BOLL
@boll.software
🥼 Professional app/web/backend developer
🧪 Hobby VR and tools developer, gamer, streamer
✋ Social and project links: https://boll.software
🧪 Hobby VR and tools developer, gamer, streamer
✋ Social and project links: https://boll.software
Pinned
BOLL
@boll.software
· Jul 15
Open letter to Valve Software regarding soundtracks on Steam :: Suggestions / Ideas
steamcommunity.com
I finished my open letter to @valvesoftware.com about soundtracks on Steam.
It has been posted to their suggestions forum. I care a lot about this, but their forums and Bluesky are the few channels I'm comfortable using for this, so here goes nothing.
Post: steamcommunity.com/discussions/...
It has been posted to their suggestions forum. I care a lot about this, but their forums and Bluesky are the few channels I'm comfortable using for this, so here goes nothing.
Post: steamcommunity.com/discussions/...
I went and set up a Patreon page, then when adding the first post, I realized it doesn't seem to have support for code blocks. Which makes it almost entirely redundant for my purposes. 🙄
Anyone got any good substitute for Patreon for programmers? I want to post free content with optional support. 🍌
Anyone got any good substitute for Patreon for programmers? I want to post free content with optional support. 🍌
January 3, 2026 at 11:08 PM
I went and set up a Patreon page, then when adding the first post, I realized it doesn't seem to have support for code blocks. Which makes it almost entirely redundant for my purposes. 🙄
Anyone got any good substitute for Patreon for programmers? I want to post free content with optional support. 🍌
Anyone got any good substitute for Patreon for programmers? I want to post free content with optional support. 🍌
Doesn't Steam mandate that if you sell a game on Steam, it should not be more expensive than elsewhere? If that is the case, it is not applied to soundtracks, even if the content appears to be the same. Maybe I should not buy them on Steam, eh? 🤔 I haven't used Bandcamp much yet, though, but might.
December 28, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Doesn't Steam mandate that if you sell a game on Steam, it should not be more expensive than elsewhere? If that is the case, it is not applied to soundtracks, even if the content appears to be the same. Maybe I should not buy them on Steam, eh? 🤔 I haven't used Bandcamp much yet, though, but might.
Just installed a PS5+PSVR2, I think I'll have to look for controller boosters, again. I'm a bit concerned with the Frame controllers, more of the same probably.
December 24, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Just installed a PS5+PSVR2, I think I'll have to look for controller boosters, again. I'm a bit concerned with the Frame controllers, more of the same probably.
This is a potential logotype for "BOLL's VR Toolkit" that I'm working on!
I still have a full time day job so progress will be slow, but I'm considering setting up a Patreon for development updates, lessons learned and code examples 💭
That should be OK using non-commercial Jetbrains IDEs, right? 🤔
I still have a full time day job so progress will be slow, but I'm considering setting up a Patreon for development updates, lessons learned and code examples 💭
That should be OK using non-commercial Jetbrains IDEs, right? 🤔
December 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
This is a potential logotype for "BOLL's VR Toolkit" that I'm working on!
I still have a full time day job so progress will be slow, but I'm considering setting up a Patreon for development updates, lessons learned and code examples 💭
That should be OK using non-commercial Jetbrains IDEs, right? 🤔
I still have a full time day job so progress will be slow, but I'm considering setting up a Patreon for development updates, lessons learned and code examples 💭
That should be OK using non-commercial Jetbrains IDEs, right? 🤔
I noticed this icon had appeared on my desktop, apparently the new desktop application name, which I still have installed as I at some point want to play Lone Echo 2.
Thing is, I have the notifications on, but have never been notified about any discount from the store. Has anyone ever seen that? 🤔
Thing is, I have the notifications on, but have never been notified about any discount from the store. Has anyone ever seen that? 🤔
December 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I noticed this icon had appeared on my desktop, apparently the new desktop application name, which I still have installed as I at some point want to play Lone Echo 2.
Thing is, I have the notifications on, but have never been notified about any discount from the store. Has anyone ever seen that? 🤔
Thing is, I have the notifications on, but have never been notified about any discount from the store. Has anyone ever seen that? 🤔
Tried using my old G27 in Roadcraft, not supported but almost worked, and felt like the way to play 🚛
Tried out MudcraftVR, no wheel support, binary interactions done by gestures, not 1:1.
I just wanted to drive off road with good wheel support in VR, but they made it a motion controller title 🤔
Tried out MudcraftVR, no wheel support, binary interactions done by gestures, not 1:1.
