Pandora Looking For A Few People To Get Prerelease Pandoras

[craigix]

We are looking for a few more people to get prerelease pandora consoles who want to work on applications or the kernel. You should be able and willing to devote a lot of time to it, do not apply if you don't have the time to work on it before Christmas.

They will *probably* have controls, possibly just prototype ones depending on the time frame.

You can post requests / questions here. Thanks!

<split from another thread>

 

[sterling976]

I'd be willing and able to work on a port of MythTV for the Pandora (getting it running, evaluating whether it's ok as-is or whether we should scrap the original and use gmyth to write a smaller, more agile front-end client), since the ports I've seen so far haven't really been up to snuff (the Angstrom repository has a copy, but some of its dependencies aren't available in the armv7a branch). I've seen some interest in these forums in having a lightweight frontend for watching TV around the house.

Of course, I'll understand if this isn't exactly your highest priority. After all, the Pandora is a gaming handheld, not a portable TV. But if you can spare a prototype unit for this, I think I can have something usable in time to drop it down the chimney next month.


EDIT: Two questions: Are you charging for the prototypes? If so, no problem, I'd just like to know. Also, would you expect them back once the finished product is delivered?

 

[Zoxc]

This thread is now officially hijacked by craigix...

You sure do like posting information in random threads :]

I would like to apply, but I'm not sure what I would work on...

 

[jdh2550]

We are looking for a few more people to get prerelease pandora consoles who want to work on applications or the kernel. You should be able and willing to devote a lot of time to it, do not apply if you don't have the time to work on it before Christmas.

Willing yes, able yes, have the time? no.

Drat, so near yet so far!

---

On topic (I think): the BB has an S-Video output and there are a tonne of really cheap small monitors with just composite video input. (is that the right terminology? I mean the yellow RCA Jack) Can S-Video be interfaced to composite video? If so, would that be a worthwhile endeavor or would the results be hideously crappy?

 

[sweetlilmre]

We are looking for a few more people to get prerelease pandora consoles who want to work on applications or the kernel. You should be able and willing to devote a lot of time to it, do not apply if you don't have the time to work on it before Christmas.

They will *probably* have controls, possibly just prototype ones depending on the time frame.

You can post requests / questions here. Thanks!

The kernel is out of my league, but I have already ported a couple of apps to the beagle (OpenTyrian included). Porting to the Pandora should be almost the same so if you want to send me a console, I will port a few more. If you have suggestions, all the better. I was thinking that TeeWorlds would be cool to try.

-(e)

 

[Stuckie]

Although kernel work is a bit out of my league, I'm quite happy to devote all my time to building games specific to the Pandora

Not sure if this is what you'd be looking for as you did mention "applications".. and the only "application" I could bring would be an upgraded version of my Honours Project - a scriptable engine for the purpose of rapidly producing games and prototypes ( the language is Lua with a whack of extra bits that my engine provides. )
I'd also rather work on new and exclusive stuff rather than just porting emulators and games from other systems to bring over, which again may not be what you're looking for.

That said, thought I'd offer my time if it's at all useful
Whether I get a pre-release Pandora or not, I'll be coding things for it when I do eventually get my grubby mitts on one

 

[Red Ring Rico]

Damn, I have the time as well as an application for the Pandora that I'm not going to start programming until I get the hardware. Alas, I'm strapped for cash, gives me more design time, I guess.

 

[Svartalf]

I'd also rather work on new and exclusive stuff rather than just porting emulators and games from other systems to bring over, which again may not be what you're looking for.

Actually, I suspect they're going to want ANYTHING that's going to add to the splash and flash. If you can make the engine go on Linux or Windows properly, you probably would get one handed to you if the engine made it possible for people to homebrew clean out of the box.

 

[PokeParadox]

I don't know if I qualify... but I am (supposed to be) helping out here and there with GMenu2X (I've been so so busy recently)
I'm also working on the community game: PandoraPanic! (this is where my spare time is going...)
With the interface work coming to an end, my focus will then be minigames (easy to throw together assets permitting) and compiling(a Pandora would be handy here) I'd also have more time left for GMenu. If I can help in a coding capacity I would if I knew what needs doing, although I can't get as far into the nitty gritty as kernel work... :/

 

[Stuckie]

I'd also rather work on new and exclusive stuff rather than just porting emulators and games from other systems to bring over, which again may not be what you're looking for.

Actually, I suspect they're going to want ANYTHING that's going to add to the splash and flash. If you can make the engine go on Linux or Windows properly, you probably would get one handed to you if the engine made it possible for people to homebrew clean out of the box.


If you mean my Honours Project engine, it works on both Linux and Windows already
It uses SDL as a back end for rendering, input, etc.. by default and it was originally written in a manner to extend it easily enough.
For proof of it's extensibility, we took the engine into Dare to be Digital, and in ten weeks added ODE for physics, Horde3D for shader-based graphics goodness, amBX for external lights and fans and stuff, and built the game code in the extended Lua. Information about Plight of The Weedunks - including a trailer and Windows/Linux download - is here: http://www.stuckiegamez.co.uk/index.php?pa...ffeine-weedunks .. it's two-player only, however, and pretty much requires two PS2 controllers with a USB adapter, as that was all we had time to implement.. but the button config file was left open so you can hack it to use whatever controller setup you have.
You'll also find a mass of my other projects on the site too... including the original Honours Project itself ( it's been extended greatly since the source dump that's available )

I'm working on the engine at the moment anyway, specifically cleaning up the code and adding in both OpenGL and OpenGL ES back ends ( the OpenGL one was half done already, just needs some fixing ) in preparation for the Pandora coming out, but without testing it on the actual hardware, I'm not quite sure if it'll behave itself as every device has it's own little quirks to love and hate

 

[Adventus]

I'ld be willing to do some Prerelease Pandora Work. I've my last exam in a week, then i'm completely free. At the moment, i'm working on getting GemRB in an easily portable state aswell as writing a 2D abstract shmup. Most of my GP2X stuff will port easily.

