I sorted through GNU’s automake and autoconf utilities. They are used to automate the installation and compiling of source code distributions. It is sparsely documented. But I got it to work. Now lets see if I can figure out how to add Windows portability and support for static libraries.

I know somebody is reading this because I received the most cryptic email yesterday. *shrug* If you send me questions, please be more specific than “show me how to program”.

CODING TIP: Do Not Fear the Profiler. So now that you have written your program, you would like to optimize it to run better. A profiler tool helps identify the areas in which you spend the most time and of which you call most often. These areas are good candidates for optimization. As an aside I would love to see debuggers and profiling tools for the next generation of in-game scripting languages.

Profiling tools work by doing two things. First of all code is automatically added by the tool to the prologue of each function. When the calling program enters a function, the function name and program time are recorded in a file. Secondly, a profiler has a clock-driven information gatherer. At regular intervals the profiler examines the location of the program instruction pointer and records the function in which it is located to a file. This data is then analysed to produce a call graph and do statistical analysis.

Armed with this analysis you can target those functions where optimization will give you the best payoff. I will mention optimization techniques in future plan updates. For a good discussion of graphic code optimization check out M. Abrash’s Black Book of Graphics Programming.

Last night I compiled and ran Unreal Tournament in Linux on my TNT2. I have to say I was not impressed. I have to agree with whoever at Epic said, “[Linux UT] does not rock.” My Linux game session was stripped of its windows header and a stuck at the absolute upper left hand corner of the screen. Whenever I was shot in the game, my screen turned black for a few seconds. Also, the intro fly-by showed mostly blackness until about five seconds into it. I think there might be issues with texture management. Alas, I already have too much on my plate to consider fixing it. *sweats*

Our quota issue was worked out quickly. So far I am pleased with the service we have received from dreamhost.com.

Flu? We are experiencing an outbreak of the flu here. My mother called me yesterday to see if I had picked it up. Fortunately I have not yet. But I am not out of the woods, so to speak. Flu season lasts until March. *crosses fingers*

CODING TIP: Write debug code. Experienced developers know what I mean by this one. It is a fairly common mistake for inexperienced software hackers to produce code that does not have debugging statements. Retrofitting debugging code can be a chore. You can save time and suffering by writing error handling into code as you develop your software.

I wrote a tutorial, crushtut.zip (250 kb), showing step-by-step the process of exporting a model from Crusher and importing it into Unreal.

Blitz asks: Unreal demands that the dimensions of skin textures be equal to a power of two. If anyone knows a good way of addressing this problem, please send me email at blitz (at) gazpacho (dot) .net.