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-   -   Is SereneScreen at an End? (https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25628)

snorkler 12-12-2015 01:17 AM

Is SereneScreen at an End?
 
I believe serenescreen is at an end. I have given thanks to Jim for this wonderful program. Then I realized that much of the "fun" was - is - due to this forum! Thank You Feldon for all the years of enjoyment!

Michael

feldon34 12-12-2015 05:59 PM

After 15 years, you're probably right. We're still on year one of the 5 year plan that Jim had planned for SereneScreen. It's frustrating and saddening as it didn't have to be this way. Jim is an incredible character artist and environment designer and, paired with the right people, SHOULD be making some of the best computer software/animation out there. How'd we get here?
  • Jim was burned many times over the years by publishers and other developers.
  • As a result, Jim only trusted Reichart, who did not turn out to be the ideal shepherd for this project.
  • A huge amount of time and effort was spent early on modularizing the Aquarium into a "platform" that other screensavers could be built upon, such as Flags, Goldfish, etc.
  • Jim never got the programming help needed to move forward with the creature pack and the other 4 screensavers he had planned.

If Jim would go for it, I'd do a crowdfunded Kickstarter with Jim as Art Director and Environment Artist with full veto right on how everything looks, animates, etc. Nothing would get released without his approval. I'd fly out to Oregon and have meetings that hash out absolutely everything that's expected. I'd find a couple of programmers and we'd do mockups and prototypes and collaborate until it meets Jim's standards.

And then I woke up and of course this is a dream because Jim's trust has been all used up and there's none left. :( :(

snorkler 12-12-2015 08:17 PM

The idea of Kickstarter is very good. I would happily contribute! It is sad that Jim finally "gave up". Even sadder that he could not collaborate with others to make this program what it could have become, as well as the other savers he had planned.
Again, I thank you for keeping this forum going all these years and for your passion for Jim's art.

harris 12-12-2015 08:31 PM

It is a sad situation indeed. I would also like to publicly thank Feldon for all he has done to make this an enjoyable place to visit.

To be involved in the early stages (beta) of the SereneScreen Aquarium's development through this board with other great members will always be a cherished memory. If I remember correctly my first download version was .99g, sometime in 2001. I know my 'join date' shows 2006, but that is because I changed my original membership account - long story.

Ralph 12-13-2015 08:17 AM

Time moves on, technology changes, the mind is no longer as nimble. Jim was #1 while programs were developed by a team of one. That.. did not last long and now programs are developed with big budgets, big teams and the latest technology. The days of one person keeping up is long past.

And.. I think the concept of screen savers has changed. There is so much "live" action out there now one expects a screen saver to have the same qualities.

And.. I think Jim bit off more than he could chew trying to build his dream castle.. at the same time some deals he hoped would pan out financially went sour.. And he had to dedicate a lot of time to take care of his mother.

I also want to thank Feldon for his continuous upbeat attitude, keeping this forum running (along with others and Jim's financial support).

And I thank Jim for his SS, all his comments and his enthusiasm to follow his dream. :TU:

cjmaddy 12-13-2015 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorkler (Post 156703)
The idea of Kickstarter is very good. I would happily contribute! It is sad that Jim finally "gave up". Even sadder that he could not collaborate with others to make this program what it could have become, as well as the other savers he had planned.
Again, I thank you for keeping this forum going all these years and for your passion for Jim's art.

Hear, hear!

P.S... Though perhaps with my history, I should resist commenting on Prolific!

fly911 12-13-2015 08:56 AM

All things must pass..... but the awesomeness of Jim's creation will live on and on. Many thanks, Jim for many hours, days, weeks and months of enjoyment.

feldon34 12-13-2015 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmaddy (Post 156708)
Hear, hear!

P.S... Though perhaps with my history, I should resist commenting on Prolific!

I never had a problem with Reichart being a smart ass. I'm a smart ass. It was his overconfidence and lack of delivery that I always objected to.

Jim Sachs 12-13-2015 01:56 PM

My day:
I get up, wolf down some breakfast, answer a few emails, then head over to the care facility to deal with my mother's breakfast. She's in the Independent Living section, but really shouldn't be. Then we head out to the lot, where I've been building my house for the past decade (www.castleonthecheap.blogspot.com). On the way, we stop by Goodwill to look for some used DVDs to keep her entertained for the day. The videos have to be comedies or musicals, because she thinks whatever is on the screen is really happening, and if there's anything with chases or gunfire she keeps wanting to call the police.

So we get to the lot and I leave her in the car for a few minutes while I try to warm up part of the house with electric heaters. Then I get her settled in what will eventually be the living room, start a DVD for her, and try to get a little construction done. I have to work in nearby rooms, because she keeps getting up to look for me, asking where her parents are. I tell her they've been dead over 40 years, and tuck her back into her chair.

