Sweet Mary mother of god!!! Pong Clock

[shmokes]

Someone made a Pong clock.  It plays a game of Pong and every minute one side misses so the score reflects the current time.  Impossibly cool!

[quarterback]

I want!

[missioncontrol]

that is awesome

[quarterback]

I don't know how much this thing costs, but it shouldn't be that tough for some enterprising programmer to come up with something like this as a screen saver or flash animation.   I'll probably have to wait for that version

[RayB]

What happens when the time needs to reset to 0:00 ?

[pointdablame]

What happens when the time needs to reset to 0:00 ?

you just have a minute long game of a 0 - 0 tie

[spriggy]

As long as it doesn't make that annoying 'Blip..Blip' Bat-to-Ball sound every second! 

[shmokes]

What happens when the time needs to reset to 0:00 ?

I'm guessing that the game is just programmed to reset when the score reaches 23 to 60.

[Stingray]

I really, really, really, really want one.

-S

[missioncontrol]

I too want one

[ChadTower]

I don't often do this, but I bow to the awesomeness.

Now to do the same and make it something like Galaga instead.

[Jabba]

Me too. That thing is too cool. I could probably make the program in C or GWBASIC, but would need some sort of display/CPU that I could run a EXE on it (i.e., Mini footprint O/S)...

[allroy1975]

yeah, for sure a SS version would be AWESOME.

[Stingray]

Me too. That thing is too cool. I could probably make the program in C or GWBASIC, but would need some sort of display/CPU that I could run a EXE on it (i.e., Mini footprint O/S)...

You must make this a reality for those of us who are ignorant in the ways of the programmer.

-S

[ChadTower]

A tablet PC would do the trick.

[Stingray]

You could probably pull it off with a cheap automotive LCD and a mini itx board if you were really trying to be a tightwad.

-S

[ChadTower]

The tablet PCs are in a nice case like that one, though, and were such a transition blip in miniaturization that you can probably get one off ebay for the cost of a 12 pack of good beer.

[Stingray]

I didn't know they were getting cheap like that.

-S

[quarterback]

You could probably pull it off with a cheap automotive LCD and a mini itx board if you were really trying to be a tightwad.

I was thinking of just using an old laptop from my basement with the screen flipped around so it's attached to the bottom of the laptop.

[ChadTower]

I didn't know they were getting cheap like that.

-S

I don't think they even make them anymore in that size.  I could be wrong but logic would dictate that they all moved to PocketPCs and smaller, more versatile things like those do everything but the laundry phones.

[Jabba]

What version of the Operating System are we talking here? Which one would work with the hardhare?
Win 95, 98. 2000, XP, or just plain old DOS?

[quarterback]

What version of the Operating System are we talking here? Which one would work with the hardhare?
Win 95, 98. 2000, XP, or just plain old DOS?

Well, my old crappy lappy won't run XP worth a damn, so I'd say 95, 98 or DOS.     I mean, if you wrote it in 95, wouldn't it work on all subsequent versions of Windows?

[ChadTower]

Absolutely not.

[AC.]

Cool. That player on the left side must REALLY Suck!

[ChadTower]

His spinner doesn't work very well, it's not him.   

[Jabba]

Well, my old crappy lappy won't run XP worth a damn, so I'd say 95, 98 or DOS.

[RayB]

If you guys REALLY want a Screen Saver I can make one pretty quick in Flash. I already have a Pong game programmed anyways.

[ChadTower]

Yeah, but you wouldn't want to build a standalone device like that.  It would be dependent on windows for no reason.

[Havok]

That would be pretty easy with a Basic Stamp and LCD screen - would be able to run on 4 AA batteries...

[ChadTower]

Basic Stamp?

[Stingray]

If you guys REALLY want a Screen Saver I can make one pretty quick in Flash. I already have a Pong game programmed anyways.

Would it work as a clock?

-S

[Ed_McCarron]

Basic Stamp?

http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=BS2-IC

Microprocessors for dummies.  I love 'em.  The BS2 gives you 16 pins worth of TTL compatible I/O, a basic programming language, and some eeprom all for under $50.

I've used several in various projects.

[Stingray]

The BS2 gives you 16 pins worth of TTL compatible I/O, a basic programming language, and some eeprom all for under $50.

I got the part about it being less than $50, the rest looks somewhat like English, but makes no sense whatsoever to me.

-S

[Ed_McCarron]

Its a little computer, with 16 wires to attach stuff to.

I made up the rest. 

[Stingray]

Ah. That makes much more sense.

-S

[ChadTower]

I want to build something with 4 foot long, red cylinders in a triangle pattern.  I want to put wires on it and I want a pinball style LED display with a decrementing counter.  Maybe it beeps with each decrement.

I see them in the movies and they look cool.

