Just released a new version of SimpleFileWatcher. Not a lot of new content, but a pretty serious bug was fixed for Win32 and some better error handling. I create some more maintainable build scripts using premake. Also, I moved the OgreDemo off to its own directory to help contain all the files.
Download: SimpleFileWatcher 2009.09.14
Debugging an application after its been released can be a total pain. So, over time I've collected some software and techniques for making it a bit easier on myself and my team. We ship our product with a modified version of Hans Dietrich's XCrashReport to provide logs, system information, and minidumps when our application inevitably crashes. If you're not already using something similar I would highly recommend checking it out.
This utility sends us lots of crash dump files and until now we've always had to dig back through our archives to find the corresponding symbols and source code. But today I decided to rid us of the headache and set up a Symbol Server that could automatically determine our version and load it into Visual Studio 2008. The documentation can be a bit lacking at times, so I will try to illuminate the path that I took.
Step 1:
Download Debugging Tools for Windows. This provides you with symstore.exe which will be important for creating the symbol store.
Step 1.5:
Add the Debugging Tools directory to your path, so we have access to symstore.exe.
Step 2:
Create a folder on your build server and share it such that you have something like \\BuildServer\Symbols available to your workstation.
Step 3:
For each build, execute a command like
symstore.exe add /r /p /f U:\Project\Bin\*.* /s \\BuildServer\Symbols /t "My Project" /v "Build 42"
Where U:\Project\Bin is the directory with your .pdb files, \\BuildServer\Symbols is obviously the symbols directory, "My Project" is the name of the project, and "Build 42" is the description of the version.
Step 4:
Open Visual Studio 2008, go to Tools->Options->Debugging->Symbols. Set your cache directory to something like C:\SymbolCache, then add the location of the new symbol store: \\BuildServer\Symbols.
Step 4.5:
At this point, it would be advisable to add the Microsoft Symbol Store to the locations list too: http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols.
This should facilitate debugging crash dumps without tracking down the symbols. Also, check out the Source Server which will access your VCS system to pull out the correct source code files for you automatically too.
There are still lots of people out there who continue to send far too many emails to friends, coworkers, family, etc. Many of these emails are usually mass-forwards to laundry lists of people. While I'm sure some of these are quite amusing/interesting/inflammatory, they all frequently have the same effect: clutterying up inboxes.
To these people, I would like to suggest they do what so many other net-savvy people have done, specifically blogging. Blogging is essentially the same thing as sending out that armada of email, except that it is seen when and how the end user desires. If you haven't quite figured out the whole blog thing, or think that its too technical, rest assured its actually quite simple. In fact, websites like WordPress, blogspot, and livejournal do all the work for you. And this tutorial explains how to get started on your new blogging adventure.
After you've created your new blog, don't immediately send out a barrage of 'Check out my new Intarweb!' emails. First try to find your friends' blogs and comment on them, leaving a link to your own. Its a little more polite.
Don't think you need to abandon your friendly emails though, these can still be quite pleasant when not sent in bulk. A few rules of thumb for writing a blog instead of an email:
If you found this useful, then you might also do a quick google on RSS or go take a peek at Google Reader. Most blog platforms allow you to subscribe using RSS and use software like Google Reader to read all your blogs in one simple interface.
Recently the local Fox affiliat approached me about helping with an article about the new game controllers that use mind control. The device we reviewed is the Neural Impulse Actuator or NIA by OCZ Technology. It works by sensing the electrical signals given off by your brain and facial muscles. Its a fantastic piece of technology, though rough around the corners, and I think in another couple of years we may see wide spread use of such devices.
Cool though they may be, I don't see technology like this replacing current mainstays like the joystick and keyboard/mouse. More likely, they will fall into the "add on" category like the gaming keypads and 6 button mice.
That said, it is truely a piece of interesting technology and I look forward to playing with them in the future.
