WORK IN PROGRESS
DATA
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15/02/00
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New screen shots posted!! Check the Screen Shots area to see my new acquisition. (Thank you EBAY :) ) I've been looking for one of these for quite some time, and I finally came across one in mint condition.
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16/01/00
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After a several month
break from Vmerlin, I'm getting back in the drivers seat again. I'm in the process of
revamping some code and will be adding some of the features many people have asked about.
(The main one being instructions available as you play.) Check back soon.. |
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29/09/99
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New screen shots are online.
Virtual Merlin will now not only faithfully emulate a traditional Merlin, but will also allow
the user to make some modifications. These will include alterations to Merlin's appearance
(body color & lights) and different variations of the original games. I am currently working
on 2 more variations of Magic Square. |
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15/09/99
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Wow, has it been a month
already!! A lot has happened since our last episode. Monroeworld is back up and better
than ever. VMerlin has a new address vmerlin.monroeworld.com.
(Don't forget to
change your bookmark) I have a new email address
vmerlin@monroeworld.com generously provided by the great folks at Monroeworld (Thanks!)
and I have made major headway in Vmerlin's front end and game play. Stay tuned as I will
be posting some screen shots in the next couple of days. |
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14/08/99
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New download available
today!! Version 1.03 includes several slight bug fixes, some code optimization (Zip file
size cut from 500k to 112k) and sports a new look. The new front end is far from complete,
but I feel better about using it than the current one. Let me know what you think. |
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30/07/99
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Original cover art
restoration finally finished. Check it out in the Screenshots area. |
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23/07/99
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Huge Update today!!!
First, let me start by saying, I know it took longer for me to release another beta than
what I had estimated. I held it up due to a bug that cropped up during my last tests.
I wanted (needed) to fix it before I felt comfortable about releasing the newest version.
What does the new version contain you ask, several minor bug fixes, Black Jack 13 now ends
properly, and final three games are now completely playable!! What this means is that the
next release will be the first full release which will contain enhancements to both the
interface and game itself. Oh well, enough of my blabbing, get over to the download area,
test drive the new VMerlin, and let me know what you think. Also, check out the screen shots
area for some pictures of a couple of things I aquired in the last couple of weeks. :) |
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15/07/99
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I'm Back!! Sorry for
the lack of updates, I took some time off. :) While I have been away, I have gotten
quite a lot accomplished. First, all six games are now completely playable!! After
some slight revisions to make VMerlin more stable, I will be posting a new download
to try out. (Sometime this weekend) Also, the new interface is going well. I am in
the process of adding some original box art. (During my time away, I aquired a Merlin
from 1978 still in the original packaging, NEVER BEEN OPENED!! It is in remarkable shape!
I will be using this package for the cover art in the new interface. I will also post
some pictures of my new treasure in the pics area. (also this weekend). Lastly, there
are some special things in the works for VMerlin's sound samples. Check back soon!! |
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03/07/99
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First, I want to
give a special Thanks! to JBar2 for making me the VMerlin animated GIF shown on
VMERLIN's Default Page. Next, I'd like to report that Echo (Game #3) is now completely
playable!! I still have a couple of quirks to iron out before it is completely authentic.
I am hoping to have it finished as well as a good start on (Game #6) Code Breaker by
the end of the holiday weekend. Code Breaker is the final of the six original games!
Once it is complete, I will get VMerlin as stable as possible and make yet another beta
release. |
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02/07/99
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With timing
problem corrected, remaining games are progressing nicely. Music Machine
(Game #2) is now completely playable! Echo is not playable, but is close.
I am also working on improving the interface. Stay tuned... |
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27/06/99
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Yes!!!!!!
My timing problem is finally solved! Stayed up practically all night til
it was fixed. As you read this I am probably still celebrating by drinking
highly caffinated beverages. (I'm collecting the Star Wars Pepsi cans and
I'm currently finishing off my forth Mace Windu :) ) I also have a second
reason to celebrate today. Today is officially VMerlin's Grand Opening at
MonroeWorld! In honor of both of these occasions, I am releasing a new
beta of VMerlin. This is VMerlin 1.01 and you can get it from the Download
section. What is new in VMerlin 1.01 you ask? Several minor bug fixes,
VMerlin's power up is more authentic, Magic Square initialization is more
authentic (Magic Square is displayed when game is selected), and last but
certainly not least, BlackJack 13 is completely playable! Lastly, for those
of you who Emailed me at Fortunecity, I have not gotten back to you due to
some changes with their mail server. As soon as I get access to my mail, I
will get back to you. |
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25/06/99
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Welcome
to Virtual Merlin's New home!! VMerlin is now a proud member of the
MonroeWorld team. I can not Thank Shane enough for not only bringing me
aboard, but also for completely revamping the VMerlin site! (In record time
I might add) Shane has also done a great job in restoring an original Merlin
manual. (The man's work ethic is unrivaled!) If you have not checked it
out yet, you can find it under the Download section. As for an update on
VMerlin's progress, things are progressing quite well. My timing problem
is almost resolved. After I finishing "unpacking" in my new location, I
will be back at work coding the next beta release. |
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22/06/99
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Let
me start by saying Thank You! to everyone who has sent me Email's
of support. I really appreciate the positive feedback. I also want
to give a special Thank You! to Shane Monroe of Monroe's
World who continues to be a source of support and encouragement.
