u_rebel: I'm trying to upgrade Analog+ from 0.72.1 to 0.74.1 in No Name (I've already changed the MAME core), any chance you have any suggestions as to how to do this? (Or do I need to just go and compare the diffs line by line?)
Mame has made changes in some of the same spots as analog+ changes, so you'll run into problems if you try to just use the diffs.

I haven't found a nice and simple way besides either:
a) trying to apply an old patch and fixing the places the patch failed; besides the spots that fail, the biggest problem is sections incorrectly patched to the wrong spot), or
b) comparing the old analog+ diff with the new mame diff and removing (if possible) the parts I don't need in the analog+ diff, and then a).
I often run into a snag or two. Right now, mame changed the save input cfg functions with 0.74u1, and I'm trying to move the analog+ save mouse config files over to the same area as mame, but the move be mame isn't complete. So places from the analog+ 0.74.1 diff applied correctly to mame 0.74u1 that shouldn't have.
Something you might want to try for multiple version changes (this might help some, but won't stop all hand, line by line checking):
Make 4 folders: analog+ 0.72, analog+ 0.74, mame 0.72, mame 0.74. Create a diff between the two analog folders, and one between the mame folders. Remove all changes that are in both the analog diff and the mame diff. Use all changes that are just in the analog diff. Sections that conflict (same spot, different change) will need to go over by hand. (I guess remove all that you already applied.)
Not always easy.

You can PM or email me if there are any spots you need help applying.
Also what is the difference between the two diffs in the XP version?
The smaller diff is from "normal" mameAnalog+ 0.74.1 to "XP version" mameAnalog+ 0.74.1.
The larger is from official mame directly to the "XP version" mameAnalog+ 0.74.1.
I should have put that in the readme, sorry.