Learning About htaccess Files
Today I learned about the htaccess file. The htaccess file is used to override default configuration of a web server. For example, many web servers will have a default file or files set as to be displayed when typing in a folder path. Usually this default file list consists of something like “index.html,index.htm,index.shtml”. In other cases it may just be “index.htm”, or it may include a number of other files such as “index.php,index.asp,index.jsp” and could even contain “my_weird_file.my_weird_extension” if you really wanted.
The htaccess file is very very powerful. You can use it to redirect paths (perhaps if a file has moved), or if you want to change a hard to remember path into something a user might be able to remember easier.
Something to remember: a directory is affected by all of its parent directories’ htaccess files, not just its own. Order of effect is from its htaccess, up the path, towards /.
[edit]
Also, apparently either WordPress or Apache do not like you to literally type “(dot)htaccess”, where “(dot)” is a “.”. The error returned is not very useful either: “You do not have permission to access post.php”. Ah well, it’s a good security feature of one or the other I suppose.
GDC 2008 – Impressions
Overall, I think I had a good time at GDC. I got to listen to many different talks, and see lots of interesting things.
I’m excited about that emotion sensing headset, as it can open up various new types of input to a computer. Not sure what to do with that input yet, but I’m not being creative about it yet.
I saw an MMO called APB that looked really great. The character creation system is unparalleled. The dynamic mission system seems pretty awesome too.
There was a steampunk styled video game being promoted (along with cosplayers) called Recoil: Retrograd being made by a Denmark company Zeitguyz.
I couldn’t get my laptop to connect to the internet through their wireless network, so I was unable to update at all during GDC. And then promptly forgot all about it when I came back to the real world. And now that’s all I can remember since I’m retroposting.
[retroposted on 5/25/2008]
Tags: apb, gdc, gdc2008, mmo, recoil, steampunk, zeitguyz
GDC 2008 – Emotiv Head Set
Interesting piece of hardware here. A headset that can detect various changes in the EEG of a person’s brainwaves: Emotiv Systems‘ EmotivEPOC.
Apparently there are common EEG signals that are preprogrammed into the software that allow recognizing of traits such as enjoyment or frustration. The software also allows training of specific EEG patterns to match particular actions (such as levitating an object).
They had a booth set up where you could try out the preprogrammed actions as well as the trained actions. I was able to train a few actions and try them out together. The device was capable in detecting when I was thinking one action as opposed to another, but became confused if I trained the same action with multiple different thoughts. It appears to be key to think the same thought every time training an action. This makes perfect sense.
A very cool tech demo. They said that the device is not intended to be a main input device, but is intended to be supplementary. So, you wouldn’t use this as the main way to control a game or computer, but instead give the software additional input — perhaps about your reactions to certain events, or how frustrated you are.
[retroposted on 5/25/2008]
Tags: brain control, emotic, gdc, gdc2008, input, io
GDC 2008 Wednesday (part 1) – EVE Stations, Intel Booth Impressions.
Well, I made it to GDC.
I got briefly lost walking around the streets outside. Always been prone to losing my way like that. I get turned around. Oh well, a brisk walk never hurts.
Just got out of the EVE Station environments presentation. The characters and costumes look totally awesome. We didn’t get to see any finished stations, but their mock ups are great. Full notes later.
Currently blogging from the Intel booth. Apparently it’s encouraged? Checking out some of their cool new tech. Got a flight sim chair that is non-hydraulic. A gaming chair and head mounted display. A bunch of games to play too (crysis, unreal tournament 3, enemy territory, bionic commando, etc). They also have guitar hero (i think) on display.
Will post more in a bit.
Productivity Cycle
I’ve recently come to a significant discovery about my productivity cycle.
Wednesday is my strong day.
During a “normal” 5 day work week, you can find my productivity cycle is lowest on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday have this huge kick — I get the most done on these two days. Friday will see me tapering off, but still more productive than Monday or Tuesday (possibly combined).
