Quake 3 qgl API

I'm sure having the qgl API made sense at some point in time (GL 1.x) however now it's just a pain for doing any kind of porting. The qgl API is a set of function pointers which are initialized by the renderer to point to the real gl API functions (or logging wrappers.) e.g. glClear() becomes qglClear()

I think the original reason for this was logging GL calls (a valid reason, at the time) and handling extensions. IMHO logging could be implemented easier using a GL tracing library (there are a few; Google) and GREMEDY_string_marker for renderer specific messages (begin of function foobar(), etc.)

Actually this is what Robert is doing for XreaL-ET branch, however it's not on the mainline branch yet. I think I'll cherry pick these changes over before doing more work on GLES2 for XreaL. Otherwise the qgl API is going to turn GLES2 support into a massive ifdef mess...

I am quite interested to see what kind of performance SGX can get out of a real VBO optimized renderer.

Me, travel, and fail

It seems I'm rather prone to running into some kind of fail during my travels. Previously the Icelandic Volcanic ash Cloud, and now a rather strong earthquake has hit Christchurch several days before my flight there.

N900 Quake 3 isn't dead yet...

It's been a while since I've had some free time to hack around with Quake 3 on the N900, and strictly speaking that is still the case, but I've started to look into some issues now. Lightmap support, fixing up the input, and adding support for SixAxis/Dual Shock 3 controllers. :)

Okay, at this point I just have the hardware and basic input working on the device thanks entirely to Tomasz Sterna (and others) work.

I hope tomorrow to get some tangible code added to ioquake3 N900 branch as well as testing out the possible lightmapping fixes and refining touchscreen based input for those who don't have PS3 controllers; I only brought mine today. Btw, does anyone else consider it a bit cheap of Sony not to include a USB to Mini-B cable with the controller, or does the PS3 console come with more than one cable?

Yes, I know it's been a long time, and yes the TS input is currently slightly broken. But well, you know the deal with free-time (or rather the lack thereof) projects...

Rain in Helsinki...

Apparently the forecast got it wrong, but none the less it's nice to hear the sound of thunder and rain in Helsinki (which doesn't seem to happen very often.)

Unfortunately I've yet to buy any groceries, and now it's starting to look more like the great deluge out there...

Airports ftw... yeah...

I've finally made it back to Helsinki although my dislike for airports has probably reached monumental levels by now... Unfortunately I had a lot of bad transfers; most of them about 6 hours. Long enough to be annoying, but too short to get a hotel and some sleep. Next time, I'll plan a multi-stop journey so that I can actually sleep during the ~36+ hour journey. Bill Hicks is right on the money when it comes to children on airplanes.

I didn't take many pictures during my vacation, but here's a good reason to remember to fill out the "stop delivering junk mail" form before leaving for over a month. I also have to replace my house plant. The post office apparently doesn't use any no-junk-mail stickers. Quite fun sorting through that to find the important mails...


I brought back some nice teas from Australia: Indian Spice and Turkish Apple. Which is really just sugar, citric acid, and other flavorings (well, it tastes nice anyway.)

Apparently it must have looked interesting enough for customs to open my suitcase. The tea box was left open, but they were nice enough to not rummage through everything... The resemblance is uncanny though.



Now just to sort out paper-work and other miscellaneous things, then back to the office tomorrow (hopefully not totally jet-lagged.)

Mother Nature's a cold hearted bitch...

Unfortunately due to the EU airspace being closed because of the volcanic ash cloud I wasn't able to make it back to Helsinki; I ended up getting stuck in Hong Kong for a night (which was kind of cool; apart from the exceptionally expensive Airport Hotel.)

Yeah, I was lazy and got the closest place, optimistically thinking this might only last a day or two. Finally I decided to get a flight back to New Zealand rather than stay for an unknown period of time in Hong Kong. I don't even want to think about the number of timezones I've crossed in the course of this fiasco... I'm sure the jet-lag will hit hard.

Finnair are offering a refund for unused tickets (once they get around to processing it) so hopefully I will get at least some of my airfair back.

Oh, and if I never hear the words "final boarding call" or "passengers on flight..." again, it will be far too soon.