]]> http://spreggo.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1088 2 http://spreggo.com/blog/?p=1084 http://spreggo.com/blog/?p=1084#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:47:11 +0000 Spreggo http://spreggo.com/blog/?p=1084 Download Droplet

+DROPLET+

(An Evolution Toy)
By Skull Sprout Games

Droplet is a software toy for Windows.
In Droplet, cells contain Genetic Code. This code determines all of the cell’s traits
and behaviors. This code is passed on at reproduction, where it is possible for a
mutation to occur. This mechanism allows for natural selection.

=Instructions=
Right-click anywhere in the field for the Main Context Menu. From this menu you can
select environmental options and add new cells.

Left-clicking the field creates a new randomized cell.

Right-clicking on an existing cell will call the Cell Context Menu. Using this menu, you are able to view Info about the cell, Edit the cell’s Genetic Code, and perform other relevant actions upon the cell.

Left-clicking and dragging a cell moves the cell about the environment.

Keyboard:

L  - Toggle Lights

N  - Clear World

Esc – Exit Droplet

Change Log:

7-29-2011:

• More Optimization.
• Added “Auto Add Cells” switch to options, which occasionally adds new cells to the field.
• Added “Add Food” button add menu.
• Tweaked energy costs of weaponization.
• Tweaked energy costs of energy storage.
• Stored food particles now add to mass of cell.
• Added trait to match rotation of connected cells.
• Tweaked connection elasticity.
• Added trait to steal stored energy from connected cells.
• Tweaked reproduction timings.
• Cells capacity to hold food particles now limited by cell size.
• Fixed errors in the layout of genetic code.
• Added trait to be unable to store food.
• Added trait to be opaquely covered (blocks light out of cell).
• Added trait to inefficiently use energy.
• Added ‘feeble’ trait which causes cells to heal half as quickly, and starve more rapidly.
• Added trait for cannibalism.
• Abbreviated menu items.
• New cursor.

7-24-2011:

• Massive Optimization.
• Added “Clear” button to clear the field of all food and cells.
• Droplet now starts with randomized cells and seeded food.
• Added sexual reproduction: Cells will mate with nearby cells of opposite gender.
• Changed food particle color to white.
• Food particles now decay.

Notes:

• Sexed cells obviously will need both a male and female of the species in order to reproduce. Split a lone cell a few times to get cells of both genders.
• Cells need both energy and a way to store it in order to reproduce
• There is an occasional hang when exiting the program.
• The menu currently runs off the screen when called too near to the edge. Don’t call the menu too near to the edge.
• Droplet is an experiment and likely will never be finished. Expect bugs, incomplete features, crashes, unintended behavior, incompatibilities, and general dismay. The Creators make no guarantees, and aren’t responsible for whatever trouble you may get into by using it.
• You may share Droplet as long as you include the readme text file unaltered with it.
• Droplet is written in C++ using the Allegro 5 Library.

+DROPLET+

(An Evolution Toy)
By Skull Sprout Games

Droplet is a software toy for Windows.
In Droplet, cells contain Genetic Code. This code determines all of the cell’s traits
and behaviors. This code is passed on at reproduction, where it is possible for a
mutation to occur. This mechanism allows for natural selection.

=Instructions=
Right-click anywhere in the field for the Main Context Menu. From this menu you can
select environmental options and add new cells.

Left-clicking the field creates a new randomized cell.

Right-clicking on an existing cell will call the Cell Context Menu. Using this menu, you are able to view Info about the cell, Edit the cell’s Genetic Code, and perform other relevant actions upon the cell.

Left-clicking and dragging a cell moves the cell about the environment.

Keyboard:

L  - Toggle Lights

N  - Clear World

Esc – Exit Droplet

Change Log:

7-24-2011:

• Massive Optimization.
• Added “Clear” button to clear the field of all food and cells.
• Droplet now starts with randomized cells and seeded food.
• Added sexual reproduction: Cells will mate with nearby cells of opposite gender.
• Changed food particle color to white.
• Food particles now decay.

Notes:

• Sexed cells obviously will need both a male and female of the species in order to reproduce. Split a lone cell a few times to get cells of both genders.
• Cells need both energy and a way to store it in order to reproduce
• There is an occasional hang when exiting the program.
• The menu currently runs off the screen when called too near to the edge. Don’t call the menu too near to the edge.
• Droplet is an experiment and likely will never be finished. Expect bugs, incomplete features, crashes, unintended behavior, incompatibilities, and general dismay. The Creators make no guarantees, and aren’t responsible for whatever trouble you may get into by using it.
• You may share Droplet as long as you include the readme text file unaltered with it.
• Droplet is written in C++ using the Allegro 5 Library.

