One more plug for gameex

[divemaster127]

Just a quick note for you mame32 guys who want a awesome frontend, mame32 works perfect with it, & at the gameex forum tom(the maker) is very helpful, i had two small issues & he helped me, turned out i had missed a setting pretty easy to setup, just use the avi movies & the tron background is awesome, im starting daphne today
thanks
divemaster

[brophog]

It should work well, both look like Windows.

[Bones]

It should work well, both look like Windows.

I disagree. Why do you say this?

[brophog]

You disagree that it looks like windows?

[Bones]

Yes.

[headkaze]

I just made another them for it, and it don't look like windows. It has theme support.

[divemaster127]

One it does not look like windows, in fact much better than mame32, the tron theme is awesome with all the movies & moving backgrounds, tom makes updates once a week, hes helpful, i think in time this will become the #1 frontend.
2. What new theme did you make, thats the only downfall is lack of themes but as more come out that will be taken care of
divemaster

[southpaw13]

Question about GameEx.  I tried it when it first came out and the only thing I didn't like is that you could not change the font color.  Has this option been made available with recent releases?

Thanks,
Mark

[JonnyBoy]

Yeah, it comes with a pack of themes of all kinds, all of them really nice looking. The ability to make themes isn't as easy as skinning mamewah, but Tom plans on addind skinning when he gets all the features we toss at him done with. He truly is dedicated to his software and stands by it, and I've never seen anybody update as often as him. The 18 dollar donation is well worth it.

[Brad]

I actually downloaded the latest version today and gave it a whirl. I hadn't tried since about version 1 or so from memory and found it reasonably impressive then. I have to say at the outset that I'm a mamewah user and will continue to be. Thats not to say I don't like GameEx, in fact I think it's a wonderful piece of software. I "personally" don't think it's that great for arcade cabs though. As a HTPC menu though I love it.

That being said I think the configuration is not intuitive and had difficulty finding some of the most obvious things but like others I've persevered. I've now decided that all the trialling in configuration etc is a waste of time and I've quit it. The 1 and only reason being this nag screen. I have to wait 30secs before I can see if my configuration changes made any difference and I have to say it's bloody damn annoying.

Don't get me wrong I don't begrudge anyone making an "honest" buck out of their hard work and if your a HTPC user than I highly recommend GameEx as a fantastic alternative to other commercial apps particularly at the relatively cheap price. For an emulation and jukebox frontend though, imo Mamewah and SKJukebox beat it hands down "without" any nag screens and much better performance.

Again no disrespect but I'll also now refrain from advertising any GameEx updates at www.emuchrist.org as I have faithfully done for years. It's not a grudge against Tom but a choice that was made years ago and that I've adhered to ever since. NO commercial emulation related software usually gets a mention. Afterall, I don't expect nor get paid for my over 5 years of news posting and I'm certainly not going to help anyone else get paid for my time.

Sure you can argue "nagware" vs "sharware" etc but the fact remains that the application stops you from using it until the ad has been displayed for a specified lengthy time period. I wouldn't mind so much even then if I could hit a button and have the bloody annoying thing disappear but either it's not there or I'm missing it. My guess it's not there as Tom's site states that people purchasing the software get to disable the nag screen, therefore call it what you will, it's still a commercial application in my view.

I've rambled a bit and probably got all the fan boys riled up but kinda had to vent after playing around with it. Like the original poster says, great app, just be aware of alternatives out there and make an informed decision.

Brad

[Nailz]

I'm sure your not advertising his updates is going to really kill the GameEx movement, but it's good that you have announced your new freedom from posting for it...

I am not a GameEx fanboy, as I use Mamewah as well, but GameEx is FAR easier to set up, not sure where you get that it isn't intuitive.

And a 30 second nag screen at startup is annoying?  You can't wait 30 seconds when you fire up your machine?  Go make a cup of coffee or something.

