GP2X/Pandora games

Python is apparently easier to learn than most programming languages but I find that c++ is easier to learn than python. c++ is used more in the game making industry and is usually considered more professional as it is more efficient and more widely used. I haven’t done much in either Python or c++ but from what I have done I prefer c++. This is basically because for me it is easier to learn and there is lots of documentation and tutorials for beginning and experienced programmers alike. Python also has good documentation but not as much as c++.

A few days ago I received my Pandora, I have to say that it is an awesome little device. I have been playing around and experimenting with it ever since. So here is a short review.

Controls/Buttons

The controls of the Pandora are very well made and of high quality. The keyboard is excellent. The buttons work great and look good. Typing on the keyboard is difficult at first as it is very small and some keys, like the spacebar and tab key, are placed differently from a normal keyboard. After a while of typing on the keyboard you will get used to it and it will become quite easy.

The two joysticks seem to be of quite good quality. They look similar to the joystick on the psp. The joysticks move differently to normal joysticks, when you move the joystick to one side the joystick will not change angle but rather slide to the side, I really like the way this happens.

Controls 9/10

Software

There is not much software for the pandora yet, but there is a strong community developing and porting software. Overall software is stable. I like the way .pnd files work because you don’t have to install them, you just put them on your sd card in the pandora/menu folder. When the .pnd files are placed in this folder they are automatically put on your launcher menu.

There are two operating systems to choose from, I have only used XFCE4 which is a full desktop environment. Overall it is very stable and easy to use. There are a few bugs in XFCE4 which is not uncommon in a newly released device.

Software 6/10 – (Has the potential to be 10/10 which will probably happen quite quickly)

Value for money

Buying a Pandora off the official site costs less than $500. Some people have put their pandora on ebay. These people are getting over $1500. I think the Pandora is excellent value.

Value for money 10/10

Overall the Pandora is a unique device, while it has a few minor flaws they are forgivable because the rest of the device is epic. I highly recommend buying a Pandora.

Total score 9/10

Today I got my pandora, It is the best $450 I have ever spent. The device is better than I thought it would be. A review and some photos of my pandora will follow soon.

I posted this from my pandora.

It is rumored that valve will release a Linux version of their steam client along with the source engine.

I cant wait for this to happen as I have both a Linux and windows computer.

Recently steam has released a mac version of their client and have already got over 50 games that run on mac and PC. If you have purchased a game for you PC through steam you are able to play your game on mac as well without purchasing it again. until may 24th steam is giving away portal for free on both mac and PC.

The Humble Indie Bundle has ended.

1.25 million dollars was contributed. Because of this 4 of the game developers are making their games open source.