[Stingray]

Boom

-S

[Ed_McCarron]

I want to build something with 4 foot long, red cylinders in a triangle pattern.  I want to put wires on it and I want a pinball style LED display with a decrementing counter.  Maybe it beeps with each decrement.

I see them in the movies and they look cool.

This is the perfect kind of project for a Basic Stamp.

I used one to drive a stock-car racing type christmas tree.  The same stamp drives a 8" high 3 digit countdown clock, plays musical tones for start/stop, and handles input from 5 buttons for various times to count down.

Very versatile device.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

With all the programmers here, and given all the rather sophisticated stuff they do with Mame...I fully expect, within the next two weeks, an online tutorial on how to build a working version of this clock for under $100!

Don't let me down! 
mrC

[Jabba]

Its a little computer, with 16 wires to attach stuff to.

I made up the rest.

[ChadTower]

That tutorial will cost you substantially more than $100.

Jamma has a good point... not many programmers know hardware, and vice versa.

[skippy]

I really want one of these.

[Stingray]

Its a little computer, with 16 wires to attach stuff to.

I made up the rest.   

Uggg, me Programmer, not hardware guy... 

I can see how a program could be flashed to that chip, but what kinda board would you need, and how would you integrate a power supply/display screen with it? Enquiring minds need to know...

Even a know-nothing dumbhiney like myself is interested in learning more.

-S

[ChadTower]

http://cgi.ebay.com/FUJITSU-FMW5201M-PENCENTRA-200-32MB-TABLET-PC_W0QQitemZ6825465441QQcategoryZ18792QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


And simply write the small app... that really can't be that hard, you could totally fake the game and no one would notice.

[Jabba]

http://cgi.ebay.com/FUJITSU-FMW5201M-PENCENTRA-200-32MB-TABLET-PC_W0QQitemZ6825465441QQcategoryZ18792QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


And simply write the small app... that really can't be that hard, you could totally fake the game and no one would notice.

Cool! the guy is in Toronto.. I looked for completed listings to see what something like that has gone for in the past? I wonder what the retail price is from Fujistu? There must be some cheap knockoff made (clone).

Its controlled by Windows CE.....

[ChadTower]

Uh, that's cheap because it's old...

[RayB]

For the person who wanted a screensaver... I'm working on it:

http://www.sporeproductions.com/wip/pong_clock.html

This is as far as I had time to get today... I am downloading the video of the clock right now so I can see details such as does the ball move up into the area were the score is shown? And obviously, it's not showing time yet...

[quarterback]

For the person who wanted a screensaver... I'm working on it:

http://www.sporeproductions.com/wip/pong_clock.html

Whoo hoo! 

I didn't particularly want a screensaver over anything else, it just seemed like it would be the first "home version" developed because: (a) people outside of this forum would be interested and (b) it could (potentially) just pull the time information from Windows clock.

Looks like a good start RayB!

it shouldn't be that tough for some enterprising programmer to come up with something like this as a screen saver or flash animation.   I'll probably have to wait for that version

[walls83]

is it going to be a clock?  Its looking great so far. 

[SteveJ34]

Here's a link to the author's website...

http://burovormkrijgers.nl/index1.html

....which indicates a screen saver version is to be released in December 2005 and production models shortly following in January 2006.

[quarterback]

Here's a link to the author's website...
http://burovormkrijgers.nl/index1.html

....which indicates a screen saver version is to be released in December 2005 and production models shortly following in January 2006.

Huh?  The design place who invented the pong clock are actually putting out a screen saver version next month???  That's wierd.   

Like I said, I only suggested "screen saver" because I've seen other clock-screensavers and figured that somebody could whip one up.  I certainly didn't expect Buro Vormkrijgers (an award winning Dutch design studio) to make screen savers before even producing the wall clock version

Where on that page did you read that?

[versapak]

Here's a link to the author's website...
http://burovormkrijgers.nl/index1.html

....which indicates a screen saver version is to be released in December 2005 and production models shortly following in January 2006.

Huh? The design place who invented the pong clock are actually putting out a screen saver version next month??? That's wierd.

Like I said, I only suggested "screen saver" because I've seen other clock-screensavers and figured that somebody could whip one up. I certainly didn't expect Buro Vormkrijgers (an award winning Dutch design studio) to make screen savers before even producing the wall clock version

Where on that page did you read that?

Go to:

Portfolio=>Browse=>Miscellaneous=>Pong Clock=>3 & 4

3 mentions production beginning in 01-06
4 mentions screen saver available 12-01-05

[quarterback]

Here's a link to the author's website...
http://burovormkrijgers.nl/index1.html

....which indicates a screen saver version is to be released in December 2005 and production models shortly following in January 2006.

Huh? The design place who invented the pong clock are actually putting out a screen saver version next month??? That's wierd.

