Category: Code

Spyware?

I logged into my Vista 64-bit system and saw some “RSSoft” process copying unknown files. I killed the process to see something about a “RedSwoosh” 32-bit service. I need to investigate.

Rogue file copy process:

RedSwoosh process in task manager:

Realtek Audio Drivers

I have a built-in sound card on my ASUS P5N-E SLI motherboard. The drivers from 1/2/2007 don’t seem to play audio from the rear audio jack. So all I need to do is get the Realtek High Definition Audio drivers from [Realtek]. Unfortunately, the site is designed so badly that it’s impossible to search or find the drivers I need. The site makes it really easy for investors to see RealTek earned a 30% profit increase over last year, however.

Instead I installed my [Hercules] [Fortissimo II] which has better surround sound ouput. I could use the card if only it had drivers for 64-bit vista.

Hercules has a good explaination of why the rear sound doesn’t play with the Reltek sound card.

With the launch of Windows Vista, Microsoft has removed DirectSound 3D Hardware
support from Direct X. Applications using DirectSound and DirectSound3D will still
function; however, they will no longer use hardware acceleration.

The card will react according to the source:
– Most sounds being Stereo (ex: iTunes), they will be outputted only through the Front
speakers (and subwoofer, in case of a 2.1 system).
It is however possible for the card to reproduce the stereo signal on all outputs of a multichannel
speaker system (4.1 and superior). For this to take effect, be sure that “Enable
Virtualization” is checked in the OTHER tab of the Hercules control panel before
launching the application.

The [M-Audio Audiophile 192] is the top-of-the-line audio card. It has all the input/output and sound quality of a studio. And the drivers are guaranteed to work with Vista 64-bit and all my speakers.

Survey of Papervision3d

[Papervision3D Video Demo] Here you’ll find the demo reel for the latest public demo of what you can do with Papervision.

[Interview with Ralph Hauwert on Papervision3D] Ralph Hauwert presents the highlights of making Papervision3d 2.0.

[Papervision3D Public Beta] Read about how the Papervision3d blog is now hosted on Google code. Find details about licensing and the latest code repository. Get the links to the API docs, discussion forums, mailing lists, and demos.

[Papervision3d at Google Code] Here you’ll find download links for the Papervision3d shark demo.

[Papervision3d Wiki Guide] A great place to learn about Papervision3d is their wiki.

[Papervision3d Cheatsheet] Here you’ll find a three page PDF featuring a quick handy guide to the Papervision3d’s most useful API methods.

[Great White shaders] The main Papervision3D demo features a shark application that uses a variety of shaders. This is a direct link to the AS3 source code for those shaders.

[John Grden’s Blog] One of the Papervision3d guru’s talks about the new Papervision3d 2.0 release.

[Noventaynueve’s Blog] Noventaynueve writes about the experience of using papervision for 3d flash projects.

[Flash Magazine] The most recent article talks about the speed improvements of Flash 9 and how it’s now possible to do simple 3d in flash. The article links off to other projects applying Papervision3d.

[The Flash Blog] The most recent entry features the bit about using AS3 shaders with Papervision3d.

[ASCollada] Collada is an open source 3d animation format that is now supported by modeling/animation applications, such as: Maya, Max, Modo, Blender, and XSI. The Collada Actionscript Library allows you to load these models in AS3 using Papervision3d.

[EarthMine] is a Papervision3d application created by the developers of Papervision3d.

[Sony Bravia] is another Papervision3d application created by the developers of Papervision3d. This site pushes AS3 to the performance limits.

[Adobe CS3] pushes the 3d performance limit with 512+ simultaneous 3d objects.

[Away3D] supports 3d animation formats for AS3 and MD2.

[FlashSandy] bundles with camera examples to help navigate your 3d scene.

