

Hmmm, I don't recall seeing any kind of acknowledgements list anywhere. Maybe it is embeded in a source file somewhere.

So, let me return to my Perl scripts, trying to finalize my new gigantic earth-locations file.

Thank you for doing this project Fridger. I enjoyed the first one and am looking forward to seeing this one also. I've learned a lot about where cities are located on Earth from using this file. With the political boundaries add-on, it turns Celestia into a virtual interactive globe -- a very cool learning tool <smile>!

After an excellent chinese Dim Sam dinner, I am now all set for 'Perling' the world's great cities and other distinguished locations...

Best of luck on a quick completion ... and smooth perling!

-Don G.

[don]

Howdy Selden,

A while ago, when I was looking for a decent freeware Windows screen capture utility (I'm now using "Screen Grab Pro"), I came across one that includes the ability to make video files of on-screen activity.

Thanks for thinking of this Selden. From the ones I've seen, these kind of tools are usually limited to slow frame rates because they are used to create interactive on-screen kinds of tutorials. So, all they need to capture is the screen image, a moving cursor, drop down menus, etc. But, there may yet be one out there that I can use for full-screen, 30 FPS, digital video capture, editing and production. If you do find one in your web travels, please do let me know <smile>. Thank you!

Although it's biased toward supporting Physics labs, you might want to take a look at http://www.vrvs.org/

Looks pretty amazing, for sure. But is a bit of overkill for a mere home user <smile>. I'd love to see the whole world wired like Japan, with it's $39.95 per month 26 Mbit ADSL! Then VoIP (Voice over IP) will become VaVoIP (Voice and Video over IP) <big smile>. THIS will be very cool.

-Don G.

[Christophe]

-- Unlike Chris;-) and being 'born' as a UNIX person;-), I am NEVER too lazy to change directory or file names on the fly ( < 1 sec work)...The crucial point is that I usually enjoy to experiment with different ideas/possibilities for improvement, while implementing e.g. an Add-On.

I personaly don't learn anything from making file names match their ssc references. I only see this as a very frustrating way to waste my time.

There is nothing meaningful or valuable in this 'activity' of correcting typos.

-- computerized, interfaces have the disadvantage for me that they impose standardizations that tend to make me stop thinking about improvements!

One click...and AAAAh it works!

Becareful here, Amazon have a pattent on that one!

I understand your argument, and I certainly don't want to restrict your or anyone else's creativity by imposing 'artificial' constraints. That's why interested parties - add-on creators, developers, and users - have been invited to take part in the preliminary specification phase. So let yourself be heard!

Few examples from the past:

--The 'standardization' of tiles to 512x512 has been strongly advocated. Meanwhile I and others found out that this is often far from optimal! Analogous comments apply to the 'standardization' of texture & normalmap formats...

The main standardization the repository will bring is the manifest file, which does not even exist yet. It will make easier to track changes in add-ons, and will hopefuly help clarify legal issues regarding authorship and licences.

The other important standardization is the package format (zip) and the directory structure. I don't see how this could be a limitation for the add-on creator, but if you have examples now is the time to expose them.

The mere existence of a 'standardizing' Repository will clearly induce prejudices among the contributors for using certain format/size standards from the start! No further questioning anymore...

Well, other than zip, there is no format forced on the creator.

--Some tile textures I might want to install as Alternative Texture, others with my own personal directory structure/hierarchy. Standardizing Repositories would not save work for me but rather increase it, in a fair number of cases at least;-)

I really don't see how. You could use extras/t00fri for your personal directory structure, and as long as nobody releases a t00fri add-on you're safe!

-- after using the Repository for a while, I would start forgetting how everything really works.
I hate this!;-)

You know, the repository will not be some magical wand making add-ons for you! You just won't have to tweak them to make them work, but you'll still be allowed to tweak them for your own pleasure.

Now you can jump on me again, repeat the arguments what a useful service a repository is for those "who just like to watch the show" etc. I know, I know...;-)

I really hope the repository will be benificial to everyone, including you. Taking part in the design process is the only way for you to make sure of that.

[t00fri]

Christophe,

to be honest, I can't really contest some or even most of your replies. Probably I even have made up most of my above arguments somehow...

So let me try another (personal) approach: given my tight schedule, I just feel that investing my time into a

mere 'service' software project = Add-On Repository, does NOT match in any way my personal priority list for contributing to Celestia!

Given my know how about (astro)physics and other things and all my boundary conditions, I think that I simply have to give preference to other Celestia challenges like e.g. relativistic effects, systematic coordinate readouts and associated grid displays etc!

You emphasized previously that your situation is quite different (for whatever reasons): namely that
working on the Repository does barely reduce the amount of work you can devote to Celestia "core" development. You are thus probably thinking much faster and notably coding much faster than me etc.
Perhaps you even have more spare time available altogether...I accept all that without envy, be assured;-).

Last not least, I confess that (not unlike Chris) contemplating about e.g. how to incorporate the striking distortions of the field of view and the color shifts when travelling close to the speed of light, just excites me much more than working on filename standardizations for people that deny reading manuals;-)...

I sincerely hope that this time I managed to convey a little bit of what I feel "in-between the lines"...

Bye Fridger

[Christophe]

Fridger,

I fully understand that you want to spend the very little spare time you have on other things than the repository. I just want to make sure that you and everyone else is aware that now is the right time to comment on the repository, no 'in-depth' study is required just let us know what you want/don't want in it. Your previous comments were fine in that regard.

[t00fri]

Fridger,

I fully understand that you want to spend the very little spare time you have on other things than the repository. I just want to make sure that you and everyone else is aware that now is the right time to comment on the repository, no 'in-depth' study is required just let us know what you want/don't want in it. Your previous comments were fine in that regard.

Christophe,

I highly appreciate your competence in these issues. So I just trust that you will come up with a very good implementation. Since my heart is not with such questions, I shall probaly also not be a valuable discussion partner.

But I shall for sure not complain later;-). I just will never use these new capabilities if I don't have to. Honestly, I am really surprised, how a most competent software expert like you is in any way frustrated if here and there a few file names or directories have to be adapted. Withoput any exaggeration, I never have spent for that more than a few minutes.

Bye Fridger