John LaTemple http://johnlatemple.com Most recent posts at John LaTemple posterous.com Mon, 07 May 2012 07:12:14 -0700 Ogre Designer's Edition http://johnlatemple.com/ogre-designers-edition http://johnlatemple.com/ogre-designers-edition I just supported the Ogre Designer's Edition wargame from Steve Jackson Games here in Austin, TX via Kickstarter.

This was an easy call for me.  I still own the Ogre and GEV mini-games and these were some of the very first science-fiction based games that I ever bought and played, going all the way back to my teens when I would road-trip to Orlando with friends to visit the legendary hobby store Enterprise 1701.

My father started me on my love for gaming, so board games will always hold a special place for me.  We too often get caught up in faceless computer gaming in the modern world, but board games can be played just about anywhere under any condition and you're face to face with your opponents (who usually are your friends and family) and I don't believe we should ever let this fade away.  From the looks of the success of Steve Jackson's Kickstarter project I am definitely not alone in that reasoning.

Now, if I could just convince Steve to finally hire me, maybe as the Ogre line editor this time, the circle would be complete.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Tue, 01 May 2012 08:03:22 -0700 Winging League of Legends http://johnlatemple.com/winging-league-of-legends http://johnlatemple.com/winging-league-of-legends I have been installing a cavalcade of oddball games on my PC lately.  Everything from the amazing open source project Wing Commander Saga to the very competitive and equally FREE PVP Arena game 'League of Legends'.  If you are looking for something completely different from your typical PC gaming experience, either or both of these are a good bet.

Now, if only that new joystick would hurry up and get here.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:03:00 -0700 Megafauna http://johnlatemple.com/megafauna http://johnlatemple.com/megafauna

SXSW was a madhouse once again.

In this madness though, there appeared a bright light and I was drawn to it.  Or her.  Her name is Dani Neff.  Her band is Megafauna.  

Listen:

I haven't heard anything this exciting in Austin since I first ran across Doyle Bramhall II in 2006 at Austin Music Hall.

My professional assessment?  Dani is one to watch.  I was reminded immediately of Tal Wilkenfeld, if Tal was a lead guitarist:  You walk in expecting just some cute chick with a guitar and then you're left with your jaw on the floor.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:55:22 -0800 Events and Holidays http://johnlatemple.com/events-and-holidays http://johnlatemple.com/events-and-holidays
Austin Comic Con started today.   I plan to drop in on Saturday.  Looking forward to whatever randomness happens, which is what is always best about this sort of convention.  Well, that and the girls in skimpy costumes.

Also looking forward to getting away to be with family for Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, not looking forward to the travelling itself.  The TSA gestapo agitates me.

Speaking of random: Please donate to Ron Paul.

And there you have it:  an honest-to-goodness bloggy blog entry.   One day I'll have something deep to say again, but evidently today is not that day.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:35:00 -0700 Minecraft http://johnlatemple.com/minecraft http://johnlatemple.com/minecraft

Animals

Abbreviated Link to this Page: http://tinyurl.com/mncrft5  If you ever need a reminder from in-game: /help url

See end of page for version 1.8.1 Info!

Well, I've finally taken the plunge and as usual, I do things in a big way when I do.  So, now that I'm playing Minecraft and renting my own server, I'd better start filling out some info for my players.  The server isn't open to the public, sorry.

Useful commands to remember:

/stack = Will automatically stack things in your inventory, including pork chops!

/locate [player] = Can force a compass (that you make in-game) to point towards the named player!

/locate = Forces compass to point at the spawn point again.

/kit starter = Grants player a starting set of wooden tools.

/money help = Explains the various gold/silver related economy commands.

/money pay [player] [amount]

The economy on the Freedom Server deals in Gold and Silver coins.  So, $1.24 would equal 1 gold, 24 silver.

/gi = Displays the current conversion rates for Iron, Gold and Diamonds.

/gi [iron, gold or diamond] [amount to sell]

How to create a ChestShop?

- Place a chest, if you haven't already.
- Place a sign 1 block near the chest (for example, above the chest)
- On the sign, write:

[IMG]

(Item name can actually be item ID or alias)
First line will be filled in by the plugin automatically.
Price is a combination of buy and sell price.
You have to have B near buy price (people buy from you), and S near sell price (people sell to you).
If you have both B and S, separate them with a colon - :
For example:

[IMG]

means that AcrobotPL wants to sell 64 diamonds for 10 currency, and buy them back from you for 5 currency.