[Papervision3d] – API Docs

[Bolducati] – papervision 3d model rotation tutorial

[TheFlashBlog] – New Video Tutorial on Papervision3D 2.0 Interactivity

[Papervision2] – More detailed tutorials on Papervision

[code.google.com] – Papervision 3d previewer

[TouchLib] – library integrates with a camera and abstracts touch information

[Cubit] – makes use of the TouchKit

Devin Slimes the Big Toy

Devin wanted to play with the big kids at the mall, but they were too big; jumping off the big toy. So I brought Devin to the top of the Meydenbaeur boat where the big kids were playing King of the Hill. He slobbered the top of the steamstack. As each of the big kids fought for dominance, one by one they fell, screaming, “I’ve been slimed”.

Bluetooth/Wiimote Compatibility Issues… Success

In my case for some reason the [WiimoteLib ] can’t find my bluetooth device (Kensington Bluetooth EDR Dongle). [WIDCOMM] connects to the Wiimote, but again [WiimoteLib] fails to find the device. You’ll find Kensington has a useless [driver update]. WiiLi.org has a link to another [Kensington Driver].

Here is a [list of working bluetooth devices] for the WiiMote.

I supposed I should have just started by using a [$15 BlueSoleil Dongle (Vista compatible)] or the [Msi Star Key Bluetooth USB Dongle]. Yet another list of [Wiimote compatible devices].

For attempt number two, I picked up a [Targus Bluetooth 2.0 adapter with EDR] from Staples. To work with Vista, you have to download the latest drivers from [Broadcom] (don’t use this driver). I’m going to make my first attempt to get the Wiimote working with [BlueSoleil] (doesn’t work). It’s not looking good. I have to uninstall [Bluesoleil ] because this device uses the WIDDCom drivers… Nice the drivers that came with the device aren’t signed. (Don’t put in the small CD the device came with)

There is a Vista supported driver on the [Targus support page]. (Use this one, the Vista/non-vista drivers are separate) These drivers fail to install the device, but when the install CD dialog opens, if you point the dialog to your temp folder, the drivers will successfully install. Have the Vista installer search the subfolders in the C:/Users/username/AppData/Local/Temp/ folder. It turns out that Windows is able to detect and connect to the device. I’m having issues sending data back and forth with the [WiimoteWhiteboard example]. Next I’ll try the more recent version of the [WiimoteLib]. Success. The more recent [WiimoteLib] works. So I’ll need to copy source and build the [Whiteboard example] with the newer [WiimoteLib.dll]. There is a little bit of an upgrade process because the API isn’t exactly the same. Most of the changes are straightforward. Likely the changes can already be found on the [Sourceforge WiiWhiteboard] page. (Unfortunately not) The [Managed Library for Nintendo’s Wiimote] has discussion about the latest API changes.

Get the latest Whiteboard source code from CVS:

  • cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@wiiwhiteboard.cvs.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/wiiwhiteboard login

  • cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@wiiwhiteboard.cvs.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/wiiwhiteboard co -P source

    • Forum: [post]

    Source: [WiiWhiteboard with WiimoteLib 1.2]

    Interaction Design

    [Wiimote] application for tracking your fingers with the Wiimote and interactive whiteboards.

    [Johnny Chung Lee] shows off more interactive displays.

    [Johnny Chung Lee] shows another application of the wii remote by doing head tracking to make objects appear more 3d on your TV.

    For any of the examples to work, you must connect your wiimote as a blue tooth device. Follow the [walkthrough]. Your blue tooth software may still not work, so you may need to resort to using [BlueSoleil], which installs to the C:/Program Files/IVT Corporation/BlueSoleil folder. You may need to update to the latest [WiimoteLib].

    [Glovepie] uses a variety of bluetooth devices to play games including the Wiimote.

    [Onakasuita’s Wiimote Source] is able to use the Wiimote just like a windows mouse.

    [Brian Peek] has an example of using WiimoteLib with Microsoft’s Virtual Earth.

    [Wiimote Whiteboard vs. Commercial Electronic Boards] video analyzes which is better for the consumer.

    [Wiimote] another random person shows off how to draw with the Wiimote after building an IR pen.

    [Wiimote Music] shows a variety of interaction methods to play music with the Wiimote.

    [Depth Sensor] – designed by [Andy Wilson] – adaptive systems designer at Microsoft Research

    [Elliptic Labs] – shows off a touchless interface prototype

    [Anu Saha] – uses the Wiimote to control a robotic arm