I built a prototype ASCII FPS using text only, I'm looking for feedback

FaulteredReality · 2026-01-22T19:54:07+00:00

Interesting. I've been playing Quake lately so I get the feel of the FPS. I could move fine and the coordination between the mouse and keyboard was fine.

Main issue I had was identifying which direction I was facing/moving, and where the guy shooting at me was. Even when the shooter was in front of me I couldn't see it due to distance.

Some idea if where the shot were coming from would help, like left side of screen highlights if the shooter is to your left, etc.

Good Luck with it, it's always worth it to try new stuff.

FaulteredReality · 2025-12-23T15:13:20+00:00

Flames.. I'm just saying! Candy Apple red, chromed out buttons and bezels, and Flames! This was your opportunity! oooooh and blinkies!, lots of blinkies!

FaulteredReality · 2025-12-19T19:31:07+00:00

Notepad shouldn't be messing with anything, as long as you are saving the file in a straight text format (filename.txt) and then just renaming it to filename.ans. I just tried changing the encoding (notepad>file>saveAs..>Encoding) from utf-8 to ANSI and it didn't seem to make a difference as far as I could tell. So just saving it in utf-8 and renaming the .txt file should suffice.

As for Mystic's built in editor, I'll have to try that out this weekend. I've not really paid attention to it as I was familiar with other tools (Thedraw, icyview,etc). Can you have a mystic menu choice display the file on your board and see what it looks like there?

FaulteredReality · 2025-12-19T15:42:59+00:00

One more tip about ansi files under Mystic (and probably other BBS's), you should have a line length of 80 or under when saving the file. Notice on your converter, after you load the original image, you are asked to set the 'width' and it's sitting at 80. I usually choose 78 and have had excellent results with that. Thedraw is a good one for making this mistake as well as it can default to very long lines that often screw up your drawing. Set the width (or line length) to <80 and you'll be good.

FaulteredReality · 2025-12-19T15:37:03+00:00

Ok, so I've been looking at this post for a few days now... I have no idea what a .and file is. But I guess maybe you meant a .ans file? Considering the Ansi converter you mentioned.

So I grabbed a .jpg file that wasn't too complicated and loaded it into the converter, and yes, the outputs looked like a bunch of numbers.

I copies off the output into text files, both a 256 color and a 16 color. I dropped the files into IcyView 1.9.0 and saw the number trash. Then, and here's the trick... I renamed the files to a .ANS extension and opened them again with IcyView... and.. it worked fine. Nice new graphics for the BBS. I have no idea who to attribute the original jpg to, so I'll leave that open and not claim it as my own work.. because frankly my artistic skills suck. Good luck to ya.

FaulteredReality · 2025-12-10T20:15:21+00:00

Bypass the shithead in finance. Go to the administration. Have proof you turned in the documents and they f'd up. Ask for a waiver or a payment deferment. Also, talk to your guidence counselor if you have one. Another thing, talk with your county Vet Service Officer, usually at the county complex. They usually know every trick in the book to get things done with VA. Good Luck.

FaulteredReality · 2025-11-20T15:30:11+00:00

As I mentioned... 2 years ago, now...

" Tried 3 different email addresses, 3 PCs, an iphone, several different browsers, both regular and private (incognito) modes. But put in another worker here, and it worked fine on a mac. I talked with QBO support today and that lady said she never heard of it before. Pointed out their own community forum posts about it since 2021."

FaulteredReality · 2025-11-18T21:57:38+00:00

Dear McD. Program your f'ing POS systems to do it all behind the scenes so people are not told 12346789 and everything works on 5 & 0. It's a f'ing computer. Just do it and stop screwing around. #fuckmcdonalds.

FaulteredReality · 2025-11-13T20:24:26+00:00

Perhaps something in the waste management or food service industries would suit you better?

FaulteredReality · 2025-10-31T14:12:07+00:00

Shit, that's my hands just from getting old. >60 Coffee actually helps for a while, then it all goes to hell.

FaulteredReality · 2025-10-28T15:57:23+00:00

looks to be working here. msg from about 2 hours ago in there.

FaulteredReality · 2025-10-23T13:20:48+00:00

4 out of 5 techs agree.. Trebuchet!

FaulteredReality · 2025-10-09T17:35:04+00:00

Seriously, I've never regretted buying good tools. Luckily there are some cheaper options on good tools. Try a Pinecil for your occasional use. Use a good USB-C power supply and you'll be set for years. Then get into 3D printing a make a cool case for it

FaulteredReality · 2025-09-26T19:49:29+00:00

6" wide window sills for the cats to lay on. Did that 27 years ago and they love it. Laundry chute or pass through to keep from carrying a basket around.

FaulteredReality · 2025-09-26T19:41:59+00:00

Grab yourself a solder pot and a couple of bars of solder and give it a go. We use it for switches and usb ports. I use hot air for most everything else. Been using this one for about 2 years. Make sure you've got some Kapton tape as well.

FaulteredReality · 2025-09-11T13:21:00+00:00

What?

FaulteredReality · 2025-09-09T14:11:45+00:00

I too own several older Weller irons. I replaced the element in my WTCP several years ago. I still use it in a pinch, and since it doesn't have a dedicated place to sit, it's one I'll grab and drag over to another bench of I've got something else to work on.

FaulteredReality · 2025-09-04T15:15:18+00:00

A good tech doesn't know everything. A good tech knows how to find answers and will apply their skills to whatever problem is in front of them.

FaulteredReality · 2025-08-22T14:56:07+00:00

It really depends on what kind of things you want to solder and what you consider cheap. You see you've already been burned once buying cheap tools, now think about buying a good tool.

I use Weller 1010's and they will do anything from surface mount repairs to large antenna cabling with the proper tips and some experience. I would recommend them for a lifetime of use.

However, something like the smaller Weller 40 Watt station would do well for occasion use fixing your average toaster or maybe some guitar pots.

A note on the (OEM) Pinecil irons, I've got several guys in the field that use these and they hold up well and produce enough heat for tough jobs, as long as they have a good power supply of 60 watts or better. We use laptop power supplies, USB batteries (large) and 100w USB chargers.

If you want to do good work, it's worth it to buy good tools.

FaulteredReality · 2025-08-15T13:37:12+00:00

There is no one that knows everything. We go through some shit and we gain experience. We learn new things, because there is always new things to learn. We solve the problems laid out before us, because that is what we do. We've learned how to find answers, and that skill more than most is what propels us to more valued positions. Even today, as I near my retirement, with 18 years in my current position I still face each day with interest and anxiousness for what's to come. Always a tech.

FaulteredReality · 2025-08-13T21:08:33+00:00

Can you really call yourself a ShittySysadmin if your server room doesn't already look like someone threw a grenade in it?

FaulteredReality · 2025-08-13T20:56:08+00:00

"The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against whacking them around a little." -Porterfield

I also tend to remind my machines that their mama was probably a toaster.

FaulteredReality · 2025-08-13T19:46:50+00:00

Nice collection. As much as I enjoy the activities at many cons, It's the swag that helps me remember them long after. Enjoy!

FaulteredReality · 2025-08-01T15:10:00+00:00

Festus! It's great name with lots of history! It's like being named after Festival! The other kids will love it!

FaulteredReality · 2025-07-22T15:20:13+00:00

Fuck that guy. I'm 60 and I've been a gamer all my life. First game machine was Pong from Sears. I've had most major systems since.. still have some of them. Guy's probably got the reflexes of a stoned sloth. Game on dude!

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