Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Computer Animation

Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques (2002)

By Rick Parent

This is a very interesting book combining the history of computer animation with a very rigorous mathematical treatment of the principles.

The history part is easily understandable.

The mathematics is very heavy going.

Sierra & Bates

Sun Certified Programmer and Developer for Java 2 Study Guide (Exams 310-035 & 310-027)

(2003)

by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates

The authors repeatedly emphasize that the purpose of this book is NOT to make you a better Java programmer, but rather to help you pass the tests.

There is an alternate universe where being a better Java programmer DOES help you pass the tests.

But apparently we are in the wrong universe.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Bots

Bots: The Origin of New Species (1997) by Andrew Leonard

This book offers a fascinating history of bots, which by today’s standards means the early history of software robots.

Not just the history of bots, but also artificial intelligence and the internet.

It would be nice to see an updated version of this book.

In terms of online game NPCs, it seems like we have made negative progress since 1997.

Horus Rising

Horus Rising (2006) by Dan Abnett

This Warhammer 40k novel is the first in a new series called The Horus Heresy.

In the 31st millennium, Warmaster Horus and his faithful companions carry on with the great crusade while the Emperor returns to Terra.

This is a time very different from the dark future of 40k where there is only war. There is hope that humanity can forge a future of peace.

It seems that nothing can withstand the combined might of all the legions of space marines. But Chaos is always lurking, waiting for that one critical moment to strike.

The novel concludes with war breaking out between the Imperium and a rival human civilization known as the interex.

This is a very fine novel. There is plenty of combat, but also a healthy dose of dialogue and character development.