HYDRA Project is Complete!
AndreL
Posts: 1,004
Just wanted everyone to know that the HYDRA project is 100% complete as far as assets; the board, books, software, etc. I have reviewed the last of the edits from the book, sent in the gold master release candidate. So now, its basically just the manufacturing and packaging. Also, I have to say that I am really happy with the book, its over 800 pages of·the Hydra, Propeller programming, games, graphics, spin, and asm. The book is extremely visual with hundreds of figures, so complex things like the counters, video, hub access and so forth are all visualized to make things easier to understand.
Also, the book eventhough Hydra centric has a plethora of information about propeller programming, spin, etc., thus Parallax will make the book available for seperate purchase as well even if you don't buy the Hydra kit (which its included in). The book is basically 1 year of R&D on the propeller, so it has a lot of cool stuff, and there is nothing "left as an exercise", I wrote a demo for everything I talked about. Also, the graphics engine I wrote for the book is included, explained in detail, and more or less allows you to write any game you might want on the propeller and or update it to add features. And of course more advanced engines are included which aren't as well documented as far as "how they work", but the source is all there along with examples.
Anyway, Parallax is working hard to get the kit out asap, but now its just a matter of time, there is nothing else to do, but put the final manufacturing together and build a zillion of them.
I suspect once we have first articles from manufacrturing or at least a hard core date the units will be in the warehouse then the Hydra etc. will go up for sale on the Parallax site, but bottom line is that as long as its available for xmas or sooner is the goal.
Andre'
Also, the book eventhough Hydra centric has a plethora of information about propeller programming, spin, etc., thus Parallax will make the book available for seperate purchase as well even if you don't buy the Hydra kit (which its included in). The book is basically 1 year of R&D on the propeller, so it has a lot of cool stuff, and there is nothing "left as an exercise", I wrote a demo for everything I talked about. Also, the graphics engine I wrote for the book is included, explained in detail, and more or less allows you to write any game you might want on the propeller and or update it to add features. And of course more advanced engines are included which aren't as well documented as far as "how they work", but the source is all there along with examples.
Anyway, Parallax is working hard to get the kit out asap, but now its just a matter of time, there is nothing else to do, but put the final manufacturing together and build a zillion of them.
I suspect once we have first articles from manufacrturing or at least a hard core date the units will be in the warehouse then the Hydra etc. will go up for sale on the Parallax site, but bottom line is that as long as its available for xmas or sooner is the goal.
Andre'
Comments
Now relax a moment. Thank you for all the wonderful effort that has gone into this Propeller product.
But '800+' pages for a manual? Bet that tome is a treasure house of neat 'tricks' we can't imagine until seeing Hydra run.
Looking forward to the product availabilty.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Harley Shanko
h.a.s. designn
Mike
Pricing? I would estimate something like $39-49, normal book prices for that page count.
Andre'
PS I have an XGS and have alot fun with it, but the hydra looks like even more fun.
Andre'
So your $250 should cover it.
Andre'
Graham