Talking Computer Face Project

[bloodbeast]

Hey guys. So, we have this old computer in our dining room thats just sitting in a chair, and one day I thought, hey, wouldn’t it be cool if you could give that computer a face and make it talk?
So heres what I want to do: I want to write a simple bit of java that makes a face come up on the screen, makes it repeat some simple phrases, and makes the face move when it talks.
Here’re my problems: the computer runs Windows XP. I don’t know how to program with windows xp, cause Im used to working on my mac. I’m not sure if I need to download a jdk, java, or any other necessities for the computer cause it hasn’t been used for quite awhile.
Lastly, I’m probably gonna need some help with the program, cause i’m pretty much just a beginner.
By the way, sorry if this is in the wrong section.
Thanks!

[KevinWorkman]

Unless I'm blatantly misunderstanding something, programming Java on that machine should be pretty much the same as programming Java on a mac. Recommended reading: "Hello World!" for Microsoft Windows (The Java™ Tutorials > Getting Started > The "Hello World!" Application)

As for the rest, take it one small step at a time.

[bloodbeast]

Recommended reading: "Hello World!" for Microsoft Windows (The Java™ Tutorials > Getting Started > The "Hello World!" Application)

Well, I read this and I ad the HelloWorldApp that said “Hello World!”, but I don’t feel any closer to making that stupid computer talk to me.
I was thinking that for the face I would just use a series of images to make it look like he was talking. Do you make it show images in the same way you make it show text? And how exactly could I figure out how to make it say stuff?

[Norm]

You probably do NOT want to make this an applet. It sounds like you want an application.
This part of the forum pertains to writing applets.

[KevinWorkman]

Well, I read this and I ad the HelloWorldApp that said “Hello World!”, but I don’t feel any closer to making that stupid computer talk to me.
I was thinking that for the face I would just use a series of images to make it look like he was talking. Do you make it show images in the same way you make it show text? And how exactly could I figure out how to make it say stuff?

In addition to what Norm said, let me offer you some advice: slow down. You can't expect to have everything up and running in just a couple days (even a couple weeks is probably being optimistic). Your program idea isn't particularly hard, but it does contain several different pieces, all with different learning curves (GUI, animation, audio) that aren't going to just work for a beginner.

I recommend you start with the basic tutorials: Trail: Learning the Java Language: Table of Contents (The Java™ Tutorials)

Do them in order, do all of the exercises, and play with all of the examples. Don't skip ahead, even if you see something that looks like something you care about more. That process should take weeks or maybe even months, depending on how thorough you are. Feel free to post any questions you have about the tutorials here.

When you finish that, then move on to the GUI side of things: Trail: Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing (The Java™ Tutorials)

Don't be discouraged or overwhelmed, but you should realize that this is going to be a slow and sometimes painful process- but it's worth it! Taking it one step at a time is the key.