Stephan’s posterous

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=  E S O T E R I C  F R A M E W O R K  v 0 . 0 . 3  R E L E A S E  N O T E S  =
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__ New in this release ________________________________________________________
 * Upgraded to latest version OF ANTLR and regenerated scanners and parser.
 * Upgraded to latest version of PV3D (no longer GreatWhite branch).
 * Implemented if statements in scripts.
 * Implemented while loops in scripts.
 * Added createElement() to application element.
 * Added removeChild() and destroy() to elements.
__ Planned features for 0.0.4 _________________________________________________
   The next release will focus on interacting with web services.
 * Add a mechanism to load remote XML data.

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=  E S O T E R I C  F R A M E W O R K  v 0 . 2 . 0  R E L E A S E  N O T E S  =
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__ Notes ______________________________________________________________________
 * Template elements not included in this release because they rely on features
   planned for later releases.
 * Support for embedded fonts pushed back.
__ New in this release ________________________________________________________
 * Added new Loader element to load external SWFs.
 * Added new 2D line elements: LineStyle, LineGradientStyle, MoveTo, LineTo,
   and CurveTo.
 * Added new 2D drawing elements: Circle, and Ellipse.
 * Added support for bitmap filters on 3D display objects.
 * Added support for single-line and multi-line comments in scripts using
   JavaScript/ActionScript syntax.
 * Added NaN object to scripts context.
 * Regenerated compiler lexer and parsers with Antlr 3.1.
__ Features planned for 0.3.0 _________________________________________________
   The next release will focus on the manipulation of nodes using scripts.
 * Add support for basic control structures in scripts (if, for, etc...).
 * Add methods to dynamically manipulate nodes: clone, create, remove, move.

'This application is the first attempt to create a 3D interface similar to the cover flow feature found in Apple iTunes using the Esoteric Framework. It was built to test the features and limitations of the first preview release of the framework. Drag the slider's handle at the bottom to scroll the pictures.'

I'm pretty happy with the result, especially given the primitive nature of the first release of the framework. It was easier to implement than I expected (I wasn't sure if I could pull it off), and the source code is pretty short. I was also able to identify the features I need to implement in the short term. One of them being the ability to dynamically create elements, so that the application tree can be manipulated by scripts. Also basic control structures in scripts would be nice.

Give it a try online right here. You probably need a decent CPU for this to run smoothly. Flash can't use 3D acceleration at the moment =(

In short, here's what I did:

1. Created a Ubuntu USB boot stick from a PC with internet access
   
2. Booted from the USB stick
3. Formated the two solid state drives:
   • / and /boot on the first drive (8 gigs should be enough for my needs)
     
   • a small EDI partition on the first drive to enable boot booster in the BIOS
   • /home on the second drive
     
   • no swap partition to prolong the life span of the solid state drives
   • I used ext2 instead of ext3 to prolong the life span of the solid state drives as well
4. Installed Ubuntu, went smoothly
5. Edited /etc/fstab to mount /var/log and some other key locations in RAM, again to prolong the lifespan of the solid state drives
   
6. Downloaded the tweaked kernel and modules from www.array.org from another machine with internet access and put them on a USB stick
7. Followed the instructions from the website to replace the kernel and modules
8. Wireless was now working
9. Updated everything
10. Used a few scripts from www.array.org to get the remaining features to work
11. Setup Firefox to cache in RAM (by now you probably figured out the reason =)
    
12. Got the Clearlooks Compact themes and a nice background
13. Messed around with Compiz Fusion