John Carmack, Rocket Scientist?

Here''s another URL for you:
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=119852

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I MADE ALL OF YOU WAIT 3 DAYS FOR A MEXICAN WRESTLER!

This is pretty old news, and has been posted here before. Just thought I'd irrelevantly say that..

edit: beat me to it.


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my website: heavy assault
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[edited by - munkie on October 19, 2002 7:42:04 PM]

Like I said in about the nine other times this has been mentioned, this is a beautiful example of seat of the pants engineering. I love it.

And I also like how he is hands on. Unlike some I won't mention around here, he has an interest other than staring at computer code all day. Note that he has put together a 'shop' with materials (metal, among other things) and tools, such as a TIG welder, etc. They even have a little tractor.

You see, this is good stuff. Very much in the spirit of the 'ultimate shop' thread I created.

I am a little concerned about their slightly cavalier attitude with regard to electrical connections and mounting techniques. I was reading how they had a problem with a connection which was only a wire under a screw.

If I was working on this project, one of the first things I would establish are minimal standards for connections, switches, etc. For example, I would only use metal toggle swithces with a positive snap from on to off, with a guaranteed number of usable 'throws'. Having had experience with wiring the lights (and rewiring the lights) on my flatbed, I can attest to the necessity of strong vibration proof soldered connections in a vibrational environment. The heavy suspension on my truck created that vibrational environment.

I would also seriously look into using redundant power sources which are automatically switched on if the software control program ever stops sending a 'still breathing' signal, either because of hardware failure, power failure, or any reason whatsover.

Actually, I would engineer it with three motherboards, called 1, 2, and 3. Number 1 boots up and controls the system. Number 2 is already booted and running, and immediately takes over control if Number 1 fails to send a 'still breathing signal'. At the same time Number 2 takes control, Number 3 receives power and is booted, waiting in reserve if Number 2 should fail. These were just ideas I was thinking about as I was reading about their project. I am quite impressed by what they are doing, and I wish I was part of a project such as that.

[edited by - bishop_pass on October 19, 2002 11:06:45 PM]

Lets hope his rocket is better than his games.

His games kick ass.

quote:

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Original post by Anonymous Poster
Seeing so many threads dedicated to John Carmack I wonder when GameDev will interview him for the people here.

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Seeing so many threads dedicated to John Carmack I wonder when GameDev will create a John Carmack forum.

If they created a john carmack forum, only John Carmack would post there.

AnonymousPosterChild!
Black_mage_s in disguise!