Your whole attitude of "I don't get paid so I am not helping anyone else get paid" sounds a bit like sour grapes to me.  He coded a front end that tons of people use and enjoy, I have seen others on this site promote and sell things with no grief.  Maybe Randy and Andy should start giving away their hardware? 

The software Tom wrote works great, if you don't want to buy it, wait 30 frickin' seconds or go on to something else.  Don't piss and moan about it here like you are on some moral high ground.

You'd better take away your link to BYOAC, as there is a donate link here as well....  And before you bring the argument of no nag screen, i'd wait 10 minutes to get onto this site if I had to, and yes, I have donated to sites in the past so please don't go there.

[LJHalfbreed]

I don't think him no longer 'posting' about updates will affect Gamex all that much.


I'm currently using mamewah, and enjoy it. I've used gamex, but it just doesn't fit my style. I haven't come across a front-end that fufills all my needs and wants, but mamewah comes pretty close (where's my animated gifs, Minwah???).

I see Gamex as probably the *perfect* frontend for an HTPC (Home theatre PC). Even moreso if you're used to the current versions of Windows Media Center (or whatever kitschy name they're calling it now). The best multi-emu frontend for every application? No.

Although I don't have any problems with the guy asking for donations, I've always had a personal problem with nag screens. I'd much rather deal with a time-limited install than nag screens, *especially* when I'm trying different configs to see if the thing will even work the way I want it to.


Gamex is a pretty nice frontend, and it's okay the guy wants to charge to get rid of a nagscreen. Personally, I don't charge for any work/help/advice/info I give when it comes to emulation just because I feel it goes against the whole idea of emulation in the first place, but hey! That's just me. Should we start charging each other for layouts/themes for these various frontends? Charge people for access to snaps/titles? Charge for every answer given in a forum?

(rant off)

Gamex is nice. However, the benefits to me outweigh the flaws (nagscreen).  If I had use for it, I'd probably scoop it up in a heartbeat and pay the 18$ even if I didn't have it. But since I don't, and other frontends do what I need it to do (and, sometimes, even better) it's a moot point with me.



PS. In case it comes up, I'm sure if I posted my real name, more than a few sites around here would realize that I'm pretty good at donating to sites I use often or I feel deserve it, both in information *AND* donation links.

[SirPoonga]

Yes.

Have you seen windows mce?

http://www.tomspeirs.com/gameex/Images/25.jpg
http://www.3dvelocity.com/articles/winmce/info/Windows%20Media%20Center%20Edition%202005%20(1)_files/image033.jpg

[youki]

Just my 2cts! 

I don't like the idea to try to force somebody to pay by displaying a nagscreen.

And have to pay for a Front End is something that hurts me.  A FrontEnd exists because there are emulators. So being paid for a front end  is ,from my point of view, like have profit of others work without deserving it.
I could understand to have to pay for an emulator but not for a Front end.

In addition skills required to make a Front end are far lower than skills required to make an emulator.  A Front end just display a list, few images or video and run an emulators , it consume time to do but it is not so hard at all.

Donation are great, if user likes your work it is a way to encourage you to continue. But try to "force" the donation i don't like the idea.

But the more motivating for me , is to have more and more users which appreciate my work. 

That was my 2cts! 

[Nailz]

How is me looking at a nag screen forcing me to pay for it in any way?  The full functionality is all there, Tom answers questions and has a full forum for any topic with his front end.  Forcing someone to pay for it would be having a nag screen and turning off key functions, or disabling it after 30 days.  BIG difference...

[LJHalfbreed]

Nailz- I think it's just a matter of personal preference and standards.

Some people have no problem with pop-ups/pop-unders (advertising).

Some people have no problems with 'voting' for sites before gaining access.

Some people have no problems with installing adware or other similar programs along with another program.

Some people have no problems with limited functionality or limited lifespan.

Some people have no problems with downloading a program and never compensating the individual(s) that created it.


The point is, you value GamEx enough to where a nagscreen/donation request is a non-issue. I (and others) for *whatever* reason feel that GamEx doesn't offer enough to us to justify a nagscreen.