I just wanted to drive off road with good wheel support in VR, but they made it a motion controller title 🤔
December 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Tried using my old G27 in Roadcraft, not supported but almost worked, and felt like the way to play 🚛
Tried out MudcraftVR, no wheel support, binary interactions done by gestures, not 1:1.
I just wanted to drive off road with good wheel support in VR, but they made it a motion controller title 🤔
Tried out MudcraftVR, no wheel support, binary interactions done by gestures, not 1:1.
I just wanted to drive off road with good wheel support in VR, but they made it a motion controller title 🤔
I played the original Oculus DK1 Crashland demo and loved it.
No standalone headset at hand, so haven't played v1.x, but the FAQ does say a PCVR version of v2.0 should become a thing, at some point. I definitely look forward to it. ☺️
I still have the v0.3 demo files from more than a decade ago 😅
No standalone headset at hand, so haven't played v1.x, but the FAQ does say a PCVR version of v2.0 should become a thing, at some point. I definitely look forward to it. ☺️
I still have the v0.3 demo files from more than a decade ago 😅
December 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I played the original Oculus DK1 Crashland demo and loved it.
No standalone headset at hand, so haven't played v1.x, but the FAQ does say a PCVR version of v2.0 should become a thing, at some point. I definitely look forward to it. ☺️
I still have the v0.3 demo files from more than a decade ago 😅
No standalone headset at hand, so haven't played v1.x, but the FAQ does say a PCVR version of v2.0 should become a thing, at some point. I definitely look forward to it. ☺️
I still have the v0.3 demo files from more than a decade ago 😅
I planned to build a new PC this winter, but then that was shot down by insane memory prices. I guess my 7y/o system still has to last a bit longer, and I'll try to reuse an old PC for a Linux server. Fingers crossed 🤞
December 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I planned to build a new PC this winter, but then that was shot down by insane memory prices. I guess my 7y/o system still has to last a bit longer, and I'll try to reuse an old PC for a Linux server. Fingers crossed 🤞
Hmm. I guess the community page for SteamVR is not in use much, I only got to it as I was linked from Valve's dev wiki. It hasn't seen a new post since 2018 😅 Still contains imagery for the original Steam Controller and Machine. Whelp! steamcommunity.com/steamvr
December 7, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Hmm. I guess the community page for SteamVR is not in use much, I only got to it as I was linked from Valve's dev wiki. It hasn't seen a new post since 2018 😅 Still contains imagery for the original Steam Controller and Machine. Whelp! steamcommunity.com/steamvr
Yeah this is a stupid quote chain, but I started it so it's continuing. I have created my app, but holy information overload. Guess I'll leave this be for now and actually work on developing the software, hah. It'll definitely be a learning experience to publish though. Looking forward to it! 🙃
Seems I am in! Just had to do the tax interview twice, and enter my bank details thrice, hah. Feels good to have gotten through that though, time to explore the Steamworks partner site.
Good thing I'm not in a hurry. Turns out my bank data didn't match my tax data so had to fix that with my bank and then restart the process, hah. I'm not even going to charge anyone, but details are details and need to be correct 😤
December 3, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Yeah this is a stupid quote chain, but I started it so it's continuing. I have created my app, but holy information overload. Guess I'll leave this be for now and actually work on developing the software, hah. It'll definitely be a learning experience to publish though. Looking forward to it! 🙃
Seems I am in! Just had to do the tax interview twice, and enter my bank details thrice, hah. Feels good to have gotten through that though, time to explore the Steamworks partner site.
Good thing I'm not in a hurry. Turns out my bank data didn't match my tax data so had to fix that with my bank and then restart the process, hah. I'm not even going to charge anyone, but details are details and need to be correct 😤
Saturday activity? Setting up a Steamworks account. I want to publish all my VR tools as a single SteamVR application, so I'm prepping while awaiting the release of PanGui.
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
December 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Seems I am in! Just had to do the tax interview twice, and enter my bank details thrice, hah. Feels good to have gotten through that though, time to explore the Steamworks partner site.
Good thing I'm not in a hurry. Turns out my bank data didn't match my tax data so had to fix that with my bank and then restart the process, hah. I'm not even going to charge anyone, but details are details and need to be correct 😤
Saturday activity? Setting up a Steamworks account. I want to publish all my VR tools as a single SteamVR application, so I'm prepping while awaiting the release of PanGui.
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
December 2, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Good thing I'm not in a hurry. Turns out my bank data didn't match my tax data so had to fix that with my bank and then restart the process, hah. I'm not even going to charge anyone, but details are details and need to be correct 😤
Is this what happens when Microsoft uses AI for a third of their new code eh? Seems to be working out just fine... yeah: no.
December 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Is this what happens when Microsoft uses AI for a third of their new code eh? Seems to be working out just fine... yeah: no.
