Survey posted 2003-02-03 22:24 by Magnus.

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I couldn't help but notice that all you people are posting in Greenwich time. I think that this is perfectly fine as long as all of you live in Greenwich and can proudly say that " I'm proud to be a Greenwichian." Otherwise I suggest all people with inncorrect time go and change it via their accounts. <<This has been a free public service announcement in order to keep order and regulation on web sites in conjunction with the online community order establishment of 1997 as stated in section MCVXII.II.V.CCXCVI.>>

We can't do anything *but* post in GMT. It's a server-side setting.

Yeah, it's the PERL that posts it that way.

Isn't that ironic. Your time is in GMT also.

ya, everytime I yelled at him about it, MV deleted it...

ERR:U_SUCK, your an idiot...
So they should hire someone with a lot of time...

*your* an idiot?

...Okay, I'm not saying what I was going to say because I'd be a very VERY bad hypocrite ;-)

Not only should they have time, but they should also be a good programmer. Programmers know alot more about computers and graphing calculators than average users. Part of this job also involves testing, and if there is a bug somewhere, the archiver can make a quick adjustment (like adding an END somewhere). Well, thats all I have to say.

That's the programmers job. People should at least TEST THEIR OWN PROGRAMS before upoloading them. Besdies, the archivers can't change the programmer's files. It's not allowed. Besides, I doubt they'd be checking all the programs for syntax/semantics errors... they'll be looking for any for any type of profanity, use of drugs, or bad pictures. That's all.

ya, they should test them, but I think lithium has a good idea.
No, they shouldnt fix everything, but if they notice a small error, they could fix it, but not be required to.

I don't think the archivers should change anything. The uploaders SHOULD notice if there's an error in their code. It's kinda obvious, especially in BASIC.

true, BASIC is pretty easy and all...

And to be honest, if someone is uploading a BASIC program with an error in it... they DESERVE to be embarrassed.

Agree!

The only thing I don't know is why so many people still program is basic. It stinks. Plus most of the things they do in it end up being so slow, buggy, and ugly, that no one uses them. The ONLY good basic program I saw was an 89 basic program that had hex code embeded in it. Basic should only be used for PERSONAL programs since it is a waste of time.

Check out how many basic progs are downloaded each day. Your comment has many merits, but a lot of people still use basic, and a lot of people don't have the time to work in asm. There are many great games that work fine as basic anyway - if you don't believe me then download countdown for the 82 / 83 (basic), the programmer's done an amazing job and is just brilliant....

Anywho, back on topic.
Nice username? This was just added as fun. I hope.
Well known username? Very useful as if you know the person through posting, you can get an idea of abilities and capabilies.
Spare Time? Surely most people who don't have the time wouldn't apply for the job - they would be daft to. So this consideration goes without saying, and is also self-resolving.
Good Programmer? Shouldn't be too important, they just need to look for anything that shouldn't be in the code, and ensure that no 'interesting' pics are shown.
Loads of calcs? Although illegal an emulator with plenty of roms should do the job. - The most TI would do is request the person stop doing it - court cases wouldn't get anywhere as all of this site promotes TI and takes no profit from the company.

Just my own couple of thoughts. I don't get many, so when I do I jot them down...

Well, most people probably download BASIC programs because they're easy to maintain, there's no hassle, and they can't crash your calculator. Still, with the use of shells, it's not hard at all to run ASM programs, but it still scares some people.

u can crash an 83 with OS 1.07 using BASIC. Dwedit showed me how. it was cool

That's pretty cool... can you e-mail me the code? Or just post it here? Is it short? Is it anything like

"
expr(ans)

or whatever?

i think that's it.

I thought that only worked on the really old ROM versions ;) w00t!

The majority of the time yes, they are easy to maintain. However, if you have someone using modular code or someone who is unconservative with variable use, than basic programs can be a HUGE mess. I do realize that kernels are many times a mess themselves - especially Doors (which has been obsolete ever since the realise of TIGCC and NoStub programs). There is no problem with Mirage or Ion, though.

I definantly agree with you on the crashing of calcs. However, the majority of the time the benifit out weighs the risk.

I still say that the majority of basic programs should remain personal.