Like I said, I only suggested "screen saver" because I've seen other clock-screensavers and figured that somebody could whip one up. I certainly didn't expect Buro Vormkrijgers (an award winning Dutch design studio) to make screen savers before even producing the wall clock version

Where on that page did you read that?

Go to:

Portfolio=>Browse=>Miscellaneous=>Pong Clock=>3 & 4

3 mentions production beginning in 01-06
4 mentions screen saver available 12-01-05

Code: [Select]

The screensaver of this pongclock will be made available to the public from the 1st of december 2005, to allow you to customize your computer with this unusual but amusing time piece.
Sweet!   Ray, you gonna' beat them to the punch ?

[RayB]

GAHH! That's in two days! I'm sooooo busy! Let's wait and see if the screen saver is free or not. If they charge for it, I'll finish mine and give it away. Otherwise ....

[Stingray]

Let's wait and see if the screen saver is free or not. If they charge for it, I'll finish mine and give it away.

You're the Microsoft Internet Explorer of Pong clocks.

-S

[NinjaEpisode]

Here's a link to the author's website...
http://burovormkrijgers.nl/index1.html

....which indicates a screen saver version is to be released in December 2005 and production models shortly following in January 2006.

Huh? The design place who invented the pong clock are actually putting out a screen saver version next month??? That's wierd.

Like I said, I only suggested "screen saver" because I've seen other clock-screensavers and figured that somebody could whip one up. I certainly didn't expect Buro Vormkrijgers (an award winning Dutch design studio) to make screen savers before even producing the wall clock version

Where on that page did you read that?

Go to:

Portfolio=>Browse=>Miscellaneous=>Pong Clock=>3 & 4

3 mentions production beginning in 01-06
4 mentions screen saver available 12-01-05

A more direct approach:

http://burovormkrijgers.nl/docs/pong.html

[GGKoul]

I so want one!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Pong clock

[ChadTower]

...for $49.95.

[MameMaster!]

I emailed them asking for price in USD.

[Stingray]

[quote author=MameMaster

[Ed_McCarron]

Even a know-nothing dumbhiney like myself is interested in learning more.

Well, you have this little chip.  Provide it 5 volts.  They have a carrier board that has the voltage regulator on board, so you just plug in a 9v battery or one of those 'brick-on-a-rope' power supplies from your calculator.

You write a program (in a pseudo-basic kinda language) that tells the inputs or outputs what to do.  For example, my clock program looked like this back in the beginning:

Set up variable space
DataP  CON 0   ' Data pin to Displays.
Clock  CON 1   ' Shift clock to Displays.
Latch  CON 2   ' Moves data from register to output latch.
Minute   VAR BYTE   
Second10   VAR    BYTE
Second1    VAR    BYTE
DispMin    VAR BYTE
DispSec10  VAR    BYTE
DispSec1   VAR  BYTE
Timer      VAR    WORD
Setpoint   VAR WORD

Initialize the counter

Setpoint=180

For-Next loop

FOR Timer = Setpoint to 0

Do some modulus math to break seconds down into 3 digits for the display

Minute=Timer/60

Second10=(Timer//60)/10

Second1=(Timer//60)//10

This part was tricky.  Using the numbers for the 3 different displays, clock the data out on a single pin (DataP-Pin 0 as defined earlier) as 24 bits, with the clock pulse on (Clock-Pin 1).  When done, strobe (Latch-Pin 2) and the displays update.  The displays

LOOKUP Minute, [191,134,219,207,230,237,253,135,255,239], DispMin
LOOKUP Second10, [191,134,219,207,230,237,253,135,255,239], DispSec10
LOOKUP Second1, [191,134,219,207,230,237,253,135,255,239], DispSec1
SHIFTOUT DataP,Clock,MSBFIRST,[DispMin,DispSec10,DispSec1]
PULSOUT Latch,1

Since all that only took 50 ms, wait another 950 ms before nexting back to the beginning.

PAUSE 950

NEXT

END

You get commands like IN to read the status of a pin, OUT to turn on/off an output, and a lot of other basic-type commands.  Theres a few more like CASE that seem to be swiped from C.

Depending on what you want to drive with those outputs, you need some kind of interfacing circuitry.  For 120v lights, I just use a solid-state relay with a 5v input.  To control a solenoid (think Q-Bert's knocker - something needs to interface a fairly high current solenoid with the 5v logic signal from the PCB.  A hefty transistor will do the trick.

Theres all kinds of sites out there on these critters.  They are sweet for anything that needs to react to something.  Not the most powerful processor, and they tend to be kinda slow in the overall scheme of things, but, hey, you can do some neat stuff for relatively cheap.

The displays I used were some surplus things from sports clocks or something.  Got 'em for like $10 a digit.  Heres the finished project:

[Stingray]

Wow, that's cool. I have this Monaco GP marquee and all of the LED readout stuff that goes behind it.



