I’ve been having trouble remembering the installation and setup sequence to modify Half-Life 2. If you are interested in making code changes to the game, here is the installation methods for the tools needed (as of this date). This assumes you have done the mod creation setup in Steam. (more…)

The horrible work season is over. It was a good feeling all week long when job #1 was done for the day, I didn’t have to go straight to job #2. I’d like to say that I have my weekends back, but that wouldn’t exactly be true yet. I have some things to catch up on and my family has plans for me (like dinners and gatherings).

So what’s next on my plate? Many of you may have been hoping that I would get more into DVD tutorials. However, there are a few people out there doing it already. There wouldn’t be enough value in providing such a product. Perhaps 2 years ago when I started the books (Q4MFD and HL2MFD) would have been a good time to start the videos, but I can only do so much.

So instead of doing DVDs, I am working on a new game. Well, more of a mod than a game. But the goal will be to turn it into a game when it’s complete. Want more information? Afraid I can’t provide any more. But stick around for possible hints and in about a year, I should have something to show for it all.

What’s planned for this weekend?

• Rewire the security cameras around my home.
  I don’t like my neighbors. The kids are too rambunctious so rather than install an alarm system that requires a monthly fee, I installed cameras with night vision that record all movement around my home. I can email myself if something triggers the system and I can respond as needed. Probably I will never need them, but I feel safer now with all my computers in the house.
• Install all the game programming software on my home machine.
  I haven’t had a chance to reinstall everything at home. Believe me, it is a process and that’s why I single it out as something to be done this weekend. First install the software, then route through the configurations and get everything to work together. It really should be easier than this. lol.
• Clean up the yard.
  It’s time to get all the fallen branches and leaves off the yard. We have a community pick-up of such yard debris twice a year and my pick-up time is next week. in the Spring, this is a full day affair. In the Fall, this is a 2 weekend affair with all the leaves. But, I would rather have some nice trees around my home than a barren lot like my neighbor across the street (why cut down every tree? does he really hate leaves that much?).
• Move a refrigerator.
  I was asked to help someone move a refrigerator this weekend. I don’t need to elaborate on that. hehe.
• Go out to dinner every night this weekend.
  I mentioned it above that my relatives want to reconnect after this past few months of non-stop working. So, my reward is dinner out every night.
• Pick up my motorcycle.
  It the first nice weekend of the year and more are sure to follow (not next weekend, but those after it I hope). So, better weather means I can ride the motorcycle again. I keep it at my parents home because they have a large garage and I have none.

I hope everyone else out there is having a good weekend.

Finally, after 2 months, I have my television back. If you don’t recall, my 50 plasma took a dump on me in February. That was my main television compared to 27″ tube that I had. Samsung said it was under warranty. The serviceman said it was a power supply issue. They took it and found the main board was also bad. Samsung said they would replace it. Then after several phone calls from me (ending with a 2 hour call 2 days ago), I got my replacement and set it up yesterday. Then I got to watch a movie… finally, after all this time.

If you’ve listened to the MODSonair podcast, you know that I also recently lost my Xbox 360 (what a mess, I know). So I needed a replacement console for games, movies, etc. Well, I decided to get the PS3. My motivation was the Blue-Ray disk player as a friend convinced me that the picture compared to DVD was that much better.

I have no reports to provide on either of my replacement product as of yet. But I’m sure I’ll have something to say soon enough. hehe.

Two more weeks of crazy work.

I need some sleep.