Saturday activity? Setting up a Steamworks account. I want to publish all my VR tools as a single SteamVR application, so I'm prepping while awaiting the release of PanGui.
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
November 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Saturday activity? Setting up a Steamworks account. I want to publish all my VR tools as a single SteamVR application, so I'm prepping while awaiting the release of PanGui.
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
I still need to add bank and tax details even if I want to release a free app, oh well. Brain is too mush, tomorrow it is! 🙃
What happens when work has been very stressful and suddenly that project is finished and I'm left completely brain dead? Abusing my PC in stupid ways of course.
November 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
What happens when work has been very stressful and suddenly that project is finished and I'm left completely brain dead? Abusing my PC in stupid ways of course.
In anticipation of the Steam Frame, I tried just how it is to use the game theater in SteamVR. The game itself has a nice reflection, but any other spawned overlays do not. Overlays cannot be easily moved away either, it's 1:1 only, and windows off screen can be displayed but not interacted with. 🙃
November 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
In anticipation of the Steam Frame, I tried just how it is to use the game theater in SteamVR. The game itself has a nice reflection, but any other spawned overlays do not. Overlays cannot be easily moved away either, it's 1:1 only, and windows off screen can be displayed but not interacted with. 🙃
More questions regarding Steam Frame:
6. Maximum tracked space, still Chaperone? Dynamic?
7. Will having a large library of current SteamVR games mean I will soon have a range of ARM titles?
8. Will WebXR be possible in the Steam browser?
9. How sweat resistant is it?
10. Boosters for controllers?
6. Maximum tracked space, still Chaperone? Dynamic?
7. Will having a large library of current SteamVR games mean I will soon have a range of ARM titles?
8. Will WebXR be possible in the Steam browser?
9. How sweat resistant is it?
10. Boosters for controllers?
Questions I still have regarding Steam Frame:
1. Can we make custom tracked objects with IR LEDs?
2. Can we run Android apps in floating windows?
3. What will desktop only background apps act like? (like mine)
4. Can we build & run remotely, up to IDEs?
5. Can we read thermal sensor data?
Yeah 🤔
1. Can we make custom tracked objects with IR LEDs?
2. Can we run Android apps in floating windows?
3. What will desktop only background apps act like? (like mine)
4. Can we build & run remotely, up to IDEs?
5. Can we read thermal sensor data?
Yeah 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 8:48 AM
More questions regarding Steam Frame:
6. Maximum tracked space, still Chaperone? Dynamic?
7. Will having a large library of current SteamVR games mean I will soon have a range of ARM titles?
8. Will WebXR be possible in the Steam browser?
9. How sweat resistant is it?
10. Boosters for controllers?
6. Maximum tracked space, still Chaperone? Dynamic?
7. Will having a large library of current SteamVR games mean I will soon have a range of ARM titles?
8. Will WebXR be possible in the Steam browser?
9. How sweat resistant is it?
10. Boosters for controllers?
Google Antigravity seems interesting, I might try it in a sandbox for non-essential test projects.
That said, if AI does all the coding for us, what will happen in the future when no humans actually code? Unless AI then is an actual AI and can progress science and technology, stagnation? Brainrot.
That said, if AI does all the coding for us, what will happen in the future when no humans actually code? Unless AI then is an actual AI and can progress science and technology, stagnation? Brainrot.
November 20, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Google Antigravity seems interesting, I might try it in a sandbox for non-essential test projects.
That said, if AI does all the coding for us, what will happen in the future when no humans actually code? Unless AI then is an actual AI and can progress science and technology, stagnation? Brainrot.
That said, if AI does all the coding for us, what will happen in the future when no humans actually code? Unless AI then is an actual AI and can progress science and technology, stagnation? Brainrot.
What do you think is the most popular and/or usable toolset to produce a WebXR project?
I have been checking out examples made with A-Frame and Babylon.js, but appear to have a seemingly 50/50 chance of actually launching in VR (Windows, Chrome, SteamVR, Index), which makes me hesitant to jump in.
I have been checking out examples made with A-Frame and Babylon.js, but appear to have a seemingly 50/50 chance of actually launching in VR (Windows, Chrome, SteamVR, Index), which makes me hesitant to jump in.
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
What do you think is the most popular and/or usable toolset to produce a WebXR project?
I have been checking out examples made with A-Frame and Babylon.js, but appear to have a seemingly 50/50 chance of actually launching in VR (Windows, Chrome, SteamVR, Index), which makes me hesitant to jump in.
