MaLa FE. Under new management.

[cabecita]

Hello Loadman
 
This is Cabecita, I'm from spain and my english is not very good.
 
I'm traslating from english to spanish the software MaLa with Lingobit Localizer and I have finished it.
 
Could be possible to put this traslation on malafe.net for spanish speaker?
 
Thanks for your help
Best Regards

[loadman]

Hello Loadman
 
This is Cabecita, I'm from spain and my english is not very good.
 
I'm traslating from english to spanish the software MaLa with Lingobit Localizer and I have finished it.
 
Could be possible to put this traslation on malafe.net for spanish speaker?
 
Thanks for your help
Best Regards

Sure.

Tell me what you need. 

[cabecita]

Hello Loadman,

I attach the MaLa files
MaLa 1.0.4.5 RC9 Spanish is available from: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GAL3E6V0
Plugins MaLa translated: LEDBlinky 3.50, EmuWave, LEDWizv2, MatureAlarm, SerialDisplay, Speech and UltrastickMap are available from: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WT1CC9UL

The project MaLa Spanish available in marcianitos forum:  http://www.marcianitos.org/foro/showthread.php?t=14279

Can you test it?

For next revisions MaLa, could be possible to put a module for translations?

Thanks for your help
Best Regards

[loadman]

Hello Loadman,

I attach the MaLa files
MaLa 1.0.4.5 RC9 Spanish is available from: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GAL3E6V0
Plugins MaLa translated: LEDBlinky 3.50, EmuWave, LEDWizv2, MatureAlarm, SerialDisplay, Speech and UltrastickMap are available from: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WT1CC9UL

The project MaLa Spanish available in marcianitos forum:  http://www.marcianitos.org/foro/showthread.php?t=14279

Can you test it?

For next revisions MaLa, could be possible to put a module for translations?

Thanks for your help
Best Regards

Happy to host the files you translated.  Will do soon 

I don't know how to make a language module on Delphi 5 (German edition).? I am finding that hard enough (I don't speak German)     But maybe one day 

Ideally I would like to support German, French & Spanish, It should be easy if I get MaLa to compile on Delphi 2007 as it has good multi-language support.

[IDDQD]

Not sure where this question should go, but I figure this is as good a place as any:

I know MaLa can launch other emulators, but can I create a game list for PC games (as I've been reading about good arcade-friendly games, and want to include some) and launch them just like MAME ROMs? I'm pretty sure it can, I just don't know exactly how.

[Space Fractal]

I pretty sure you can create shortcuts in a folder and use LNK as a rom extension. This should launch these game.

For the translated plugins, something I can do on the homepage? Like possible to add a another download? PM me.

[OnezerO]

I know MaLa can launch other emulators, but can I create a game list for PC games (as I've been reading about good arcade-friendly games, and want to include some) and launch them just like MAME ROMs? I'm pretty sure it can, I just don't know exactly how.

I have sucesfully added the PC version of HOD3 to MaLa.  I first created a new Emulator and then added the game there.  I'm at work right now, but PM me if you want more details.  I know to get this to work it involved creating a simple batch file or something, but that is just the nature of the specific game I am running.  Currently I only have just this one game in my "PC Games" menu as I was just testing this option.  I will be adding more later on.

You mentioned in your post that you had been reading up on "good arcade-friendly games".  Can you provide your source so that I can see a listing of these games and possible information on where I can obtain a copies.  Thanks.

[jasonbar]

I've been amassing lists of cab-friendly games--here are 3 good sources:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=7479.40

http://www.retroremakes.com/wordpress/

http://shmup-dev.com/op2k72/Results.html


-Jason

[IDDQD]

I've been amassing lists of cab-friendly games--here are 3 good sources:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=7479.40

http://www.retroremakes.com/wordpress/

http://shmup-dev.com/op2k72/Results.html


-Jason

Yep, this basically covers it

[Ummon]

I pretty sure you can create shortcuts in a folder and use LNK as a rom extension. This should launch these game.