/iteminfo = 

It's a simple command that shows item information.
If you use it without any arguments, it shows you information about the item you're holding.
If you specify item id or item name after the command, it will show you information about that item.

Example:  /iteminfo bucket

Protect what you choose to:

  • Chests
  • Dispensers
  • Furnaces
  • Doors
  • Signs
  • Trap doors

Type in the appropriate command and then left click the object:

CommandAlias ofNotes
/cpublic /lwc -create public  
/cpassword <Password> /lwc -create password <Password>  
/cprivate /lwc -create private The optional arguments can also be used
/cunlock <Password> /lwc -unlock <Password>  
/cinfo /lwc -info  
/cremove /lwc -remove protection  Turns a protected/public/passworded chest to normal.


 


 

It's that simple.  The first 5 protections are FREE, after that there is a nominal cost in gold and some limitations on how many total things can be protected.  You can still break any of these things that you are owner of and you will be refunded the gold that was spent to set an item up.

/btb = You can return to your corpse -- for a price: 100 gold pieces.  This may not be available to new players.

/who or /where = Lists who is online and what region of the wold (if named) that they are closest to.

/who [player name] = Gives coordinates of the player you are looking for.

/ch help = Help for the Herochat system.

/ch g = Global chat channel

/ch l = Local chat channel

/ch h = Help chat channel

/msg [target] [message...]  =   These commands all can be used to send a message to a player.
/message  
/whisper 
/pm
/tell

/me [message...] =  Emote an action.

/motd = Shows you the current Message of the Day which includes game time and what world you are adventuring in.  This is a multiverse server with stargates, so that does matter!

t (button) = Talk or view the chat/event log.

/list

A Calendar date appears at login (and /motd). Yes, time actually goes by and not just in the real world. ;)

/time = Tells you the current time in the game world.

/loretime = Gives the current day and calendar date.  Currently set to the Warhammer Fantasy calendar cycle.

/pvp on(off) = Toggles your personal PVP flag.  PVP is off by default on the server.

Sleeping in a bed or using the /home set command will set your home respawn point.  The cost is 21 gold each time you use your bed.

/home can teleport you to your home.  The cost is 10.5 gold and there is a 10 second delay.

/compass = Gives you the direction you are facing.

/pos or /whereami or /getpos = Gives you your map coordinates, depth, direction and name of world you are in.

Sleeping in a bed can also shift night to day IF no other players are currently online, or all players sleep at the same time or they are idle.  The 21 gold cost will still apply, but you might get to start your day early!

Hitting a boat will shrink it again and you can pick it up!

Always keep a chest in your backpack.  Upon dying, more often than not the chest will fill with your goods and be waiting at your point of death, with a sign marking it!

/intro - Replays the music you might hear when you log into the server.  /midi stops all intro music immediately.

 

 Go here for info on LevelCraft. Click on the 'Current Levels' button to get detailed info on the nature of each of the skills. I am currently implementing Woodcutting, Range, Combat, Forgery, Dexterity, Mining, Digging (formerly known as Excavation), Scavenger, Farming, Swimming and Explosives.  Please note that on the Freedom Server, Dexterity affects your jumping ability and does NOT give you a Sprint.

You can find many LevelCraft tutorial videos here.

LevelCraft User

Also, though this is NOT required to play, I urge you all to setup a Spoutcraft client for your optional use in-game.  The Freedom Server is fully Spout-enabled!  As time goes on I think you will find that this offers an incredible range of new fun that I can provide from server-side for players.  How do I get started?

Icon_160x160

What are the client-side features?

(Players must have the Spoutcraft client mod installed.)

  • OptiFine (OptiMine, OptiFog, OptiTick) integrated
  • HD fonts and BetterGrass integrated
  • Mipmapping integrated
  • HD textures support integrated
  • Custom skins, capes, and multi-line capable titles
  • Custom achievement notifications
  • Play Minecraft sound effects and music
  • Play custom sound effects and music
  • Stop music playback with fadeout
  • Background music change event
  • Change fog and fog change event
  • Maximum/minimum fog levels
  • Key press and release events
  • Custom item hover-over names
  • SetRemainingAir/SetMaximumAir render correctly
  • Clipboard get/set
  • Control texture packs
  • Control cloud height/visibility
  • Control star frequency
  • Control sun and moon texture and size
  • Control sky and cloud colors
  • Server reconnect API
  • Chunk caching
  • Removes F3 coordinates and mob names (can be enabled with AllowVisualCheats=true in Spout's config)

Article on how to increase Java Memory in Windows: link

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minecraft 1.8.1

The game has a new version out and if you log in with the normal client, you may be prompted to update to 1.8.1.  I HAVE patched the server to 1.8.1, so copy your existing Minecraft folders or backup the older minecraft.jar prior to updating and you'll be able to play the newest version AND still have a version compatible with most of the existing servers out there, including Freedom Server should I need to revert.

