WiiLi.org

SwedishFrog · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 3:19 am Post subject: Glovepie alternative

Ok guys. It's doubtful that a new version of GlovePIE will ever be released, so I think it's time to build an open source alternative.

Here's how I envision it at this moment. All this is subject to change as the group sees fit.

- Build a Programmable Input Emulator that can be controlled via script.
- Use a script grammar which is similar to GlovePIE's syntax. That way it'll be easy to learn, and also so GlovePIE scripts can be easily be ported over with little modification
- Implement the Wiimote control by wrapping Chaos' WiiRemoteJ. This is to ensure cross platform compatibility. I'd like to see this thing run on Wiili eventually.
- It should have a simple to use GUI.
- Entirely open source
- No regional restrictions

This thing is gonna require that we build a parser to interpret\compile the scripts that people write. Luckily I just completed a course on compiler construction, so I'll be able to help with this.

We can build a parser pretty easily using a program called JavaCC. JavaCC basically lets you set up a grammar for the scripting language and responds to the code with actions that you write in java. In this case, JavaCC will generate a parser for the scripting language we create, and will respond to the code with actions sent to WiiRemoteJ.

I'm willing to work on this but I can't do it alone. Post here if you'd like to help. Let's start planning this thing.

luis_villase · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject:

Sign me in, I've some experience in compiler construction myself.

We could even write a translator to make GPIE script porting even easier, I can help with that too once the new script syntax/lex/grammar is ready.

On a second thought, we could actually reverse engineer the whole GPIE syntax/lex/grammar, there are a couple of tools for that... (Lex and YACC)

http://dinosaur.compilertools.net/

Once we define the lexer/parser, most of the remaining work should be a piece of cake.

On the other hand, I completely agree that we use java (we could use the current Java project for that purpose, plus that would mean it would work on any platform)
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tic · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 121

Would love to help, but if youre going the java route i dont know how much help i can be.

However, if this project starts coming along nicely I could learn java. The main languages I know are assembler/C/C++ so I would like to learn java if it was for a worthy cause Smile

so update on how you get on

luis_villase · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject:

I don't think it would be a problem for you, since Java has a lot in common with C++.

However, once it starts coming along, I think some ports/libraries/translators/etc can be made in any language.

Update: I was wondering how we could emulate every input, and started searching. I discovered that Java already has an imput emulation lib (now now, don't flame me if you already knew, I've been out of touch with Java for a while now, and never had the need for a lib like this). This implies that we have a huge chance of making a GPIE alternative and make it work exactly as we want.

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/docs/api/java/awt/Robot.html

So what do you think guys? I think it might actually be easier than I originally thought. Shall we get to it?
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Not all mexicans enjoy tamales and piñatas, and tacos aren't really made that way!
Luis V.

thethirdmoose · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 5

I know some Java. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, so I can help. I'm not that good with graphics or with complicated bluetooth stuff. But I'll do what I can.

tic · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 121

lol well if someone else starts then ill give a hand but im not really sure where to start. id imagine first you need to get a fully functioning library to communicate with the wiimote, and then build the syntax around that

TiagoTiago · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 710 Location: Brasil

all I can offer are the eventual ideas and feature suggestions (and I wouldn't mind beta (alpha?) testing it every now and then)
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