Again, I'm not knocking GamEx for having a nagscreen, I'm stating that GamEx doesn't offer enough to *me* to 'qualify' for the need for a nagscreen or any other reason to donate/buy/etc.

I'm also pointing out that there should be plenty of other people that would still find GamEx quite useful/perfect/etc. However, I'm pretty sure I've tried every front end I've come across, and right now, GamEx just doesn't offer what I want.

And no, looking at a nag screen doesn't force you to do anything. However, It can be *very* annoying... sort of like any other advert/commercial can be. I just think it's a bit magnified for me in this aspect because I don't feel it justifies a nagscreen, both in features and in how I feel the emulation scene works.

[Nailz]

I hear what you're saying, my comments weren't all directed at you, and we can all obviously choose whatever we want.

For me, my cab is dedicated, everything is in my startup folder, so I turn on my machine, walk away for a few minutes, come back, and no nag screen, just my FE ready to play me some games...

[Brad]

I agree with LJHalfbreed. HE got my point. YOU didn't. I was extremely complimentary about GameEx in my post.

My opinion still stands in that it's vastly more suited at a HTPC "for me" and the nag screen is annoying as hell, particularly when your trying to set everything up.

Brad

[LJHalfbreed]

yay! Everyone understands everyone! Follow me to the pub, drinks are on me!

[Brad]

Your on....but I drink decent aussie beer ;P Meetcha at The Pineapple in East Brisbane. Rumour has it that lunch is a 2 for deal today LOL!

Brad

[Rio Rebel]

I think several people hinted at this, but it's the LENGTH of the nag screen that got me.

I tried it one time, hit the 30 second nag screen, and moved on.  I would pay $18 for a front end that was exactly what I wanted, but with the choices out there, I decided to see what else was out there.

And I am slowly beginning to get Mamewah set up the way I want, which means I'm having to learn things I would have wanted to learn anyway about mame directories and configuration files.

I would very possibly have stayed with gameex if the nag screen had been shorter, leaving me more motivated to try it out.  But that's just me, and I hope he's successful with it.

[Nailz]

Your on....but I drink decent aussie beer ;P Meetcha at The Pineapple in East Brisbane. Rumour has it that lunch is a 2 for deal today LOL!

Brad

Ok, ok, I will get the first round...   

[valtane]

As of version 5.37 there is a new feature called GameExtender which only works with the registered version. So not only does it have a nag screen, but it is now crippled unless you "donate".

[koolmoecraig]

Are you guys kidding me?

You didn't like the nag screen so you moved on? I think you might do better to have a little bit more patience here. This front end is being updated WEEKLY and it is soon to become fully skinable. It really is a great front end. Deal with the nag screen while you try it out. I bet you'll like it and gladly pay.

Oh, and this is not directed at anyone in particular but if you are too friggin' cheap to pay someone for their time and effort in putting together a front end that you use then you should really go F yourself.

It's $18 dollars. $18. If you can't afford that then maybe you should pick up one of those Jakks joysticks and hook it to your 13" Symphonic TV that is mounted on a shelf in the 500lb gutted, black JAMMA cabinet that you got out of the Recycler. Cheap As*.

[markrvp]

koolmoecraig:

How do you really feel?  Your last post was vague. 

[brophog]

And just remember psychotic boys and girls.........gameex is the only frontend on the planet.

[LJHalfbreed]

Crap... Does this mean that the FEAA (Front End Artists of America, sister company to RIAA and MPAA) is going to raid my PC???

*Quickly deletes Mamewah, AtomicFE, 3DArcade, Mame32, Raging Dragon,arcadeOS, advancemenu, arcade.exe, arcadepic,  emuloader, easymame, GXMame, MAMED, Ultramame, Ultrastyle, Vertiwah, and over a dozen other non-FEAA authorized frontends from his PC...*

[Brad]

Hmm something about a fanboy and missing the point completely.

Next!

