Safir - Visa nyhet - Amiga - Mjukvara - Intervju med Boing Attitude

Amiga - Mjukvara (Av: Joeled, 2013-11-18, 09:22)


	Intervju med Boing Attitude Här kommer ytterligare en färsk intervju med en utvecklare på AmigaOS-plattformen. Denna gång är det Boing Attitude som svarar på Safirs frågor om framtiden för AmigaOS och utvecklingen av dennes egna program. Safir är först ut med denna intervju då den ej finns tillgänglig någon annanstans ännu. Vi åker alltså räkmacka hela dagen innan intervjuen släpps till andra forum. Joel: Glames, please tell me a little about yourself and how you started with Amiga? Glames: I live in the nice city of Nantes, France. I'm 39 years old (time flies!). I've founded the company "Boing Attitude" a few years ago. I work as a freelance project manager in computer area but also as a software editor. My main activity (project manager) makes it financially possible to work on Amiga software/video games projects. The first time I saw a video game, it was an adventure game called « L'Aigle d'Or ». I played it on a Thomson MO5. I was a child at that time, had no money to buy it but really liked it. A few years later, my parents offered me an Amstrad CPC 464 that was quite cool with games like « Kick Off », « Grysor », « Platoon », « Karnov », « Jet Bike Simulator », « Super Sprint » … I got my first Amiga in 1987: an Amiga 500 and I still have in mind the first game I played, « Prince of Persia »: a good visual, great sounds and fluid animation. Then I got an Amiga 1200. Today, I don't have "Classic" Amiga any more but I switched to NG ones. Joel: When did you decide to start to develop for AmigaOS, and why? Glames: I think it was when I was a student, so about twenty years ago. I used AMOS, then AMOS Pro at that time. Really fun. I started a platform-game that I never finished. It was much inspired by « Superfrog », one of my favourite game. A fun and interesting hobby for a student in computer science! I started to code seriously in the early 2000s, mostly on the Amiga-Anywhere project : « Word Me Up » was released in 2005 on Windows Pocket PC and smartphones. I also worked at that time on a few AmigaOS tools like « Start Me Up » and « Untar Me Up », to improve my C skills. After the failure of Amiga Inc, I decided to create software and video games for AmigaOS 4 but in a professional way, to have a "real life" during nights and week-ends ;-). 2006 was the real start of Boing Attitude as an Amiga-oriented software editor. My main motivation was (and still) is to bring some new products to Amiga. It is the way I choose to help the Amiga community to be alive. Joel: You have two games at http://www.boing-attitude.com; Ask Me Up, Word Me Up and also one program DirMeUp. Can you tell me a little bit more about them? Glames: « Word Me Up XXL » is a game that combines an arcade game with strategic thinking and memory skills. You have to move a student to collect letters in order to make some words. It has an old-school design with a smooth scrolling. It is non-violent, for the whole family and very addictive if you like that kind of game. It is the first game we've done for AmigaOS. It is available on AmigaOS 4.1, MorphOS, Windows, Linux and MacOS (13,99 or 19,99 euros). « Ask Me Up » is different as it is a quiz game. The principle is quite simple: 1 question, 4 possible answers ... Choose the right one! You face the computer or another player on series of 10 questions. There are two editions available for now: the "L" that includes 300 questions (1,11 euros) and the "XL" that includes 900 questions (3,33 euros). These editions are mainly designed for Android phones and tablets but are also available on AmigaOS 4.1, MorphOS, Linux and Windows. « Dir Me Up » is an explorer: it makes it possible to quickly and easily browse the content from your hard drives, USB sticks or CDs with advanced features: browsing history, current path being accessible via buttons, multiple sorts, filters, preview (image, text)... It is available on AmigaOS 4.1 (9,99 euros). Joel: I really love your program DirMeUp. What's the difference between your filemanager and Filer or Directory Opus, in your opinion? Glames: « Dir Me Up » is an explorer while « Directory Opus », « FileMaster » and « AmiDisk » are files managers. All these software have a "two lists" usage. « Filer » is slightly different and tries to combine « explorer » and « file manager ». « Dir Me Up » has a different way to do things, the same than explorers on other operating systems like Windows, Linux or MacOS. One list of devices, one list of files with copy, cut and pasting operations available. That is what I call an explorer. « Dir Me Up » brings many new features. A browsing history is available : like in web browsers you can easily go back/forward in previous visited paths. The current path is also reachable at each level with buttons. You can bookmark your favorite drawers too. Copy/cut/pasting operations are available and make it very easy to copy, move and rename files and drawers. Another great feature is the ability of previewing pictures or text files in one single click. For example, you select a picture in your list : a (big) thumbnail is automatically displayed at the bottom of the same window with precious informations like width, height and depth. There is also an icon view with thumbnails of pictures. You can even select the level of zoom to make them bigger. It is possible to display them without any name, really nice when you