AT noon, 3 days a week, a caregiver comes and takes Mom to lunch, hair appointments, etc., which gives me 3 hours to work on the house and regain my sanity. Then it's back to her facility to deal with her dinner. At 6:30 every night there's a movie in their on-site theater, so I tuck her into a seat and hope she can remember how to get back to her room afterward. With the help of some other residents, she usually can.

Then I go home, waive to my wife as she heads off to work (night-shift nurse), eat whatever she left for me, and sit down at the computer to create the Next Big Thing. After about 20 minutes, I awake with my face on the keyboard and drag myself off to bed.

Except for very rare days off, that's how it's been for nearly three years, since my Mom got Alzheimer's. Sure, I dream about doing Kickstarters for lots of different projects. I'd like to add some things to MA, and I've got a Grand-Prize-Winning screenplay which would make an incredible graphic novel, but until my situation changes I simply have no energy left to pursue anything.

feldon34 12-13-2015 02:37 PM

Jim, I've watched the incredibly touching and masterfully done short film your daughter created about Alzheimer's.

Watch the film (click Work at the top) | Kickstarter project

I understand the social contract. I understand the feeling of responsibility. But should the last years of your life be spent in misery? Does your mother even know what's really going on? Do you think people would think any less of you if you put her in the full nursing home she likely needs? A good friend's wife had early onset Alzheimer's. The 3 years before she was put into a full nursing program were complete hell for him. He looks like he aged 15 years in that time. Now that she is getting the care she needs, he is having some kind of real life again.

I know these are hard and personal questions for an internet forum about a screensaver.

Jim Sachs 12-13-2015 06:11 PM

Yeah, Jill's film is actually very close to what my mother goes through every day. That short film has won a few awards at film festivals, and helped get Jill into the Director's Program at AFI Film School. A big Thank You to everyone who contributed to her Kickstarter.

A nursing home is far too expensive for us. Mom's got a house in California rented out, which covers the cost of the facility she's in now, but only for Independent Living. Between that and her part-time caregiver, there's nothing left.

drfish 12-13-2015 06:14 PM

That's heartwrenching stuff to read Jim.

Take care of yourself.

Don't know what else to say. :(

Jim Sachs 12-13-2015 08:06 PM

Hey, I have no complaints - just filling you guys in on why there aren't more updates to MA.

dmgm1234 12-14-2015 12:05 AM

Dear Mr. Jim,

I’m the one who is enjoying your music so much as well as your new fish & coral.

I have been reading your post about the pocket your life has fallen into because of your Mom. So commendable. You will never regret this later down the road.

I would like to describe a scenario that took place at my daughter’s office building. The building is very luxurious and in the entrance there was an aquarium about 10’ long. (guessing). Two people were cleaning the tank. Algia, dead plants, cloudy water etc. Since this was Saturday no one was working and I was just being shown around the building. The BIG boss came in while just passing by. I met and casual talk was being made.

Be aware that I have been a great lover of aquariums for years. Even raised fish, spawned egg layers for a pet store to feet their fish as well as many types of live bearers.

As I was watching this one man try to scrape the algia off the inside of the glass a thought came to me. This is what I want to pass on to you now. I have no idea how, if, or possible but here goes.

I spoke to Mr. John, the boss, and asked if he had ever pictured a projected aquarium similar to a screen saver on the front & ends of the tank. He even had his engineer cleaning the tank. I told him, you will never have to clean the tank again, feed the fish, keep the water clear and the right balance etc. He even possible already had the man to invent it cleaning the tank right now…..

Well Mr. John, being a brilliant Korean (I think), stared at me a little while then spoke to the engineer & said I bet you could do that, couldn’t you?

Well that is all of that but I was thinking about you. When it is not quiet time to go to bed at night and you have a little bit of inventiveness flowing you may could just think on this.

Usually something new for me on the computer will perk me up and pull out more energy. Just a thought. You surely do know how much everyone appreciates all your past years of work even if you don’t ever feel like doing anything but coasting for a while.

jleslie 12-14-2015 06:23 AM

As always my best wishes for the future Jim...

I looked after my Mother while she was dying, which took a fair while, and I don't regret it (it was lethal on relationships though). Luckily she didn't get a form of dementia other than briefly due to a kidney infection, which caused her to see stuff that wasn't there and was super-scary for me, but luckily cured by anti-biotics (the prospect of looking after her otherwise was very worrying). Take care and I hope the future includes a fair number of good moments along with everything else.

fly911 12-14-2015 11:41 AM

Wide-screen monitors
 
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...pskp9kb4re.jpg
Hi Jim. We are seeing more and more of the 21:9 ultra wide-screen monitors replacing the 16:9 wide-screen monitors. Do you see any issues with MA3 compatibility, as far as picture stretch or chop-off?

