[NTLUG:Discuss] Hillcrest idea -- need for volunteer(s)?

[Kevin Brannen]

Kathleen Weaver wrote:
> 
> Okay, I've got a cool idea, that so far my kids like, the kids who need
> this like and the math teacher and the Dean likes.....  SO here's the idea.
> 
> I want my students to write a math TAAS game.  This is the sketch of the
> idea.

Cool idea!  Ambitious, but cool...

> 
> Here's where I need help.  I've never programmed anything this large, or
> planned it.  I have no idea how the graphics get down, but I want something
> way gee, that's cool.

I think you need a brainstorming session with ~3-8 people to design the
framework and architecture (conceptually); i.e. do the analysis and
maybe the design, before handing it off to the kids (unless you want
them to learn to do that too).  You're talking about a complex project,
IMHO.  If the people really got on a roll, it _might_ could be done over
a long lunch.  [I don't have the gaming experience, but I would be
willing to help if the time commitment was about that long, as I'm
seriously short on time.]

> 
> I'd like -- blame last meeting over this -- that will run on Linux, Mac,
> Windows... but will require a linux server.  I want for any computer or
> most computers in the school to be able to handle this thing....

Oouch!  The multi-platform requirement is difficult, though I understand
why you want it.  Hmmm, my first thought is to do it in Java, then you
can use a browser on any of your platforms and you'll be OK (and the
games would be given to the client machines to run and not bog down your
server).  I wonder if it could be done with Perl/CGI?  There's probably
other ways to tackle that problem, though they don't come to mind
immediately.  Perhaps others can provide ideas.

Anyway, if you went this direction, your Linux box could run the
intranet Web server (Apache) and then all your various plaforms just
have to have a browser to be a client.  All test/games/statuses/etc. can
reside on your Linux box too.  I'd probably want a database to hold the
tests and statuses; though it could be done with flat files.  If you
need a database, I'd suggest PostgreSQL; I've heard good things about
it.  Or you could use the free Informix-SE DB; I've used it with good
success.


HTH,
Kevin