Vecset Prototype

I recently completed the design specs for the Vecset prototype. The next step is to finish debugging the Python code which I wrote some weeks ago, and that code will someday be the Vecscript code editor. When that's done I intend to post to the OLPC mailing lists (games and devel), advertising that I hope to team up with a Python programmer. That programmer's main role is to develop the Linux version of the Vecset prototype, and then building on that prototype to implement Vecset for the XO Laptop. While that programmer is working on the prototype, I will be developing in Java the Vecscript compiler (Vecscript is the built-in scripting language of the Windows version of Vecset). When the prototype is finished, I will translate relevant portions of that code, developing the Java/Windows version of the prototype.

Vecset for the XO

This evening I intend to post a new project announcement on the OLPC Games mailing list for Vecset (which used to be Treenimation). That mailing list is subscribed to by developers of games for the XO Laptop. One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is manufacturing millions of $175 XO Laptops for schoolchildren in developing countries. A scaled-down version of Vecset will be compatible with the XO Laptop. This version will use Python instead of my own Vecscript as its built-in scripting language, and will not support playing games over the Internet. You can still play multiplayer games with other nearby XO users, over its wireless network.

This weekend I intend to finish debugging my Python code for what will someday become the Vecset Code Editor, and then start translating it into Java. I'm a newbie when it comes to programming in Java. I'm most comfortable programming in Delphi, and I learned Python programming a few months ago.

Java

Today I installed Java (which is free) and created my hello-world app (newbie tip: a "hello world" program is the simplest possible program, which simply displays a message chosen by the programmer and contained in the "hello world" program).

I like Java and I'm going to use it instead of Python to develop Vecset for Windows. Vecset will not run under Linux and will not run on the XO Laptop. Vecset will be closed source, not open source.

If Vecset is successful, I hope to sign up at least 1000 paying members/gamers, each of whom pays $15/year, and at least 200 paying members/developers, each of whom pays $30/year: gross income = $21,000/year or $1750/month.

Only gamers who are members can own real estate in Vecset World, and only game developers who are members can have customizable game rooms, located in the game building of their choice (game developers who are not members get the default game room in the default game building). Gamers who are members can store stuff, such as game-related info, in their virtual homes.

Anyone can roam the streets, buildings, and game rooms of Vecset World, logged on as a guest. Also, guests can kibitz games in progress. To play a game, you must register first, entering your name, email address, and screen name. You don't need to download anything to play games, as all games run in your web browser. To create games, you must download the Vecset IDE (game editor).

VECSET

The Treenimation project has a new name: Virtual Environment Construction Set, or VECSET. When the development of Vecset is completed, users will be able to play games created using Vecset in their browsers. Users of the XO Laptop will also be able to play games with other XO Laptop users using its wireless networking capabilities.

The next steps in the development of Vecset are as follows:

1. Finish debugging the newly added classes in the Code
   Editor
2. Upload Python source code to Vecset.net
3. Write an OLPC wiki for Vecset
4. Apply to OLPC for project hosting
5. Post a help-wanted notice on the OLPC Games mailing list
6. Continue implementing the Vecset shell

New Vecset Business Model:

Everyone can play/create games for free. Those who elect to become members (paying $15/year, or $30/year for game developers) can own places to live (and store game-related info) and customizable game rooms. Game developers who are non-members get a generic game lobby, located in the default game building (depending on its genre), and they can't customize it very much. So Vecset is a lot like Second Life.

Unlike Second Life, the outer environment (when the user is not in a game) is 2-dimensional, consisting of 2 rectangular windows side-by-side (split screen). One window is always an overhead view, and the other window is split into 2 windows: left-side/right-side, or front/rear. The user uses the cursor keys to go forward (up arrow), left, right, stop (down arrow), or make a 180-degree turn (down arrow while stopped). Pressing Enter carries out the default primary user action, and pressing Space carries out the default secondary user action. Pressing Tab highlights the next command in an onscreen menu. Clicking the mouse in the non-overhead view toggles between left/right and front/rear. Ctrl+Left Arrow and Ctrl+Right Arrow rotates the overhead view 90 degrees in the given direction.

Past, Present, and Future

I am currently getting down to the nitty-gritty of Python coding (I am a novice when it comes to Python programming). The Treenimation module I am currently implementing is called the TIL Loader. Its function is to take as its input the output of the Treescript Compiler (which is a text file), and to convert it into an in-memory program tree, which can then be processed by the Treenimation Runtime. (TIL stands for Treenimation Intermediate Language.) What follows is a roadmap of where I've been before, where I am now, and where I hope to be in the future, in regards to Treenimation development.

