Welcome to FreshProgramming.com. This site was launched on 07/07/2007 with the main purpose of hosting some of my more labor intesive works while at the same time showing progress and providing entertainment. This site is constantly being updated and worked on as new apps are written and old apps are posted, so be sure to check back often. For now all apps can be found under the Java link above.

Any questions comments or concerns can be sent to Dougie@FreshProgramming.com

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(2008/03/07) While working on my current project, the RTS, I knew I would eventually need to write my own server side code to handle the connections between users and the host server. At a stopping point on the RTS, I decided to try and create my first server application, and client to use it, both connected through a low level socket connection. I figured that my chat application would be a perfect way to test the socket connection and before long I had created a multi-Threaded server application designed to handle numerous client chat applications and I also created a modified version of my existing chat application to use the new socket interface. I have been using the new socket interface almost every day for the past few weeks, and it seems pretty solid. I would love to put a version up on the the site for others to use but I'm afraid that wont work because Java applets, unlike Java applications, don't have accesses to the open socket connections. I might be able to figure some way around this but the outlook is not to good right now.

(2008/02/05) It really sucks that I haven't had time to do any work on this poor site. I've just been too busy with my new masterpiece: The Chosen. I finally got around to creating and posting an about page for the RTS so be sure to check it out. Sadly though, I'm afraid I don't see any time in my near future to work on this site, but I do have many things in mind so keep your clicking fingers at the ready.

(2008/01/11) I've finally got my RTS, The Chosen, to a runnable, working state. We'll call it version Alpha 0.01. It demos the graphics engine and tests some of the overall stability. Throughout the process I have been working to try and keep it well documented, which has slowed down the process some but will be worth it as things get more complex. I have also created a blog site to report on the status of the RTS as it morphs from a program into a playable game. You can find news about The Chosen at RTS.FreshProgramming.com. Link above.

(2007/12/07) Well I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that I have started a huge project, much bigger than anything I've ever worked on before. I've started to write my own Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game, similar to Starcraft, Command & Conquer, or Age of Empires. The game has been in the design phase for about 2 weeks, and recently, I've stated coding the for the graphics engine. This brand new engine is looking very promising, and hopefully will stand up to the test of a giant game like I have in mind. Unfortunately, the bad news is that this project will leave me with very little time to work on and update my site. I hope to have some sort of demo available in a few months, but we'll see. Also, because this is going to be a very big game, I would greatly appreciate and artistic help to create some of the units, buildings, and even just the terrain. I will also need some assistance from someone with some audio experience to help create sound effects and such. I'll try and post updates often, and keep you informed. If you’re interested in helping out contact me and maybe we can work something out.

(2007/11/07) Well, I did it. After thinking about it for months, I finally redesigned my site with PHP. This redesign should allow me to add more content to the site with ease. I just need to finish a few more tools to help me maintain the site, and it will be complete. I’m pretty happy with the way that the Java Index page turned out after all those long nights of PHP. In the mean time I have made some more progress on my breakout including a brand new graphics engine that should allow me to focus less on the annoying flicker and more on the fun game play. Breakout Version 2 is available but still needs much work before I can feel proud of it. I have also been inspired to write a simple 3D Tunnel app to demonstrate the new graphics engine. The tunnel app will eventual become completely interactive and allow the user to twist, turn or even rotate the tunnel on the fly to demonstrate some of the intricate polygon linking that, as of now, is un-evident. I even included the new graphics engine in my asteroids game and released it as Version 5. With this new graphics engine solving so many problems, I hope to buckle down and finish the asteroids soon so I can more on to some other projects.

(2007/10/22) I’ve been tweaking and toughly testing my Chat application for the past few weeks. I’ve made some significant progress but, I still have some major modifications to put in place. Sadly though, my chat will have to wait a little longer as I start an entirely new project, Breakout. Version 1 is up and running to show the basics, but I’m afraid that’s, all I have to offer right now. I have extremely large goals for Breakout, including writing my first online multiplayer game, and incorporating it with my Chat program what the time is right. This goal will require much discipline and several flow charts but I guarantee it will be well worth the wait.