Brad

[koolmoecraig]

Crap... Does this mean that the FEAA (Front End Artists of America, sister company to RIAA and MPAA) is going to raid my PC???

*Quickly deletes Mamewah, AtomicFE, 3DArcade, Mame32, Raging Dragon,arcadeOS, advancemenu, arcade.exe, arcadepic,  emuloader, easymame, GXMame, MAMED, Ultramame, Ultrastyle, Vertiwah, and over a dozen other non-FEAA authorized frontends from his PC...*

If you use any one of those and don't donate to the creators then you are pathetic.

I'm not some blind fanboy here. I use Ultrastyle on my Q*bert cabinet and the minute that I determined that it met my needs I donated to the author. Same thing with the author of my jukebox software.

WOW, FEAA. How brilliant. In your attempt at comedy(in which you failed miserably) you try to relate paying an individual for their work in putting a front end together with paying a recording union. Beleive it or not, some people actually do think that the right thing to do is pay people for their work. Imagine that.

The funny thing is that the front end STILL WORKS without paying. You just have to deal with a nag screen(Which you can even set to black so you wont even see it!)

I didn't miss the point. I understand that the whole thing with the Mame community is not to charge for it. The reason for that is because it would be ILLEGAL to charge for what is someone elses work(game companies) without them benefitting at all. You are donating to someone for their own work when donating for a front end.

Have any of you even donated to the MAME dumping project itself? I suspect not.

Cheap.

[divemaster127]

I agree what 18.00 for a awesome piece of software, people are paying for cabs, controls, buttons etc, it all takes work, plus i have seen the amount of questions tom gets on his forum, he should be awarded for all the work he does
thanks
divemaster

[brophog]

In your attempt at comedy(in which you failed miserably)

You'd better get your sense of humor checked out.

[koolmoecraig]

Ha.

I have a tiny bit of experience in that industry.

[Rio Rebel]

Are you guys kidding me?

You didn't like the nag screen so you moved on? I think you might do better to have a little bit more patience here. This front end is being updated WEEKLY and it is soon to become fully skinable. It really is a great front end. Deal with the nag screen while you try it out. I bet you'll like it and gladly pay.

You come on a little strong, but you make a good point.  I may check it out again, and if I do, I'd gladly pay.

[LJHalfbreed]

(culled for emphasis)

I'm not some blind fanboy here. I use Ultrastyle on my Q*bert cabinet and the minute that I determined that it met my needs I donated to the author. Same thing with the author of my jukebox software.

That's all I'm trying to say here... I don't see what GameEx offers *me* to justify a nagscreen, which is basically an annoying request for a handout, imho.

On the other hand, I've donated to program creators, and even outright bought software (I dig me some zombie smashers x... great river-city-ransom/final fight add to a cab that can play pc games.... http://www.totallyscrewed.net/ for this and other great cab games).


I'm also pointing out that your senseless bashing of anyone who doesn't like GameEx is a bit extreme. And I'll say again... I see nothing that GameEx offers to me that is 'better' than anything out there, nor do I see anything within GameEx that justifies a nagscreen. I'm glad that you do, and you support him, but bashing me (or others) who don't care for it, whatever the reason, just makes you sound like an overly rabid fanboy.

[Brad]

Have any of you even donated to the MAME dumping project itself? I suspect not.

Cheap.

The thing that gets me is all the assumptions. I don't want this to degrade into a flame war though. Simply put I've donated to the dumping project a number of times. I also donate server space to various projects and have purchased arcade parts from ultimarc etc.

I highly praised the application and even said it was highly recommended and cheap. It's just not for me and it irritated the bejesus out of me when I was toying around with configurations.

Brad

[danny_galaga]

Your on....but I drink decent aussie beer ;P Meetcha at The Pineapple in East Brisbane. Rumour has it that lunch is a 2 for deal today LOL!

Brad

huzzah! another brisbanite! i was supposed to go to the pine apple for christmas drinks but ended up reading these forums...

[Brad]

Your on....but I drink decent aussie beer ;P Meetcha at The Pineapple in East Brisbane. Rumour has it that lunch is a 2 for deal today LOL!

