LightBox Javascript

This is a great piece of unobtrusive javascript that you can use to overlay larger images over smaller ones on your page - without having to navigate to another page. Nifty!

CanvasQuest Update - major code rewrite!

I spent some time over this past holiday weekend and managed to pretty much rewrite CanvasQuest from scratch. It's much faster now and has some nice features like ascii based mapping, collision, events, health, battles, gold, etc.

Next up will be save/load + multiple maps(rooms) (including loading another map from another domain!)

Image Manipulation with Canvas

Arve has a great article about doing simple image manipulation with the canvas tag. The demos only work with Opera 9 preview, but offer a great taste of what's to come for canvas.

Arcade Heaven - flash games portal

I normally dont post too often about portal sites, especially gaming ones, since they tend to be poorly done ripoffs of other sites. However this site seems to have quite a few interesting and fun games that it rises above the cruft to me. You might also dig it so here you go.

Automate your browsing with ChickenFoot

What's ChickenFoot? It's sorta like a macro scripting language for playing with the browser's current DOM. It's different from GreaseMonkey in that its more geared toward end-users than code-hackers. Anyway - it'll be interesting to see if it gains traction.

GalaxyMage - Open Source Tactical RPG

From the site:

GalaxyMage is a free, open-source tactical/strategic RPG for Windows, Linux, and Macintosh.

A tactical RPG is a type of role-playing game where turn-based battles are fought on a 3D map. Examples of commercial tactical RPGs include Final Fantasy Tactics, Vandal Hearts, and Disgaea: Hour of Darkness.

Our goal is to make GalaxyMage a game that is relatively simple to pick up and play -- you can dive right in without getting bogged down in the details of the battle mechanics -- but to also allow for a lot of character development and customization. We also intend to create a unique, advanced AI system that allows enemy units to work together as a team and employ a wide variety of strategies. And eventually, we plan on adding networked multiplayer support.

CSS3 Advanced Layout Module from W3C

Looks like the W3C has a Christmas Present for web developers - in the form of the Advanced Layout Module. I've only begun to start reading about it, but with things like this and CANVAS, SVG, Persistent Storage, E4X - its going to be an exciting year.

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Here's to tons of Christmas presents, lots of holiday parties, and that special feeling you have right before falling asleep on Christmas Eve.

CanvasQuest Update

I've made some more progress on CanvasQuest last night. I have a simple battle system working now -- simple as in you just bump into a monster and exchange damage :)

It's amazing - this is almost a "real" game! Once I get all of the basics limping along I'll start working on beefing up each aspect - adding things like spell effects, lighting, map loading, etc. etc.

Top 10 Custom Javascripts of All Time

Dustin Diaz gives us his take on the top ten javascripts of all time. Very cool stuff!

CanvasQuest update: maps, collisions, events!

I just added some big time features to CanvasQuest. Maps are now constructed via a js object instead of "hard coded". Collision detection is working now between walls and monsters/character. There is a rudimentary events system. You can walk over to the treasure chest and see a message, as well as walking to the exit door. Things are progressing nicely.

Next up is a battle system, gold, and life/death.

Killer CSS editor for OSX: Xyle

Every so often I run across something that is so amazingly cool that I simply have to drop everything and share it with you. Well, not all of you. Anyone who's not interested in CSS and who doesnt have a Mac, you can all go. Here's a complimentary coupon for tomorrow's link.

Ok, for the 5 or so of you left, this is a killer application. Think to yourself "a killer Dom Inspector type app for Safari with CSS editing".

It has tons of features that would make CSS geeks giggle like little schoolgirls, as well as a nice UI that you adjust to after just a few minutes of poking around.

Performancing blogging extension for firefox

As you can tell I'm trying out a new Firefox extension for blogging. It has some nice features and has the potential to make things easier for bloggers.

Performancing.com | Helping Bloggers Succeed

Test post from Performancing

I'm trying out a new blogging tool from Performancing - lets see if it works!

Digg Sidebar V.3

If you enjoy Digg - especially with the new Digg Spy features - you'll like this Digg Sidebar for Firefox. It keeps the look and feel of Digg and compresses it into a small area.

Chat-o-licious - AJAX + .Net based chat

From the site:

Chat-o-licious is a proof of concept web-based chat application that uses an AJAX based browser client and a bare bones ASP.NET based chat engine.

The goal was to create a seamless chat experience while avoiding some of the pitfals commonly associated with web-based implementations like unsightly page refresh and frames. Each of these challenges are overcome by utilizing asynchronous javascript xml-http requests.

CanvasQuest update - map editor beginnings

I have the beginnings of a map editor for CanvasQuest. The idea is that with just a few (tens of) clicks you'll be able to generate your own little Quest, complete with monsters, dialog, maps, and treasures.