For $20, I was very satisfied to find it in good, clean working order. The RF modulator it came with was beat to hell however, with its leads ripped right off the board. The video port on these is a 5-pin DIN,  so I opted to repair the one it came with by drilling new holes in the PCB and soldering on sturdy new wires. Amazingly it works perfectly now, so I’ll probably rehouse the whole thing and make it a bit more lasting.

I think the modulator is probably of original TI manufacture, and the fact that it still works even in its current condition speaks to their manufacture. The other option (for those interested) is to make a DIY 5-pin DIN to rca A/V plugs. I only found one tutorial for this and I can’t really vouch for it, though it should be pretty simple if you can find the pin specs for the video port. I don’t have a TV with A/V ports so it isn’t a problem.

The Beast.

It has a wonderful aesthetic that reminds me a lot of the stainless steel DeLorean and other classic electronics like the Casio Personal-8 (tucked in the back corner there). It came with the original box and packed with all the original documentation. It sports a weighty “User’s Reference Guide” and some sweet marketing literature:

The other beast.

The original owner probably saw this catalog and immediately had his Commodore 64 fan-boy willpower crushed under a wave of Cosby. He likely ran to the bank, tripping over himself, to withdraw the 450 hard earned 1982 dollars and buy a TI-99/4A and play classics like Munch Man and Burger Time.

The box also came with those games and a few other cartridges like Parsec, Indoor Soccer, and Zero Zap. It also came with every game’s original manual which is pretty sweet, because you get to read TI trying to spin Munch Man like it isn’t just a knock off of Pac-Man.

Parsec is pretty cool though.

I somehow had the prescience to purchase a TI Program Recorder a few years ago. I almost forgot I had it until the on manual reminded me of it. This is exciting for two reasons; I can get software off the web and record it as audio onto the cassette deck and load it onto the TI-99, and I can use it to store my own programs written in TI Basic.

It also came with this tome to help us on our way to mastering this TI-99 wizardry – a myriad hello worlds and lemonade stands await.

Space Space Space

Stories Selected by William Sloane

Franklin Watts, inc. 1953

Illustrator: Alex Schomburg

+DROPLET+

(An Evolution Toy)
By Skull Sprout Games

Droplet is a software toy for Windows.
In Droplet, cells contain Genetic Code. This code determines all of the cell’s traits
and behaviors. This code is passed on at reproduction, where it is possible for a
mutation to occur. This mechanism allows for natural selection.

=Instructions=
Right-click anywhere in the field for the Main Context Menu. From this menu you can
select environmental options and add new cells.

Left-clicking the field creates a new randomized cell.

Right-clicking on an existing cell will call the Cell Context Menu. Using this menu, you are able to view Info about the cell, Edit the cell’s Genetic Code, and perform other relevant actions upon the cell.

Left-clicking and dragging a cell moves the cell about the environment.

Keyboard:

L  - Toggle Lights

N  - Clear World

Esc – Exit Droplet

Notes:

• Cells need both energy and a way to store it in order to reproduce
• The menu currently runs off the screen when called too near to the edge. Don’t call the menu too near to the edge.
• Droplet is an experiment and likely will never be finished. Expect bugs, incomplete features, crashes, unintended behavior, incompatibilities, and general dismay. The Creators make no guarantees, and aren’t responsible for whatever trouble you may get into by using it.
• You may share Droplet as long as you include the readme text file unaltered with it.
• Droplet is written in C++ using the Allegro 5 Library.

I took a break from coding this weekend to do some real-world microscopic footwork. This was the best micrograph to come come out of it. Getting a good shot of an animal is always difficult, especially since I do all I can do avoid harming them.

I also studied up on algae and made some special trips to the pond up the road on algae hunts. Algae are enchanting, especially diatoms. On a whim I’ve set up experimental growing jars.

A bit like gardening.

Development has slowed a bit as I tackle some more technical issues. I hope to move on to more features shortly.

This is just a sneak peak of the cellular/natural selection sim/toy I am currently developing. I’m looking forward to an alpha release in the next week or two.