Jim Sachs 12-14-2015 12:00 PM

The tank should be plenty wide for such a monitor, and should automatically fill the screen. There probably wouldn't be a lot of extra room for the scene to pan, but it should look great.

drfish 12-14-2015 04:37 PM

Can confirm.

Amstergrind 05-03-2016 07:47 AM

Running for years
 
God Bless you Jim Sachs.
Having only visited here because my app requires P/W everytime.
Jim have you ever heard of GcMaf?
Alzheimers moves quickly at the end, feel for you.
GcMaf cures over 98% of ALL known cancers within a year.
It attacks 20 auto immune diseases. Everyone has it in their bodies, but if you don't, you got cancer, or many other types of conditions.
BANNED in the UK !!
There are two clinics, one in Germany and the other in Switzerland, they only take Terminal cancer patients at stage 4 with 3 months or more to live. They all go home! The rest get protocols to use the medication and are cured in 3 months, usually, breast, (most) colon, testicular and bowel cancers, all in 3 months total cure, no secondaries.
Finish with cancer completely.

Jim Sachs 05-04-2016 11:56 AM

Thanks, Amstergrind - my mom doesn't have cancer, just dementia. In fact she's very healthy physically, takes no pills at all, and will probably outlast me. She's with me most of the day, but sleeps at an Assisted Living facility at night. Last night she wandered into someone else's room and got into bed with them, so we were called to the principal's office this morning. We toured the lock-down unit in the basement, and that's as grim as it sounds (it's also an additional $2000 per month, at a time when I just lost 2/3 of my income due to the Mindspark contract expiring). Bad times...

fly911 05-05-2016 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfish (Post 156724)

Thanks, Dr. Fish! Nice monitor!

Jim Sachs 12-23-2016 10:19 AM

My mother, who I've been taking care of for the past 3 years, died last week. So presumably I'll have more time and brain cells to devote to the Aquarium this coming year. A licensing deal with Roku will keep us afloat financially for the near future. Now if I can just get enough of the new house done to allow us to move in and get my office set up, I can start doing computer work again. We have to move out of the small house we're living in and get something temporary until at least one bedroom and the kitchen are done in the new house - maybe by June.

patscarr 12-23-2016 10:51 AM

Very sorry for your loss, Jim. Best wishes.

I just bought and hooked up a Roku for my mom yesterday! I didn't notice the screensaver anywhere. When does the deal take effect and how are they going to use it?

I can't believe how long it is taking you to finish that house! Even working alone, you should be making some progress, but every time you update us, it seems you have barely moved at all. :) Do you have any new pictures of newly completed work?

jleslie 12-23-2016 10:55 AM

Jim - really sorry to hear your news, I hope 2017 is good to you.

Surferminn 12-23-2016 11:27 AM

Sorry to hear about your mom, Jim. May you all go through this transition period with much ease as possible. Glad to hear your deal with Roku and some thoughts and plans for the future. Take care and stay warm through the winter. Effective a few days ago, we all will be getting more daylight as each day passes.

Jim Sachs 12-23-2016 11:45 AM

Thanks for the well-wishing, everyone.

Pat - Only the high-end Roku boxes (the models which can do 4k) currently have MA as their default screensaver. The company is working on a version which will run on lesser machines. The code was taken from our Android version, so it's not quite as good as my Windows version, but it still looks pretty good. My contract requires me to give them 160 hours per year assistance in improving the program on Roku.

Progress on the house has been slow while I had my mother with me, but I have been able to do some work. I'll look for some recent pics.

cjmaddy 12-23-2016 05:23 PM

Sorry to hear of your loss, Jim. - I hope the future will bring you some happier moments.

feldon34 12-24-2016 12:05 PM

Jim, my thoughts are with you as you, Edi, and Jill are dealing with all of this. You put your life on hold for 3 years to take care of your mom, which is a testament to the kind of person you are and exactly the sense of duty and kindness I perceived after meeting you out in California all those years ago.

Instead of guilt or sadness, I hope you come to experience more positive, constructive emotions as she is now at peace. And I hope that the creativity that is burned into your very DNA can breathe once again.

Tarkus 12-24-2016 01:52 PM

Sorry for your loss, Jim. Best wishes moving forward.

drfish 12-24-2016 08:08 PM

My condolences, Jim.

