First things first, the next release is currently getting packed up & tested, containing Scaffolds and the new awesome colorable anti-fire creeper-proof crater-remover CF.
As well, i’ve wanted to reveal some of my intentions in the regard of the upcoming (within the next weeks, somewhen) “Electronics”:
The basic idea behind it: The computer in a computer-game :3
One starts by crafting the basic Electronic Block. This block already is costly (consists of Adv.Machienblock and some ElectroChips, which again consist of multiple circuits), but actually merely the most basic component… and a conjunction.
Multiple Electronic Blocks and some more ingridents craft a “Kernel”. Placing a kernel somewhere causes it to create a small ElectronicNet/System for itself. Now you can proceed adding more blocks to it, simply by placing them adjacent.
You should actually add a Power Supply block to your system now. While idle, blocks will consume “only” a few EU/t each. However, while actively working they will eventually run up to 50-100/t per active block.
Power Supplys can only take MV, though i’ve calculated, when used cleverly, you can provide ~2500 EUt max into every Power Supply.
A kernel itself is useless on it’s own, still. However, the next step would be to add a Console. Consoles are the only block players can actually interact with. It will bring up a basic GUI, containing a, duh, console and an input line. Yes, DFOS (DragonForceOperatingSystem, which is totally not a pun on GeForce or DOS) is exclusively console-based. However, currently our new device can’t do much except for processing extremely basic and useless commands, f.e. returning the coordinates and the owner of the kernel.
To make more, you will need Processors. Each processors adds cycles to the System.
Entering commands, reading commands, processing commands uses a somewhat large amount of cycles each. The more processors (probably in different tiers, too) you have, the faster the whole system will work.
On this point you will probably think about adding another few Kernels, because a system can only take up one task per Kernel. And it sucks to wait multiple minutes for a long operation to finish, whilst you just want a small info… which however ends up behind the long operation in queque.
As well you will eventually want to save data or start creating your own librarys.
For these tasks you can craft Data Storage and Library Storage blocks. First ones can store any sort of data. F.e. messages, rules, or other stuff i didn’t think about to well yet. Library Storage blocks can be programmed with some more commands.
In fact there will be multiple “layers” of commands. F.e. most basic commands will be “Admin only”. Thus exclusively the admin of the system (usually the guy who placed the first Kernel) can use these commands (it will be possible to change “adminrights” later on, though). He can now use librarys to write publicy avaible commands, which are stored in the library and can be used by other users.
To give your system an actual use, there will be useful blocks, capable of emitting/receiving Redstone signals, controlling EUflow and probably controlling Ractors as well.
There are some more components i’ve got in my mind, but these ideas are to vague yet to give you too much detail ^^
Note:
There isn’t a single line of code for this written yet. Some stuff may be implemented differently or not at all, regardless of what i’ve said in this blogpost, depending on whether and how it will prove to be possible.
PS:
Geez, posts like
“Beyond this, it would be awesome if a server could have its own interwebs! Users could link in to the main system and connect to pages built by users! With hacking it would be awesome if you could re-route their power supply, blowing up stuff or just stealing their power. Wow, this has such potential.”
are the reason i usually do NOT post these sort of stuff on a blog.
STOP HYPING!
The whole CPU system will be extremely simple. You will get a few settings and commands to play around, a basic to syntax to create own commands from and eventuall some more advanced Data Storage. But don’t exspect me to code anything near an actual CPU or similar, seriously.
This sounds very nice 😀
I hope that this will come sone 😀
A dream come true.
That’s quite awesome.
BUT, CAN WE RUN SNAKE ON IT?
Doubt that. However, a guy wrote a Compiler-within-MC for this CPU idea a few weeks ago. Once i’ve got the cPU running, i may include his code and then you can actually create whatever java permits to be possible :3
That sounds really nice 😀
so we can write minecraft in minecraft 😀
OMFG! /me stumbles around on the site and figured he had to donate some cash for that bit of reading…
think I just had a nerdgasm….
Where is the freaking ‘Like’ button!!!
On SpyBook, which this blog luckyly doesn’t belong to :O
Did i mention i hate SpyBook?
..but will it blend?
lol
Yep Alblaka you and you’re ideas are never cease to amaze me. Good job mate!
If this gets implemented, it’s time to restard AMD on the new Industrial Rage server 😛
Seriously, I jizzed a little while reading this, Alblaka <3
restart* Derp
Getting closer and close to being able to say…
“Computer, raise shields!”
Now, i don’t think i will implement voice interaction. Though you could use the librarys to create a command “Computer, raise shield!” and then it should f.e. trigger redstone to activate a ForceField.
Computer voice:”Warning creepers spotted 20 blocks away”
Voice me:”Computer,raise shields”
Computer voice:”Shields up!”