If someone learns Basic too well without knowing C, than it ruins them. The very fact that I hate Basic modular code shows why. To be a good programmer in basic you have to use Lbls and Gotos. Yes, you can and will use labels in C but the code becomes horrible. The very fact that you have to butcher code in Basic shows that it is only designed for primitive use - AKA no graphical games. Yes, in asm you have and use lbls very often. However, the better programmers will normally have modular code all the same because it provides easier updates, it is more easily read, and because they can use the same codes in later programs.

<sarcasm>and since you are such a great and respected programmer, and so senior, we should all respect you...</sarcasm>

There are lots of uses for BASIC, such as most math programs, it is pointless to make them in asm (except complex ones, which are impossible to do in BASIC). So instead of making dumb commemnts, think.

But most people try to accomplish fast-moving games in BASIC, which really isn't possible. I use BASIC for quick math programs, and personal programs, such as ones that store data for you (mini organizer-type thing). I spent a lot of time on one of them, actually. Even so, if somebody's going to make a GAME, I'd suggest that they do it in ASM.

I think its perfectly fine to make BASIC games, yes, they are no where near the quality or speed of an asm game, but if you dont like BASIC games, then don't download them. But don't discredit an entire language because you think you are too high and mighty for it.
There are still many uses for it, and it is a great way to get introduced to programming, and if you dont learn it first, you probably wont be a very good asm programmer. And some of us don't care enough about it to waste our time learning asm...

Well, I vowed that when I got my 89 and 92+ that I wouldn't learn BASIC for them until I got fairly proficient at C.

BASIC is still good for quick math programs, though :) and other stuff, I just wish it could be faster (like the BASIC compiler convesation THAT GOT DELETED)

(BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT FILE-ARCHIVERS) :p

Yeah, but you can only talk about file-archivers for so long... after a while the conversation gets old... even so, it's not like it was some random conversation about what our favorite band is or anything. Speaking of file archivers, when are they going to pick them?

i agree completely. that's where that idea that keeps coming up comes from: have a board for general, non-topical discussion. for a poll with only 5 choices, and not much potential for further conversation, not much can be said.
and I can't answer your question, but one would hope it's soon...

They said they would start some interviews later this week, possibly.
So, what's your favorite band? ;-)

Thursday

And they should make MV an archiver too, cuz he has so much time...
(This is like the 4th time I have posted this... it always gets deleted... hmm, I wonder how or why???)

a robot searches out your name and deletes your posts

Pretty scary, eh?

<scary music>

The robot is coming to DELETE YOU!!!!!!!

</scary music>

I think there should be an off-topic poll. Just for fun. :)

OMG I hate Thursdays. On Thursdays, I have DOUBLE PERIOD BIOLOGY, GYM, HISTORY, AND STUDY HALL. *GAG*

The archiver has a passing grade with us if he has lots of time. It seems that we really don't see a need for too many other specifications.

I didn't discredit the entire language(/macro). I was only saying that Basic should not be used for things. its like playing a HTML port of Unreal Tournament(accually that would be quite a feat, but useless all the same). Basic is wonderfull for math; that is what it is designed to do. But don't try to make graphical games for Basic. The only reason I see that someone should waste their time with a graphical Basic game is to support the members of the TI community who don't have Graphlinks or the sort.

Well, you got it right in that post, your other one sounded like you were saying that BASIC was completlely worthless.

Hm... to do that in HTML would mean that it would have to rely completely on links ;-) And with plain HTML, you can't have cookies to go from one page to the other.... I don't think it could be done... with javascript, MAYBE, but it would be horrible ;-)

You'd just have a LOT of different pages :p

LOL
<A HREF="page276.htm">Click here to turn left</A>
<A HREF="page981.htm">Click here to turn right</A>
....

Hey, nowhere did I state that I believed myself to be an awesome programmer and such. How many different math programs can bee made with Basic? Countless. I am in definite agreement to us basic programs for math (even on the complex ones - finding a better algorithim is always fun). The only problem with uploading them to the internet is the mass numbers. I personally think that it is easier to write a quick three line basic program than to search around for one.

In short, I did think before I posted my comment.

P.S. - The list is pretty short for things that can effectively (or should probably) be programmed in basic. The only things I can think of are math programs and text games(like with menus - ex. Monday).

what about puzzle games, board games, science programs...?
the point of uploading a basic math program (or science, for that matter) is so that someone who doesn't completely understand the mathematical topic, which would prevent them from programming their own quick three line basic program, can get it. They may even figure it out by pulling out what the program or function does.