I'd love to wire it up to just display random numbers that change now & then. Sounds like this would be the thing to use for that purpose. Not that I have any clue as to how to go about it. Thanks for sharing.

-S

[Buddabing]

Meh. There's just a PC under there and a LCD screen. For all we know they wrote the application in Visual Basic.

I'm with Ed, I'd like to see the Basic Stamp version, with circuit and software.

Edit: Hacking Billy Mouth Bass. Now THAT was impressive!

[Jabba]

I never knew Billy had sexual relations with Monica Lewinski 

[walls83]

so is the screen saver version released.?

[Stobe]

My first thoughts on making this a wall clock would be taking a working flash version, and using a TV out card and Windows dual display.  Send just the flash program to the TV out port, which could be s-video's to one of those cheap 7" LCD screens like you use in cars for DVD players.

It's obviously reliant on the PC always running, but I'd wager a lot of us have a PC somewhere that is always running (or 4, lol)

-Stobe

[ChadTower]

Windows boxes are not stable enough for that.  The last thing I want is something that's supposed to be as no brainer as a clock that I have to reboot every second day.

[versapak]

Seems the screen saver release date was changed, from being the 1st of December, to the less specific in December.

[Stingray]

Now's your chance Ray, you can still finish yours first!

-S

[Jabba]

Windows boxes are not stable enough for that.

[ChadTower]

Just build it on a minimal linux kernel.

[Stingray]

will take a crack at something this weekend...

I knew I made you the Minister of Scientific Crap for a reason. The reason is that I was really drunk at the time, but looks like it all worked out in the end.

-S

Edit: Stoopit #$%* bb code.

[ChadTower]

Dude, I never said I would take a crack at this.

[Jabba]

will take a crack at something this weekend...

I knew I made you the Minister of Scientific Crap for a reason. The reason is that I was really drunk at the time, but looks like it all worked out in the end.

-S

Inside 

[Jabba]

Dude, I never said I would take a crack at this.

Dude, lets not start talking about your crack now

[ChadTower]

Yrmom buys my crack.

[Stingray]

Stoopit $%#* bb code doing what I type instead of what I'm thinking.

-S

[RayB]

Now's your chance Ray, you can still finish yours first!
-S

Anyone know where I can get the corect PONG sound effects or a simulation I can sample it from?

[ChadTower]

Use 2600 Pacman sounds like nearly every movie with videogames in it.

[Stingray]

Use 2600 Pacman sounds like nearly every movie with videogames in it.

LOL! That actually would be pretty funny.

-S

[RayB]

Insomnia = Updated: http://www.sporeproductions.com/wip/pong_clock.html

Time isn't updating yet.

[missioncontrol]

THat is going to be awesome great work so far

[quarterback]

Insomnia = Updated: http://www.sporeproductions.com/wip/pong_clock.html

Time isn't updating yet.

Looking cool RayB!

Some thoughts (which maybe you're already thinking about but, if not, I thought I'd throw them out there)

(1) speed of ball - I don't have an original 'pong', but the ball movement seems too fast.  I feel like it should be more 'floaty' or 'dreamy' in its movement, particularly since this is going to run perpetually on my wall. 
(2) vibrating paddles - Is this how the original was?  I have a mental image of the paddles being completely static when the ball hits them.
(3) mirrored paddle movement - I'm assuming you're working on this so the paddles aren't making the same up/down movements at the same time.  Yes?

Man, I really appreciate the work you're putting into this.  I'm psyched!

[versapak]

(1) speed of ball - I don't have an original 'pong', but the ball movement seems too fast. I feel like it should be more 'floaty' or 'dreamy' in its movement, particularly since this is going to run perpetually on my wall.

n/m

I confused myself writing the gibrish that was formally here.

[RayB]

(1) speed of ball -

I'm not sure how fast it should go. It seemed fairly fast in the Pong Clock movie.

(2) vibrating paddles - Is this how the original was?

[Kremmit]

Why program anything at all? 

All you need to do is record a 24-hour long .avi file, with the right player scoring exactly every 60 seconds and the left player scoring exactly every 60 minutes. 

[Sasquatch!]

Windows boxes are not stable enough for that.  The last thing I want is something that's supposed to be as no brainer as a clock that I have to reboot every second day.

If you can't keep a Windows computer from having to be rebooted every second day, something is seriously wrong, my friend.

Back on topic, I would so buy one of these clocks if/when they make them available. 

[RayB]

So I tried the screensaver. It's made with FLASH! hahaha

[quarterback]

Man, their screen-saver is pretty good, but NO SOUND?!?!?   And not enough "radical gameplay" (as noted by Havok here)

(1) speed of ball -

I'm not sure how fast it should go. It seemed fairly fast in the Pong Clock movie.

It just seemed a bit fast.  I haven't played "real" pong in forever, so I can't be 100% sure.

