oneof.us

Meet XCOM, my XML, C++, OpenGL, MIDI “dancing” robot. This is the culmination of my independent study course here at my university.

How it works:
-An XML file containing information about the robot’s geometry,shape & color is parsed and a tree data structure is created
-A midi file is loaded into memory and is played
-As the midi file plays, different events occur (note on/off, lyric events). On each lyric event, the lyric is parsed (since each lyric is actually dancing information that will be passed on to the robot)
-After the lyric is parsed, the modifications are applied to the robot via OpenGL calls (glRotatef(….))

To see him in action, check out this video: XCOM - The Dancing Robot Movie

Or click the image above for the Flash version of the video.

Getting down to the final few weeks; I am soo ready! I’ve only a few final things left to worry about; Dancing Robot and the OS Final.

The Dancing Robot is an independent study project where I’ve got a 3D robot (openGL) and a midi file filled with lyrics. The lyrics serve as instructions for the robot (twist left arm, etc). The robot is defined via XML and the XML file is split between two parts; geometry and shape. The geometry is the positioning and size of each sub-shape that makes up a particular body part of the robot. The shape is the actual shape used; so I define the size and position first, and then I define that this particular body part will be made using a sphere or a cube, etc.

I don’t anticipate the OS final as being too difficult as the entire course has been going pretty well for me. The ideas and concepts have come pretty easy (thankfully) and the programming assignments haven’t been *too* difficult.

Next on my plate is a job. My current employer seems to be filling positions without me, so I don’t anticipate a career there, not that I care, I really can’t stand the place as of late. Otherwise, I have two promising options that I’m still working my way through. I hope to have a final one nailed down before the new year (crosses fingers).

Oy, I just want to be done with school; it takes up too much of my gaming time

So school is entering the half-way mark and I can’t wait until I’m done. This semester has so far been the most annoying due to the final gen-ed classes I have to take; they require more work than my core class does (how lame). Now that school is almost out, I need to buckle down with employers to determine where I’m going to end up. I have two in the running, but it’s been like pulling teeth just trying to get more info out of them. Due to that lamefest, I’m going to attend a career fair within the next week or so. That ought to produce some more offers as I understand it.

I’m so ready to be done!

So Melissa was walking to class this morning, when she came upon the tail end of a conversation between a professor and a student outside the classroom, reading a book.

Professor: Oh I see you’re reading Star Wars, that’s an interesting book.

Student A: This is my fourth time reading it.

At this time, Melissa noticed Brandon, one of her other classmates that she sits by. They both seemed to have heard the conversation, and Melissa took it upon herself to make whooshing motions with an imaginary lightsabre.

Student A: There aren’t even lightsabres in THIS book {rolls eyes}

Let me make a few things clear; reading a Star Wars book is not a way to make it on anybody’s ‘cool’ list; but I don’t think that was this guy’s intent. But what’s worse is he made the comment to Melissa, solidifying his place on top of Mount Nerdom. Honestly, bad move.

Alright, here’s another one for today. The semester is finally winding down, and all is good with the world besides Calculus… and Exams…. And working….

Up side is I was told today that I have an interview at a local business for an internship this summer… That ought to be cool, and another way to put my foot in the door.

Plans for this summer:
~Out with my Girl (Melissa)
~Working
~Build my PVR/HTPC
~Programming
~~whispeRSS (my own RSS program)
~~GVNapster (Napster clone, for the fun of it)

…and that’s about it… Two posts in one day, it BLOWS MY MIND!

Check this out if you’re bored;Still Seeing Breen