This is exactly what I've done.

[loadman]

Are you gonna setup an English forum for MaLa?

I would like to at some point. At the moment the Webhost wants more $$$ for mySQL so that a forum would work.  I am on a basic hosting plan at the moment.

So the answer is yes..  Just not straight away 

If you would like a dedicated MaLa forum here just ask

In case you didn't notice this has now been done.  Thanks Saint. 

[Space Fractal]

and why not to make a sticky thread for MaLA to get directed to the correct place?

Congra Loadman.

The only "missing" is move all MaLa threads I think? Most of them is help.

[loadman]

The only "missing" is move all MaLa threads I think? Most of them is help.

I am busy moving them all (I have been given the power for a limited time).

 I have it back to 2006 now I think...

[Space Fractal]

I diddent know there was SO many threads about Mala. I mostly just asked for the newer one, but send you found them all or near them all.

I kinda how many threads there is for Mamewah, which could have it own support board as well? It mightbeen of course they started thier applications very early days.....

[headkaze]

I diddent know there was SO many threads about Mala. I mostly just asked for the newer one, but send you found them all or near them all.

I kinda how many threads there is for Mamewah, which could have it own support board as well? It mightbeen of course they started thier applications very early days.....

MameWah has it's support board the mameworld forums.

[snowdogg187]

This fe looks great, I may try to install it. I have been wanting to do a nice update to the mame cab.

Thanks for everyone's work on this!

[jlfreund]

[Copied from another thread because original post was wrong location]

Loadman, I'm very glad to hear that you're taking over Mala and will keep it alive.  But I'm concerned that it may not be maintainable without releasing the source.

MaLa is a big, complex piece of software, and I'm not sure how much experience or time you have to commit, but typically software of this size either requires a dedicated expert or a community of talent.

The best way to maintain it is to follow the same process every other big open source project uses: put the source on sourceforge, make the code and instructions to build available to all, but restrict contributions to a team of trusted "experts" who can either submit directly, or may review and approve of submissions from untrusted sources.  This model has all the benefits of opening the code to a world of potential contributors without any risk of introducing bugs or losing control of the roadmap to untrusted sources.

And since MaLa is free, and the code is dedicated to the benefit of the community there should be no downside to releasing it to the public.

-Jason

[loadman]

[Copied from another thread because original post was wrong location]

Loadman, I'm very glad to hear that you're taking over Mala and will keep it alive.  But I'm concerned that it may not be maintainable without releasing the source.

MaLa is a big, complex piece of software, and I'm not sure how much experience or time you have to commit, but typically software of this size either requires a dedicated expert or a community of talent.

The best way to maintain it is to follow the same process every other big open source project uses: put the source on sourceforge, make the code and instructions to build available to all, but restrict contributions to a team of trusted "experts" who can either submit directly, or may review and approve of submissions from untrusted sources.  This model has all the benefits of opening the code to a world of potential contributors without any risk of introducing bugs or losing control of the roadmap to untrusted sources.

And since MaLa is free, and the code is dedicated to the benefit of the community there should be no downside to releasing it to the public.

-Jason

I hear you and understand your concerns.  I am very open to suggestions. Your right, MaLa code is big and my skills and time is limited.

 Even if I wanted to right now the source code was given under the condition it not be made public (I becauseassume is it contains so many home made clever libraries/functions ) .

And aside from that there is a number of 3rd party Delphi plug-ins that need to be found and installed to make it work for the version of IDE you have. As it is to make it work I'm using a old IDE of Delphi v5 German edition (I don't speak German) in a vitual xp enviroment just to be able to compile it, so it is no simple matter anyway.

As I said in my first post in this thread... I am just so grateful that the code was passed on at all to rather than have stopped completeley

....also I plan on expanding the Plug-in interface, possibly that interface libary can be open source DLL..  In C++ even....  I dunno    yet

My plan is to eventually get MaLa to compile on the latest Delphi 2007 when I work my way around 3rd Party component nightmare.  At that point it will make life easier for me (hence more development) and the system error messages will be in English not German.