look photos. There is also a nice pictures viewer included. « Dir Me Up » gives the user a different way to do things. I use it daily and it really saves me much time. Joel: What's the plan for DirMeUp? A lot of users wants two windows mode so they can copy or move files like in Dopus. Any chance we will see that in the future? If no, why not if there is a demand for it? Glames: No, clearly no. I don't want to make "yet another DOPUS like" :-). I was very clear about this from the start. The idea, the way to do things is really different in « Dir Me Up ». It simply can't cope with it. But you can open two windows or more and copy/cut/paste from one to another if you like. Joel: What was the hardest part in creating DirMeUp? Glames: Well, definitely the view by icons with thumbnails. I use the Reaction GUI and there is no standard gadget to do that. So you have to build together several gadgets to make it possible. And sometimes, you have to manage "by hand" some events. There is also the speed issue to deal with. It indeed generates dynamically thumbnails as I don't wan't to put them all over the hard disk: it would have become quickly a mess, with the available levels of zoom. The composition engine is used for pictures of 2048x2048 or less, otherwise we switch to slower software rendering mode. There is still room for improvement. Joel: What are your plans for the future? Do you have any new projects on its way? Glames: I don't think there'll be brand new projects in 2014. However, we'll improve our three existing products. We're currently working on the edition XXL of « Ask Me Up » that will be a major enhancement : 1700 questions (including 900 of the XL edition), a new theme (retro-gaming), 16:9 display, HD drawings, multi-players mode, … It should be a lot of fun ! But also lot of work before ;-). We have of course brand new projects but nothing will start before 2015. Joel: Do you have a dream project you would try to do in the future? Glames: A « The Settlers »-like would be great :-) I'd like to do a platform-game too. Joel: Have you finished WordMeUp and AskMeUP, or will there be new versions? Glames: Well, I think a game or software is never really finished... You can still improve it. For example, « Word Me Up XXL » was released in 2008. But we did many free regular updates, even in 2013, five years later! Lots of these updates bring major improvements. There'll be one day a « Word Me Up XXL 2 » with a two-players mode and maybe some new levels. But it won't be for free this time. Please also note that « WordMeUp » should be released on Android phones and tablets. But "when it's done" is still the best answer ;-) « Ask Me Up » L and XL will be updated, mainly with questions fixes and new translations. The game is available in 9 languages. The real new features will be included in the edition XXL. « Dir Me Up » will be also updated. I'd like to add a persistent selection mode and also a search engine. Of course, bug fixes and many more will be included, time permitted. Joel: What kind of NG-machine do you develop on? Glames: I use "The Red One" (Sam440ep-Flex) from Relec. It is my daily computer. I like it very much because of its low energy comsuption and silence. I also have an Amiga One XE G4 that I use as a backup and test unit. I've installed AmigaOS 4.1 update 6 on both. I have also a Mac Mini PPC for my MorphOS devs, another Mac Mini Intel for my MacOS programs and a PC for Windows and Linux projects. Joel: Do you develop for other platforms aswell? Glames: Yes. we also create products for MorphOS 3, Windows, Linux and MacOS. More recently, we've also released « Ask Me Up » for Android phones and tablets. Joel: Do you get a lot of emails from amiga-users asking for features? Glames: Well, it depends. Not that much for our games.« Dir Me Up » however raises a bigger interest and we received more than 50 e-mails asking for new features. Joel: Do you allow users to betatest your program? If yes, what is the critera for joining as a betatester? Glames: No. The betatest is done only by the team. Joel: What kind of software would you like to see on AmigaOS that we dont have right now? Glames: A faster web browser that allows to watch videos directly (as it is possible on MorphOS) and a native and modern word processor. Joel: What's your favourite game and program on AmigaOS? Glames: Difficult to choose only one but I like very much the recent video game M.A.C.E. that is visually and technically impressive! I bought it. I also like "The Settlers" very much. MUI OWB is a must too. Joel: What coding languages do you have knowledge in? Glames: I use mainly C but I also have knowledge in C++, Java and Windev. On AmigaOS 4 and MorphOS, I use only native C (no SDL). For Windows, Linux and MacOS ports, I also use SDL and OpenGL APIs. Joel: Do you collaborate with other developers when creating your games? Glames: No. All my projects are very personnal and I want to keep an absolute control of how it is coded. Joel: How is the amiga situation in France? Are there alot of users and meetings? Glames: There is still an active community. I think there is between 100 and 300 amigans, MorphOS users included. There are several meetings: the Alchimie (the biggest one), the NASS, the Amigâteries, ... Joel: What do you think about the hardware from A-EON and Acube? Glames: I don't have any A-EON hardware but general feedback seems to be quite good. Regarding Acube, I use daily "The Red One" for several years