This is more of a "note to self" post than anything, but maybe some folks out there are interested in learning about alternative Windows software installer systems besides Install Shield (one of the most common, I think.)

The Nullsoft Scriptable Install System looks very lightweight and powerful, so maybe some of you can find good use for it? ...Maybe you're not a programmer/software developer and you don't know what I'm talking about?? Well... either way, I wrote it down, so now I can find it later. :P

In case you're interested, I've opened up a new site at www.GameDevSchool.com.  It's intended to house a ton of the video game development info I've been collecting over the years... mainly the trove of info about middleware and game design/development tools I've been amassing since about 1998 or so.  I had been working on adding this stuff to a special developer section of MassMOG, but I finally broke down and set up a separate site for that stuff.  I'll be linking over there from time-to-time when I have game developer-centric info to post.

I'm also a member of several academic advisory boards for local colleges & tech schools that have video game design & development courses they're implementing.  That's been a mixed bag, as some of them are doing it right and others are scaring me, honestly.  GameDevSchool.com is intended to hold a database of some of the school programs I've been learning about.  I'm not sure if I'll get into any kind of reviews (how on Earth would I review them, other than conceptually??), but mostly I want to point out what schools are trying to do.  Maybe I can get interviews or comment/forum posts from former/current students... don't know if it will grow to that point or not.

 Anyway, if you're interested in game development and want to know more, GameDevSchool.com will hopefully start to give you some good research links and info.

Run over there if you'd like to check it out, but be sure to come back over the next weeks as the content starts to build up.  Thanks!  :) 

This white paper, What About Flash? Can We Really Make Games With It? is a great read if you're in the business of developing "casual games" or online games and you've pondered the value of Flash in your life. I've been really strongly researching alternatives to using Flash and Director/Shockwave for online games. I just don't like how confining they are with regards to making other bigger games that I want to work on.

I've done a fair amount of work with the Torque game engine by Garage Games, which is very good. It's much more complex than Flash, but that might be just what you need, eh? There are other options too, but give this article a peruse if you're finding any of this topic interesting.

I've been working on a project in Flash that requires some more precise sound effect triggering than you get with standard Flash code stuff. Here's a great article about Advanced Flash MX Sound Timing that I'm referencing for my current games. Good stuff!

"Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased at a lesser price."
- Samuel Johnson

"the lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne."
- Chaucer

In my continued quest to learn as much as possible in the shortest period of time, I stumble across this gem: Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years. If you've fallen for the "Learn X in Y hours/days/whatever" and found the process wanting, give this article a buzz. No, don't buzz through it... READ it! I do that "buzzing" thing all the time and I just get the tip-o-iceberg. Sometimes a little encouragement to calmly digest something helps.

Maybe I am too concerned with learning new things and less concerned with learning what I've got WELL?? Yeah, I've thought about that on many occasions, but it's good to be reminded. Check out that article.