VinnyRules [Lexaloffle Blog Feed]

Mod Manager for Picotron Workstation OS

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 04:31:37 UTC

Mod Manager

Mod Manager is a simple tool for modifying your system!

Installation

Simply install the cart to your system and run it! The first time you run, you will be prompted
to select a mod path. This is where Mod Manager will look for ".mod" files to load.

Next time you run, if there are any ".mod" files in that directory, they will load it!

Command Line Usage

modman - Starts Mod Manager and loads mods
modman --config - Opens Mod Manager Configurator
modman --force - Reloads Mod Manager even after running for the first time in the session
modman --compile [path/to/uncompiledmod.txt] - Compiles mod and stores it in "compiled.mod"

.mod File

The specifics of the compiled .mod file are unimportant, as they are just Picotron POD objects as Lua Objects.

UnCompiled Mod File

UnCompiled Mod Files are very simple. It's basically one big list that has multiple entries for mods.

Take for example this UCM:

>
line:0
replace:false
modfile:false
target:/path/to/file/to/modify.lua
data:function hello()
data:    print("hi!")
data:end

>
line:0
replace:false
modfile:false
target:/path/to/file/to/modifyagain.lua
data:function hello2()
data:    print("hi again!")
data:end

Each "mod entry" is separated by a ">" character. Very simple.
Each entry has fields that are in the format of key:value
This is case sensitive and spaces aren't allowed (sorry!)

The only required fields are target and data.

Fields

target:[text] - Sets the file to modify to file at path [text].
data:[text] - Sets the data [text] to write/modify to the target.
modfile:[bool] - Whether or not data is another file, or just text.
line:[number] - Line to insert/replace. If 0, data will overwrite the whole target file.
replace:[bool] - Whether or not to insert the data, or write over by line.

Example

This is an example of Mod Manager and it's compiler with my Open in Terminal Mod!

Uncompiled Mod: Create a txt file in Picotron and write this:

>        
replace:false
line:69
modfile:false
targetpath:/system/apps/filenav.p64/main.lua
data:   menuitem{
data:       id="open_in_terminal",    
data:       label = "\^:7f7d7b7d7f083e00 Open in Terminal",
data:       action = function()
data:           create_process("/system/apps/terminal.lua", {path = pwd()})
data:       end
data:   }

>
replace:false
line:26
modfile:false
targetpath:/system/apps/terminal.lua
data:cd(env().path)
data:local path0 = env().argv[1] or "."
data:path = fullpath(path0)
data:cd(path)
data:if (pwd() == "/system/apps") cd("/")

Then, in your terminal:
modman --compile /path/to/mod.txt

This will compile it and store "compiled.mod" in your current directory!
Now move this to your mod folder, and when you run modman, this mod will load!

NOTE

Sorry that these docs are kinda trash... i'm really tired and can't think straight..

Custom "Open in Terminal" option in FileNav!

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:25:49 UTC

"Open in Terminal" in FileNav!

Here, you can see it big and clear, a "Open in Terminal" option in FileNav!

How did I do this?

By modifying "/system/apps/terminal.lua" and "/system/apps/filenav.p64", you can do this yourself!

Before modifying anything in "/system", if you want it to stay after reboot, check out my Localize System Tool!

NOTE: Localizing your system folder can be very dangerous. It can brick your Picotron installation, and even allow malicious carts to install themselves and harm your actual OS drive. This demonstration wont do as such, but be careful when installing untrusted carts. This will also keep your system at the same version that it was localized at, and you will need to unlocalize your system to update, and you will lose all of your changes

An alternative to localizing your system is sedish.
I don't have any experience with it and don't know how to go about using my Terminal and FileNav mods with it, but it seems like a much more safe (and slightly more update-friendly) way of installing my mods.

Terminal.lua

You can simply double-click this in FileNav, or manually open it in code editor to modify it.

Around Line 25 of terminal.lua, replace:
if (pwd() == "/system/apps") cd("/")
with:

cd(env().path)

local path0 = env().argv[1] or "."

path = fullpath(path0)

cd(path)

if (pwd() == "/system/apps") cd("/")

This simply allows the terminal command to either launch in the current directory, or the directory specified in argv! This is what my FileNav mod uses for "Open in Terminal"

FileNav.p64

FileNav is not as easy to modify. Open terminal, and use: load /system/apps/filenav.p64
Then, go to the code editor, and open it's "main.lua"

Around Line 69, (nice), insert:

menuitem{
    id="open_in_terminal",    
    label = "\^:7f7d7b7d7f083e00 Open in Terminal",
    action = function()
        create_process("/system/apps/terminal.lua", {path = pwd()})
    end
}

right under the other "menuitems"

Make sure to save your FileNav mod!

When you're done, you'll see the new option when you launch a new FileNav instance, or after you reboot.

Localize System

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:00:50 UTC

Localize System - A small tool for managing and saving your /system folder!

localsys

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

Normally in Picotron, when you make changes to /system, they go away on reboot. This is fine, and actually ideal, because any errors could easily brick your Picotron installation, or even allow malicious programs to gain kernel permissions (THIS IS VERY BAD. THEY COULD ACCESS YOUR ACTUAL OS).