CanvasQuest Update - it talks!

I integrated the text library back into CanvasQuest now. So it can actually display text messages to you now, and also show life points. They even go do to zero when you collide with a monster! It's amazing how fast I'm able to progress with this silly little game. Next up will be a map tool + collision. Then I'll get the treasure and score system working. Once that's done it'll actually be a real game!

The Arcade Locator Project

Want to find an arcade near you? Check this out.

New Canvas Game - Canvas Bounce

I found this over at the canvas-developers list links area. On my own pc at least, this game is very responsive (no dropped frames). Props to Benjamin Joffe!

Writing Prototype Canvas Functions

Benjamin Joffe talks briefly about how to use javascript prototypes to extend the Canvas tag.

Yet Another Big Idea - The Entire Web As One Big RPG - Introducing Thwak

I was keeping this idea a relative secret, but I realized that that's a great way to kill it. I'd rather have the idea out in the world where folks can help make it a reality than keep it close to my chest and never have it see the light of day...

Here's the idea / link in a nutshell:

Basically Thwak is going to be a type of RPG where you will start off
as a no-name weakling and fight monsters to collect treasures and
experience. This seems on the face of it to be pretty standard stuff,
I know. However the platform for this will be a bit different.

Imagine taking a "Web 2.0" application and merge it with an RPG.
Instead of traversing "dungeons" you'll go from site to site as you
normally would and when you trigger the Thwak
(bookmarklet/extension/greasmonkey plugin) you'll see an overlay with
your character and a "monster" that is generated by the
characteristics of the site you are visiting. Say you visit a very
popular site that has a high google rank. This monster will be a bit
more powerful in some aspect, and the resulting treasure will be greater.

You will also be able (via "microcontent" or some method like a link
rel) to place a customized monster on your site.

Your character will grow in skill, and the data about your character
will persist across sites -- in whatever storage medium that seems
appropriate. I'm thinking about perhaps either AMASS or using
greasemonkey's storage.

You'll have bragging rights as well - say you defeat "google.com" 's
monster, you'll be able to generate a page that shows all your
wins/losses across that character's life span.

You'll also be able to post your own character up on your site for
others to "battle" - so you can see if your friends can defeat your
character. (Kinda like microcontent/blogroll - as a js include)

The battle system is a variant of "rock paper scissors" using "kungfu
(rock), magic (paper) , and sword (scissors)". You attack your
opponent with one of those three types of attacks and based on your
skill level in that attack - damage is assessed.


I have a working prototype here:

http://www.andrewwooldridge.com/myapps/thwak/index_202.html


However I crave your feedback and ideas. How can I make this something
better? The prototype doesnt have any of the hooks into a site yet,
nor stats, or much of anything except the bare battles.

z = sword (zword?)
x = magic (magix ?)
c = kungfu (cungfu ?)

Hitting the display button will show the overlay on the test page.
Reloading the page will give you another random monster.


So, the basic idea will be to have a way for people to use websites as
data generators for "monsters". There could be all kinds of ways to
create the attributes - such as standards compliance, pageweight, etc.
Let me know what you all think.

This is also a call for help - if you know php/mysql and/or pixel art/design and want to help out. please contact me.

New gaming + tagging site: Arcaplay

There are several new game portal sites that are taking a page out of del.icio.us and incorporating tagging into their services. This is one such new site that allows you to search their collection of games via tags as well as the "tag cloud".

'Nother New Idea - MiniWorlds

I was browsing around the web as I do sometimes and I started thinking about various things, like canvas, Laszlo's Earthlink widget, microcontent, banner ads, pixel art, etc. etc. and it struck me that it might be interesting to combine some of these ideas into something I call "MiniWorlds". These would be small canvas based animated images that display changing information via some view of a "world". I have more explaination etc. on the link.

Canvas Quest update

I've managed to get random monsters walking around now, plus you say "ouch" when you collide with one. I also have text working in a separate html which I will be incorporating soon. This is progressing nicely!

Update: Canvas Fonts

I finished the image mapping for the little Canvas Fonts demo - now it uses all of the characters contained in the image. I also embedded the image directly in the code via data: url to make it a bit more portable.

Realtime Playstation 3 video from MGS

From Digg comes a completely amazing video of some folks showing off Metal Gear Solid on Playstation 3. It looks completely phenomenal! Kinda makes 360 look a bit dated :)

Yahoo JSONifing it's API's

This is a big deal folks. Now that the apis are JSON, you can do all kinds of information passing back and forth. Plus this allows you to use the API's as data sources for your own functions. Big stuff!