I've already preorder a Pandora. However, I guess sending to those in the UK should take preference.

 

[Lingman]

I'd be interested in getting my hands on a pre-release model. Would be interested in porting VNC over to it as a start, since it would be cool to connect back into work from it.

As a bit of history, I'm currently employed in high tech (and have been writing software for the last 17 years or so).

I am located in Ottawa, Canada

Cheers,
Dan Lingman

 

[wesbrown18]

I'm personally interested in making a contribution to the Pandora project. I had already bought a Beagle Board so that I can start looking at the ARM architecture, and porting a few SDL games on a preliminary basis such as Ur-Quan Masters and Battle for Wesnoth to the OMAP architecture.

I reverse engineer stuff for a living in my day job. I've also worked on and developed a network-oriented dialect of Lisp with Scott Dunlop, and routinely work with low level hardware. If you all need some help with kernel work, I'm willing to pitch in, though I confess that the idea of binding SDL to a Lisp language and creating a scripting language for Pandora users to create their own games quickly is appealing. That's more a longer term project, as I suspect that the Pandora needs bundled applications primarily. But what a bundled application that would make!

If y'all need my CV or videos of presentations that I've given about the Lisp dialect that I worked on, let me know. I'm located in the United States.

 

[conjam]

I'm a professional game developer who has been excited about the Pandora for quite some time now. I pre-ordered a Pandora, and, unable to wait for it, purchased a BeagleBoard to begin prototyping. If the pre-release Pandora will have the OpenGL ES 2.0 drivers then consider me interested (working DSP Bridge/Link drivers would also be a plus) . I've been working with the MV Linux build from ESC (which has some pre-release hardware acceleration in it), but have been frustrated by the inability to recompile the kernel with working networking support (for some reason I can't get the USB Gadget drivers working in the MV Linux build, though I can with Angstrom). I would also be interested in a mild amount of Kernel work/testing, though my focus would be on the app(game) I have already started work on. As far as time... I've already been spending a lot of caffeine powered hours working with my Beagle in anticipation of getting official hardware, and getting some prototype hardware would actually save me time in the end.

Thanks for your consideration.
-james

 

[mitchelljm]

Hey i know this is my first post but i think i could be a good tester for Pandora.

Here are my qualifications.


Two years ago i bought my first PSP and by the end of that year i had taught myself how to program in LUA. This is from no programing background! My website that holds some of my games is Playstation Shtuff.

Then last year i joined the First Robotics team at my school. I decided to take the place of the teams old programmer. That meant I had 3 months to learn C programing. We built a 120 pound robot that had an autonomous mode and an tele-operator mode. There is about 40 regional's in total and 1 international competition. World wide there are around 3000 teams. This was my schools 3rd year being part of First Robotics. We won 2 of the regional's and went on to internationals where we did decent but did not place. Now I'm not saying i was the reason we won but i was the head programmer. School Robotics Website

My last qualification is that I'm on the PlayStation Gamer Advisory Panel (GAP)

My only problem is i don't wont to spend the time writing and learning the code for something i don't have when i could spend that time else where.

All in all if chosen i would spend the time to test and program.

I would be honored if chosen and thrilled.

Thanks for reading,
MitchellJM

 

[skeezix]

I'm game, for my usual applications/games/emus..(the ST, text adventures, BattleJewels) or perhaps system tools to make user experience easier. Also working on a retro really ugly but multiplayer game, woowoo I have been planning to sack my life when the panda arrives You know how to get ahold of me

jeff

 

[hilarycheng]

I would like to apply the task. I have been working AppleII Emulator for Palm, Sharp Linux Console and Software Developement on ARM7 Development Board and Blackfin Bluetooth Development. I have been owned the Beagle Board and would to start to work on the coming weeks.

 

[maciek_urbanski]

I'd too like to apply.

In past, for few years I've been working on Linux kernel mode drivers for ATCA communication blades. During that time I did real-time kernel-mode whole-system-wide memory leak detector, couple of drivers, and lots of fixes.
Few years ago I switched to graphics and I'm adding optimizations to just-in-time compiler in Windows driver for family of graphics chips (for details - PM me).

Of course I've preordered, and when I'll get my Pandora I'm going to reverse-engineer SGX chip (se thread here(link)), but I can work on another stuff too... B)

 

[GernotFrisch]

I could find use for one to port GLBasic over.
You can send it to ED, he lives about 5 minutes from here, if you send more to Germany.

 

[Parkydr]

I don't know if you want people who haven't preordered but if you're short of people, I'm available.

I can give you about 3 hours on week nights, a bit more at weekends. I've obviously got my existing GP2X stuff, but point me at any stuff you want porting I'm up for it.