talesofweirdfl's recent activity

  1. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
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    Splendid! I know how it is. Such is the price of fame.

    Splendid! I know how it is. Such is the price of fame.

    1 vote

  2. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    It’s a classic. I believe my first reading was when it arrived at the library of congress. Ah the parades that day were something to remember. All the balloons, the bands, truly magical. Has the...

    It’s a classic. I believe my first reading was when it arrived at the library of congress. Ah the parades that day were something to remember. All the balloons, the bands, truly magical. Has the fame been arduous?

    1 vote

  3. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
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    My text game journey continues. For those keeping track, I started learning ZIL, the Zork Implementation Language so I could build my own text game based off of one of my novels. Not to be...

    My text game journey continues. For those keeping track, I started learning ZIL, the Zork Implementation Language so I could build my own text game based off of one of my novels. Not to be outdone, I decided that just making a text game was not enough, I need a fun way to display it at my next author event. So it was time to make a cyberdeck.

    One Nanuk 910 case later and a LOT of 3d printing failures, I now have a complete screen and keyboard deck in a bright red case. The whole thing runs off a FabGL board (LilyTTGO). It's basically an ESP32 that has VGA and PS2 (keyboard + mouse) with an SDcard running CP/M.

    Yes. CP/M.

    It's... old.

    But the machine boots instantly and I have this great CP/M program for running Z-Code text games called Vezza (shout out to Shawn Sijnstra!) that runs all my games and the old Infocom standbys like Zork and Enchanter, etc.

    I'm ready for my next author show with something decidedly different. Will it bring attention to the table? Who knows? Did I have fun making it? Yes.

    I've also installed Word Star on it so worst case I can swivel it around and write.

    Just Nerdy Author Things. :)

  4. Comment on Any obscure songs you'd like to share? in ~music

    talesofweirdfl
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    I've talked about her before on Tildes. Geri-X is a local Florida musician with amazing vocal range, exceptional song writing, and just an all around talent. I cannot say enough good things about...

    I've talked about her before on Tildes. Geri-X is a local Florida musician with amazing vocal range, exceptional song writing, and just an all around talent. I cannot say enough good things about her music and her as a person.

    My favorite album is: Anthems of a Mended Heart

    Do yourself a favor and listen to #3, When I Die. It's some of her best work.

    1 vote

  5. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    I'm pictured here and I kinda think I like it. Me and the lads are admiring some WNDPROCS and conversing over SendMessage, you guys have fun though!

    I'm pictured here and I kinda think I like it. Me and the lads are admiring some WNDPROCS and conversing over SendMessage, you guys have fun though!

    1 vote

  6. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    I just write C/C++ and erlang for legacy stuff. I have no clue what goes on in the world. I'm forever frozen somewhere between 1999 and 2010.

    I just write C/C++ and erlang for legacy stuff. I have no clue what goes on in the world. I'm forever frozen somewhere between 1999 and 2010.

    1 vote

  7. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    And today I learned what ZIG is. Thanks! I completely missed this one.

    Zig

    And today I learned what ZIG is. Thanks! I completely missed this one.

  8. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
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    I have fallen deep down the rabbit hole that is the Zork Implementation Language (ZIL). Completely by accident a few weeks ago I stumbled upon the ZILF compiler and the awesome people behind it,...

    I have fallen deep down the rabbit hole that is the Zork Implementation Language (ZIL). Completely by accident a few weeks ago I stumbled upon the ZILF compiler and the awesome people behind it, then just went ham. After writing a Gruescript text game in 2025, I'm totally jazzed to try and put together a true, classical parser game for Ectocomp 2026. I'm chipping away this game bit by bit and loving the whole MDL heritage, the interesting syntax, and the deep nerdery that is reading "Learning ZIL" by Steven Meretzky as if I am some junior INFOCOM implementer from the early 80s. I know it's deeply silly, but sometimes life calls for silly.

    7 votes

  9. Comment on What pre-NES games do you still recommend today? in ~games

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    Thanks! I'll hunt that down and try to get it fixed. It was a fun experience, and yeah, gruescript is very cool. This time around I'm doing a more traditional parser game. You know... create...