So not the answer you wanted, but I sure you will be able to contribute in some form to MaLa in the future if you wish 

[jlfreund]

Thanks for the reply.  My guess is that the main motivation he trusted the code to you is that he is worried that by releasing the code, it will become polluted with bugs, bad ideas, and lose the vision and focus that has made it so powerful, flexible, and elegant.  He trusts you to share his vision and knows you have the ability to at least make small changes and keep the website going.

But I really doubt the reason for not releasing the code has anything to do with protecting valuable IP -- ie algorithms that can be patented or secrets that could not be easily replicated from scratch.  Altogether, it's a large, complex program, but if you look at any one piece, I'm sure it's composed of very simple functions.

Maybe he didn't consider the compromise approach I suggested.  If you still have a channel open to him, can you ask if he would be willing to give you sole authority to commit changes to the project or bless other "experts" with that authority, but open the code on Source Forge (minus any commercial components), so that anyone can download and modify it? 

I think that's the only way to really ensure this thing will survive.  The proprietary components need to be replaced with open software so that it's not just limping along and accumulating bugs until they are beyond your ability to fix it.

Jason

[loadman]

Well from my point of view I don't want to ask any more of SWINDUS right now as he has has done so much for me already.   I don't feel I could ask that. At this point anyway

I understand the logic of your argument and your motives sound good for MaLa, Having talented coders submit buf fixes and enhancements sounds great in theory   .

Technically. Regardless of wether it was allowed by Swindus and desired by me to be open source or not, there is a lot of work I have to do to get it to compile away from this Delphi 5 German version with 3rd party components to a point I can use it on another development machine/ environmen, so I can work on another IDE and/or others could work on it, so it ain't going to happen any time soon.   

You are more than welcome to PM him about this matter . I'm quite sure he gets them, whether he has the time or motovation to respond to them might be another matter.

Hang in there. please don't harp on this with me right now. Let the dust settle for me before I consider suggesting any sweeping changes. 

[jlfreund]

Thanks again for the quick reply.  I will PM Swindus and let you know if I find out anything.

My main problem now is that I just got a treadmill in my garage next to the arcade machine.  All I need to make my life complete is to fix the Mala jukebox and hook it up to a PC remote control so my wife and I can operate the Juke without having to fiddle with the controls or leave the Mala FE.

If this were open source, I could just go ahead and fix it without having to complain to anyone

Jason

[Space Fractal]

Get a real jukebox software, and run that, like it was a PC games. I guess a dedicated jukebox software is better than MaLa can do.

MaLa was actuelly never intended to act like a real jukebox, hence Loadman have that as a low priotity (He actuelly use Uncle'T Jukebox). Mala Was orignaly run MAME games (hence the name = MAla LAuncher).

The best thing is like I run in the other thread, is change the Jukebox to been singles based and just play song when selected, which just show the files without any using any tags. I cant see MaLa would been good with Album based, due that way skins have been designed.

I think that could been fix couble of problems to keep that part simple and not thinking to have this full feature Jukebox.... Or expand the plugin system, that can been used (like possible to create gamelists from plugins).

[jlfreund]

Can I launch UncleT's or another Jukebox from Mala using the arcade controls, and then exit from the jukebox back to Mala using arcade controls?  That's the key -- I want to be able to get from one emulator to the next, to the jukebox, and back all using the same seamless interface without having to use the mouse or flip to windows, etc.

[Space Fractal]

Yep. Look in Arcadecontrol's wiki and search for Joystick based jukebox software.... I have created two of them, Arcade Music Box and MultiJuke. There is others too.

But let see what Loadman does. I do respect he want to do some others things first.

I guess this jukebox section should have it own thread, since it a bit outside this thread. Sorry If I hijacked.

[headkaze]

Can I launch UncleT's or another Jukebox from Mala using the arcade controls, and then exit from the jukebox back to Mala using arcade controls?  That's the key -- I want to be able to get from one emulator to the next, to the jukebox, and back all using the same seamless interface without having to use the mouse or flip to windows, etc.

