[TriLUG] FW: All work and no play makes for unhappy Penguins

Fri Dec 14 09:39:52 EST 2001

Based on our talk last night, thought you folks would be interested in this
article.

-----Original Message-----
From: Linux_Desktop_Apps at itw.itworld.com
[mailto:Linux_Desktop_Apps at itw.itworld.com] 
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2001 4:32 AM
To: Roy Vestal
Subject: All work and no play makes for unhappy Penguins

LINUX DESKTOP APPLICATIONS --- December 14, 2001
Published by ITworld.com -- changing the way you view IT
http://www.itworld.com/newsletters
____________________________________________________________________________
____

HIGHLIGHTS

* As Linux gaming continues to steadily improve, home computers are 
  becoming a more welcoming venue for the alternative OS. 
____________________________________________________________________________
____

SPONSORED LINK

More servers mean more complex security issues, right? Not 
anymore. Minimize the security risks associated with web servers
by viewing our online demo "Strong Security in Multiple Server 
Environments." Find out how you can reduce the time and cost factor
involved with SSL ID administration. View our FREE demo now!
Click here: 
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a48467a75980745a0
____________________________________________________________________________
__

Critical Mass for Linux Gaming
By Eric Foster-Johnson

Linux gaming takes a fun turn with Critical Mass 
(http://criticalmass.sourceforge.net), a classic shoot the critters 
arcade game that uses SDL/OpenGL and runs on Linux. The author, Frank 
Becker, stated that he had cross-compiled the game on Windows but had 
not tested it. For now, only the Linux version has been released.

Critical Mass provides a classic arcade look and feel with modern three-
dimensional bad things to shoot. I especially like the shoot the 
pumpkins feature of the special Halloween version. Download Criticcal 
Mass from SourceForge at http://sourceforge.net/projects/criticalmass.

For those who still pine for the days of the wonderfully addictive 
Doom, there's EDGE -- the Enhanced Doom Game Engine 
(http://edge.sourceforge.net). Doom, a very popular game that lead to 
follow-ups such as Quake, was ported to the X Window System on Linux 
and UNIX. EDGE provides a game engine that acts as the core of a Doom-
like game and runs on Linux or Windows. 

As an engine, EDGE requires a WAD file that describes a given game. 
Doom and Doom II, for example, each came with a WAD file. The WAD file 
describes all the levels and monsters in the game.

EDGE can be downloaded from http://edge.sourceforge.net/downloads.htm.

Finally, I've been impressed by the progress on Parsec 
(http://www.parsec.org). Parsec is a free three-dimensional space 
shooter game with versions available for Linux, Windows, MacOS, and 
MacOS X. Work in progress on Parsec includes a network mode over 
TCP/IP, allowing multiple players to shoot it out in the dangerous 
universe of their choice.

The features list includes fast 3D graphics using OpenGL or GLIDE, and 
a digital soundtrack and the graphics look beautiful, especially the 
space ship gallery at http://www.parsec.org/gallery.html. The actual 
game is still in development though, so your mileage may vary. I really 
like the developers' attitude to avoid highlighting features not 
finished yet and, instead, focusing on what has been completed.

____________________________________________________________________________
____

SPONSORED LINK

ENTER TO WIN A DELL DIMENSION DREAM SYSTEM 

Enter to win a fully-loaded 2GHz Dell Dimension dream system or $25,000 
in cash. By entering, you are also eligible to receive any ITworld.com 
newsletter. CLICK HERE for your chance to win!
http://www.itworld.com/sweeps

____________________________________________________________________________
____

About the author(s)
-------------------
Eric Foster-Johnson has written 14 books on Linux, Unix, programming 
and open source tools. Eric can be reached at erc at pconline.com or at
http://www.pconline.com/~erc.
____________________________________________________________________________
____

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Linux Gaming: Looking Back and Looking Forward
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a48467a75980745a3

Playing with Linux
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a48467a75980745a1

Linux Gaming News
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a48467a75980745a5

Happy Penguin
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a48467a75980745a7

Linux Games
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a48467a75980745a4
____________________________________________________________________________
____

ITWORLD.COM NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Index of Linux Desktop Applications
http://www.itworld.com/nl/lnx_desktop/

Graphical Front-ends to CVS
http://www.itworld.com/nl/lnx_desktop/03082001/

Growing Deciduous Trees
http://www.itworld.com/nl/lnx_desktop/03152001/
____________________________________________________________________________
____

ITWORLD.COM SERVICES

A SERVICE FOR IT PROFESSIONALS

FreeTechMail.org is a FREE service that helps you find the information 
you need through a centralized subscription service. Visit 
FreeTechMail.org today to preview and subscribe to hundreds of 
newsletters especially written for IT Professionals.

http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a48467a75980745a6
____________________________________________________________________________
____

CUSTOMER SERVICE

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE:
- Go to: http://www.itworld.com/newsletters
- Click on "View my newsletters" to log in and manage your account
- To subscribe, check the box next to the newsletter
- To unsubscribe, uncheck the box next to the newsletter 
- When finished, click submit

Questions? Please e-mail customer service at: mailto:support at itworld.com
____________________________________________________________________________
____

CONTACTS

* Editorial: Andrew Santosusso, Newsletter Editor, 
  andrew_santosusso at itworld.com
* Advertising: Clare O'Brien, Vice President of Sales, 
  clare_obrien at itworld.com
* Career Corner: Janis Crowley, Vice President/General Manager, IDG 
  Recruitment Solutions, janis_crowley at itcareers.net
* Other inquiries: Jodie Naze, Senior Product Marketing Manager, 
  jodie_naze at itworld.com

____________________________________________________________________________
____

PRIVACY POLICY

ITworld.com has been TRUSTe certified 
http://www.itworld.com/Privacy/

**SEND TO A FRIEND**
Share this email with a friend! Click here!
http://itw.itworld.com/GoForward/a14724a48467aSa75980745a16

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE
Please click on the link below to modify your subscription, unsubscribe,
or change your email address:

http://itw.itworld.com/Change-Remove/a14724a75980745a16a48467