Monday, 20. August 2007, 17:42:10
3D, XNA, Design
That's right the people at
SoftImage have developed
XSI a perfect Free tool for all to use to develop 3D models and Landscapes for any reason. My reason in point is the future of Splat! The next 3D tunnel driver game by Albert Rosa. So if you want to test your hands in developing 3D models or wish to create a 3D model for me test this free app now and send me you Models! Hey you never know it may be in the cover of the game!
Monday, 27. November 2006, 21:18:37
Databse, Design, development, implementation
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Define the purpose and need of database
- Personal
- Economical
- Administrative
- Content Management System
- Application Data
Define the type of database design that will give you the type of response you are looking for
- Singular Table Design
- Relational Tables Design
Determine which database type you will use to store your information.
- My SQL
- XML
- Microsoft SQL
- Microsoft Access
- Text File
- Any other Database file-type you are comfortable with
Define the fields you are in need of
- Define a Key Field for Relational Tables
- Determine possible content size
- Remember if the more fields you have the more efficient your search capabilities will be. More fields now become less work (code) later.
- Break composite fields down into constituent parts. Example: Name becomes lastname and firstname.
- Create a key field which uniquely identifies each record. You may need to create an ID field (with a lookup table that shows you the values for each ID) or use a composite key.
- Eliminate repeating groups of fields. Example: If your table contains fields Location 1, Location 2, Location 3 containing similar data, it's a sure warning sign.
- Eliminate record modification problems (such as redundant or inconsistent data) and record deletion and addition problems by ensuring each non-key field depends on the entire key. To do this, create a separate table for any information that is used in multiple records, and then use a key to link these tables to one another.
Define the types of searches you will be creating
- Multiple Results
- Singular Result
Layout a design of queries and tables you’ll need to make your searches efficient- What Fields will be on the original table compared to the relational tables
Implement definitions and designTest for errors or inconsistencies and adjustGo liveThink of how else you can make your database, tables and queries more efficient!
- Change how the content is separated
- Improve definitions
Tuesday, 29. August 2006, 18:02:18
Procedure, Design, widget
After reading countless books on Code Development and In the process of creating my own procedure manual for my current work place, I have decided to strip out pieces of the procedure manual that can pertain to common knowledge or add to it.
With that said this post will be on the Widget Design Procedure. This procedure I do not follow specifically due to time constraints but in a perfect world the design process for most of my widgets would be as follows:
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Define the purpose of the widget. The widget can have many purposes from fun and games to professional tools. It can be something anyone can use or only specific group of people. You control the look and feel of your widget.
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Define the actions of the widget. What do you want your widget to do, and what special features to do want to see? The most common widgets that I have design have a Version Tracker and a Print function added. Some widgets have the ability to Maximize and Minimize to the users’ discretion. Then you have the raw function of the widget, if your widget is a calculator type widget, you’ll need the addition (+), subtraction (-), division (/), multiplication (*) and the total (=) abilities to say the least. Once all the features are defined you can begin to design your widget.
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Define the Personality of the widget. Your widget needs a personality; determine if your widget is to be a “happy” widget or a “teachers” widget.
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Determine color scheme. With your personality in place you can determine the color scheme you need to convey your widgets personality.
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Sketch your widget. Paper before code, this is true in many ways; some like other code first (me), and design later. Depending on your school of thought and what you’re most accustomed to. Personally I am learning design in baby steps-- I am redesign my personal website good luck to me. Make sure you sketch all the elements of your widget do not leave out anything, show the different forms your widget can take depending on the features you added, ex., Max, Min, Front, Back, Print view.
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Implement your design. Once you have your design sketched out in front of you, you can now begin to code the design.
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Test your design/Widget. Test your widget, if possible in all available OS, be it Windows, Mac and Linux. Test for design flaws and functionality.
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Adjust design and functionality. If there are any flaws in design and functionality, in which many cases there are, adjust and Test again.
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Publish. Once you are satisfied with your widget in its entirety and all the widget elements are complete, the XML configuration file, index.html is final and all images and styles are in place. Zip and publish your widget.
I do hope this widget design procedure comes in handy for you widgeters out there and please feel free to append to this procedure as you see fit, I found it that If you follow how others do it but adapt to it and make it your own, you will be in the right direction designing comfortably. I gave you the paint, you have the brush and canvas now the rest is up to you.
Albert Rosa.
WIDGETIZE