now. It is really a quiet and good unit with low consumption. I'm very happy with it, don't have any issues. Joel: Would you like to see a laptop from A-EON or Acube, and do you think more users would come if that happend? I mean, a lot of people say they would code more to AmigaOS if they had a laptop to play with. Glames: Yes, it would be great to have an AmigaOS 4 laptop. But it shouldn't be too expensive. If a cheap laptop is available, it will bring for sure new users. A tablet would be good too. As a coder, I however prefer working on a classic unit with higher resolutions and screens. Joel: Can you tell me a little bit about the procedure when you come up with an idea for a game until it gets finished. How do you work, and are you doing all the work? Glames: I always have a notepad around me to write new ideas when they come to my mind. Usually, it is only a sentence. I then develop the idea in a real document. I mostly use paper. When I select a project, I do a complete analyze of it, a kind of storyboard or notice where all features, screens, interactions are described. This work is done only by myself. Once this specification document is finished, I get in touch with graphical artists and musicians to know if they can work on it. I develop the game, include drawings and music, localize it in French and English. In general, I have to do graphical arts too. I then test it alone before, then I play to it with a few friends. I use their feedback to improve it. The game is then tested by all involved person (graphical artist, musician, translators, ...). Then the first release happens. Joel: Do you participate in amiga events in France? Glames: Yes, I usually go the NASS event near La Rochelle and sometimes at the Alchimie show (near Lyon). Joel: Trevor is the man behind most of the new hardware for amigaos. He recently informed us about new amigamodels with dualcore and quadcore that will come in the future. There is a beta programme http://www.a-eon.com/18-10-2013-1.pdf to join for users that can't wait. What is your opinion about these models? Glames: Quite good. I'm not an hardware expert but every new model, whatever its power is, is always a good thing. I remember a time when there was no amigaOS 4 hardware available. Hopefully, it is now far better with Acube and A-EON. Joel: What's your thoughts about A-EON Technology & Ultra Varisys sign $1.2M agreement for new PowerPC hardware? http://www.a-eon.com/18-10-2013-3.pdf Glames: Trevor seems to a be a real amigan, very motivated. It's still a good thing for us, software editor, when such agreements are signed. Joel: Trevor also informed us that there is a beta of Libre Office in the pipe. How important do you think a office suite is for AmigaOS to attract new users? Glames: As I said before, it is very important for me. But it has to be done in an "Amiga" way, that is to say optimised and tied to the OS : usage of the composition mode, Rhingio notifications, ... And above all, it should work flawlessly, even on a Sam440. In this case, it'll attract new users. Joel: This is an interview is made for Safir, http://www.safir.amigaos.se/main.php?d=news. Have you heard about Safir? (Swedish Amigasite) Glames: Yes, but my Swedish is very limited, that's why I don't read it too much ;-) Joel: Do you read AmigaFuture http://www.amigafuture.de/portal.php?page=2 and what do you think about it? Glames: Yes, I used to read "Total Amiga". When this magazine halts, I switch to "Amiga Future". I like it. It is important to still have a real printed magazine. I also read the Franch "amiga Power" magazine. Joel: Any advice to people who might consider to start develop games or programs for AmigaOS? Glames: Not really. The only thing you need is time... And motivation. Good luck in your new projects! Don't forget that it is easy to start the development of a program but far more difficult to finish it ;-) Joel: Is there anything else you'd like to say to all AmigaOS users out there? Glames: Thank you for your support, really appreciated. Don't forget to buy Amiga products as it is the only way to encourage developpers, manufacturers, resellers ... Joel: Finally, could you elaborate on your views on the current Amiga situation. What do you see in the future? Glames: Well, things are now far better than a few years ago. AmigaOS 4 is still evolving and there are now numerous computers for it : micro Aone, Amiga One, Sam440, Sam440-Flex, Sam460, Pegasos 2... And now the AmigaOne X1000. I would like to thank Hyperion, Acube Systems and A-EON for their fantastic dedication! So, I'm quite confident for the future. I hope than many "classic" users will switch to make the Amiga NG community bigger. Don't forget, only Amiga makes it possible! Thank you Glames for your hard work. Please continue to develop for AmigaOS!! En glad utvecklare med sin androidplatta

Kommentarer

(0-8/8)

	Menthos
	2013-11-18, 09:37

Trevlig läsning!

	metalmac
	2013-11-18, 12:08

Tack för härlig läsning!

	kicko
	2013-11-18, 12:48

Thanks for a nice read

	shoe
	2013-11-18, 13:17

Kul! Tack för en intressant intervju! Jag har aldrig testat DirMeUp, kanske man skall göra det. Extra skoj att du nämnde Safir och att han hade hört talas om oss

	Joeled
	2013-11-18, 14:29

@shoe
Thats entertainment!

	Yasu
	2013-11-18, 14:46

Synd att du inte nämnde Amiga Forum också

	johey
	2013-11-19, 00:39

Trevlig intervju!

	Niolator
	2013-11-19, 09:10

Ser han ut så där? Bra att få ett ansikte till namnet.

(0-8/8)