Use the Default textures for the game so that you can see the new features -or- use:

JohnSmith Texture Pack (v8 and compatible with MC 1.8!)

You're going to need the NEW patcher to get it to work 100%!

There will definitely be broken plugins in multiplayer and some cosmetic issues with chests (you'll want to remove their contents and replace them -- they can show up black, backwards, sideways, even poking through walls, etc.), and we might have a broken economy for awhile, but please hang tight as I slowly but steadily get things in fully working order.

The good news is -- the new version seems to be working and our world (and your creations) appears to be intact, if slightly changed.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:35:46 -0700 My Facebook Fan Page http://johnlatemple.com/my-facebook-fan-page http://johnlatemple.com/my-facebook-fan-page It's not much right now, but it might be a sign that I'm coming out of my cave:  My Facebook Fan Page is up and running.

Please drop by and give it a 'Like'.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:02:16 -0700 Random Riff #2 http://johnlatemple.com/random-riff-2 http://johnlatemple.com/random-riff-2
LaTempleRandomRiff02.mp3 Listen on Posterous

What's happening?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple John Latemple - Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:01:42 -0700 Random Riff #1 http://johnlatemple.com/random-riff-1 http://johnlatemple.com/random-riff-1
LaTempleRandomRiff01.mp3 Listen on Posterous

An open desktop mic and an early morning =

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple John Latemple - Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:09:00 -0700 Al DiMeola and Gumbi Ortiz http://johnlatemple.com/al-dimeola-and-gumbi-ortiz http://johnlatemple.com/al-dimeola-and-gumbi-ortiz

Last night here in Austin I went out to catch my old friend and musical compatriot, Gumbi Ortiz, in the last night of a 7 week tour with Al DiMeola and his World Sinfonia band.  The venue was a first for me, One World Theatre, and it was intimate, if a bit too hot inside.  Great view of all the performers though and the sound was good, so I was content enough.

Of course, Al DiMeola still smokes up the guitar strings.  Gumbi was as hilarious as ever and remains the master of the conga skins, and I had a fantastic time catching up.  We hadn't seen one another in over a decade!  Incredible.  

Al's new CD is entitled 'Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody' and you should get a copy or download off iTunes ASAP.  It's one of his best.

You have also got to hear Fausto Beccalossi on accordion to believe it.  Truly amazing.

Al Di Meola and New World Sinfonia in Kiev, March 30, 2008

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:21:00 -0800 'A Dance With Dragons' due in stores July 12th! http://johnlatemple.com/a-dance-with-dragons-due-in-stores-july-12th http://johnlatemple.com/a-dance-with-dragons-due-in-stores-july-12th

Much to my utter joy today, official news was finally released giving fans a publication date for George R. R. Martin's next book in the Song of Ice and Fire series:  July 12th.

I also confirmed this on George's own blog.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:49:00 -0800 Throne Teaser http://johnlatemple.com/throne-teaser http://johnlatemple.com/throne-teaser

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:34:07 -0800 "Inside Game of Thrones" Feature http://johnlatemple.com/inside-game-of-thrones-feature http://johnlatemple.com/inside-game-of-thrones-feature </object><br><div>Inside Game of Thrones</div>

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:42:05 -0800 Winter is Coming! http://johnlatemple.com/winter-is-coming http://johnlatemple.com/winter-is-coming </object><br><div>Clip Preview</div>

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Fri, 19 Nov 2010 05:56:19 -0800 Ron Paul Responds to TSA: Introduces 'American Traveler Dignity Act' http://johnlatemple.com/ron-paul-responds-to-tsa-introduces-american http://johnlatemple.com/ron-paul-responds-to-tsa-introduces-american