Brad

huzzah! another brisbanite! i was supposed to go to the pine apple for christmas drinks but ended up reading these forums...

We went there several times during the holiday break. It was dead so we had a few long lunches LOL!

Still I'm not a real queenslander. I've only been here 12 months and I brought by Blues Guernsey with me 

Brad

[danny_galaga]

Your on....but I drink decent aussie beer ;P Meetcha at The Pineapple in East Brisbane. Rumour has it that lunch is a 2 for deal today LOL!

Brad

huzzah! another brisbanite! i was supposed to go to the pine apple for christmas drinks but ended up reading these forums...

We went there several times during the holiday break. It was dead so we had a few long lunches LOL!

Still I'm not a real queenslander. I've only been here 12 months and I brought by Blues Guernsey with me 

Brad

six months for me, so you're a veteran 

[headkaze]

Yeah, it comes with a pack of themes of all kinds, all of them really nice looking. The ability to make themes isn't as easy as skinning mamewah, but Tom plans on addind skinning when he gets all the features we toss at him done with. He truly is dedicated to his software and stands by it, and I've never seen anybody update as often as him. The 18 dollar donation is well worth it.

Indeed, it's coming soon

[tspeirs]

Hi,

Freedom of choice, libertys and speach is a gift, so I don't want to get involved in the argument. Its your choice, take it or leave it, even though I strive for perfection of the product (almost daily).

All I would say in kind of a defence, as of yet I have made no significant  profit from GameEx, due to 100GB bandwidth a month, and the fact that I have on various occasions paid my own money to other developers and artists to contribute to GameEx. For example DVD/Video player, MNG/AVI Preview, and the configuration application and GameEx artwork.

I'm not going to comment further, but if you need support and dont want  to just chat about GameEx I would say your get much more help on GameEx forums (also paid for by me by the way).

If you want GameEx for free use an old version (yes old versions dont have the nag screen, because I did it for the scene, thought it was not worth paying for, and had not cost me anything), but don't bother me if you need anything fixed or improved in the code that can be fixed by upgrading.

Yes I say it how it is.

GameEx does have a small commercial element to it because of the nag screen, it seems, but I personally believe the application is of a quality of other decent commercial applications. However I am not funding or being a criminal by either offering or buying warez, roms etc. I am also not tricking people or making false claims about the software. I am also not slagging off other peoples front ends, or posting daily that mine is the best. I want GameEx to sell itself.

Until the whole world becomes anarchist or communist, or machines run our lifes and I dont need money to eat and live, Ill continue what I am doing.

[brophog]

Until the whole world becomes anarchist or communist

One of these days I hope someone teaches this country that communism is an actual philosophy and not a swear word.

[headkaze]

Personally, Capitalism the way it is today is communism with invisible leaders. Those in power and all that...

Anyways, I agree with Tom, in that he has put alot of time and effort into a program that is beyond the call of duty when it comes to front ends. And you can call me a fan boy until your head turns blue, but I am a fan of it, but only because I am a coder and know the effort involved in coding such a beast.  For a start I could bag other FE's.. about being written using GDI or VB6, or whatever.. but I won't. It pisses me off seeing other FE developers come into threads bagging other FE's trying to promote their own. It's vein, and the people won't fall for it.. I mean do you believe a post by someone who's bagging a product meanwhile a link in their sig to their own product flashes below them? I think not. Just because it's free dosn't mean their not selling their own ego

A nag screen is to remind you that people's hard work should be rewarded. And when you say FE coders are making money off emulator developers is just completely insaine. Or even to say that it's more complex to code an emulator than a front end means it should be free? Not true. Perhaps your front end is crap and you feel a need to self promote it. Let it go, people like GameEx because it's a kick ass front end. People who come over and play my cab are always amazed by it. And you notice Tom dosn't barge in on other threads promoting his FE. No, cos he knows that quality speaks for itself.