Computer voice:”Warning low EU/t”
Voice me:”Stop all non-critical systems and boost the shields”
Computer voice:”Warning shields at 20%,10 more creepers spotted 10 blocks away”
Computer voice:”Warning perimeter breached, the matter-antimatter tank is going into meltdown”
!BOOM!
Lol I like that 😛
Whether or not it comes to fruition, I like the sound of all of those ideas.
Thanks for all the work you’ve put into a great mod!
MWUHAHA, Al i offer you my firstborn if this comes in some extent true. When Minecraft is final i will start a new world till then i will do some more mass effecting 🙂
Computers Finally!
This + zepplin mod+ Build craft ? Programable mining ships? About 6 months after official release minecraft will simply be one of the most awesome games ever thanks to modders.
you forgot redpower
…dude.
Just… wow.
This is win.
if we can control redstone, then there definitely should be a way to label redstone outputs through the GUI. Then, you can have doors that require an access code to open. A system on the inside that manages nuclear reactors. There should definitely be a way to overload the reactor to make it explode on purpose. This would make sabotage fun!
Hmm, you mean like commanding the computer to extract all the cooling from a reactor? Should be possible with a machine or tube/pipe system capable of only extracting certain items from an inventory 😉
This is possible using the buildcraft advanced wooden transport pipe (from the more pipes buildcraft addon[I think])
Yeah, but I meant sabotage through a console from a distance. Presumably, they won’t have built the pipes and made it easy to sabotage in that manner. I know I wouldn’t. The only thing they might do would be to remove depleted uranium cells automatically.
im still crying bout this today…
And it will give birth to a new OS called Skynet
rofl
:O so can we also make time loops so you can turn on lights automaticly when its getting dark or close all doors when it is nevening? and how about a network? so you can link computers and send stuff around like a virus >:D and email :O so you can also messenge somebody when he is offline!
i think there are many uses! i hope this will be added!
Beyond this, it would be awesome if a server could have its own interwebs! Users could link in to the main system and connect to pages built by users! With hacking it would be awesome if you could re-route their power supply, blowing up stuff or just stealing their power. Wow, this has such potential.
I don’t know that it can be as complex as having interwebs, but when using a console, you should be able message another console. That way, you can have “email” in-game if you have distant bases.
Also, I think there should be a machine that acts as an LED with RGB values that you can change through programs on the console and on/off for power consumption. Then, you could make a large screen.
It’ll be nice if there is an easier way to consolidate all of the power supplies. (wink wink nudge)
@Communication: Lemme first get the CPU running. Then we talk about interacting CPUs.
@RGB: Minecrafts lightning engine changes quite a bit, but afaik it’s still impossible for a single block to assume multiple light settings.
Still, hacking other computers would be cool for SMP, you could have security systems to add to your computers than.
Please don’t be CPU-intensive… 🙁 It’ll be cool if it isn’t.
(And I hope the windmill/watermill/solar CPU usage is reduced in next release? :o)
@Al do you still have plan on your Computer boosting machine outputs? I read an blog post of you a short while before you started IC² devlopment where you planned to do that would be awsome if the current cpu implementation will have something in that vein still alive.
Jep, though it would require some changes on the TE’s
I’m currently suffering from elation!!! 🙂
Sounds awesome. Like to have a searchable library of all the recipes…redpower boosts recipe book mods to almost 600 pages….
Just imagine wat could happen when all the potionrecipes appear in it, too.
A bit melodramatic, redpower 2, buildcraft 2, industrial craft 2, all for smp = around 360-370 pages
Sounds awesome!
How about a API to make it possible to make own commands and so on to the CPU? Would be awesome!
As this is going to be another “machine”, I’d like to know if you considered adding an upgraded version of the macerator/extractor/compressor, similar to the Add-On (Rotary macerator etc.).
Al allready stated in the topic of this addon that he will not add these to IC².
Sorry, mah bad. .-.
when i was reading this the only thing i could really think of was having a panel controlling a train yard full of switches. all from one block with a map of the yard as well, not needed a room bigger than the yard for all the redstone and levers.
Theoretically possible :3
so let me get this straight…say i have a unit running my reactor. will all the conponents be like personal chests where only you and the admin can use them? or else it would be rather likely that people would just wrench it off. great concept though…i wish i could get ic2 to work on my computer….but thats a problem to solve later
Current planning:
Per default your CPU is public. You can enter a command to limit access to only yourself or a list of persons.
Hacking would still be easy if you carry your own console with you and connect it, unless there’s some protection built where you have to approve every console with the kernel. 😀
Hoo boy. The implications of this are practically endless, even with limitations! Remote-controlled teleportation, anyone? Or, for that matter, have some pipes connect up to some chests deep underground, in an Adminium vault. Boom! Secure bank! More or less… any chance, any at all, to have a potential interface with Eloraam’s already-indev computers?
