From: tomk@westgac3
Newsgroups: rec.games.programmer
Subject: Re: Some more GL observations:WAS: to create or not ...
Summary: no flames taken.....
Keywords: opinions programming games
Date: 25 Jul 92 03:21:29 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: West Georgia Color Computer 3

>I openly share with other, if we stumble upon something that is so phenomenal
>and ground-breaking-earthshatteringly clever, we tuck those routines into 
>"special secret libraries" to use in a future development, but the truth be 
>known some effort does need to go into developing routines that work.

How true, how true!

>      ... The problem comes when those "novice programmers" try to get $$$
>for some piece of garbage they didn't even write.  The fact of the matter
>is that you need to do some rummaging through manuals and sorting through
>source and writing test modules to be able to spiff up your games.  I know
>that there is nothing in the world more difficult to do for programmers, 
>than to look in the manual.  And to tell you the truth, that is one of the
>major factors between a good programmer and an excellent one...

The $$$ issue is a matter of ethics. I know that what I write/port is not
what I consider commercial grade. And (no flames intended) the difference
between a good programmer and an excellant one is debatable issue.

>      ... YES I DO!  Lets face it.  The Amiga system has some really cool
>features that you cannot get on the IBM, and the IBM has some nice features
>that the Amiga has not copied yet. (Only one comes to mind, a usable 256 
>color mode)  I don't see anything wrong with enhancing the creativity of 
>a game especially in a game port situation, after all, if its a good game

Thanks! 8-)

>     IMHO, I think every good programmer MUST "re-invent the wheel" if he/she

I'm sure you will agree that "re-inventing the wheel" takes _time_.

>wants to do anything that has the semblance of novelty.  Lets face the facts
>the good routines are WELL GUARDED SECRETS.  I am certain that most everyone
>out there has some ace up their sleeve, you have to!  By the time you get all
>the new routines they are no longer new.  You must delve into the UNKNOWN 
>occasionally, and if you do, you may perhaps stumble upon a fresh new concept

Absolutely agree! Since I need to write all the programs for my OS, I'm not a
stranger to delving into unknowns. Blazing a path where none exist, it would be
nice to have a map to help guide the way. I'm not suggesting that other program-mers write most of my code, rather, a little guidance would go a long way.

>programmer.  No flame intended, but anyway around it producing a well rounded
>game with all the trimmings is a BIG task.

>      ... Oh they do,  And if you don't appreciate that which they share 

The reason for my previous article was that all I had seen for the last 50 or
so articles is the bickering between "know it all"s. My apologies to you for
seeming to be ungrateful. I do appreciate good programming tips. BTW, your last
points are well taken here. Touche!


-- 
Thomas Kocourek                               : UUCP on an OS9 system,
UUCP: ...!{emory,gatech}!wa4mei!westgac3!tomk : Multitasking in 512K---
LD: (404) 834-4685                            : What a concept!