For newcomers to this blog, OLPC stands for One Laptop Per Child, a non-profit organization which aims to distribute millions of $175 laptops to schoolchildren in developing countries. Each laptop (called an XO Laptop) is Linux-based, includes Python (a free programming language), and comes equipped with wireless, peer-to-peer networking.

Past:

1. Design Treescript programming language
2. Design board-game components
3. Design animation components
4. Create web site documenting the Treenimation project
5. Implement the Delphi version of the TIL Loader
6. Start this blog
7. Announce Treenimation project to OLPC Games mailing list
8. Purchase XO Laptop ("give 1, get 1": buy a laptop and at the same time donate another laptop to OLPC)
9. Install Linux on my home computer
10. Install Windows version of Python on home computer
11. Install PyGTK and Glade on home computer
12. Write "Hello, world" program in Python (an ultra-simple program that does very little, but it works)
13. Modify above program to display the user interface of the Delphi version of the TIL Loader
14. Create basic classes of in-memory program tree using Python, for the TIL Loader
15. Lay the foundations for the heavy-duty Python coding necessary to implement the TIL Loader
16. Implement the core functionality of the TIL Loader
17. Temporarily change the page size constant from 1000 to 50, in order to test the multipage functionality of the TIL Loader
18. Translate the Delphi code which handles user input of arrow keys (to traverse the program tree) into Python
19. Implement the non-core functionality of the TIL Loader
20. Update web site: both Treescript and Python can be used to create games
21. Install PyGTK and Glade for Linux on home computer
22. Port TIL Loader from Windows to Linux (hopefully I can reuse my 3 Python source code files without modification)

Present:

1. Apply to OLPC for web hosting of Treenimation project (application not yet processed)
2. Advertise on the OLPC Games mailing list the position of Chief Linux Developer, which is basically an unpaid position, but if Treenimation eventually makes money, the Chief Linux Developer will receive 10 percent of the gross income of Treenimation.net
3. Write the detailed job description of the Chief Linux Developer, who will implement the Treenimation Integrated Development Environment (TIDE), or code editor, including the design specs of the TIDE, and post it on the Treenimation web site: http://www.treenimation.net/
4. Hire the Chief Linux Developer, Jake Beard

Future:

1. Sugarize the Linux version of the TIL Loader, enabling it to run on the XO Laptop
2. Work on Treenimation development at least 16 hours/week (6 hours on the weekend, mostly on Sunday, 6 hours on Thursday, 2 hours on Tuesday, and a total of 2 hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings)
3. Implement the Treenimation Runtime
4. Implement the Treescript Compiler
5. Build the Treenopolis web site, a destination for users of Treenimation (both game developers and game players)
6. Implement the rating/membership system, whereby avid gamers who need to know their ratings/rankings in every game they play are charged an annual membership fee of $24 (all XO Laptop users play for free)
7. Donate 25 percent of gross income of Treenimation.net to OLPC
8. Start version 2.0 of Treenimation, which adds support for animated games (not just multiplayer board games)
9. Advertise Treenimation.net on PBeM Server mailing list (Play By eMail, a site for email-based board games boasting 2000 members)
10. Implement Treescript versions of PBeM games developed by Cameron Browne, and pay him royalties

Goals of Treenimation

The following goals can also be found on the Treenimation web site, under Introduction > Overview > Goals.

The all-encompassing goal of Treenimation is ease of use. Here are the other goals, in descending order of importance:

1. The income from avid gamers, who are charged $24/year, exceeds expenses, such as web hosting fees, enabling Treenimation.net to donate a percentage of the profits to OLPC.
   
2. OLPC kids (One Laptop Per Child, see http://www.laptop.org), with minimal support from their teachers, can use Treenimation to create drag-and-drop multiplayer board games.
   
3. Non-programming adults and teens can easily use Treenimation to create drag-and-drop multiplayer board games, without being coached by Treenimation gurus and/or tech support.
   
4. Non-programming high school students and undergraduates can learn Treescript as a first programming language more easily than any other Graphical User Interface (GUI) programming tool.
   
5. Programming novices (who are already familiar with at least one other GUI programming tool) can master Treescript in one month or less, on their own, with little or no coaching from Treenimation gurus and/or tech support.
   
6. Advanced programmers can master Treescript as easily as falling off the proverbial log, unlike most existing GUI programming tools.
   
7. A vibrant Treenimation community blossoms, consisting of game developers and game players from all around the world and including OLPC users.

Designed GUI of TIL Loader

Today I used Python, PyGtk and Glade to design the form (screen layout) of the TIL Loader. I have already implemented the TIL Loader in Delphi. The next step is to translate it from Object Pascal (Delphi) into Python.

I now have both Linux and Windows installed on my home computer. I installed the Mozilla Thunderbird email client, which is now working. Also I successfully modified the "grub.conf" file to boot up Windows by default. So things are moving along nicely.