Game in the Brain

De-Googling Game in the Brain: Migrating and Developing for the Future

As part of a big step forward, I’m closing Gameinthebrain.com and embarking on an exciting journey to “de-Google” my life and projects. This involves transitioning away from big tech ecosystems and investing in open-source tools for better privacy and control. It’s a massive experiment in taking a personal stand against mass surveillance while also improving the way I work and share content.

the 69 people who purchased World Generator will get a text file of the new Link to the Gmail spreadsheet of the World Generator.

Setting Up a High Availability Home Server

My first step in this journey is setting up a high-availability micro-desktop on my home server. This server will host:

• My personal emails
• A private cloud using NextCloud
• Collaboration tools like OnlyOffice and Collabora

This infrastructure is designed to replace Google’s ecosystem and provide more control over my data. It’s a bold move, but one that aligns with my advocacy for open-source technology and sustainability.

Transitioning to Web Apps

All our tools, including the ones hosted on Google Sheets with Google Scripts, are being transitioned to web apps. Web apps are simple applications based on an index.html file, running JavaScript and leveraging React templates. React, as a powerful open-source library, provides beautifully designed graphical user interfaces to enhance the usability of apps.

Hiring for Development

Since I’m juggling a full-time job, I’ve enlisted one of my former OJTs (On-the-Job Trainees) to handle the migration. The project is expected to take 40-80 hours of work, converting my spreadsheets into functional web apps. This collaboration will allow me to focus on my primary responsibilities while ensuring the project’s progress.

What the New System Will Offer

The upcoming app will be:

• Device-Agnostic: Downloadable to iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, or any device with a browser.
• Browser-Run: Open the index.html file, and the app will run seamlessly without any installations.
• Feature-Rich: Users will be able to generate Star Systems directly from their browser.
• Exportable: While data cannot be saved directly, the app will allow users to “Print to PDF” any generated stats. This ensures you can retain a copy of your work.

Additionally, the outputted data can be easily parsed by AI tools if you need to transfer it into spreadsheets or other systems.

Incremental Improvements

This transition isn’t a one-and-done process. Much like Nicco’s work on improving the art of all the ships, this project will also see incremental updates over time. Each update will make the tool more powerful, intuitive, and visually appealing.

The Roadmap

Here’s the planned roadmap for this transition:

1. Basic Star System Generation: Launch the first version of the web app with the fundamental ability to generate Star Systems.
2. Star Selection and Customization: Add features allowing users to first determine the characteristics of the Star and then narrow down variables like the “main world.”
3. Planetary Physics Expansion: Introduce detailed planetary physics, including data on temperature, gravity, atmosphere, escape velocity, habitability, and related characteristics.
4. Starport Details: Expand the app to generate detailed Starport information, adding depth to the world-building process.
5. Driving Forces Approach: Continue developing the app with a focus on fundamental forces and scientific principles, ensuring relevance and contributing to the learning experience of those exploring science fiction.

Each phase will build on user feedback and iterative improvements, ensuring that the tool evolves into a robust and valuable resource for sci-fi enthusiasts.

Balancing Budget and Passion

As with any passion project, there’s a balance between personal investment and expected returns. I’ve set aside a budget for this year to see this experiment through. Considering that the Star System generator is my best-selling work, I’m optimistic about its potential and hopeful that it will be well-received by the community.

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This journey is about more than just migrating systems; it’s about building something better—for myself, my family, and the community. With open-source technology and a focus on privacy, I’m excited to see how this experiment unfolds. Thank you for your patience and support as I take Game in the Brain into this new era.