Of course you can do that, check the Jukebox forum, the authors of Juke software understand the need to have everything controlled by arcade controls so they can be seamlessly integrated into a cab running a FE. So yes, most Juke software you will find can be configured to use any controls.

EDIT: Space Fractal beat me to it hehe

[jlfreund]

Sorry to get off on a Jukebox track, but I'm going to loop this back to MaLa...

I tried some other Jukeboxes, and see how they can be launched from and return back to MaLa, using remappable arcade controls the whole way.  But unfortunately, I didn't like any of them so far.  The main thing is that they don't seem to let me navigate my tree of music as I have it setup. 

They all seem to present the songs either alphabetically (doesn't work for my 3000 songs) or grouped by artist or album (not much better when the meta data is very irregular and spotty at best, and there are still hundreds of items per list). 

Coincidentally, MaLa seems to be on path to do exactly what I wanted -- give it a root directory, and it will allow you to navigate your tree of music with arcade controls, even providing space for album covers and popups to display other meta data.  Better yet, it doesn't require you to launch a foreign app (incurring 10second delay each time) or break the look and feel of having a unified FE.

Obviously Jukebox would be highest on my priority list as it's very close to being done, doing exactly what I want, but currently it's the only major feature I can find that is pretty much completely busted.

Jason

[headkaze]

Take a look at MusicBrainz it can scan your mp3 collection and fill in metadata tags automatically. Works quite well.

[loadman]

I would send you a sample of the JukeBox bit of Delphi Code if you want to look at that. I'm sure Swindus would not mind as that is very basic anyway but the Jukebox stuff is currently imbeded into the main code.

I might try and seperate it if you want to look at it.

[jlfreund]

Hi, I appreciate the offer, but I probably couldn't do much without seeing all the assets (UI resources and auxillary code that calls in and out of the jukebox stuff).  Also, I don't know Delphi 

I sent Swindus a PM, so I'll let you know if I hear anything.

Thanks,
Jason

[OnezerO]

I tried some other Jukeboxes, and see how they can be launched from and return back to MaLa, using remappable arcade controls the whole way.  But unfortunately, I didn't like any of them so far.  The main thing is that they don't seem to let me navigate my tree of music as I have it setup. 

When I started to design my MAME cabinet it was going to be for games only then after I realized how much work was involved I decided to go ahead and make it a MAME/Jukebox cabinet.  I wanted something that would be completely controlled with arcade controls without the use of a mouse or keyboard.  After a lot of searching and testing I found the perfect solution.  Silverjuke.  This is a simple, powerful and elegant jukebox software program.

I have been able to design my cabinet around MALA & Silverjuke.  With the help of a few simple AHK scripts I can navigate between MALA and Silverjuke and if a game is actually running I can navigate between Silverjuke and the game all with the push of a single button.  I have one admin button dedicated just for this task.

Loadman, had previously asked me for some pics of my pc and controls installation which I have still yet to post due to a lack of a camera and I feel bad for taking so long since Loadman is always quick to provide assistance.  I am extremely close to completing my cabinet 100% (two more weeks tops).  Once I do I will post all of the details in the new project announcements.  When I do I will make a short post here to let you know.

If you are interested feel free to request my AHK scripts or pics of my install. Good luck with your project.

[Space Fractal]

A Least MultiJuke should work with pretty any file mask structor. You do need to have that 100%, since some songs hence might been missing, if you use Album or Singles Library. Otherwice you could use Explorer Library which should work just like a Explorer do....

There exists tagging software, like MusicIP to fill most of the missing tags, and then use the tags to make sure you have the correctly FileMask (Like mp3/Artist/Albums/Tracknr - Title.mp3 or such), or just like Artist - Title.mp3 (singles without albums).

If SilverJuke works correctly with joystick controllers, the Wiki is need to been updated.

