XenonLab 2019-03-24 13:42
Hi everyone! Passionate about technologies since 1984, with my first C-64, I learned and experimented with many languages, tools, game engines, and more over the years.
LowRes NX is really cool! I like its simplicity, its pure retro-computer spirit, it's finally my wish came true! a fantasy computer that uses the Basic C-64-like.
I follow the project on github and noticed that it is very active in the develop branch. I have some questions:
Currently LowRes NX uses scripts to implement the sprites editor, maps, sounds, using the drag & drop system. I assume that later the editors are natively implemented in the right project? it would be useful and very nice a code editor inspired by the C-64, with tab system and status bar at the bottom (line number, word number, memory, and more, in PICO-8 style). Always keeping the pixelated graphic style please!
LowRes NX uses the Basic language in the same style as the C-64. In the past I wrote a very clear and detailed manual for Basic (QB64, an open-source port of the old QBasic for DOS). I am interested in resuming my old manual and creating a new one dedicated exclusively to LowRes NX, initially with small step by step tutorials well described to start without problems (BASIC is really easy), I use Scribus, Gimp, and pixelated style layout. I want to make my new website dedicated to my old 8-bit Retro-Gaming work. Is the author of the project happy if I insert his name, the official LowRes NX site, and work on this manual in Italian, Spanish, and English?
LowRes NX is written mainly in C / C ++ with the use of the SDL2 library. I assume it will be possible to have future builds for Linux / Unix systems right? if it works for macOS (Unix like system), I have no doubt about this (but I ask to be quiet).
Timo Kloss, with LowRes NX you fulfilled the desire of many retro-gaming enthusiasts. Please! not to make this project complex, implementing functionalities that kill its pure retro nature of the 80s (modern languages, OOP ...). LowRes NX is perfect, with the addition of editors and small overall improvements, it will be an absolute must for all the old veterans, children, and I also hope for schools (it would be a wise idea to adopt this project for teaching).
I thank you with all the passion and love I have for your project, but it will never be enough 😉
was8bit 2019-03-24 16:44
I can add my guesses to your questions...
1) being LowRes NX is available for IOS as well as WINDOWS there probably won't be one identical editor ... IOS version as it's built in one based on the original LowRes program, and WINDOWS LowRes requires an external editor...
2) 3) not sure, Timo will have to answer these..
I love LowRes NX too \(^_^)/ and the community here really is really cool too, I really enjoy the sharing and helping the community offers :)
was8bit 2019-03-24 16:45
... and a big WELCOME to LowRes NX :D
XenonLab 2019-03-24 16:57 (Edited)
Thanks a lot @was8bit. I am in the testing phase and have noticed that some ascii characters are not displayed, small bugs and shortcomings that will certainly be solved in the future.
I still enjoy experimenting with the programming language of my childhood. For children, LowRes NX is perfect!
was8bit 2019-03-24 18:00 (Edited)
Lowres NX only supports ASCII 32 thru 95
If you can use Char Designer, open it up, go to page 4, select the FONT button, and select NORMAL.... then, select the DISK button, then select the SAVE button...
Page 4 of the character set is reserved for the text font... lowres will automatically use a built in font if you leave page 4 blank... if you want to use page 4 for other graphics, you won’t be able to use text because your graphics will appear instead of text..
This allows you to create your own font set if you want to, simply redraw what you see on page 4, and your custom drawn font set will be used for the text in your game :D
was8bit 2019-03-24 18:05
Check out a font set I made for one of my games I’m still working on.. :)
https://lowresnx.inutilis.com/topic.php?id=95
XenonLab 2019-03-24 18:51
Interesting, I hadn't noticed this yet. I take note of your nice advice, it is a small limitation that hides many interesting aspects. Thank you very much, I do some tests and try to make a small demo.
was8bit 2019-03-24 19:02
Cool :)
BlockHead 2019-03-25 07:18
Greetings from Italy!? Grande fratello, finalmente qualche latino! (Great bro, finally a Latin on the website)
XenonLab 2019-03-25 10:37
@Blockhead Si, sono di Roma e ho 42 anni suonati :D Bello vedere che noi italiani siamo ancora dei retro-gamer nostalgici XD
I apologize to everyone, but I found out that Blockhead is Italian like me. I had to greet him using Dante Alighieri's language.
BlockHead 2019-03-25 14:52
Io in realtà sono minorenne ma a mio parere i vecchi successi sono i migliori, meglio della roba attuale.
was8bit 2019-03-25 15:54
No worries, everyone is welcome ... friends welcome to chat with any language :)
Timo 2019-03-25 20:15
Answers :)
1. I created the whole "virtual disk" system especially to allow tools be made directly with NX BASIC programs, because I wanted my tools to be editable by everyone. You said you use AMOS Basic? Me too! This was one of my inspirations. AMOS had its tools also written in its own language.
The source code editor is a different story. I focused on mobile devices (iOS) and wanted to have everything working well with touch screens. Making a good text editor for touch screens is a lot of work, so I decided to use native GUI for it. The desktop versions of NX are more like a side product, so I didn't spend too much time for it, as there are already lots of great editors available. Currently I don't have plans for a built in editor.
2. I wrote a complex manual, too, (I know it needs more example code) and now I'm working on a BASIC tutorial. Anyway, if you want to create more, feel free :)
3. It's pure C by the way, no C++ :) Yes, some people already compiled it for Linux, they made a make file. But I don't support it officially, because I don't use or have Linux and I have no idea about it...
About the BASIC: It's more like QBASIC than C64 BASIC. No line numbers, SUBs, more loop types etc.