(2) vibrating paddles - Is this how the original was?  I have a mental image of the paddles being completely static when the ball hits them.

That's just left-over from my original Spore Pong. If you guys want as authentic as possible, I'll take it out.

IMO, I'd say 'take it out'.  It makes it too much like a 'modern update' to me.

Looking forward to your version, RayB

[Howard_Casto]

just saw this... have a good use for it....

anyway to clear up some questions about the original

Pong's speed is variable... it starts slow and speed increases with each successful save. 

Also the sounds are off.... if you'll excuse my poor description.... the ball makes a blip sound when it hits a paddle and a bloop sound when it hits a wall.  The sound is keyed to the ball speed, so it can't be done with samples, rather a generated sound must be used.  The easiest way to do this (in xp) is to use the system beep sound with a modified pitch. 

Hope that helps

[NinjaEpisode]

* NinjaEpisode eases his way in, looks around...

Ahem!

[Stingray]

How's your version coming along Ray?

-S

[RetroJames]

Just had a thought.  Aren't games like PONG one of the reasons we HAVE screensavers? 

What is my CRT going to look like after a few weeks of the new PONG "screensaver?"

My god it was all a clever ruse to get us to buy new CRTs, I bet the site is hosted by Zenith or RCA!

[versapak]

Just had a thought. Aren't games like PONG one of the reasons we HAVE screensavers?

What is my CRT going to look like after a few weeks of the new PONG "screensaver?"

My god it was all a clever ruse to get us to buy new CRTs, I bet the site is hosted by Zenith or RCA!

LOL

That is a very good point. The "net" doesn't ever change other than when that tiny little "ball" passes by it, and even then isn't really changing as it is still white.

This thing is definitely cool, but a saver of screens it is NOT.

[Jabba]

Do new monitors still get burn in?

[RayB]

Do new monitors still get burn in?

Yeah they do if you leave the same image sitting there for a long period...

crap, this has me thinking twice about releasing mine. I don't want any lawsuits!

PS: What happens when the hour has to change? I know people have been saying that player 1 misses, but the thing is, the player 2 score also has to change to "00", so what happens? Player 1 misses yet both scores change? That doesn't make sense.

[ChadTower]

It's very simple... make it a 90% screen image and slowly swing it back and forth over the course of each minute.

If done right the movement would be almost imperceptible and burn in would not happen.

[Stingray]

To really recreate the pong feel, the monitor needs to have burn in.

-S

[ChadTower]

Seriously, who is going to be dumb enough to hang a damn CRT on their wall anyway?

[Stingray]

Seriously, who is going to be dumb enough to hang a damn CRT on their wall anyway?

Hmm.

**looks at wall**

You could be right. I guess I'll take it down.

-S

[RetroJames]

Seriously, who is going to be dumb enough to hang a damn CRT on their wall anyway?

oddly enough my freakin' wife.  We have a running argument because she wants me to put a tv up on the wall on one of the metal arms.  I keep telling her I am not going to sit there with my head craned up to look at a TV like Im in a hospital!  Arg. 


blondes

[ChadTower]

And you want that for a clock?

Wouldn't a clock be a bit counterproductive if you have to alter the whole wall in order to hang it?

[RetroJames]

And you want that for a clock?

Wouldn't a clock be a bit counterproductive if you have to alter the whole wall in order to hang it?

ahhh no, her thing has nothing to do with the pong clock.

[missioncontrol]

just a thought....


what does the clock do for daylight saving time?

[Howard_Casto]

Instead of actually using the pong scoring to set the time, wouldn't it be easier to just post the windows time?  I mean someone can still miss every minute, but the fact that you'd have to calculate the scoring manually seems dumb to me, afterall, it's a screensaver, it isn't actually playable.

[Kremmit]

What happens when the hour has to change? I know people have been saying that player 1 misses, but the thing is, the player 2 score also has to change to "00", so what happens? Player 1 misses yet both scores change? That doesn't make sense.

From the Pong Clock FAQ:

What happens every hour?
The left player finally scores, he sucks at playing pong compared to the right player. Because of his lack of talent we reward his point, by erasing the right players score. You know what? After that he still sucks at playing pong.

[RayB]

Instead of actually using the pong scoring to set the time, wouldn't it be easier to just post the windows time?

[missioncontrol]

I downloaded their screen saver version. I've got it on my laptop right now. I use as my clock at work. It's allright can't wait for your version RayB

also a kid at work has a missle command screen saver for his linux lap top it doesn't keep time and he didn't even know it was missle command.

[c64rulez]

It's cool alright.
But you can have a PING clock for free.
Just need to calculate some multiplications and you got the time.

Now, how about a chess board made of INTEL processors ?

[Harry Potter]

That'll show those pesky pentiums. Thinking they can play chess. NOW THEY ARE CHESS!!!

calm down.

Edit: I just realised they're actually 486s. DOH!