[OnezerO]

In my setup Silverjuke works great with a simple 4-way joystick.  I have dedicated admin buttons to navigate my music collection left and right thru albums and up and down thru songs.  I also have the same keys mapped to a 4 way joystick to perform the same functions.

Silverjuke allows you to reassign any key to most functions.  I am just using the basic functions and a few advanced functions with Silverjuke all controlled from my admin control panel and/or my game control panel.  The functions I choose to use in my cabinet with Silverjuke is left/right thur albums, up/down thru songs, ctrl-left/right to skip thru the alphabet for choosing artists, an AHK script to pop up a playlist, and a view function to change the music selection screen between three different views.

Silverjuke even allows you to use coin triggers for credits if you want to.  It's a really great program.  I have been surprised not to have seen it mentioned in this forum more often.  The trick I use to make it function seemlesly with MALA is my AHK script for switching between MALA and Silverjuke.

You can check out their website at: wwww.silverjuke.net

[loadman]

Technically. Regardless of wether it was allowed by Swindus and desired by me to be open source or not, there is a lot of work I have to do to get it to compile away from this Delphi 5 German version with 3rd party components to a point I can use it on another development machine/ environmen, so I can work on another IDE and/or others could work on it, so it ain't going to happen any time soon.   

I had some success with this on the weekend, well most of the MaLa tools anyway...

I did the easy ones first. MaLa Gamelist editor, MaLa Tree Editor and the MaLa - Mamewah layout converter. 

Just MaLa Layout Editor, MaLa Attract and MaLa itself to go now      Ahh they use Graphics!!!   

[loadman]

Hello,

A progress update:

I did manage to port  MaLa to Delphi 2007 but because I could not get the Source of all the 3rd party components it is very broken, so isn't even worth alfa releasing it right now.

  So I will treat the Delphi 2007 version as the next major release with diffrent graphics, video and sound engine. So that will be the long term goal.

So short term I have decided that I have wasted enough time on that for now so will now focus on squashing a few mor little bugs and adding some enhacements.   

[TheShanMan]

Well that's a bummer, but I appreciate your hard work! Look forward to whatever you end up releasing, whether minor or major!

[Space Fractal]

I think your next major realease should use v2.0 (like I did for MultiJuke -> MultiFE) when you need to change the graphics engine as well videos.

I still think you halle ready have one sound engine: EmuWave Plugin

In MultiFE I did seperated Soundengine to own bmx file, so I could upgrade easy with new bass versions or if I want to change to fmod (as I actually use in Linux version) or such without changing the rest of the code (etc like a wrapper).

It look like Swindus didden't do that for componets used, but instead use the functions directly to most important components?

[TheShanMan]

Reading Space Fractal's post, I just wanted to say that I used fmod for my Ambience App, and would recommend it. It's free for non-commercial apps (not free for commercial apps), and it is a widely used sound engine.

[Space Fractal]

Mala allready use a older version of bass (I believe around version 2.1). But there is not really need to update that, if it works with the current IDE, because there is some different with the newest version and the current version (again why I doesn't call bass directly from the player code). There is Delphi examples in bass 2.4 as well and some features was changed again, but nothing big if it used in a wrapper like senario.

I do guess it might been better to use a plug-in to separate the sound code from the rest of Mala and easier to code, so it dosent have double code.

[loadman]

Yeah, well I think I may try fmod for sound. It looks pretty easy :-)

The EmuWave plug-in was meant to be extension of MaLa's sound option. Eg random Wav's.Space are you suggesting that I remove all sound from MaLa? I don't see how as there is the Jukebox to cater for etc. Or are you just saying in the code I should keep all sound to a seperate library/ pas file in the code?

[headkaze]

Why move to FMod? BASS is just as good an audio library and since it's already using BASS I would just stick with it. GameEx uses BASS for it's jukebox and so does Space Fractal. The only time BASS is not so great is for commercial software where the license can get a bit expensive. For free software it's great.

Go to the official BASS website and it has example code in Delphi. So I would probably do what Space suggested and update to the latest version first.