Config GUI

I've been looking around a bit at all the various soundboard options, and I was just wondering if anyone out there has ever written up a simple program to act as a GUI for editing the config file for the PC.

I haven't done any sort of programming in like 20 years. But from what I remember of programming, writing a small program to put sliders or some sort of graphic element to aid in the configuration of all the settings of the PC shouldn't be too daunting of a task.

I know editing a text file isn't a big deal, but having a program to speed up the process and automate some of the formatting, etc. certainly would be nice.

Nobody has done that sort of thing yet. (Or shared it)

If you can do it, definitely go for it! I for one would be extremely interested in such a program, it would really speed-up the process. :cool:

It is not within my current range of skills to make such a program. All of my coding skills are 20 years out of date.

I just wanted to throw the idea out there and see if it had been done already, or possibly spark the interest to do it in someone with the skills to make it happen.

Nope hasn't been done. To me personally, I like the way the config files are setup. It is simple, and makes the process more... techish...

Your code knowledge may be out of date, but never obsolete. If you can find a compiler for whatever language you used to write, you can still build it.
The question is whether or not you remember enough. I suspect that's what you really mean.

I think its a whole lot of I don't remember it, mixed with a bit of 'Does anyone actually use Fortran, Cobol, and Pascal anymore??'

I'm much more of a hardware nerd than a software nerd...I never was any good at the limited programming I am much more comfortable tearing something down to its component parts and rebuilding it.

The nice thing would be that the program would be totally optional since its not hard coded on the boards...people more comfortable with the techish manual editing of the config file could continue to do so...people who prefer a GUI and a visual representation of all the numbers could use the program method.

Not saying its something vitally needed in the community, but I'm sure that more people than just myself would like a GUI method of changing their PC config (I've seen numerous posts about how people complain about the swing sensitivity of their PCs, but do nothing about it because they are not comfortable mucking about in config files) One of the nice selling points of the new Obsidian boards is the well polished GUI, having something similar for the PC would be a nice addition IMHO.

I believe it might be more useful to discuss this with Erv' directly, since I think there has been talk of a GUI type program before...

I figured that if Erv hadnt made a GUI for any of his boards yet that he wasn't all that interested in doing so. Plus, from what I have gathered reading the boards, he is a rather busy fellow already. I'd rather let him do what he does best, and throw this idea out there to any 3rd parties that might be interested in whipping up a new tool for the PC users out there.

I know Erv reads the boards too, so if he sees this thread and thinks 'Wow...that is a fantastic idea...why didn't I think of that years ago' thats great too :)

i'm not working on a secret project to make an over-packed GUI config app for the PC... >_>

and that's all i'll say... hint, hint...

What I thought would be cool would be to have a micro-USB port on the outside of the saber that would let you plug your saber directly into your computer to config and update files on the SD card. Coming up with a cram-fu solution that is neat and clean on the inside is more of a challenge than I thought. Many ideas I've had for an internal chassis are more challenging when I remember I have to make it so the SD card is easily accessible. I'm afraid that would involve a major re-engineering of the PC though.

They went with a micro-USB port and a fancy GUI on the Obsidian soundboard, personally I would prefer the micro SD cards, so you can swap out pre-loaded sounds and configs on the fly instead of having to carry around a laptop or take the saber back to your computer to swap things around.

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Originally Posted by Azmaria Dei

i'm not working on a secret project to make an over-packed GUI config app for the PC... >_>

and that's all i'll say... hint, hint...

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Anything Azmaria isn't not working on would surely not be very very uninteresting if it didn't nonexist...

...ummmm...*unties knots in brain*...did I get that right? lol

What may or may not be worked on, would defiantly may or may not be totally awesome.

When I think of this, I think of those old savegame editors from 90's PC games.

90's pc games... I do this with some of my KoTOR saves...

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Originally Posted by Arashi

They went with a micro-USB port and a fancy GUI on the Obsidian soundboard, personally I would prefer the micro SD cards, so you can swap out pre-loaded sounds and configs on the fly instead of having to carry around a laptop or take the saber back to your computer to swap things around.

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Total QFT

i dont mean to throw a spanner in the works but do people relly find it that hard to alter a couple or figures on note pad then click the save key? while i think a nice gui would be cool i wonder is it really needed, im no expert but isnt it really easy already?

Well, you could see it this way:
The easier it is, the less people will blow up an awesome soundcard.
Also, sliders and preset options help the users know the limit of the hardware at
all times, decreasing the chance of mistakes (and part damage) even more.
I mean, there could even be little [?] icons next to the sliders etc, explaining the parameter even further.
If done properly, and extensively, it might replace the manual. Just maybe...
You could let limit the user's options, with an 'Advanced Settings' for those
who are comfortable enough with the parameters.

I know some of you would think "If you can't even handle a simple TXT file, you are not worthy of
such a great soundboard", and to some extent I agree.
But let's face, even the 'noob' saberbuilders will buy a PC, and a GUI in general would simply help make the PC more accessible.