[RayB]

In Soviet Russia, chess plays You!

[MPTech]

Can someone provide a link to the screensaver? (either one)

When I click on the company link, I get an error.

thanks

[gprime]

Just picked me up a $31 tablet off eBay. Pong Clock, here I come

[missioncontrol]

Can someone provide a link to the screensaver? (either one)

When I click on the company link, I get an error.

thanks

it appears the pong clock is temporarily unavailable to the public. I can e-mail you the zip file if you want.... just PM me your e-mail address

[missioncontrol]

FYI mac users....

I did find a MAC version of the pong clock.... I have not downloaded it or used it since I don't have a MAC but thought I'd pass it along....

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/utm/posts/Random/PongSaver-2005-11-28-10-00.html

[gprime]

Oh man....

A guy on eBay with perfect feedback, of 100+ was selling a Tablet PC. A Beautiful 1.something GHz, 1GB of ram, fingerprint authentication, thin, 2lbs, 3hrs of battery life with stock battery. Basically, an awesome computer + portable device. He mislists the item under "Book Covers" and only me and 3 other people see the computer. I end up winning this $2000+ machine it at $31 + shipping.

The guy emails me after I won, trying to wiggle his way out of the sale. "I'll have to send with $1000 of insurance and you are going to get a hefty custom fee when it arrives." I keep insisiting for him to send it anyways. Eventually, a couple hours later.. I get an email that he has closed his eBay account.

Damn, I could have gotten a brand new tablet for $31! eBay sniping finally pays off.. and the guy doesn't want to go through with the deal. I mean I don't blame him, I would have probably tried to get out of it too... but darn... so close to getting the deal of a life time

So long, Pong clock! Maybe in another life time..

[Stingray]

What's new Ray?

-S

[RayB]

 

[ChadTower]

Why would you want to make a $2000 machine into a pong clock?

[gprime]

Why would you want to make a $2000 machine into a pong clock?

Well I guess I wouldnt have. I was searching for cheap tablets and came across that. But if I could have sold it for some good dough, gotten a cheaper one, and made a bit of profit off the whole deal

But... It was never meant to be.

The only "cheap" ones I can find now are $100+. Not worth that much for a clock, IMO.

[screaming]

I had some spare time yesterday so I gave it a shot.

source

I can change whatever, so let me know if there's something you'd like to see.

 :creep:  <- bahahahaha

[quarterback]

I can change whatever, so let me know if there's something you'd like to see.

How about a way to close the program without having to ctrl-alt-delete

[screaming]

hit escape?

[quarterback]

hit escape?

Dig it.

[NinjaEpisode]

I had some spare time yesterday so I gave it a shot.

source

I can change whatever, so let me know if there's something you'd like to see.

 :creep:  <- bahahahaha

How 'bout a compiled version?

* NinjaEpisode is lazy

[screaming]

How 'bout a compiled version?

I had some spare time yesterday so I GAVE IT A SHOT.

[NinjaEpisode]

Crap, I'm sorry dude....seriously...I do apologize....I didn't even see that link.

Think I can throw this on a Win 98 machine?

[sez]

I don't often do this, but I bow to the awesomeness.

Now to do the same and make it something like Galaga instead.

Word.

[screaming]

sure man, give it a shot! There's nothing Windows XP-ie about it so I don't see why it shouldn't work.  I just uploaded a new version that slows it down a bit so it should be easier on slower CPUs. Also, I played around with the AI a bit to make it look less like a computer. Lastly, I added a couple config params to let you customize things at different resolutions.

I'd like to work on the AI a little more to make it look like it's losing "by accident". Also, I'd like to get it working with DirectX so I can make it window-less and let you use it as a background on your 2000/XP desktop. Hmmm..

It's a good intro to allegro if you're looking to get aquainted.. check it out.. ask questions..

[screaming]

Oh, and I changed it so any key will exit, for quaterback. I'll set it up so it's configurable at some point.

[screaming]

Now to do the same and make it something like Galaga instead.

  Hmm.. How would that work?  You'd only be able to kill a bug once a minute and each bug would be only 1 point? Then you still have the numbers in the high score column in the way..

[NY_in_TX]

Now to do the same and make it something like Galaga instead.

  Hmm.. How would that work?  You'd only be able to kill a bug once a minute and each bug would be only 1 point? Then you still have the numbers in the high score column in the way..

make the bugs form the numbers for the time, every minute they fly down and then re-assemble as the new time.  there would of course be bugs added/subtracted.  would make for a fun clock.   the time in galaga bugs just moving back and forth, reassembling every minute as the time. 

I have no idea how to do that, but if you can make a pong clock...you could do this!!

ny

[gonzobrian]

I had some spare time yesterday so I gave it a shot.

source

I can change whatever, so let me know if there's something you'd like to see.