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:42:57 -0700 Halloween Mystery Theater: Chaplin's Time Traveller http://johnlatemple.com/halloween-mystery-theater-chaplins-time-trave http://johnlatemple.com/halloween-mystery-theater-chaplins-time-trave Here's an extraordinary bit for you to take a gander at.  Can you give a clear explanation for what we're seeing?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:25:00 -0700 Sintel http://johnlatemple.com/sintel http://johnlatemple.com/sintel

Sintel is an amazing animated short-film that utilizes Blender open source software. Sit back and enjoy:

"Sintel" is an independently produced short film, initiated by the Blender Foundation as a means to further improve and validate the free/open source 3D creation suite Blender. With initial funding provided by 1000s of donations via the internet community, it has again proven to be a viable development model for both open 3D technology as for independent animation film.
This 15 minute film has been realized in the studio of the Amsterdam Blender Institute, by an international team of artists and developers. In addition to that, several crucial technical and creative targets have been realized online, by developers and artists and teams all over the world.

www.sintel.org


The young director's name is Colin Levy.  Leave him a Tweet @effstops.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Sat, 25 Sep 2010 01:23:00 -0700 Sarah Wilkinson: Tusken Raider http://johnlatemple.com/sarah-wilkinson-tusken-raider http://johnlatemple.com/sarah-wilkinson-tusken-raider

I won this wonderful piece of Star Wars art in a recent eBay auction.  It's a STAR WARS GALAXY SERIES 5 sketch card depicting a TUSKEN RAIDER.  The artist is the beautiful and talented Sarah Wilkinson and you definitely should check out her work.  She accepts commissions, but be forewarned:  she's in growing demand, so be prepared to take a number!  You can follow Sarah on Twitter @_SarahWilkinson.

Tusken_raider_wilkinson

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:19:29 -0700 Spontaneous Composition Revisited http://johnlatemple.com/spontaneous-composition-revisited http://johnlatemple.com/spontaneous-composition-revisited
America_Awakening_by_John_LaTemple.mp3 Listen on Posterous

A couple of years ago, on a bit of a challenge from a very good friend and fellow musician, I loaded up Reason software for the first and so far only time and tried my hand at composing instead of the usual, which is me playing a sax solo on someone else's tracks or me crafting a melody on the spot in the studio.  This is the result: a quasi-classical mash of piccolo trumpet, violin and French horns as the primary voices over strings, bass and percussion.  I entitled the piece 'America Awakening' and put it all together with little more than a digital keyboard on the computer screen and a few hours of inspiration.  I'm uploading this tonight for several deeper reasons, not the least of which is just to remind myself that I need to try my hand at composition again, but next time it will be with in-house studio tools plus my sax.

I hope you enjoy this brief musical experiment.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple - Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:28:39 -0700 True Geekdom: Miniatures from 2000 http://johnlatemple.com/true-geekdom-miniatures-from-2000 http://johnlatemple.com/true-geekdom-miniatures-from-2000 It's time to reminisce a bit and revel in being a geek.  A decade ago I brushed the dust off my brushes and dabbled in painting gaming miniatures again for the first time in twenty years.  Much to my amazement I actually won a couple of contests and sold a couple of dozen figures on eBay, including all the minis pictured below.  Earlier this year I returned to the hobby and at some point I may post my latest experiments, but for now here are a few from way back when.  

Gandalf the White on Shadowfax with a custom base

2_white_rider_sold

Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood

I painted another improved version of this same miniature that ended up winning the Southeast Regionals that year in a Lord of the Rings contest sponsored by Games Workshop.  I was quite surprised.  I will have to take photos of that mini sometime.

2_legolas

Gandalf the Grey

This is just an extreme closeup admiring the gem I painted onto the sword Glamdring.

Gemstone

From the back:

3_gandalf_grey_sold

Warhammer Fantasy Orc Boss on Wyvern

I enjoyed this mini so much that I painted a second one in a completely different color scheme and with a snowy base.  It sits in my bookshelves while the one pictured here was my highest seller ever on eBay.  I look at it now and see huge room for improvement but back when I painted this I was quite proud of how it turned out.

WAAAGH!

Orc_boss_sold_closeup 2_orc_boss_sold
See the full gallery on Posterous

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:24:02 -0700 Arthur C. Clarke Predicting the Future in 1964 http://johnlatemple.com/arthur-c-clarke-predicting-the-future-in-1964 http://johnlatemple.com/arthur-c-clarke-predicting-the-future-in-1964
Visionary.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/679546/17978111913355716902.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjxaTCIsOmB John LaTemple johnlatemple John LaTemple