Lol. I use your mod and redpower. Both mods have copper and tin. And both mods will have computer.
eloraam from RedPower2 is trying to do something like this…Can;t wait to see which one comes out better
Are you coping eloraam bc she has been working on somethin similar :O
Al can’t be. Al’s post was made on the 11th of October but Eloraam’s post was made on the 15th of October.
*psst* I revealed to aim for CPUs a few month ago…
Looking at my chat logs, I first described my own CPU design (which is pretty much exactly as I’m implementing it now) on August 7.
I don’t think either of us is copying the other – we’re just doing it at the same time.
Now, IF i continue doing it.
There’s no point in having even more duplicates among the tekmods.
Kinda bothers me to drop that idea, but there’s no use in creating another, inferior, CPU if you’re going to create one either way.
With that logic we can say she stole the idea of copper and tin and using
“machines” because we totally can’t have more then 1 type of CPU right?
Noo, don’t give up on CPU. It’s always good to have variety.
… did you understand a single word i typed?
Damn! Can you Forge contributors read my mind? I was just wondering how I was going to set up a reactor that wouldn’t explode from negligence in a city I’m building(Complete with wiring! Which I need to switch over to IC wiring…) and you come out with something that may control reactors! Looking forward to this update, regardless. A simpler CPU building mechanic other than miles of redstone? Awesome.
Wonder if Alblaka has been following Eloraam’s blog this weekend, and seen her version of computers for Redpower?
Will be interesting to see how the two different approaches play out.
Well hopefully they will work together on this…. Because right now we have 2 versions of copper and Tin which do NOT like each other.
I hate to think that we get an Apple vs Microsoft scenario Minecraft style…
The concept how ever is superb, just image controlling you factory batchwise or continuous for an operator room with nice lighting 🙂
I’d really enjoy writing those batch recipes….
Thats already being/been fixed and once IC2 uses the ore dictionary function in Forge, will no longer be a problem.
You could collaborate with eloraam!
DON’T GIVE UP!!!!
I would rather appreciate using a IC2 CPU than RP2, because the IC2 CPU actually use energy, which make it more realistic! I built a whole power plant/kernel central (without the kernels, cpu, etc. cause they arent out yet – derp) just to put ’em in!!!!
I’d imagine Eloraam’s computers will utilise the Bluetricity systems coming in in Tier 2 of the Redpower Technology tree.
I didn’t quite get what is the “bluetricity” system. I’ve seached a little but not too far… Do you have any links or info I could go to/use ?
I do not think there is any conflicts at all, Elo’s and your ideas and still compliment each other.
Elo’s is making a barebone programming enviroment where you can create your own I/O function, your idea is to mainly create a control/monitor interface for the IC devices.
I can see myself creating monitoring and control systems for all my individual machine rooms. But setting up a main interface that can make calls to each of them.
And even though combining IC and RP is a must( alongside with BC) it still needs to be a standalone focus, where a monitoring system is still possible.
While this sounds interesting (as stated elsewhere the most interesting part is timer/security controlling redstone) I think more useful aspect of this may be in ‘programming’ tasks like creating or altering ‘software’ blocks that power up other machines. An /intelligent/ miner that comes with a built in pump and which can handle 128eU/t pulses of power without blowing up would be wonderful. There could be a filling queue as I described elsewhere and each ‘level’ the logic program would run to determine radially which blocks to mine/pump and what to fill back in.
In fact that is so useful that you /may/ want to enable a ‘sign edit’ style version of programming the blocks while the CPU/computer concept is ironed out.
This seems to be VERY much like:
http://www.eloraam.com/?p=152
http://www.eloraam.com/?p=145
Now, just need to think of which one to invest in more, the Redpower one seems promising, but this one will interact with IC blocks.
Anyway there are a few good uses for CPU networking, like being able to send signals to other computer systems that for example control a nuclear reactor or a buildcraft system to prevent overflow etc.
Also programming, Redbus will have a 6502 assembler for programming.
IC CPUs could also have a system level programming language like assembler.
But there should be good documentation on how all of the functions will work to help with programming.
Librarys and ‘data storage’ is essential for an effective computer as well, it would make programming and distribution of programs and other things easier.
And also the ability to store/send long notes without placing 10+ signs would be nice.
Can’t wait to see where both of these go, good luck and keep it up!
We don’t need pre programmed interwebs! We are Minecrafters, however I do have one request:
A simple cable that can carry (a/multiple) on off state(s), that way if we want we can make interwebs- it will be interesting to see what happens on the big servers. Also perhaps a ‘pixel screen’ that has a command pixel(screenID, x, y, r, g, b) to draw images- but that isn’t so important.
Everything from here on is just me rambling:
You know what would be awesome? Radars, they consume large amounts of EU and allow a computer to gather information on mobs/players nearby (anti radar, tin foil armour :D).
So has this idea of computers completely gone out the window?
Jep, why to code something already done in RP and CC?
darn, i was hoping for a computer system i wouldn’t have to learn how to code to operate