Fonts in Canvas

I'm working on my little RPG, and what is an RPG without text? Instead of resorting to HTML text overlaying my canvas, I have created a simple text display example. The font is Press Start K from codeman38.

Yiibu talks about Structured Content

Structured Content. The newest of the new buzzwords of the nanosecond. Check out what Yiibu has to say about it.

CanvasGraph - js graphic utils

Canvas. Canvas! Canvas? CANVAS!
I've been going canvas crazy lately. With good reason I might add.
Anyway, I tend to run across new cool stuff using canvas, and this one is very high on the cool-o-meter. It's a simple js library to create bar graphs and pie charts and such using canvas and mochikit. Check it out if you have Safari 2.0, Opera 9, or Mozilla 1.5.

Top 10 innovative web 2.0 apps of 2005

From articledashboard comes a great article (fancy that) about the best web 2.0 apps of 2005. Better hurry, web 3.0 is coming soon!

ProtoKid - Pop Pirates

From Jayisgames comes a link to a great computer-virus themed shootemup called pop pirates. A true shmup - the gameplay is very simple - shoot stuff. But the cute characters, powerups, and theme make this one a great addition to your bookmarks.

Tioti - Tape It Off The Internet

From Mashable comes an interesting new beta of something called Tioti. Think "the Flickr of downloaded TV"

Playing MP3's via a web based flash player

Flash is making inroads in many areas of the web. You can see this on sites that are hosting music and video players built in to the page, instead of depending on you having the software already on your system. This page provides a short survey of the state of the union for web-based mp3 players.

Canvas Quest - a canvas based RPG

I'm working on a simple Rogelike RPG called Canvas Quest. Here's the first demo.
I've discovered a nice technique for speeding up the rendering of a complicated canvas element which also has animation. For this game, I just draw the tiles 1x time by dynamically creating a orphan canvas element via js. It never needs to be "attached" to the document, because I just want it for its capabilites to render an image that I can then use in the main drawing loop. It was a 10x fold increase in rendering time for me. Anyway, check it out - you can use the arrow keys to move around.

Realms of Rivalry - turned based rpg in java

Realms of Rivaly is a free multiplayer turn-based strategy/roleplay game written in Java. From the site:


Realms of Rivalry is a turn-based multiplayer strategy game with roleplay elements. The game has many similarities to classic titles like Space Crusade and the X-Com series.

Features:

* Multiplayer with up to 4 players.
* Players control teams of 3 characters: Warrior, Archer and Mage.
* Turn-based gameplay with optional time limit per turn.
* Randomly generated game world.
* CPU controlled monsters.
* Several weapons, armor, traps and other items.
* Occlusion calculation used in combat situations.
* Interrupts.
* Different types of terrain.
* Buy & sell items at vendors.
* Monster respawning.
* Ingame chat.
* Detailed end-of-game summary panel.

Cheezy Canvas Test #6 - reactive interfaces

The concept behind this test is to show how you could place a canvas element behind some markup and creat some interesting rollover effects. Not only that, you could "annotate" the markup with perhaps callouts, thought ballons, diagrams, etc. etc.

How I constructed this test was to place a canvas element behind some markup via css, then on mouseover, highlight the link via drawing a rectangle around the target element as well as a larger circle around that. I dont have to know what the content is, since the dimensions and position come from the event object on each element.

You might also imagine having a marker board style background canvas that allowed you to draw "on" the markup and take notes, highlight elements. or connect elements on the screen.

Yahoo buys del.icio.us

What awesome news! I'm an avid del.icio.us user myself and having flickr, del.icio.us, konfabulator, and more folks all under one roof is fabulous!

Canvas Test #5 - using one canvas in another canvas

This is a fairly stupid, yet illustrative example of using a canvas element as a source image in another canvas. The far right canvas is "sourced" into the middle one, which in turn is sourced in the far left one. All generative. All scripting. Canvas seems perfect for retro gaming.

Firefox - in space!

From Digg I find a cute article that shows a stellar feature near our own galaxy that looks very much like the Firefox logo. It is uncanny, really. Is this a galactic stamp of approval? :)

More Canvas goodness from Teethgrinder

There are two sets of great new canvas demos over at Teethgrinder:

http://www.teethgrinder.co.uk/perm.php?id=126
A series of experiments using fractals to create trees.

and

http://www.teethgrinder.co.uk/perm.php?id=127
Some image experiments to rotate images. This one has a great "motion blur" demo.