(2007/10/08) Ahh it feels good to finish something. Chat is finally out as version 1. It's pretty cool, if I do say so myself. And getting it to work also taught me to use SQL data bases which are really awesome. Eventually I will add multiple rooms and more cool display options, but for now it works so I'm happy. Let me know what you think of it (you can use the chat).

(2007/10/04) Another version of Asteroids is up and running, putting that project one step closer to being finished. If I could remain focused on Asteroids, I’m sure I could have it done in a few days. Unfortunately, I have more ideas than I do time. As a result, I often end up working on something other then Asteroids despite the fact that it would be relatively minimal to get it finished. Because of this new influx of ideas, which include, Dr. Mario, a chat engine, multiplayer games, Breakout, and even a MIDI player, I have not been making too much progress on finishing Asteroids. None the less, Version 4 is up and running complete with sounds, ship regeneration, and invulnerability. I have also decided to put up my research paper from my senior year of high school, entitled The Illusion of Intelligence. It’s not terribly earth-shattering, but it is a very thorough overview of how a generic artificial intelligence (A.I.) system works. Hopefully I’ll find some time soon to put the finishing touches on both Asteroids, and my Work-in-progress chat applet, so both can be wrapped up and crossed of the to-do list.

(2007/09/20) I've been working furiously to finish my Asteroids program. I started by adding java style animations to the asteroids and the ship for when either is destroyed. Next, for version 3, I decided to finally enable the ship to asteroid collations. I also did dome tweaking to the lifetime of the debris and to the sizes of the asteroids. In preparation for the release of Asteroids I have also written an almost stand alone app designed to work from within another app for the purpose of monitoring and editing all controls. The benefit of this is that you, the user, can customize the controls to your liking and no longer have to be stuck with my default control settings. I have already put this into place already in my Tetris program (Menu option) and in the newer versions of my Asteroids (F8).

(2007/09/10) I finally decided to release the new ChainShot game to the world. It is completely up and working. I need to make some minor tweaks to speed up performance during larger sets, but other than that the basic game is as done as it is going to get. I do have plans for up grading the game with cool pictures and maybe even some animations but for now the game works and saves scores so that should be enough for now. I also have plans for releasing an extended version of ChainShot which will include some slightly different game play but will still be written on the same engine so that shouldn’t take too long either. Other than that release, I fixed a very small bug in the Tetris game to allow for scores up to 9 million just to accommodate the super high scores of Josh.

(2007/09/06) It has been a while since my last major update but I assure you that after my two-week vacation I jumped right back to work. I started off by making some modifications to my Tetris program, mostly to the score keeping and the high score viewing window. Then I started the creation of a whole new game that should be done very soon. The game is called ChainShot and it is mostly working and only needs a few minor tweaks to the high scores and to the display. If you would like to see it in advance let me know and I'll send you the test link that I have been working with for the past few weeks. I have also released my PathFinder app to appease the waiting, but I assure you that This new game will be done soon. I also have my Chess program uploaded, but it is not yet available, as it still needs to be adjusted for the web. One thing that is available is my small Clock app that I wrote as I was working on my new game. The new game, ChainShot, should be up in about a week so check back soon to be the first to get the high score.

(2007/07/30) Made some major changes to the Tetris program including all new pictures and a whole scoring system to back it up. Got tetris and a few others converted over to use jar files in an attempt to decrease load time and increase performance. I also got my Solitaire program and my Bomber program uploaded and working. I should now be done with the Tetris program and hopefully I'll figure out some minor glitches in both my Chess program and my Pathfinder program so both of those can be uploaded soon as well. Other than that I still have my Asteroids Program to finish and Upload with the others.

(2007/07/17) As of right now I have put up just a few of my apps and have taken a break to test them and ensure that everything is ready to work. I have just added pictures and sound effect to my Tetris app but still have much more planned. In the mean time my work in progress, Asteroids, has been put on hold as I instead try to focus on adding a high score table to tetris and others. I would also like to get my Chess program uploaded and working with in the week, but we'll see.