PSX database hubs

[DavidP]

Put me down for one on release!

[Kurt]

Great news Hardy, - I will book 4 weeks of vacation in August then

BR

Kurt

[Roel Raeven]

I agree completely with the above posts, but honestly must say that the 2nd part of Hardy's original post astonished me. The complexity of the database coupling arose the following question to me:
"Where do you start develop when you start programming a complex sim like this? " Probably first looking at what language is suitable for what I want, but after that? Database? Functions? Graphics? (probably not)

[falconeye]

As far as I remember Hardy stated somewhere, that he started with the graphics, which is considered the most difficult part of the development of an simulator. But I doubt that the other parts are much easier to program. :?
But I have to agree. When you start programming something like this, there are so many issues you have to think about. It is just unbelievable that it really works as expected at the end.

[jtsjc1]

Hardy you are the man!  I'm just amazed at the level of detail. I'm ready!

[Hardy Heinlin]

Probably first looking at what language is suitable for what I want, but after that? Database? Functions? Graphics?

As far as I recall, before I added the first program variable, I first developed a thread-safe fundament to safely network those upcoming variables with other PSX instances and add-ons later on, and also to synchronize those variables in PSX's internal multi-tasking system.

I remember, before starting with the PSX development at all, I first thoroughly tested the Java language -- and wrote a random controlled Mau Mau game in text form :-)


Thanks, guys, for your good feedback!

|-|ardy

[Shiv Mathur]

I remember, before starting with the PSX development at all, I first thoroughly tested the Java language -- and wrote a random controlled Mau Mau game in text form :-)

|-|ardy

With a 543-page user manual?

[falconeye]

After the release of PS X perhaps you could write a "Schafkopf" game which could be played over the Internet. I would buy one.  
But I would also have a question, I am thinking about since years. What do you use to paint the graphics? A special software, like for example Photoshop or do you paint everything inside of Java with the Java 2D API?
Cheers

[Hardy Heinlin]

I remember, before starting with the PSX development at all, I first thoroughly tested the Java language -- and wrote a random controlled Mau Mau game in text form :-)

|-|ardy

With a 543-page user manual?

666 pages, all full of Jokers and Queens.

What do you use to paint the graphics?

Photoshop for bitmaps.

Vector graphics are generated in PSX.


Cheers,

|-|ardy

[falconeye]

And the vector graphics you mainly need for the moving parts of the cockpit for example the ND? And everything which is fix, is then a bitmap graphic. Or is it more complicated?
I ask because some years ago I developed the cardgame Black Jack with Java. Also only in textform and not with all special rules existing in the casino. But I had no clue how to make the graphics, so the project was stopped relatively soon    Perhaps with the new possibilities existing since Java 3 I will try a new attempt.

[Hardy Heinlin]

No, it's a wild mix of fixed and moving vectors, and fixed and moving bitmaps. The instrument displays (EFIS etc.) are all vectors, though.

This stuff can be rendered at high speed since Java 1.4.

[falconeye]

Thank you Hardy for the clarification. I feared that it would be very complicated.
Have a nice "Vatertag". I go to the "Bierzelt"now. No problems with Java there.
Prost.

[alcannata]

Dear Hardy,

what do "blue lights" represent on the visual scenery? Taxiways, maybe?
Thank you.
Eagerly awaiting,

Aldo

[Hardy Heinlin]

Dear Aldo,

the quiz question is:

Where does the arrow marked with (3) come from?


Cheers,

|-|ardy

[alcannata]

So, no taxiways!  
Have a good day,

Aldo

[falcon94]

Hardy,

Really looking forward to the new release!

As a 16-year-old I was caught drunk one night after partying with friends and promptly grounded for 1 month by my parents...they were very concerned about the path I was taking and asked me what they could do to deter me from bad behaviour,  

I told them if they bought me PS1 I would behave:-p

I spent the next 2 or 3 years logging countless hours on PS1 until I started my real flight training in 2000.  I have to tell you what a huge disappointment it was to go from PS1 and playing with glass cockpit and FMS to flying a Cessna C-150!  However, I knew that was what was needed if I ever wanted to fly airliners, so I put up with it.  Looking back it was a lot of fun of course, but I remember how much PS1 had motivated me to push ahead and get the basic flight training over with, so that I could focus on working my way up to a real 747-400 one day.

"Sadly" after all these years I ended up on the Airbus A320.  The operations and philosophy are a bit different as we all know, but I like to think those hours spent on PS1 years ago gave me a solid foundation to work with.

I can't wait to get my hands on the latest version and getting reacquainted with the 744.  Thanks Hardy for creating this wonderful and fantastic piece of software!

Regards,

Andrew

[stekeller]

Andrew:

What a great story. PS1 changed my life too, although I never got in trouble like you did. When HH first started posting screenshots of what he was working on in Compuserve forums (showing my age here) it was as if someone was making a program just for me - A professional level PC simulation of my favorite aircraft. It was groundbreaking, is still a marvel and frankly unequaled, especially considering it was made for DOS back in the mid '90s!

Congrats on "living the dream", and maybe you will get to fly the Queen someday. Life is strange that way.

- Stekeller
KORD

[Hardy Heinlin]

Hi Andrew,

congratulations on your career! Good story :-)

Thank you too!


Cheers,

|-|ardy

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

Add one to the list of people who have been driven in another way by PS.

[nicolas]

Hi Hardy,

Great to see that the waiting comes to an end soon! Hope to get hands on a copy in Q3 time frame (of this year :-)).

Just some follow up questions:

Will PSX be available for Mac and Windows on one DVD or do I need to choose the OS when ordering? And the mannual will include only the instruction on how to use the simulator or does it also cover basic 747 systems description?

Regards,
Nic