The loss of source code

I lost the source code from the final versions of Grid Assault and Thrust Xtreme.

It happened last week. After re-installing the Windows OS on my hobby machine, I also had to physically move the PC to the bedroom we’ve been redecorating these past few days. This bedroom is now my new hobby room, containing my stereo set, guitars and personal administration.

Because of the OS reinstall, my source code was temporarly saved onto a USB drive. While moving the hardware to the new room the disk fell from my hands, down the stairs onto the tiled floor. Smashed to bits…Now I hear you cry: “dude, where is your backup?” While I have some CD’s laying around containing source code from the past, the last version is not on there. I thought it  was on there, but it isn’t.

Luckily, my laptop contained the latest versions of Trapped! and all its media files. It also contains some pre 1.1 versions of Thrust Xtreme. Grid Assault source code is however not on there. So all is not lost but the final version is, which is a shame. I wanted to add the new scrolling technique I created for Trapped! to it to make it scroll smoother, but that I am afraid will not happen now.

While there is no impact on the development of Trapped! I feel sad that the source for the games and nice editors is gone. I will plough through the pre-final versions of the code to see what’s final and what is not but man, was I depressed these last few days.

On top of that, my son had to go to the hospital to get surgery. These last few days have been taxing but we made it. There have been nice developments around here as well though. I recently bought a bare bones PS3 to start viewing blu-ray movies on my 106cm plasma, and boy, is that awesome to watch. I got Hellboy and Blade Runner last weekend and they’re an absolute pleasure to look at. Here’s hoping for a quick Lord of the Rings blu-ray release.

18 Responses to “The loss of source code”


  1. 1 Pete April 6, 2008 at 18:28

    Sorry to hear about the loss of your source code.

    Been there and bought the T-Shirt so I know exactly how you’re feeling.

    Nowadays I use the free Subversion host Assembla for hosting my projects and find it invaluable.

    Hope this helps!

    - Peter

  2. 2 Wiebo April 7, 2008 at 12:36

    I’ve been thinking of using something like that in the future, but wondered about what’s easy and good to use. I’ll look up Assembla. Thanks.

  3. 3 the2bears April 9, 2008 at 20:46

    That is a shame :(

    I have a subversion repository on a USB drive, but I’ll have to re-evaluate that and maybe provide something more. Good thing about subversion is that it’s very transportable.

    Bill

  4. 4 DIJ April 9, 2008 at 22:34

    Check your mail.

  5. 5 Wiebo April 9, 2008 at 22:41

    Hey DIJ, thanks for the effort in trying to help me out, but I am talking about Grid Assault, not Grid Wars :)

  6. 7 jenslangwald April 17, 2008 at 09:08

    It is bad to hear that you have lost your source code.
    Have you tried to reformat you harddrive. Maybe you can recreate
    the Harddisk.

    MfG
    Jens

  7. 8 jenslangwald April 17, 2008 at 09:11

    I meant unformat, not reformat. Sorry for the typo and doubleposting.:)
    Jens

  8. 9 Wiebo April 17, 2008 at 14:47

    I did find some undelete and repair tools. I will give it a shot tonight, thanks!

  9. 10 Wiebo April 27, 2008 at 09:31

    Well, those tools didn’t work out for me so I have to consider the code lost unless I find something new to try out..

  10. 12 jenslangwald April 29, 2008 at 15:06

    Hi, have you tried this tool ?
    http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_6.9_Release
    http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download

    Jens

    Ps:Maybe a double post from me.

  11. 13 Wiebo April 29, 2008 at 21:16

    I will give it a shot this weekend. Thanks Jens!

  12. 14 jenslangwald April 29, 2008 at 22:34

    http://www.stellarinfo.com/nl/Dataterugwinning.htm#windows-Dataterugwinning

    Hi I will not annoy you, but here is another link, maybe it can help.
    I wish you much luck.

  13. 15 Wiebo May 19, 2008 at 18:35

    Well, I tried some tools and while I can get data off the drive, I cannot run or unpack anything coming from it. CRC errors, etc. I consider the data lost. sniff.

  14. 16 benjamin September 28, 2009 at 15:10

    cant tell you how much i love your grid assault :)
    love it, thanks alot for that game

  15. 17 Wiebo September 28, 2009 at 22:01

    A weird post to write about the love for Grid Assault, but thanks Benjamin!


  1. 1 How To: Choose and use a SVN repository for your code « White Noise Trackback on January 30, 2009 at 12:04

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