Messages

16

Darwinbots3 / Release date

« on: April 27, 2008, 07:51:01 PM »

OK! I clearly dont know the history of DB well enough to know where it came from and hence, where its going. I get the sense that there are a lot of ideas and reccomendations flying around though.

17

Evolution and Internet Sharing Sims / Successes...and Failures?

« on: April 27, 2008, 07:08:37 PM »

This is quite possibly a repeat topic, sorry for taking up space. (just refer me to the actual topic and delete this one if that's the case   )

My question is about the "Find the most successful robot" feature. Is this functioning properly? If so, what are the criteria for highlighting the bot in question? How is 'success' being defined here? Could there potentially be a "Find the least successful robot" feature in the future?

Lastly, and I think I've read this somewhere on these forums already but Im really not too sure; Are the DNA scripts functional or are they also going to be implemented in future versions? I ask this because my Zerobot sim is in full swing now and it would be wonderfully helpful to have someway of searching through this mess of bots.

18

Darwinbots3 / Release date

« on: April 27, 2008, 06:46:24 PM »

Wont the language it is written in ultimately depend on what sort of purpose the program will serve? If it is anything like DB 2.43, Im pretty sure that Java wouldnt work, which is perhaps why it wasnt selected in the first place. . . ?

I havent been using DB for very long so if Im speculating here, please enlighten me. And I agree moonfisher, C++ is wonderful!

19

Newbie / Methinks it is like a weasel

« on: April 26, 2008, 10:39:10 PM »

Well, I guess I'm quite familiar, although compared to many other people, including many people on this forum(which is why I'm asking here   ) my programming experience is somewhat limited. So really, I don't know how familiar I am with string manipulation. I've written several programs that are capable of perhaps even more complicated code then a Weasel Program might require. What I'm really asking I guess, is what would the core mechanics of a weasel program be? The algorithm seems simple enough but turning it into a program is proving more difficult than I thought.

P.S. Id like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all of the people on this forum who have helped me with various things. When I first started experimenting with DB, and read this forum I had a sense that you would all be very helpful. but I didn't think you'd be willing to help a somewhat 'complete stranger' in the way you have. The kindness and decency here are going to make future versions of DB even more successful, Im certain.
 

20

Newbie / Methinks it is like a weasel

« on: April 26, 2008, 09:40:04 AM »

It would seem that the most common form of these programs are java applets, and there was one particularly good approach here that sparked my attention. Im not familiar with java, however. Any ideas on how I might go about putting this sort of a language into C++ or VB?

21

Newbie / Methinks it is like a weasel

« on: April 25, 2008, 07:31:04 PM »

I'm going to experiment a bit. I'll get back to you on this.  

22

Newbie / Methinks it is like a weasel

« on: April 25, 2008, 07:21:15 PM »

Precisely what I was thinking. Once I could come up with a structure for something like that I would have no problem adapting it and making a pixel version or something. How would I include characters like ". , !" and so on?

23

Newbie / Methinks it is like a weasel

« on: April 25, 2008, 05:42:37 PM »

I've written several simple programs in C++ and VB, and I was wondering how I could go about writing a Weasel Program, and I figured there might be someone here who would know how to write one. Any ideas on this?

24

Biology / Hello

« on: April 25, 2008, 09:29:48 AM »

I found Dennett's analogy between Evolution via Natural Selection and Long Division illustrative.  I think it's good mental model for newcomers in that it demonstrates the relentless inevitablilty of evolution occurring once you have the right circumstnaces (replicators with differential survival).

My brother and I both agree with this. It adds a great universality to evolution, and also compliments the evolution of very diverse ecosystems around sulfuric ocean vents, for example.

25

Internet Mode Commentary / A multibot now owns IM

« on: April 23, 2008, 09:48:02 PM »

Has a cell-membrane/internal cell relationship ever been created? Like a single important bot that gets protected by a circle of expendable bots?

26

DB Art / Seasnake

« on: April 23, 2008, 05:41:32 PM »

How is that being achieved? Could show the DNA?

27

Biology / Hello

« on: April 23, 2008, 04:56:53 PM »

it's crazy that kids are not exposed to it until high school!

Yes it is.

 As for not bringing up computer simulators, he and I both agree that working-in modern applications of Darwin's ideas would not be time consuming or out of place. The substrate neutrality which Dennett refers to is a very good point, and could also help cover any analogies that are made during his presentation or if someone asks how it is possible that evolution can take place in nonliving things.

28

Biology / Hello

« on: April 22, 2008, 07:40:38 PM »

I gave him my copy of Darwin's Dangerous Idea which he said he found helpful, so yeah, Dennett's ideas will most definitely get worked into his presentation. And I like that Alzheimer's analogy, although I'm not sure that would go over so well in a presentation  

29

Biology / Hello

« on: April 22, 2008, 06:33:12 PM »

I've neglected to make a post here for a few weeks however, I have had a zerobot running for quite some time, and not a whole lot has happened (although I was really happy when the first replicator emerged   ).

My question is about a project that my younger brother has to do for high school, and I was wondering if anyone had any pedagogical advice. Each class member was given a topic to discuss with the class and my brother has been tasked with explaining evolution in the space of an hour or so. I told him that exploring evolution in an hour is very hard as there is clearly a mountain if really important, intriguing information on the subject. I did tell him to mention Alife simulators though, as they are becoming an important tool in our understanding. Anyway, so far he has good historical information on the development of Darwin's ideas (Malthus, Erasmus Darwin, and Lyell) and he has some good opening points. Does anyone here have any advice on this?

Thankyou in advance,

Asterixx

30

Internet Mode Commentary / The State of the Simulation

« on: April 04, 2008, 03:23:26 PM »

I've been trying a Zerobot simulation so I've neglected to use the IM over the past few days. It doesnt surprise me that the Shrinking Violet is still dominating, it really has a way of taking over.