Darksider7's pages

A HACKER'S WORLD:

The RPG Simulator will replicate (with the help from kinetics...) can recreate scenes and actions from the video games to the feature films.

It would be a massive multiplayer where subscribers can access and role-play there favorite character: hero or villain (the design would be similar to the "Second Life" grid...).

The simulator would be completely open source anywhere from the design of supplies, weapons, vehicles, and entire landscapes. If I'm in search of original story ideas there is always (Fanfiction) writers from all across the globe give there film scripts and book ideas to this enormous online resource. If some of this material can be recreated from page - to - simulator we would be exploring worlds never - seen - before in movies or in print.

I obtained a copy of Beaglebones latest cookbook on Amazon and it came to my doorstep this afternoon. Usually, with my extensive library of books that have consumed my small / compact space (well, which is my office...). I'm the kind of reader that goes in search of sections or find particular chapters to read that are of great interest, then, it goes back on the shelve.

I'm gonna make it a point to read the cookbook from cover-to-cover because the goal is to finish that "Beaglebone: Server" at last, finally. The information the paperback provides is fascinating and the suggestions will be useful and implemented on the updated version. I'm researching some general particulars and this will be updated in the near future.

WORKING CONCEPT:

Over the last few months been accumulating several versions of cubieboards single-board computers. I want to build (not a server...) but an automatic, stacked, robotic archive.

The general idea is not entirely done yet, but it would be capable to go from one board to another through a moving self-guiding interface. The module depending on the task(s) it will interchange between computers relying on basic individual functions.

Recently, obtained a copy of Retro Gamer Annual which gives full history and specifications to several older 8-bit consoles.

Though working on building two machines, constructing a "test game" for the system (maybe an indie version of Super Mario...) well, it will be similar (during actual gameplay...) but far smaller and the RAM will be diminished greatly by way of processing speed due to older parts. This is what I've rediscovered, regarding home computing from the days of the early 1980's.

Release: (1982)

Discontinued: (1992)

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Specs / Media:

- Cassestte Tape

- 3-Inch Floppy Disk

- Operating System: Sinclair Basic

- CPU Z80 at 3.5 MHz and equivalent

- 128 KB

NOTES:

Two-part Construction --

1. Recently, watching some videos on Steam.com and was inspired to program my own video game. After experiencing the disturbing wrath of Hat Man: Shadow Ward started to devise on paper some ideas. I've discovered seven indie horror themed games last night. During the week, I'll purchase the Steam software (cost: $100) and a development kit to get started.

2. The one objective that I would like to finish is to build a hacker space for all of my projects. To outline what this would require: multiple computer stations, PS4, Nintendo Wii, XBox, Alienware Desktop, and raspberry pi gaming system amongst other custom machines.

The entire front of my room have been completely rebuilt with large workstation and shelves for storage. The old server is being reconfigured with the newest (rasp pi, quad-core...).board and encasement. The hacker space is now the background for a podcast that I'm developing and lead host. I'm in the market for one last bookshelf that would act as a network computing tower with various PC / MAC systems working collaboratively and five small monitors.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT:

Week 2

In less than one week ago, began an on-going personal project conducting a series of research on early NASA shuttles, satellites, robotic transports, space stations, future colonies, and the men and women who got us here.

I began reading a fascinating hardcover entitled "Starmus" a surprisingly overwhelming read on deep space travel. The project wouldn't be a build per say (even though it might encourage one in the very near future...). I'm exploring older technologies from NASA flights, integrated computers, and robotics ( time span: 1940 - 1970) those first 30-years. Beginning In the days when man only could contemplate making a journey into unknown civilizations, to animals and robots making voyages for science and research.

This will be on-going and is open to all hackers and inventors who would like to participate.

The system would function as a steam machine but strictly made for Python gamers. It would follow the same kind of premise as the OUYA for downloadable content and programming indie games from scratch. There are a noticeable selection of titles that have gone to the point of almost forgotten and developed a rather small yet unnoticeable community (...cult favorites, if any exist, anywhere). The G-Box would restore a sense of awareness to the many thousands of pygames left behind. It's specs will surpass OUYA from processor, functionality, and an endless archive of indie classics developed by Python programmers.

