[ale] ALEFEST

[Dow Hurst]

I'm sorry I couldn't participate.  I've been fighting the crud for over 
a week now.  It came back with a vengence on on Friday night and killed 
my weekend.  Was up most of Friday night and slept all day Saturday.  
I'd like to come to something but we need to not plan it when there is 
such crowding in Atlanta.  I heard Buckhead was a nightmare for traffic 
this past weekend.  How about sometime in middle March?

On Sunday, I felt good enough to sit in front of the Linux box and work 
on understanding the Twinview capability a little more.  I tried the 
FlightGear flight simulator and got a dual screen full display by 
dragging the window to fill the monitors.  It really was fun taking off 
and flying around with such a huge view across the two monitors.  I 
haven't tried out all the functionality but the OpenGL hardware stuff 
worked like a charm.  The simulator is rather complex and isn't a game 
at all.  I believe from what I've read that is can function as a real 
training simulator for pilots who want to work on different planes and 
different airports.  The special input hardware functionality is quite 
extensive with a subprogram available to help with the myriad of 
joysticks, pedals, and special chairs available for input.  The graphics 
are just okay compared to current gaming environments with not alot of 
detail.  My video card, an Nvidia Geforce 4 Ti 4200 w/128Mb, wasn't 
strained at all by the game.  I was able to cheat a bit since I had only 
keyboard control by using the autopilot to help fly and land.  The 
plane, a Cessna high wing, is touchy to fly with a keyboard and a 
complete newbie at the controls.  I was only able to keep attitude with 
the autopilot.  I think a real pilot could have a lot of fun on a rainy 
day with this program.  Having two monitors side by side did not detract 
from the simulation.  I scooted them as close as they would go, removed 
the sticky notes from the edges, and let my mind get into the flight.  
Within a few minutes I did not notice the edges of the monitor.  I can't 
wait to try out different games to see which will accomodate my setup.

At this point, I am in love with the Nvidia driver.
Dow


tom wrote:

>I guess it won't happen. I did not get much response.I think it would be
>fun to drink a few beers and talk about the GNU Manifesto. A Joke.
>
>I still am going to form a study group in April. I propose we first
>tackle setting up a qmail server. The location across from Lenox Mall
>should be easy for most people to get to.
>
>tom
>
>
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-- 
__________________________________________________________
Dow Hurst                  Office: 770-499-3428
Systems Support Specialist    Fax: 770-423-6744
1000 Chastain Rd., Bldg. 12
Chemistry Department SC428  Email:dhurst at kennesaw.edu
Kennesaw State University         Dow.Hurst at mindspring.com
Kennesaw, GA 30144
*********************************
*Computational Chemistry is fun!*
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