 :creep:  <- bahahahaha

Now if you can make it run in dos I can use it on my laptop picture frame.

[AtomSmasher]

Now to do the same and make it something like Galaga instead.

  Hmm.. How would that work?  You'd only be able to kill a bug once a minute and each bug would be only 1 point? Then you still have the numbers in the high score column in the way..

Make the high score to be the date.  Todays highscore = 03272006

[screaming]

Now if you can make it run in dos I can use it on my laptop picture frame.

source should compile in dos.. I don't have the instructions handy, nor have i tested it but I dont see why it shouldnt work with the standard dos mame compile environment. check it out and let me know if it works.

I've compiled it in linux without a problem..

[screaming]

Now to do the same and make it something like Galaga instead.

  Hmm.. How would that work?  You'd only be able to kill a bug once a minute and each bug would be only 1 point? Then you still have the numbers in the high score column in the way..

Make the high score to be the date.  Todays highscore = 03272006

  Yeah but I'd have to only kill one bug a minute to keep the time. that seems kind of boring I like NY_in_TX's idea.. It looks like I'm gonna have to clear the dust off my geometry and trig books to make it happen though. yikes!

Making the highscore the date would be doable no matter which way the clock was implemented though...

[gonzobrian]

Now if you can make it run in dos I can use it on my laptop picture frame.

source should compile in dos.. I don't have the instructions handy, nor have i tested it but I dont see why it shouldnt work with the standard dos mame compile environment. check it out and let me know if it works.

I've compiled it in linux without a problem..

Cool I'll give it a go with mingw when I get a chance!

[crashwg]

Two things...

1. the animation of the "ball" is not so great.  it looks as though there's two of 'em

2. the "ball" somehow got stuck behind the right player's paddle and was bouncing between that and the "goal" for like 15 seconds or so

Lookin good though!

[JackTucky]

That's pretty cool.  I agree that the ball looks like two.  I LIKE how the paddles don't start moving until the ball is in their court.  Makes it look more like there are real people playing.

Jacktucky

[screaming]

Two things...

1. the animation of the "ball" is not so great.  it looks as though there's two of 'em

2. the "ball" somehow got stuck behind the right player's paddle and was bouncing between that and the "goal" for like 15 seconds or so

Lookin good though!

  Okay, I played around with the ghosting ball thing.. check it out and let me know how much it messes up your computer.

I'm not sure how the ball got stuck.. I changed a couple things around that may have fixed it (but I doubt it). I'll see if I cam make it happen.

[miles2912]

The ghostng effect is too cool.  THe guy on the right is much better than the guy on the left   

Don

[USSEnterprise]

What are the video requirements? I get an error because I have my resolution set to 1024 x 768

[G@M3FR3@K]

What are the video requirements? I get an error because I have my resolution set to 1024 x 768

I'm getting the same exact error!  I've tried changing the resolution & color depth (32-bit down to 16-bit) to no avail.

[gonzobrian]

I also got an error on first use but changed the res to 800x600 and works well.  I also had the ball get stuck a couple of times.  Was not able to compile a dos verson last night could not figure it out.  Any one kind enough to share a dos compiled version

[screaming]

You're using "screensaver mode", right? I found a bug that occures when screensaver is set to yes (I had height and width reversed when I was getting the current height and width. doh!  I just thought it was me because my laptop uses a non 4:3 resolution).

I just uploaded the fixed version.

[screaming]

gonzo, let me see what I can do about a compiled dos version.  I wonder if a freedos environment would work?

[JackTucky]

The ball looks better now on my PC.  A little jumpy once and awhile.

Seems like it has a little "trail", like a mouse trail, very faint though.

Jacktucky

[gonzobrian]

gonzo, let me see what I can do about a compiled dos version.  I wonder if a freedos environment would work?

Not sure about free dos.  From past experience with it seems standard to me.  Not sure what version of dos I use on the pic frame I built, probably what was left over after deleting win 95.  Almost picked up another old lap top off ebay yesterday for $20 just to make another set up just to run this but decided to wait till next month.

Also when the ball got stuck I was not using screen saver mode.  If it will work in dos I will edit the bat to launch the exe on startup so I don't have to type the command line each power up. Thanks.

[melarky]

screaming,

What did you code your clock in?  Is it something that could be used with that basic stamp chip that was discussed earlier?  That would be cool to get that going (seems a waste to get a whole computer just to run a clock, would be nice to figure out how to run it with basic stamp and cheap little lcd).

[screaming]

it's "mostly" c, but technically c++. Converting it to c should be a no brainer.. are basic stamp chips fast enough?

[NinjaEpisode]

What are the video requirements? I get an error because I have my resolution set to 1024 x 768

I'm getting the same exact error!  I've tried changing the resolution & color depth (32-bit down to 16-bit) to no avail.