FILMMAKING:

I'm working on a new at home underground documentary studio that specializes in several genres: arthouse oddities, indie horrors, cult cinema, science fiction, found footage and obscure drive-in videos. The films will be recorded, edited, and chronicled on several D.I.Y. builds from a motion picture camera and editing suite.

I've constructed a lens customized for a Rasp Pi video board, external memory, digital viewfinder, and versitle mic. The Editing Studio will be using other devices a mixing board, video editing system, and two monitors.

Though it's main focus is producing documentary films other genres have been included to be versitle with future production(s). The home based "Studio - R" will stand for the following: retro, subversive, shock theatre, highly alternative narratives and short presentations. In some cases, disturbing subject matters with the inclusion of low budget c, d, and e - grade cinema.

In addition: setting up a written proposal to use a selection of 16mm celluloid for phycological terrors and mysteries. As far as topics are concerned, to be specific, forgotten blues / jazz musicians, out-of-print videos, war photographers, the political asylum, videodrome, and some very strange avante-garde b-roll.

Dark Chronicles will hold private advance screenings for first-run pictures and the annual Darkside Nominations.

CURRENTLY:

It's been months since this page has been updated the word on Dark Chronicles has been growing tremendously (especially the magazine...) being read in numerous countries. Over the weekends writing down some possibilities I conjured up a way to gather subjects ("books to docs"...). The one hardcover that would be extrodinary, in film form, would be The Greatest Grid a mapping chronicle of New York (1811 - 2011). This is just setting one example, in my private archive, holder of several pieces of reading material that desperately need to be converted to short-subject narratives.

For months wanted to turn this into a actual project (I'm not to sure of time frame...) from start to finish. I would like to go quad-core and leave it open source, USB, FireWire, an auto programming system, and wireless connectivity.

MODEL:

I began building one of Leonardo's designs his multiple turret, revolving, massive tank. It's construction is mostly metal, wood, and on a circular plate with three rotating wheels. I'm formulating a design inside this war machine, There is a softcover book entitled "Leonardo's: Machines" which gives an overview of the controls inside and how there placed. It won't be electronically controlled but all hand driven with a complex system of: levers, weights, and pullies.

NEXT PROJECT:

Recently, just began reading Andrew Hodges new published paperback on Turing's invention, The Enigma. The inspiration came from the motion picture "The Imitation Game" which focuses on the machines early development. The author, Hodges, creates a schematic map of how it works and an idea of what's needed for parts and assembly.

Someone mentioned a magazine that focuses on the Enigma machines and the basics for any hobbyist or inventor. I found a handful of old parts, there more vintage in nature, the authentic, full metal and extremely heavy in construction (when completed...). I'm going all original, success is minimal, due to finding all the right components and working properly. The general housing is tough and considered expensive for most basic builds.

The electronics are in great need of, but in short supply, I have some of the small intricate parts like wiring, bulbs, and metal circular discs for decoding. In search of old letter and number typewriter keys for manual operation. I found in rather readable condition instructions on usage and control of the machine.

SCIENCE:

Franklin's many scientific contributions were in areas as diverse as health and medicine, geology, weather, oceanography, and electricity, and he invented practical devices ranging from the flexible catheter to bifocals to the lightning rod. Eventually, his reputation as a natural philosopher assisted him in the diplomatic arena.

With that being said I'm gonna take a slice of scientific history and bring it over to present day with one of his inventions: Compound Monocular Microscope (1750). I'm building a "workbench" that reinvents one of sciences greatest discoveries, if you would to have a seat at the drawing board, let me know what you would like to create from Franklin's "workbench"?

- Printing Machine

- Side Crank Hand Pumper

If you are a Scientist, Inventor, or like to dabble in many creative crafts Tesla influenced the idea in some way. In the near future would like to venture into one of his inspiring inventions and recreate it from the ground up. The article is about a documentary on Tesla, finished a few years ago, and got some great reviews. I'll make my final selection at the end of this week which project I'll be undertaking?

