PhET Progress Report

Sam Reid

July 2, 2009

 

An online version of this report is available here.

Here's a pie chart representation of the time distribution.

 

CCK

·         Ported physics prototype from Scala to Java, see details

·         Fixed bug #1700, incorrect values out of range in other locales, posted 3.17.07 and ready for testing (may wish to wait to test physics engine as well)

 

Web Frameworks

·         Configuration for tomcat server for local testing

·         Investigation and prototyping of Wicket and Lift (with Jonathan)

 

Internationalization

·         Removed track and options menus from Energy Skate Park, see #1679

·         Improved internationalizing, including ordering of units (about 8 occurrences) in Energy Skate Park 2.05.06

·         Discussed techniques and ideas for internationalization (with Chris)

1.      What about using patterns like: "My professional name is Mr. {lastname} but my friends call me {firstname}".  Or maybe this can be handled in the translation key name, e.g. sim.name.statement.pattern-lastname_firstname

2.      What about reordering components with units based on RTL/LTR?  In #1679 I mention this wouldn't be so difficult but CM thinks the benefits would not be worth the costs.

 

Moving Man

·         Finished barriers bug #1697, posted and ready for testing in 1.22.02

 

Misc

·         Currently there is no automatic means for taking a tested dev version and posting it on tigercat, we discussed whether this is a significant problem and how it can be resolved

1.      Workaround is to minimize time between posting dev, testing dev and posting tigercat

·         Identified problems with removing pswing buffering, decided against (with Chris)

·         Fixed the problem that causes a module to shift when activated for the first time.

 

Timesheet Utility

·         Minor fixes

 

Upcoming Work

·         CCK

1.      Port scripts to Java

2.      Performance improvements, e.g. selecting appropriate time step

3.      Extensive testing

·         JMonkeyEngine/Xith /3dzzd/Flash

1.      waiting for mac laptop to continue with jmonkeyengine, e.g. to see if recent fixes made it easier to put swing controls in the play area

2.      Discussing suitability of Flash for 3D, see #1705

·         Continue model for density sim (object editor, movable scales, spherical objects, etc)

1.      Postponed until we know whether this will be java or flash

·         Ramp Simulation, fixes and updates, including charts

·         Work on website samples with Jonathan

·         For details, See ticket report "Sam R: Report" here