I hope that made sense...

mTm

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Originally Posted by mihunai

Well, you could see it this way:
The easier it is, the less people will blow up an awesome soundcard. You can't blow up the board with a bad/corrupted config file, the board just uses defaults parameters.
Also, sliders and preset options help the users know the limit of the hardware at
all times, decreasing the chance of mistakes (and part damage) even more. Again, no risk of soundboard damage with a bad config file. With the possible exception of the LED config, where if "maxed out" most LEDs will handle for a while worst case. The only 100% garunteed method for blowing up an LED with a PC is to not connect it at startup (board uses battery voltage to the LED pads).
I mean, there could even be little [?] icons next to the sliders etc, explaining the parameter even further. What the manual is for.
If done properly, and extensively, it might replace the manual. Just maybe... The config part of the manual is 3 pages out of 21 (14%).
You could let limit the user's options, with an 'Advanced Settings' for those
who are comfortable enough with the parameters. The default file does exactly this and works "out of the box" with perhaps the exception of the switch setting and LED current. Users don't have to edit much else if they don't want to.

I know some of you would think "If you can't even handle a simple TXT file, you are not worthy of
such a great soundboard", and to some extent I agree. Therefore you fail Mr. Lusar :p
But let's face, even the 'noob' saberbuilders will buy a PC, and a GUI in general would simply help make the PC more accessible. IDK.... I found the explanations pretty easy to understand, and the "it shows you visually where the setting is" argument is pretty nullified, because the manual clearly states the top and bottom ranges of the parameter. If you need it to be exactly 1/4 of the range, for example, you can easily calculate that, rather than having a slider which is inaccurate. I'm not against a GUI... just not having the entire config process happen through one.
I hope that made sense...

mTm

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character limit

The main parts concern would indeed be the LED being overdriven.
Also, you did not really 'bust' any of my arguments, save the implied manual replacement.

Parts damage by wrong setting is still valid. (LEDs, while improbable, may still blow up.)
The [?] signs being in the GUI is also still valid, because it simply makes
it easier to know what the parameter does, while you're working on it, without
having to search the whole manual.
In any program (like computer games etc), a good user interface can greatly enhance the
flow of operation. It makes interaction more pleasant.

So try again.

mTm

i'm actually a .NET software developer of going on 6 years now.
my expertise is in web applications, but desktop apps are cake compared to web apps.
given some specs and details i could throw something together fairly quickly/easily as far as manipulating a configuration file through a GUI and saving it back off.

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Originally Posted by ghost_a*

i'm actually a .NET software developer of going on 6 years now.
my expertise is in web applications, but desktop apps are cake compared to web apps.
given some specs and details i could throw something together fairly quickly/easily as far as manipulating a configuration file through a GUI and saving it back off.

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just wait for the JRE app please...

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Originally Posted by Azmaria Dei

just wait for the JRE app please...

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lol, this isn't gonna become a .NET vs java debate is it?
no problem though, was just offering my services :)

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Originally Posted by ghost_a*

lol, this isn't gonna become a .NET vs java debate is it?
no problem though, was just offering my services :)

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it can, but i would rather it not... my main reason for choosing java? it runs on any platform that HAS java... .NET is nice too, but i'm just from another spectrum of web programming than you. besides that, it's not TOO far from completion as is.

cool. no worries though, was just helpin' out. i don't even own a PC.
and yeah the only reason i'm biased towards .NET is because that's what i get paid to do.
nothing but respect for java.

I say roll/do your own anyways.. why cant there be more than 1 'GUI/IDE'?

Are either of your ideas going to directly 'talk' to the SD card? or just produce/replicate a config file for the user to 'swap/overwrite'?

Making it a web app from Flash/PHP or just plain old PHP doesnt seem to be too difficult to throw together either.. that way anyone with internet can use it. (no install/add-ons)

if I had more time Id throw something together for testing.. (just too many projects to work on currently) =(

honestly i have no clue of what the config file looks like in the first place. i don't own a PC or CF and have never read up on them.
again, i was just offering up my services if needed. i'd need specs and details though, but it sounds like azmaria is already 10 steps ahead.

well nobody knows whats AZ is doing.. (its secret remember!?) =) ;)

and if you need a 'stock config for the CF.. I think you can grab one from plecterlabs site in one of the default font packages.

its really just generating/altering a .txt file..

whatever 'interface' you use/create is personal preference IMHO..

I could pitch an argument for both web based and desktop/standalone app versions..

If someone were to build a web app for it, I would definitely recommend it have it's own place somewhere on the site, like the MHS builder.

If you are not familiar with the PC or CF config and LED files I would suggest looking at the manuals and see what the limits are for each setting. That way you will know what the thresholds are for each setting and go from there. If I know Az I am sure that she is already 25 steps ahead of everyone else. She just can't let anyone figure out something before she does. LOL Which is a great thing and I respect her for it.

sigh... and i feel thwre are already too many cats out of the bag now...

here's a spoiler though - it has themes and is more than a simple text editor GUI.

sounds 'cool'... not sure if 'themes' are needed.. but its got cool factor I guess.

still theres room for more/any type of flavor 'GUI' anyone wants to make... no one is making you give 'spoilers'... ;) nor 'dissing' any JAVA or desktop app./approach

and if people dont want to wait the 'JRE app' version.. they can roll their own. :)

a web based version could be useful as well. doubt it would have any features not related to configuring the the config file.. but still all it needs to do is output a .txt file.

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Originally Posted by xl97

no one is making you give 'spoilers'... ;) nor 'dissing' any JAVA or desktop app./approach

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i didn't see that anyone had dissed anything. and the spoiler is my own excitement leaking out - nothing more. ^_^

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Originally Posted by Azmaria Dei

sigh... and i feel thwre are already too many cats out of the bag now...

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Meow on lock-up FTW!

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Originally Posted by Knighthammer

Meow on lock-up FTW!

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More like alley-cat on lockup. MmmRRRrrrOWW!!!
Leading off of a purring hum of course.