Sam PL » Programming

KINETIX

Sam PL — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:39:30 +0000

KINETIX is a colorful, fast-paced casual game that uses only a webcam for input. A computer vision algorithm detects motion and alternatively rewards and punishes players for moving. Originally conceptualized as a children’s toy to encourage physical activity, the game’s simplicity allows it to be be played by anyone, either alone, competitively, or collaboratively–with any number of players.

This version was built in Processing, with help from the OpenCV library, Andy Best’s introduction to the same, The Very Best (no relation), and WhoopAss.

Joystick and Guitar Hero MIDI Scripting

Sam PL — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:39:14 +0000

For an Independent Study this past summer semester, I set out to tackle some novel approaches to controlling music. I ended up writing patches for the graphical programming language MAX/MSP that allowed me to receive signals from game controllers and convert them to MIDI signals, which were then received in my favorite music software: Ableton Live. After composing a track with digital instruments and samples, the setup allowed me to control any music parameters I wanted by pressing buttons, moving joysticks and whammy bars–even tilting a Guitar Hero controller (with an accelerometer inside).

wConnect Facebook Application

Sam PL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:19:28 +0000

During the summer of 2008 I worked with in the Computer Supported Collaboration and Learning Lab at PSU’s School of IST. My work focused on developing a facebook application for wConnect, a social alliance of women in information technology headed by Mary Beth Rosson, using PHP and the Facebook API.

The project required careful handling of abstract concepts of user identity. Users sign into their wConnect account through their regular Facebook account, and merging these identities while managing issues of user privacy, and technical implementation was one of the most interesting parts of the project.

Developing satisfactory visual branding for the app was also a challenge. wConnect needed a modern, clean look and feel that integrated into the Facebook frame nicely–but communicated ownership of the content we were responsible for.

Some screenshots after the jump…

Skills: PHP, SQL, Facebook API, HTML, CSS, Photoshop

Radio Player for Yahoo! Widgets

Sam PL — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:26:59 +0000

I designed an audio streaming widget for the Yahoo! Widget Engine for our student radio station. So far, we’ve have more than 2,000 downloads. View or download here.

The player is based off of an earlier version of the 5FM Streamer Widget. Some of the other radio widgets were visually way too busy; I wanted to make the player as simple as possible. The widget has a link to the station’s website and a play button over a glossy blue base.