NOTE: Localizing your system folder can be very dangerous. It can brick your Picotron installation, and even allow malicious carts to install themselves and harm your actual OS drive. This program wont do as such, but be careful when installing untrusted carts. This will also keep your system at the same version that it was localized at, and you will need to unlocalize your system to update, and you will lose all of your changes

NOTE 2: This is very overkill for making small edits to your Picotron system. This isn't update-friendly and can damage your system as previously stated. I'd only really recommend this if you're trying to make your OWN OS for Picotron. I would recommend sedish for making small edits and fixes.

However, some of us are willing to take a risk, and must tinker with the system, so I've made this simple tool to allow you to "localize" your system, and also "unlocalize" it.

The process of localizing used by localsys is the same as described here:

"I don't know if this is a well known thing, but you can just copy the /system folder to a different location (cp /system /tmp), delete original /system and rename previously copied directory to /system. Then it will be a real folder, not stored in RAM."

Usage:

In order to use Localize System, it must be installed in Picotron, much like other system-using cartridges.
You can do this by downloading the PNG of this cart and putting it in your Picotron drive.

When you run it, it will show a menu, and it is pretty self explanatory. Follow the prompts, type your option, and you get what you want! Note: This must be run in desktop, it won't run in fullscreen terminal

Robolution Prototype v1

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 20:32:36 UTC

Robolution Prototype v1

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

This is a game I think I want to continue making.
You're a robot with a gun.
I'll leave out the story details for now..

Press X to shoot
Press O to interact with things (like doors)

Let me know what you think and if you have any cool ideas!

Airspace Defender

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:05:50 UTC

airspacedefense

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

Welcome to Airspace Defender! You're stationed at Area 51, and you have to shoot down them aliens!

How long can you last?

CONTROLS:
Use left and right buttons to aim the cannon
Use X to shoot

wheatleycrab

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 02:46:11 UTC

wheatleycrab

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

This is my first attempt at recreating a song, let me know what you think!
Based off of the Wheatley Crab Meme.

bananasnail

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:16:13 UTC

bananasnail

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

This is Banana Snail. It isn't a game, it's an experience.

CONTROLS:
Use your eyeballs to watch the snail.
Use your ears to listen to the sounds.

HOW TO WIN:
Watch the snail until the end.

HAVE FUN!!!

Vinny's Lemonade Stand

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:02:13 UTC

vinnyslemonadestand

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

Welcome to the Lemonade Stand!
Get Money, Upgrade your stand, and win!

You win when you fully upgrade everything

CONTROLS:
X - Open Upgrade Menu or Buy Upgrade
O - Close Upgrade Menu
Up/Down - Change Upgrade Selection

NOTE:
I know this game has been done before, and way better, but I wanted to make this anyway.

Rolly Guy v1.2

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 18:07:13 UTC

rollyguy2

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

Welcome to Rolly Guy! You are a sphere and need to get your shoes from the store! Survive through all of the levels and get your new shoes!

Controls:
up: Jump
left/right: Move Left or Right
x: Jump (for mobile)

Stand on the yellow pad at the end of the level to advance to the next one

Watch out for spikes! You have 3 lives!

It's pretty easy? Right?

Lawn Mowing Mayhem v3.0.0

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 23:36:43 UTC

lawnmowingmayhem3

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

LAWNMOWING MAYHEM 3.0.0

In this game, you need to cut your grass, and QUICK!
Avoid mowing over the flowers, get all the grass, and get the highest score possible!
If you run out of time, you lose.

Controls and scoring information are in the game, but here are the controls and scoring information anyway ;)

Controls:
Up/Down/Left/Right: Move
X: Turn around
O: Turn lawn mower on and off

Scoring:
Mow tall grass: +10
Mow already cut grass: -5
Mow flowers: -20
Remaining time gets added to score at end.

Rocks:
If you put your mower on rocks without turning it of, it's game over!

Water:
You can't walk on water, but if you try to push your mower into the water, its also game over!

CHANGELOG::
2.0.0:
Optimized winning and losing textures, no longer takes up 1/4 of sprite data! (whoops)
4 brand new and fun levels for a total of 5 levels!
New victory music!

2.1.0:
Changed lose texture and fixed lose screen
Made score center automatically

3.0.0:
Added 5 new, challenging levels for a total of 10 whole levels!
Different songs for each level!
New game mechanics and obstacles-- rocks and water!

UPDATES FOR FUTURE:
3 or 5 lives system (So you dont immediately lose when you go over rocks or water)
EVEN MORE levels
Multiplayer - 1v1, Minigames, etc.
EVEN MORE gameplay mechanics

picoksp

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:24:51 UTC

picoksp

by VinnyRules

[Click to Play]

Kerbal Space Program in KSP!

Up Arrow to Increase Throttle
Down Arrow to Decrease Throttle

Check out the tips menu for more help.

This is the first thing I made in Pico 8.
I literally just learned how to use this fantasy console and I'm already
doing physics.