I have been checking out examples made with A-Frame and Babylon.js, but appear to have a seemingly 50/50 chance of actually launching in VR (Windows, Chrome, SteamVR, Index), which makes me hesitant to jump in.
Questions I still have regarding Steam Frame:
1. Can we make custom tracked objects with IR LEDs?
2. Can we run Android apps in floating windows?
3. What will desktop only background apps act like? (like mine)
4. Can we build & run remotely, up to IDEs?
5. Can we read thermal sensor data?
Yeah 🤔
1. Can we make custom tracked objects with IR LEDs?
2. Can we run Android apps in floating windows?
3. What will desktop only background apps act like? (like mine)
4. Can we build & run remotely, up to IDEs?
5. Can we read thermal sensor data?
Yeah 🤔
November 16, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Questions I still have regarding Steam Frame:
1. Can we make custom tracked objects with IR LEDs?
2. Can we run Android apps in floating windows?
3. What will desktop only background apps act like? (like mine)
4. Can we build & run remotely, up to IDEs?
5. Can we read thermal sensor data?
Yeah 🤔
1. Can we make custom tracked objects with IR LEDs?
2. Can we run Android apps in floating windows?
3. What will desktop only background apps act like? (like mine)
4. Can we build & run remotely, up to IDEs?
5. Can we read thermal sensor data?
Yeah 🤔
💸💸💸
Announcing: New @steampowered.com Hardware, coming in 2026:
Steam Controller
Steam Machine
Steam Frame.
Watch our jazzy announcement video and wishlist now: steampowered.com/hardware
Steam Controller
Steam Machine
Steam Frame.
Watch our jazzy announcement video and wishlist now: steampowered.com/hardware
Steam Hardware
The Steam Hardware family officially expands in early 2026.
steampowered.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:44 AM
💸💸💸
Yesterday, Steam Frame was announced, thoughts:
I look forward to:
1. Eye-tracking
2. Wireless
3. Light weight/balanced
4. TMR sticks
5. Tracked gamepad
Concerns:
1. Wireless latency
2. LCD dynamic range
3. Audio solution, on par with Index?
4. Comfort of controllers, seem small.
Time will tell!
I look forward to:
1. Eye-tracking
2. Wireless
3. Light weight/balanced
4. TMR sticks
5. Tracked gamepad
Concerns:
1. Wireless latency
2. LCD dynamic range
3. Audio solution, on par with Index?
4. Comfort of controllers, seem small.
Time will tell!
November 13, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Yesterday, Steam Frame was announced, thoughts:
I look forward to:
1. Eye-tracking
2. Wireless
3. Light weight/balanced
4. TMR sticks
5. Tracked gamepad
Concerns:
1. Wireless latency
2. LCD dynamic range
3. Audio solution, on par with Index?
4. Comfort of controllers, seem small.
Time will tell!
I look forward to:
1. Eye-tracking
2. Wireless
3. Light weight/balanced
4. TMR sticks
5. Tracked gamepad
Concerns:
1. Wireless latency
2. LCD dynamic range
3. Audio solution, on par with Index?
4. Comfort of controllers, seem small.
Time will tell!
I found out about LitRPG series with Dungeon Crawler Carl, I enjoy the game mechanics applied to a fantasy/sci-fi world, as well as rapid character progression.
But as a series progresses and the story is fleshed out I find myself caring more about that than the leveling and skill acquisition.
But as a series progresses and the story is fleshed out I find myself caring more about that than the leveling and skill acquisition.
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I found out about LitRPG series with Dungeon Crawler Carl, I enjoy the game mechanics applied to a fantasy/sci-fi world, as well as rapid character progression.
But as a series progresses and the story is fleshed out I find myself caring more about that than the leveling and skill acquisition.
But as a series progresses and the story is fleshed out I find myself caring more about that than the leveling and skill acquisition.
Working on a new logo thing... not sure, this has been in my head for a while, it's pretty simple and hopefully explains what has become my username in various places.
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Working on a new logo thing... not sure, this has been in my head for a while, it's pretty simple and hopefully explains what has become my username in various places.
I might have figured this one out, @valvesoftware.com here's a bug report: steamcommunity.com/groups/Steam...
In short: It might be caused by the install path including an escaped backslash. That is what I've seen as a common factor as of yet in any case.
In short: It might be caused by the install path including an escaped backslash. That is what I've seen as a common factor as of yet in any case.
October 6, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I might have figured this one out, @valvesoftware.com here's a bug report: steamcommunity.com/groups/Steam...
In short: It might be caused by the install path including an escaped backslash. That is what I've seen as a common factor as of yet in any case.
In short: It might be caused by the install path including an escaped backslash. That is what I've seen as a common factor as of yet in any case.