Technical Discussion June 4 2010

Warm up topic: What language/library or technique would you like to try?

• Eric is using Python + Pygame to create a tile based game to learn Python
• Alex is interested in combining motion tweens in Flash with collision detection code
• Dave is diving into MFC windows code since the project he is building on uses it.
  • Would prefer to use .NET since it takes care of all the little nuances.
• Jordon is interested in learning how to write shaders with XNA
• Holly is interested in learning Python and PHP

Genetic algorithms and neural nets

• Dave is currently working on a project involving both.
• Explained how genetic algorithms worked including mutating children and the survival of the fittest model
• His specific project is automated roombas for mine disposal
• Cannot be applied to chess easily as the end game goal is to far ahead thinking
• The best move is not always the best since you might want to weaken your position to set something up.

Members present

• Eric Raue
• Ramin Nazarali
• Tom Clark
• Dave Hughes
• Holly Becker
• Alex Ryan
• Jordan Fox