Firefox Extension of the Year - Scrapbook

Sure, I'm not some official body of high-powered web developers who can influence thousands with a mere blog post. However, for the folks who do read this - I wanted to say I'm nominating Scrapbook as Extension of the Year. This is the single most useful extension I've encountered in all my years of browsing and webdevery. Sure there's the Web Developer Extensions, but those are for just webdevs. For the masses, including developers, Scrapbook is extremely useful. You can capture pages, whole sites, or just a tiny snippet from a site. You can then index, search, annotate, and export your pages. Two thumbs and two big toes up for Scrapbook!

XML for Script

From the site:

XML for SCRIPT is a powerful, standards-compliant JavaScript XML parser that is designed to help web application designers implement cross platform applications that take advantage of client-side manipulation of XML data

Gee, I'm famous (for a few hours)

Wow, I get mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. (And CNET and Mercury News) I'm famous! (For a few hours at least)

Squidoo gone live!

Now you too can create your own lenses and share them with the world. I just got word of the now public beta of Squidoo which I've been testing out for a while now. It's way cool, and brings together a lot of different ideas into one page.

Wishing I could dabble in DabbleDB

I've been database deficient all my life. I eat, drink, and breath client-side, but put me in front of some mysql or other database app and I'm lost. That's why I'd give my eye-teeth to get a beta account with the dabbledb site. It looks like something that I might actually use to create some really cool applications. I have years of pent up ideas for various app-like things and it would be awesome to start seeing if this is the place for them to live. I've tried Ning, but the barriers to entry for something even like that are too high. Google Base doesnt seem all that compelling, and traditional databases are just to complicated.

So, if you are out there DabbleDB creators, I would be your friend for life if you sent me a beta account. No, really. Heh.

---

EDIT: Amazing! I got an invite! Time to start digging.

Edit in place javascript

Here's a nice demo of using DHTML to create editable elements on your page - nice perhaps for say a blogging tool, or for editing forms.

GCast - do it yourself podcasting

Ok, so it's kinda an oxymoron to say do-it-yourself podcasting, since that's probably how 99% of the folks are doing it, but this is more like podcasting without having to invest anything in terms of software or hardware. If you can find a payphone, you can podcast on this service. They host it for free, run the rss feeds, and do everything. Very cool!

Motor Storm Trailer for PS3

Ok, if this doesnt get to totally and freakishly excited about the new PS3 then I dont know what will.

From the site I found this on:


The E3 trailer footage was realtime running on the PS3 Alpha kits with the 6800 SLI and a slower cell processor. I do have one caveot the AI was turned off to showcase the visuals. Keep in mind the graphics were achieved with a watered down version of the final PS3.

2006 Entrants for the Independend Games Festival

The IGF is always a great way to see what is going on in the world of indie games. Every year folks from around the world create indie games to compete in this contest. Check out the entrants and get a glimpse into the world of indie gaming.

Data url generator

I stumbled across this data: url generator - very handy for when you want to embed an image directly in your sourcecode without having to make a roundtrip to the server for the bits. It also seems to make smaller urls than Hixie's URL Kitchen.

Russell Beattie on RSS + SMS

Russell gets all excited about a new Yahoo feature that allows you to get alerts for ANY RSS feed out there, as soon as it updates. And you can get it for free on your mobile device as well. It's almost like broadcasting. Coolness.

Canvas Test #4 - scrolling stars

I took a few minutes and coded up a very simple starfield - stealing some star generating code from the MDC tutorial and testing out using one [canvas] element as the source for another [canvas] element. Imagine generating textures and things via hidden canvases, then using them dynamically in other canvases... The mind boggles.

BrickQuest - lego based tabletop RPG

I know, you've probably already seen this before - via digg or del.icio.us or whathaveyou, but for the 5 or 6 who havent, this is cool. Imagine creating a tabletop RPG using Legos. Very cool!

Mentioned on Scripting News - whoop!

Snazzy - I get mentioned on Scripting News:


Andrew Wooldrdridge sends a pointer to a feature in Firefox 1.5 that lets you do vector graphics in the browser? That's retro, and old school, and given the way things have turned out, progress.


Although I'm used to the fact that my name get's Misspelled more often than not...

Riffing on lightnet

Brian Reiger riffs a bit about a new meme starting to spread across the net called the "lightnet" -- which of course is the antithesis of "darknet". Lightnet is open, often free, and grows the more you use/remix/spread it.

JSON created form interfaces

This is an interesting prototype of a way to present interfaces using JSON as the means of transmission. Very cool!

Canvas: Big Wooden Clock

The evolution of canvas is starting. We are at the paramecium level now -- beyond just drawing random squares on the screen. I cant wait until fully fleshed out, sophisticated apps are built with some canvas support. Meanwhile, folks are starting to create interesting things, and clocks seem to be what many folks gravitate to.

Check out this nice wooden clock and be inspired to create your own widgets.