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What a perfectly delightful post in all respects. > I am starting to think of interesting software for the Light Box that does respond exclusively to human inp

What a perfectly delightful post in all respects. > I am starting to think of interesting software for the Light Box that does respond exclusively to human input. When I think of responsive software that gives me with delight without wresting any control from me, I think of programs that magnify my input in some way. One simple idea that would well for this is a kaleidoscope. Press a button and not only does it change, but so do corresponding mirrored or rotated buttons around the box from it. A hex grid is great for this because then you can do 3-fold or 6-fold symmetry around the center button in addition to simple reflection symmetry.

meatcar 7y ago
Implementing the Conway's Game of Life on a hexagonal grid could be a fun idea. With a slow enough turn clock, you probably don't need a start/stop button, and can just mash a pattern in with one or two hands quickly and see how it evolves. Another plus is that there probably aren't too many famous hexagonal lifeforms, it would be a fun game for all ages. This is a great reference for starting to work with hexagonal grids: https://www.redblobgames.com/grids/hexagons/ https://www.redblobgames.com/grids/hexagons/
- munificent 7y ago
  I thought about that too, but I think that goes against the author's goal of keeping the user in charge. With Life, the machine keeps evolving and blinking even when you don't touch it. My goal was something fun to add to it that strictly only did anything in response to user input.
  - StavrosK 7y ago
    I don't think adding the time component means that the user isn't in charge any longer, especially if you add a potentiometer for controlling time all the way down to zero. A tactile Game of Life box that you can speed up/slow down/freeze and change sounds delightful.
- sp332 7y ago
  Here's an overview of hexagonal Life rules and software that already supports them: https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Hexagonal_neighbourhood https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Hexagonal_neighbourhood You could step forward once or a fixed number of steps each time. Color the cells by age for more visual interest.

meatcar 7y ago

Implementing the Conway's Game of Life on a hexagonal grid could be a fun idea. With a slow enough turn clock, you probably don't need a start/stop button, and can just mash a pattern in with one or two hands quickly and see how it evolves. Another plus is that there probably aren't too many famous hexagonal lifeforms, it would be a fun game for all ages. This is a great reference for starting to work with hexagonal grids: https://www.redblobgames.com/grids/hexagons/ https://www.redblobgames.com/grids/hexagons/

munificent 7y ago
I thought about that too, but I think that goes against the author's goal of keeping the user in charge. With Life, the machine keeps evolving and blinking even when you don't touch it. My goal was something fun to add to it that strictly only did anything in response to user input.
- StavrosK 7y ago
  I don't think adding the time component means that the user isn't in charge any longer, especially if you add a potentiometer for controlling time all the way down to zero. A tactile Game of Life box that you can speed up/slow down/freeze and change sounds delightful.
sp332 7y ago
Here's an overview of hexagonal Life rules and software that already supports them: https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Hexagonal_neighbourhood https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Hexagonal_neighbourhood You could step forward once or a fixed number of steps each time. Color the cells by age for more visual interest.