    Thanks! I'll hunt that down and try to get it fixed. It was a fun experience, and yeah, gruescript is very cool. This time around I'm doing a more traditional parser game. You know... create meaning through challenge :)

    1 vote

  10. Comment on What pre-NES games do you still recommend today? in ~games

  11. Comment on What pre-NES games do you still recommend today? in ~games

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    Depends what you are looking for. Most of the Infocom stuff is all over the place, but for more modern IF you need to check out ifdb.org and intfiction.org.

    Depends what you are looking for. Most of the Infocom stuff is all over the place, but for more modern IF you need to check out ifdb.org and intfiction.org.

  12. Comment on What pre-NES games do you still recommend today? in ~games

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    As a guy writing his second interactive fiction, this time using ZIL, it’s so great to see people outside the space directly with a love for the medium. Have you played any more modern IF parser...

    As a guy writing his second interactive fiction, this time using ZIL, it’s so great to see people outside the space directly with a love for the medium. Have you played any more modern IF parser games?

    2 votes

  13. Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    Buddy, you can do it! I started the same way ten+ years ago. It's a journey. It'll take time. Your imagination is important, but also you need to be sure to read a lot. Focus on the structure, the...

    Buddy, you can do it! I started the same way ten+ years ago. It's a journey. It'll take time. Your imagination is important, but also you need to be sure to read a lot. Focus on the structure, the pacing, how the story unfolds. Don't be afraid to experiment, to write lousy stories. The key is to keep trying, keeping putting down words. Look at some of the good writing instruction out there, almost anything from James Scott Bell is great for motivation and craft. Welcome to a fun and challenging hobby!

    1 vote

  14. Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative

  15. Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    I have some pictures but don't know how I would link them here. When you did your chapbooks, how did you print/bind? I've been leaning on Lulu for all my traditional novels/non-fiction.

    I have some pictures but don't know how I would link them here. When you did your chapbooks, how did you print/bind? I've been leaning on Lulu for all my traditional novels/non-fiction.

  16. Comment on Alternatives to a straw hat in ~life.style

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    I got the Airflo hat. Here's the thing they stress that a lot of people don't do. Put it in the washer after you sweat it up. Don't just hang it up. Your sweat will break it down much faster than...

    I got the Airflo hat. Here's the thing they stress that a lot of people don't do. Put it in the washer after you sweat it up. Don't just hang it up. Your sweat will break it down much faster than the washing machine. I wear the hat daily for dog walks, then on the weekend when I "work the land." After getting it all dirty and sweaty on Saturday it goes into the wash. Don't put it in the dryer, just lay it flat to dry. The hat holds up amazing, feels great, and keeps 90% of the sun off my face and neck.

    4 votes

  17. Comment on Alternatives to a straw hat in ~life.style

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    I cannot up vote this enough. Tilley makes amazing hats. They aren't cheap but they LAST. I've had mine for over ten years and wear it daily. It really is a buy for life sort of product.

    I cannot up vote this enough. Tilley makes amazing hats. They aren't cheap but they LAST. I've had mine for over ten years and wear it daily. It really is a buy for life sort of product.

    6 votes

  18. Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative

    talesofweirdfl
    Link
    I went to a convention last year where one of the vendors had these tiny 4x6 "chap books" for sale. I thought they were very cool, but that I would do them a little differently. Spent the last...

    I went to a convention last year where one of the vendors had these tiny 4x6 "chap books" for sale. I thought they were very cool, but that I would do them a little differently. Spent the last month or so experimenting and am now in the final days of producing my 4x6 "pocket pulps" for the same convention in 2027. I gotta admit, the whole thing was fun to put them together. Layout and cover design is not forgiving at 4x6. You have to get creative. ;)

    2 votes

  19. Comment on AI was eroding trust in my classroom — so I got rid of typed papers and bought my students notebooks instead in ~life

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    Alphasmarts! Those things were (and still are) awesome. No internet. Simple LCD screen. Just for typing. Ten 'file slots.' As a novelist, I have used one (or a derivative of one) for years. Still...

    Alphasmarts! Those things were (and still are) awesome. No internet. Simple LCD screen. Just for typing. Ten 'file slots.'

    As a novelist, I have used one (or a derivative of one) for years. Still wonderful devices. Truly, sometimes less is more.

    7 votes

  20. Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp

    talesofweirdfl
    Link Parent
    Well if you ever need another or want to talk ttrpgs my dms are open. 😁 Look at me peopling!

    Well if you ever need another or want to talk ttrpgs my dms are open. 😁

    Look at me peopling!