By abandoning his Merlin PC project, Shane made Virtual MERLIN the
only Merlin simulator on the web. Knowing this, I will do my best
not to let him or you down. Work on Games 2 (Play a tune) and 4
(BlackJack 13) began yesterday. BlackJack 13 is coming along nicely.
In fact, it is not far from being playable. After I get a slight
timing problem ironed out I can wrap it up and start on Game 2 (Play
a tune). (Hopefully in a week or so.) |
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19/06/99
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Posted
Public Beta for Download!! Click above to download the latest beta
version of VMERLIN. (Note: Please read the README.TXT file for help
and other important information) |
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14/06/99
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Magic
Square is finished and is completely playable!! I will be putting
together some quick documentation this week as well as revising
my front-end screen and will hopefully be releasing a public beta
as soon as this weekend!! |
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09/06/99
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Magic
Square is progressing nicely and is semi playable. I am hoping to
have the problems ironed out by this weekend. I have also recorded
the additional sounds required for Magic Square. They will be O.K.
for now, but they will probably be the first thing that is overhauled
when VMerlin is totally complete. After finishing Magic Square,
my main focus will be making VMerlin stable enough for a public
beta release with some preliminary docs. Hopefully this can be accomplished
in a week or so. |
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06/06/99
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All
Tic-Tac-Toe sounds are complete and work fantastic! There is a slight
hiss because I have to record the sounds with a microphone. (The
Merlin is not equiped with a headphone jack :( ) If anyone has any
remedies for cleaning up the sounds please let me know. Until then
it is on to Game #5 the Magic Square. |
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05/06/99
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Finalized
Tic-Tac-Toe Today and it is completely playable!! (It actually works
better than I had hoped) My goal for the rest of the weekend is
to begin adding sound. |
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04/06/99
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Logic
for Tic-Tac-Toe is complete. After completion I realized two important
things. First, when playing Tic-Tac-Toe, the actual Merlin will
allow both the user and the computer to take multiple turns. (What
is up with that?) And second, Merlin's offense and defense is sometimes
random. I'm guessing it had to be this way or the best the player
could do is lose or tie. (What fun would that be? :) ) Knowing these
two things, I am currently revising my Tic-Tac-Toe routines to emulate
the traditional Merlin. Perhaps in the future, I will add a switch
for tradional and revised settings. I will wait and see if I encounter
this on any of the other games. |
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02/06/99
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I
have finished constructing the code for the keypad, and I am beginning
to code the logic for Game #1 Tic-Tac-Toe. I am hoping that I will
have enough free time to have Tic-Tac-Toe playable by the middle
of next week. I have also finished my HTML book, so you can expect
some additions to the W.I.P. page. |
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01/06/99
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Back
from vacation, WOW I can't believe I've gotten 800 hits in less
than a week. Thanks for stopping by, I will do my best to make your
visits worth while by posting frequent updates, screen shots and
perhaps a public beta. Also I would like to give a special thanks
to Linjoelc for pointing out that I misspelled the word endorsed.
:) |
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27/05/99
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Finished
coding my W.I.P. page in Notepad and posted it. (Finished for now
anyway, I will continue to make revisions as I learn more HTML :))
Right now, I just want to get back to coding VMERLIN. |
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23/05/99
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Abandoned
project for a couple days to learn some HTML to create this page.
I was inspired to do this after receiving some words of support
from Shane Monroe of Monroe's
World. (perhaps you've heard of him :) ) Shane is also creating
a MERLIN
emulator and I only hope that mine will be a close second. |
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18/05/99
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Begin
coding interface in Visual Basic. Generate lights and light flashing
routines. |
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17/05/99
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Complete
the model and begin saving rendered images. |
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15/05/99
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Begin
building CAD model of my MERLIN for use in the Virtual Merlin interface.
I decided on creating a model rather than scanning the actual MERLIN
for two reasons. First, my MERLIN is in pretty rough shape. And
second, I was hoping to use the ISO view for a 2D and a 3D playing
mode. |
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14/05/99
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Witness
Mike Green's Speak N Spell Simulator and think that a MERLIN emulator
might be cool. |
