independent software developer
This is probably the most exciting thing I have seen on the internet for a long time. This particular execution may not be 100% perfect, but the idea itself seems like an immensely powerful way to change our world for the better, step by step:
(at least until we can get rid of economies based on monetary currency entirely)
The zipfile under the image above contains a Pure Data patch which procedurally generates a virtually infinite number of acid and breakbeat loops. I've found that it's quite a lot of fun to play with!
Start by loading the patch called 0_START.pd and then turn up the volume and the cutoff. After that hit the big red button a few times until you hear something you like.
I was making it into an RjDj scene, but I am not really sure if I'll ever get around to finishing it.
update: Oh wow, I completely forgot that there is already an awesome indie game called Dyson, thanks for reminding me, Dan!
Here's another AsteroidsTNG prototype. This asteroid field goes on until MAXFLOAT before looping (I think) and it contains up to 2^32 unique asteroids. I had to remove the collision detection, so you can fly through asteroids, but don't let that stop you from exploring! Oh wow, I just tested this on Internet Explorer and it runs hellishly slow. Sorry IE user, whoever you are. :(
(click on the image to play)
I think if I was ever to turn this into a proper game, I would call it Dyson, after the physicist Freeman Dyson who came up with the concept of the Dyson tree, which I would hope to work into the game. A short time ago I had the great fortune of briefly meeting Freeman Dyson's daughter and tech luminary, Esther Dyson, source of the following great piece of advice:
"Fail cheap. Fail fast. Fail often. Always make new mistakes." -Esther Dyson
I am a huge fan of this philosophy, especially when it comes to rapidly prototyping software and games.
This game was written inside the jsGameSoup framework.
Writing games for javascript and the canvas tag feels a bit like being an eight year old again, trying to squeeze every last cpu cycle out of my parents' Apple //e. Good times!
Anybody who started tinkering with GNU/Linux just for fun in their teens should initiate smug mode immediately, unless like myself your smug mode is stuck in the on position.