During a “long” 7 (actually 12 day) work week, my productivity cycle is completely whacked. I’ll push my top productivity juices from Wednesday of week 1 to as long as I can (usually somewhere on Sunday or Monday of week 2). Monday afternoon will experience the crash. Absolute 0 productivity. Tuesday will see a ramp up similar to a normal Monday. Wednesday will be either Monday #2 and/or Tuesday. Thursday might be Tuesday #2, but more probably is a Wednesday. Friday will be Thursday. And the glorious weekend of sleep will then finally commence.
Most Saturdays are sleep days. Sleep in as long as possible. If we just survived a long week, this might be sleeping from dark to dark, Friday night until Saturday night. That’s around 20 hours. A normal Saturday is more like 12 to 14 hours.
Sundays are often similar to Saturdays, except that I’ll attempt to leave my Cave, at least for a little while. Not always.
Hands On: The Wii Zapper
On Sunday I acquired a Wii Zapper™ that came bundled with Link’s Crossbow Training. The Zapper is essentially just a piece of plastic that you insert the Wii Remote™ (or Wiimote) and the Wii Nunchuk™ into. The Zapper is held with your dominant hand (the one with the trigger finger) in the front with your other hand on the back (where the Nunchuk is located). At first this position feels odd and backwards, but after some time, you get used to it. This will tend to be the configuration most games will probably use now that the Zapper has been released. The manual also condones an alternate configuration where you do not attach the Nunchuk to the Zapper chasis. Many games released prior to the Zapper will likely use this configuration. The Zapper sports a larger B button trigger, that makes pressing it much easier.
As far as Link’s Crossbow Training is concerned, it’s fairly fun and surprisingly well done for the price of the bundle (US$24.99). There are nine levels with three stages each, and various modes and objects that you have to shoot. Shootables include targets, boxes, pots, signs, dummies, and various monsters from the Zelda series. A number of familiar locations are present, as well as a number of familiar friendly creatures.
Of course I had to try the Zapper with Alien Syndrome. Playing my favorite class, The Seal, was great with the Zapper. I felt like I had a bit more fine grained control of my targeting reticle, and being able to use both hands to steady my weapon was really great. The “Nunchuk Attached Configuration” isn’t completely compatible though — two of three minigames require separate movement of the Nunchuk from the Remote. This isn’t a problem for me because I don’t really like to play those two minigames. “Nunchuk Separate Configuration” is completely compatible, and feels just fine. I feel like my shooting is a little less stable this way, but it feels much better than just holding the Remote alone–the constant pressing of the B button and aiming with the Remote alone starts to hurt my wrist after a while. The Zapper alleviates this problem. Note: Alien Syndrome isn’t the only shooter that makes me suffer from wrist ache–Metroid Prime 3: Corruption also causes this problem for me.
Should you get it? Sure! A nice budget game and a well made, sturdy peripheral that makes pumping the trigger and aiming much easier. This piece of plastic isn’t like those useless sports attachments.
Playing with ustream.tv
Colin and I were playing with the recording feature of ustream.tv. This is what resulted:
Tags: evangelion, intartubes, nge, streaming video, unit02, web service
Alien Syndrome sells over 200K units
I was very excited to hear that Alien Syndrome has currently sold more than 200,000 copies in North America and Europe. Hopefully that number will continue to rise, especially during the upcoming holiday season! 
Tags: alien syndrome, sales, sega, totally games
Alien Syndrome, Wii & PSP (USA) Released
Finally, Alien Syndrome was released today. The game is an Action RPG, in which you play the role of Aileen Harding on her attempt to once again save the human race from the parasitic Alien Syndrome.
| Alien Syndrome Trailer (psp footage) |
Official Website:
http://www.sega.com/gamesite/aliensyndrome/fullsite/index.html
Update: December 17th, 2007 – Added trailer
Tags: alien syndrome, psp, release, sega, totally games, wii
Totally Games!
I got a job!
I’ll be programming video games at Totally Games!
Read more