Pixel app for Mobile Phones, programmer wanted! :D

[ilkke]

Gil, that would be great!
I have one volunteer for making a symbian version, but he will not be able to get on it for months. The only other offer I have is much less noble since I'd have to pay for the favor in pixels, and I am too busy to accept that anytime soon.
I'd rather do this with someone who is interested in the subject The program can only benefit from that.

Tell you what, I will make a rough 2-color prototype in flash, so we can see if the concept is any good. In the meantime if no one else comes forth, you can decide if you're still interested.

[Gil]

Sounds good

[ilkke]

Here's the flash test!

http://ptoing.net/ilkke/flash/pikCell.swf

FOR SOME REASON FLASH EMBEDDING FAILS MISERABLY

Keyboard handling is by default a bit 'ropey' in flash, I couldn't be really arsed to try to make it more decent.
Also, you have to click inside the flash movie to be able to use the keys.

controls:
cursors = move marker
numeric 1-9 = toggle pixels
numeric 0 = toggle marker step

Seems to work better with marker step set to 1, because you can place the marker exactly whre you like, and thus don't have to move it around as much.

[Gil]

I'd definately provide marker steps 1 and 3, seems like they both have their merrit. Actually I'd offer a marker step 3 and a 1px marker, so you can choose between fast marker stepping with 9 keys to draw pixels and the easier to use single pixel marker. Marker step 1 doesn't seem as useful as the combo of those two.

I'll have to see if I can devise an easy way to prototype java apps on a cellphone. Is there a MIDP emulator? I know I didn't find decent MIDP emulators a few years ago, I'll have to look...

edit: Yep, MicroEmulator seems to be a good option

[ilkke]

I'm not sure I understood the idea behind a single pixel marker. What's the difference between using that and using a 3x3 marker with a 1pixel step?

btw, my mail on yahoo is ilkkke. I guess we could use a more direct communication.

[Helm]

I'm not sure I understood the idea behind a single pixel marker. What's the difference between using that and using a 3x3 marker with a 1pixel step?

you can draw to the corners of the screen without having to press any other numeric button besides 5.

[Gil]

Yes, you'd basically have one finger on the joystick, one on the 5. Works a little faster for certain parts, marker works faster for others.

[ilkke]

Ah, ok then
I wouldn't completely give up on 3x3 1step marker, tho. I find it quite useful, at least in the prototype. We'll see if single pixel marker combo really makes it redundant.
I'll try to come up with a control scheme that uses only the standard keys, so we can maximize compatibility.

[ilkke]

Probably not that relevant, but I accidentaly found this emulator, thought I'd share:
http://jademula.kontechs.de/

[Gil]

I'll have a look this weekend. Have you thought about maximum picture size? Rigth now your preview allows for an 8x9 image, I was wondering what the maximum image size would be? I imagine that zooming in would be out of the question (zoom with which buttons? :p) and scrolling wouldn't allow you to view the whole image at a time easily.