seandenigris.com

Alan Kay said the computer is not a tool, but a new medium. In order for users to fully express themselves with a computer, it is important to integrate previous forms of expression into a more-powerful whole.

I have a working proof-of-concept to play any video file that QuickTime can handle in Squeak Smalltalk (or Pharo with slight modifications). This prototype is Mac-only.

If you have Gofer and Metacello installed, you can install the current version in Squeak 4.1 and Pharo 1.1.1 with:

Gofer new
    squeaksource: 'MetacelloRepository';
    package: 'ConfigurationOfFFI';
    load.

    ((Smalltalk at: #ConfigurationOfFFI) project latestVersion) load.

    Gofer new
        squeaksource: 'SophieGoldDig';
	package: 'SpdQT';
	load.

Then, blow your mind by playing a video in-image with:

aURI := URI fromString: 'file:///path/to/video.ext'.
movie := QuickTimeMovie openMovieFromURI: aURI.
m := SqueakMovieMorph openOn: movie.

Usage:

• click on the morph to play/stop the video

Issues:

• extra processes may be left running (FIXED)
• Pharo 1.1.1: this will work after two errors – for both, go into the debugger and remove the isFinalizationSupported checks. (FIXED)

For our lazy/skeptical friends, here is a Flash video (.flv – H.264, 320 x 216, Millions; AAC,
Stereo, 22.050 kHz) playing in Squeak 4.1:

UPDATES:

• fixed bug that left extra processes running when a movie was stopped and then restarted
• package now loads correctly in Pharo 1.1.1