UPDATE (1 / 18 / 2015)

Phaser Gun

WORKING: IN PROGRESS

This is going right into one of my project folder, even though, I have three custom builds already in the works it would be the easiest to finish. I got to pull together specs because I'm not going to do a traditional portable Gameboy model. 

Thinking if technically possible might include a small server, I might try my efforts at   "stacking" by taking two additional Pi Boys as "dummy screens". The idea is original but finding a design that works and makes some degree of sense could be interesting.

I do have other intriguing thoughts on the final configuration the one that asks me the question (well, what are you possibly thinking and why?...) an RC controller for gaming, no way, he wouldn't, would he?

THE GENERAL CONCEPT:

The chances of this happening is on the unlikely side, but the contemplation on the collaboration to do a "professional movie camera" would be amazing. The product would be every hackers / filmmakers dream, an all purpose studio built into the camera itself with three monitors and control deck.

I'm going to draw up schismatic it would be called "Levithan", an intimidating piece of hardware, with every option open and ready. I do believe if they ever released anything like this concept the world of gaming, filmmaking, and hacking would be astonished, stay -in- touch for a design outline.

FUTURE HACK:

I take great pride in all of my gear, but there is one device that holds so much potential for numerous hack projects, XBMC. I've looked at this streaming media box as a mystery researching the many facets and functions and just how far I can open up the front gates. 

You understand, if I did some Jailbreaking on this device what limits and extreme changes can be accomplished, just under a few hours of work? For me this would be an incredible hack and turn this awesome tech into an "open source" system with no locked doors applied. The other thought knowing the interior is festering with building my own home theatre PC.

POWER TO THE GAMER:

Now, on a weekly basis I have an addiction to talk (of course at great length...) about future gaming endeavors. On this page would like to make mention of a few worthy sites to experience "the indies" and a galaxy governed by talented gamers.  

I've gotten to rely on: pygamer.org, pixel prospector, and MMORG to ease my symptoms. If you have the opportunity bookmark on your tablet "indie game" which is otherworldly, and the experience is fantastic, finding small oddities to master. Over half of what I've downloaded on my mobile devices are strictly from these archives. 

If you are a brave soul send (via -- telegraph...) or most likely an e-mail to me, let's talk. 

Recently, found a website that had one or two interesting projects that caught my attention. As a future hack going to select one project for a custom build, I'm not sure which "prototype" I'll be undertaking? If you are in search of something tech and want to gather a few ideas this comes highly recommended.

http://www.dangerousprototypes.com

This gives the word fundamental a brand new meaning, customizing a barebones nano is as basic and open to some very cool hacks.

FUTURE BUILD:

I'm for the most part, probably, running on very thin ice with this next invention. In a current edition of MAKE magazine saw a number of hackers putting together there own "Pi Servers". Recently, the third generation of Rasp Pi boards was just released into the "DIY Community" / sector.

If I can find the funding I'll begin constructing this gigantic and towering hyper - computer that it's not just a "cluster" but a super structure. I'm setting some drawings as to what this would look like once completed. It might end up on Kickstarter.com to find backers who would like to see this incredible super computer up and running.

FUTURE HACK:

You know all those overlooked video games that were forgotten and got left behind? Well, came up with a project where you can play those obscure / harder-to-find titles. There are so many that disappeared before anybody had the opportunity to explore these fascinating worlds, keep you posted on further developments.

In reference to unknown games, here is a collection of scarcely seen gems, I would like to include on my "must play" list.

- Hell Night 

- Heart of Darkness 

- Season of Twilight 

- White Day

- Project: Firestart

FUTURE HACK:

To implement some ideas I discovered "Digital Storm -- Bolt II" here are the basic specs and an outline for this assembly. 

- CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K 

- RAM: 16GB 

- Graphics: GTX 780 TI 

- 1TB HDD / 120 GB SSD

FUTURE HACK:

The system needs an X-Box encasement, two wireless joysticks, and will have to be built for high-end processing speed for indie game development and play. The device will have the capability for android / windows setup (multi - platform) and online gaming. The design will be outfitted with USB connection (4 ports...) a headset plug-in installed.