Development

Programming, development, scripts

vMetrics for WordPress blogs updated to version 1.1

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I spent a little bit of time updating my vMetrics plugin for WordPress blogs. To give you a brief run-down, vMetrics allows you to display information from your VMware vCenter Cluster or ESX hosts / lab on your WordPress blog. It works with vSphere 4, 5 and 5.1.

 

 

In version 1.1 I have made the following changes:

Change log for version 1.1:

  • Added new metrics section for hardware information (Model and Vendor of first host in cluster – this is editable in the PowerCLI script)
  • Added configurable widget title section for Hardware
  • Updated PowerCLI updater script to have a DO WHILE loop (allowing you to run the script once on a management machine and it will keep updating your blog vMetrics every 30 minutes. (The script is called once every half hour). Thanks @dawoo for the idea 🙂
  • Added PowerCLI section to send the vendor and model type of the first ESX host it finds back to vMetrics so that you can display this information in the widget too
  • Cleaned up PHP in main plugin code

You can take a look at the main plugin page here or use the links below to download the latest version right away. Installation and configuration steps can be found on the main plugin page.

Latest version downloads (get the plugin and updater script):

[download id=”22″]
[download id=”23″]

Cosmosis (iOS) – updated to version 1.3

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So heres an update that is slightly off my usual subject matter! I have been spending a little bit of time updating my 2D Space shmup game I have developed for iOS (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad). I  finished submitting the update to Apple on 04/08/2011, and this morning I saw it has now been approved, so it is ready to be downloaded / updated from the App Store.

 

Bonus level 2 added in version 1.3

 

Here is a list of the most significant new features in version 1.3.

 

– Unlocked all levels by default
– New (Second) Bonus Level added
– New enemy ship type added
– New enemy ship attack patterns (more challenging/interesting)
– New scrolling level select screen
– Main menu redesigned and new ambient music added for menu and in game
– OpenFeint updated
– New News menu option added for the latest news and announcements
– Game difficulty tweaked to make it slightly more challenging
– Bosses are a bit to tougher to fight now
– Survival mode difficulty tweaked
– New loading & credits screen
– App rating dialog that appears after a few days now works

 

So there is some new content as well as better difficulty and more challenging enemies to fight. I also added an interesting new feature – the News screen. This integrates with OpenFeint and pulls down and news / announcements I make on my developer control panel for OpenFeint into this custom designed (Cosmosis themed) News screen. It also updates the App’s badge icon according to the number of new (unread) news announcements and displays a small badge icon on the news menu in game. The main reason I developed this extra bit, is that I would like to be able to notify users of any future new releases (apps) I may release.

 

If you have any feedback or comments about Cosmosis, feel free to leave them below, or grab a copy and leave me a review on iTunes!

Now reading: Cocos2d for iPhone 0.99 Beginner’s Guide

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I was recently offered a copy of Pablo Ruiz’s “Cocos2d for iPhone 0.99 Beginner’s Guide” eBook to read through and provide comments / feedback on – needless to say I was quite excited to get stuck in, however I am still on holiday in South Africa so for now I am just downloading the eBook and will save it for when I am back in the UK.

I actually can’t wait to have a read through. cocos2d is by far the most fun I have had programming with, and I’m sure this book will be a valuable asset.

You can grab a copy over at PacketPub if you are interested in learning about programming with (imo) the best 2D gaming engine for iOS. At the moment it is going on special for around £25.00 which is not bad at all for a guide encompassing a lot of what cocos2d has to offer.

My first iOS game released on the App Store – Cosmosis

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So I finally got my first game (and app) released on the App Store the other day. It is a 2D Space shooter called Cosmosis. Here is a feature / gameplay video and a link to the official App Store page. Check it out if you are into iOS games. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad!

The Official Game Page

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnJCuaCOJzo

Here are a couple of screenshots:

Cosmosis - Gameplay screenshot
Cosmosis - Gameplay screenshot 2

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cosmosis/id404662019?mt=8

Sneak peek: New game in development for iPhone / iPod Touch

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So I thought I would do a post where I can post updates as I make progress on this new game I am developing. The platform is of course the iPhone / iPod touch. That is all versions from the first iPhones up to the new iPhone 4. I may even do an iPad version later. I have really been putting some effort into learning more about OpenGL and more specifically the cocos2d engine. By starting this game I have learnt tons about particle effects, sprites and game logic. I am even having to dust out the cobwebs in my brain when it comes to mathematics! The shooting and accelerometer movement algorithms in this game took some effort to get right! Note that all graphics and code are original and done myself (i.e. all game content is self-made!) My graphic design abilities have definitely helped with regard to the making of my ship, enemy, back drop and other game graphics. I’ll post further updates as I go along. The name is going to stay secret till its released though 🙂

This is a top-down, accelerometer controlled space shooter, with fluid 60fps animation and great effects. Anyway, here are a few screenshots of what I have so far. Note that any text you see is not final and just there for testing purposes for now. The enemy ship and player graphics are also going to be refined before I submit this.

Note the Battlestar reference in my last screenshot 😀 Anyway, if you have any ideas or questions, feel free to post them below.