The way Eric Gach does blogging.
Archive for September, 2007
SimpleIRC Update
Sep 28th
SimpleIRC works! I’ve gotten the bot connecting to IRC and responding to commands. I’ve rewritten how the commands are handled and where they are stored. Previously, all commands, help text, usage, and access levels were stored in the module itself. I’ve made this to be more user friendly now by moving all of that to the database. I still need to do a little work on commands, but they are working! With all of that working, I can now start developing all the features of the bot. In case some of you missed it, or I forgot something, I’ll list all planned modules and features.
The bot will contain core features of account management (register, login, set access level, change password), channel management (join, part) as well as commands to show basic statistics about the bot, commands, and the system it’s running on. The stats will also extend to include an API for modules. This will enable each module to add a stats method that can be called by a specified command to the stats command.
Another module I’m adding to the bot is a Google search module. I will be rewriting this from the previous version which uses SOAP to use the new AJAX interface. The reason behind this is that Google is no longer releasing API keys required for SOAP. I’m not sure what effect this will have on the search module, but I’m hoping none.
I’ve also planned on adding a factoids module that will work similar to the one in the previous version. The new addition to this new version is that when using the bots nickname to trigger a factoid, it will also translate to perform commands if no factoid exists for that trigger. That means that saying “miniE: help” will trigger the help command if no factoid for “help” exists.
Those are the major changes I have planned so far. The following are other modules planned on being included.
- Bartender – This is a fun module that will serve up mixed drinks, shots, or just beer on command.
- Eval – A module to enable code evaluation. So far only PHP is planned to be supported, but I’d like to extend on that later.
- Lart – Want to hurt someone? Lash out at them with larts!
- Function Reference – Lookup a funcref for PHP4, PHP5, HTML, CSS1, CSS2, DOM1 and DOM2. Future plans to support other languages as well.
- Weather Lookup – Find the current temperature for your area!
- Temperature Conversion – Convert from F to C, C to F, F to K, C to K, K to F, or K to C
- Spell Check – Triggered by command or by adding (sp?) after a word to verify the spelling.
- Karma – Adds karma to users accounts. If no account is found for the user, karma is kept for the unknown user.
- Seen – Keep track of when the last time someone was on the channel and when they left.
- Validator – Validate your HTML and CSS documents right through IRC
That concludes the current list I have. If anyone else has any ideas for new modules or reccomendations of items to add to my current list, please let me know! I’m always open to any contribution.
Update: Sept. 30, 2007
I’ve also got trac running for the SimpleIRC project. If you would like to view it, please visit http://trac.php-oop.net/SimpleIRC/
SimpleIRC Progress
Sep 17th
As some of you know, I’ve been working on a rewrite of SimpleIRC. SimpleIRC is a framework of sorts for IRC client connections. The core of it is finished and can be used, but I’m also working on a bot for it that will replace the current code used for my bot on irc.freenode.net, miniE. I also plan on extending work to include actual clients that include curses, gtk, qt3 and qt4.
Right now I’ve had some success in getting the bot to connect and respond to commands. All I need to get done at this point is to finalize command handling and access levels, then I can continue to develop any modules needed. I’ll probably bring the new code online as miniE once I get some of the neccisary commands that some of the channels he is in require. One module that I will complete before bringing the new code online is the factoids module. I will change some of the factoids functionality by enabling commands to be called throught he factoids module if no factoid exists under the specified text. This will enable people to start “talking to” the bot.
I’m also looking for reccomendations of new modules to add to miniE. I’m alread planning on supporting the current list (join #php-oop on freenode and use the command `help to see all commands) and a few new ones already planned. One of them is a bartender module, another will be a current weather lookup by area code. So if any of you have any suggestions, just leave them here or e-mail me and I’ll take it into consideration!
My Weekend
Sep 17th
Well, as usual, I had a busy weekend. This weekend we went to a festival around here that was pretty fun. We got to see a couple shows on stage, and did a lot of shopping at the flea markets and garage sales. I managed to pick up a steering wheel for my computer. It’s a Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro Digital racing wheel. I’m excited since I found it for $5 at a garage sale. I also found a Playstation (yes, the first one) with a couple controllers, memory cards, and games for pretty cheap too.
Overall it was a great weekend. I only wish I had more time here at home to do a few things here, but I still had a lot of fun. Sunday the girlfriend and I went to a waterless waterfall… figure that one out. 
I’ve been down there before, but this time there was just no water since it hasn’t rained in a while. I’ll post some pictures later from there. Well, that’s all for now.
My 3 Year Anniversarry
Sep 8th
Hey all. What a weekend. Yesterday was September 7th, and for those of you who don’t know, that’s the day that I asked Kelsey to be my girlfriend three years ago! It really has been the best time of my life because she is everything to me!! I’m so lucky to have her, I really do feel like the luckiest guy ever!
Yesterday and the night before we went to Champaign just to celebrate, it was great. The first night we went out to eat at Applebees. The food was okay, but not horrible. We just had a great time talking and eating. Then we went to the movies and saw the new Halloween movie. That movie is awesome! I jumped a few times, haha. Next we went out and went shopping for a bit, before finishing our night up with a visit to I-Hop. Last night, we went to the mall and did some shopping. I found a couple of great t-shirts that I wanted, and we got a new light that looks like a beer mug that’s constantly pouring. We then went and ate at this resturaunt we’ve never been at before. It’s called Texas Roadhouse. The food and service was spectacular. I ordered the full slab of ribs, and they are probably the best tasting ribs I’ve ever had.
Overall it was a great weekend. I’m so happy that we could cellebrate our three years together! I love you Kelsey, with all my heart and soul. You mean the world to me! I LOVE YOU!!
