maslab 2004

Announcements

01/28 - We pushed out a new orcd that we think fixes problems people have been having. But simultaneously, discovered some of you aren't launching with -Djava.awt.headless=true. Definitely need that if you create a graphics context or your program WILL bomb.
01/27 - Recommended flags for use in orcd.conf: -ea -Xmx128m -Xms128m -Xincgc -Djava.awt.headless=true -cp <the right classpath>. This gives java a 128MB heap to work with, reducing garbage collection, and uses the incremental garbage collector which some students report eliminates random pauses. Also, you can try using jvmstat tool (download from sun) to watch heap sizes, invocations of the hotspot compiler, etc. We do NOT recommend -server.
01/27 - The ScopeChannel viewer has a new and improved interface, and should no longer drift.
01/23 - Important software improvements:
- You can now compile with gcj instead of javac. This will eliminate slow start / warmup, but it isn't well-tested yet, so good luck.
- ImageChannel now downsamples your images by default, making publishing much faster. Jpeg compressed channels are no longer supported, for gcj compatibilty. Also expect improved telemetry flow control to be released soon - this will reduce lag and eliminate some OutOfMemoryExceptions.
- ImageUtil.cloneImage() is faster, and ImageUtil.downSample() is new.
01/22 We have put ContestDaySchedule, ImpoundingInfo, and MockContestTwoInfo online.
01/21 - orcd.conf stuff. remember you need to have your robot's control program(s) accessable via the orcpad for the mock contest. updated 1/26