Jim Sachs 12-24-2016 09:42 PM

Thanks, guys. Yes, it's tough dealing with someone who has dementia, but at least she stayed sweet until the end. Alzheimer's patients often get mean, but I was spared that. She forgot most everything, but still remembered me and my daughter. At 88, she outlived everyone in the history of our family by at least 15 years. Her mother, father, brother, grandparents and cousins all died about my age.

snorkler 12-26-2016 01:01 AM

So sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself.

Jav400 12-27-2016 08:51 AM

My sincerest condolences as well Jim. It will be a difficult thing I am sure having that memory this time every year.

philosopher 01-03-2017 10:26 AM

2017
 
My condolences Jim. i wish you and your family the best 2017 possible.

kaseki 04-08-2017 04:33 PM

My condolences also. I did not notice this thread until today.

The Roku deal is interesting, but it looks like there is still room for a higher resolution version. Having succeeded in getting MA 3.3 to run under Linux Mint using Crossover Linux (I am sure the free Wine will work also, but I haven't tried it), I am in the process of building a home theater PC (HTPC) using higher performance components than the older PC I am typing this on which drives "only" 1920 x 1280 pixels at 60 Hz. (Writes a guy who once upgraded from punch cards to Teletype to a CIT101e display.)

It was the demonstration of MA 3.3 on my present monitor that got my wife gung ho about a new 4K OLED TV so long as it could display MA. At present some critical components for the HTPC are out of stock, but as soon as I can get them and resolve any build issues, I plan to have MA running as a kind of virtual aquarium when called upon to do so. This will entail a more modern GPU driving an HDMI TV interface.

While it is somewhat difficult to extrapolate from the present CPU and GPU to the HTPC's counterpart components, I hope to be able to run a full panoply of fish at 4K and 60 Hz without stressing the system (at least to the level that the rendering test program Unigine Valley would).

Others already running Windows on gaming capable PCs should consider driving their TVs with MA. Unlike Pong, or PacMan, there is no visual obsolescence evident in MA; I expect it can continue to scale as long as the CPUs and GPUs continue to utilize ever more billions of transistors.

kas

Jim Sachs 04-08-2017 09:38 PM

Kaseki - Yes, the Roku version is currently lower resolution. It was translated from the Android version, which was translated from the Mac version, which was translated from my PC version. It has gotten away from my code by several generations, and naturally exhibits some 'code drift'. I've been working with Prolific's Android programmers to sharpen up the Android version, and it's actually looking pretty good on my Galaxy s6 phone. These tweaks will probably also show up on Roku devices before long.

At 4K on a big monitor, you'll be running up against the limit of the fairly low-res fish textures. Some are only 64x64 pixels. When I was first creating the Aquarium 17 years ago, I designed it for 1024x768 in a world where 640x480 was the standard.

I'm hoping to get into programming in Unity or Unreal, which would open up a lot of possibilities for a new version of MA. I recently bought a used 3D laptop with a 17-inch screen. When the convergence is set right (a fairly obscure setting in NVidia 3D Vision), the Aquarium is so incredibly real in 3D that even I am still mesmerized by it.

jleslie 04-09-2017 03:06 AM

Interesting, I hadn't tried it in 3D... I'll give that a go (my HTPC has a 3D vision license and is connected to a 3D TV).

BTW kaseki IBM card punches - best keyboards ever... the tactile feedback mechanism is quite impressive too (metal blades powering through cardboard).

kaseki 04-09-2017 06:58 PM

Tactile keyboard perhaps, but mistakes were not correctable with Whiteout.

kaseki 04-09-2017 07:11 PM

I'll look for the resolution limitation when I've got the system ready; on 1920 x 1200 everything looks sharp. I think it will look sharp across the room when magnified to 55 inches at 4K. However, I am capable of whining for more resolution if needed.

I also need to make a "puddle" of clear silicone adhesive to put under the TV so it is a more realistic aquarium simulation. :lol:

(Then there is the tropical fresh water aquarium I've always wanted -- much more practical with a display in the form of a simulated large tank. This would have an enormous school of neon tetras operating in quasi school behavior.)

k

Jim Sachs 04-09-2017 09:41 PM

jleslie - As I mentioned, the most important thing in viewing MA in 3D is the Convergence (or Parallax) setting. The 3D Vision user interface makes this infuriatingly hard to find. You have to turn on 'Advanced Settings', then use CTRL-F5 and CTRL-F6 to change the Convergence. Bringing the bottom gravel right up against the screen looks the most realistic. Once you get it right, hit CTRL-F7 to save the setting and you won't have to do it again.

kaseki - I had actually done a lot of work on a freshwater version a few years ago, and had neon tetras in it. I was able to duplicate the iridescent blue/green/purple bands on the sides using a shader which changed with the light angle. If I'm able to get into Unreal or Unity programming, then schooling behavior would be greatly simplified.


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