You both need to go into the config file and change one of two things.  Change either the option that says full screen to yes, or change the resolution to a lower setting.  while in windowed mode, the window is actually larger than 1024x768 and it doesn't know how to stretch or resize itself.

At least that's what my problem was.

[screaming]

it's "mostly" c, but technically c++. Converting it to c should be a no brainer.. are basic stamp chips fast enough?

  Oh, it uses Allegro too, which I highly doubt is THAT portable I literally built it in a matter of hours so I don't see how it can really be all the difficult.  I'm not a PIC programmer though

[melarky]

I did a quick google search for pic pong games and found the following:

http://dt.prohosting.com/pic/pong.html

http://www.rickard.gunee.com/projects/video/pic/pong.php

The first one looks most promising as it seems to deal with interfacing it to a video source (but maybe the second one deals with that too, I'm not sure).  I am not a pic programmer either, but I wonder how hard it would be to modify the code that is available on these sites and then hook it up to a cheap lcd.

[koz319]

Just out of curiosity, what size display do you guys think this would need to work as a standalone clock?  Would  7.5 inch diag be big enough? Too small/big?

  Would it matter if it was your standard 'black dots on greenish background' lcd  look or would it need to be black and white? 

This might be exactly the project I've been looking for to take up more of my time that I dont really have!  I can do the code and hardware (most likely on a AVR microcontroller, just cause I have some laying around), the real limiting factor is the cost of a display panel.  I found some surplus monochrome 7.5" lcd's for pretty cheap (these are lo res graphic LCD modules. Think black dots.)  If this sounds interesting to you guys, I'll go ahead and get some and see what shakes loose.  If you think it really needs to be larger, or needs to be black and white for the retro feel, I'll wait until I find a better display panel.

Let me know what you think.

Koz

[gonzobrian]

gonzo, let me see what I can do about a compiled dos version.  I wonder if a freedos environment would work?

bump

Hey Screaming any update on a DOS compile?

[reptilehead]

Ok so I MUST be bored or something.... but for all you freaks out there that REALLY want to have a pong clock and are thinking of converting a PC of some weird sort to do it...  http://www.screeq.com/view.php?week=11     radioactive friggin green on black! lets talk screen burn (not to mention retnal burn) from hell! It's a screensaver that does random games and tells the current time.

 I found this in my odd ramblings around the internet in a fluke of nature.... I have it, its cool, but I don't think im going to be replacing my normal screensaver with it.
 Now if I happen to come across a sugar of a deal of a tablet or laptop thats totally useless, I'd think about it.

[Chris]

Gonzo, I compiled it but I don't have my DOS box handy and it doesn't seem to want to run in XP for me.  So with the caveat that this is untested, go to http://webpages.charter.net/celamantia/pongclk.zip to check it out.

--Chris

[gonzobrian]

Gonzo, I compiled it but I don't have my DOS box handy and it doesn't seem to want to run in XP for me.  So with the caveat that this is untested, go to http://webpages.charter.net/celamantia/pongclk.zip to check it out.

--Chris

Hey Thanks Chris!   
Just tried your compile on my laptop pic frame and get error 800x600 not supported.  I think I can only suport 640x480.  I have no idea how to change the resolution.  Not sure if it can be set prior to compile?

[Chris]

Gonzo, I compiled it but I don't have my DOS box handy and it doesn't seem to want to run in XP for me.  So with the caveat that this is untested, go to http://webpages.charter.net/celamantia/pongclk.zip to check it out.

--Chris

Hey Thanks Chris!   
Just tried your compile on my laptop pic frame and get error 800x600 not supported.  I think I can only suport 640x480.  I have no idea how to change the resolution.  Not sure if it can be set prior to compile?

Glancing through the code it looks like it will run at 640x480 but I need to change it in the code.  I'm not at my home PC right now; I'll try it when I get there.

Do you know if you have a color depth restriction?

--Chris

[gonzobrian]

Thanks, very nice of you.  I do not know if I have depth restriction.  I use a dos program called lxpic to display my jpegs with no problems, they are all converted to 640x480.  The error I got when I tried the first compile was,
height 600
width 800 depth 32
and got errer, resolution not supported.
So my guess is the depth was fine, don't know for sure. 
Thanks Again
gonzobrian

[Chris]

It uses a configuration file for those settings but the file doesn't fit DOS's 8.3 limitation...

[Chris]

Okay, I renamed the config file to fit DOS's filename limit... download it again and edit pongclk.ini to match your setup.

--Chris

[Chris]

Oh and by the way, this program is a GREAT piece of work! 

[gonzobrian]

Well now I get error"Unable to find sutable graphics driver" 

What kind of dos graphics drivers are there?  Thanks again for your efforts Chris.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Just a heads up, It costs

[DakX]

Screaming your clock is awesome - Has anyone been able to get a version compiled for Linux?

[sez]

A better attempt...

http://hush.cc/?p=9