[tspeirs]

Yes I hope someone teaches the country in question that too, along with geography, and about the other countries that don't use dollars and have more freedoms in a lot of cases.

I am not America bashing, all my best friends are American, and I love the country. Just educating.

[Thanks for the backup Headkaze]

[tspeirs]

Anyway, lets not fight anymore, but just help newbies of fans of retro gaming find the best hardware, software and front ends to get the enjoyment we get from it using our arcade cabs and controls, at the price they want with the functionality they want.

I posted my note to educate where possible, I really don't want tit for tat on stuff, and not just because I have more constructive things to do. Everyone choose the best solutions for you which the purpose of this forum is to help with. Lets not comment on our own products, unless its helpfull, and lets not bag others solutions unless its a constructive criticism/review or helps people. How about it? I am sure we can do that. We must be all adults. I mean I could not afford my own cab and live my dream until I was 29.

[headkaze]

Agreed, and perhaps my previous comments were a little harsh [throws candy around the room], but it was getting on my nerves a little about other authors, ok now is the time to rejoice, let us all take a deep breath and walk over to our arcade machines and stroke them with the utter joy they deserve. My arcade machine is me, I is my arcade machine, amen. You may rest.

[squirrellydw]

Just my 2cts! 

I don't like the idea to try to force somebody to pay by displaying a nagscreen.

And have to pay for a Front End is something that hurts me.  A FrontEnd exists because there are emulators. So being paid for a front end  is ,from my point of view, like have profit of others work without deserving it.
I could understand to have to pay for an emulator but not for a Front end.

In addition skills required to make a Front end are far lower than skills required to make an emulator.  A Front end just display a list, few images or video and run an emulators , it consume time to do but it is not so hard at all.

Donation are great, if user likes your work it is a way to encourage you to continue. But try to "force" the donation i don't like the idea.

But the more motivating for me , is to have more and more users which appreciate my work. 

That was my 2cts! 

I agree 100%  MAME is free so I think everything that has to do it should be free also.  If you want to donate to the people that put the hard work into it fine but don't force people to.  I honestly think that we should boycot gameEX for this reason.  He has probably had more donations for his frontend then MAME has ever received.

Let the rants begin 

[markrvp]

I agree 100%  MAME is free so I think everything that has to do it should be free also.

Try convincing Microsoft that their operating systems should be free because MAME runs on them and MAME is a free project.  Maybe AMD and Intel should stop charging for processors because MAME uses processors to run free games.  Tell MAME Marquees that they should provide marquees for free because MAME is a free project.  Tell Happ controls that joysticks should be free because it's hard to play your free MAME games on your arcade cabinet without the proper arcade controls.

That was really an ignorant argument.

[divemaster127]

here, here

[squirrellydw]

I agree 100%  MAME is free so I think everything that has to do it should be free also.

Try convincing Microsoft that their operating systems should be free because MAME runs on them and MAME is a free project.  Maybe AMD and Intel should stop charging for processors because MAME uses processors to run free games.  Tell MAME Marquees that they should provide marquees for free because MAME is a free project.  Tell Happ controls that joysticks should be free because it's hard to play your free MAME games on your arcade cabinet without the proper arcade controls.

That was really an ignorant argument.

umm no, if he wants to sell his software fine, but do it in two parts.  The frontend for MAME should be free, if users want to use the other features charge for that part.  Happ and MAME marquees have a legitimate business beside MAME.  I hate seeing people use others hard work for there profit and that is what he is doing IMHO.

[tspeirs]

I have a legitamte business too and it aint making anywhere near those other companies.

Your free to boycott it, I don't see I am doing anything illegal, immoral or unethical.

The majority of all MAME related features are free in older versions. When I say older that's newer than most of avaiable front ends where last updated.

You know, GameEx aint the only front end, but it has by far been the most expensive to create, maintain and improve, in addition had the most time dedicated to it.

If you dont like GameEx, dont use it, I dont care about your opinion that anything slightly involved with something that is free should be free to. Its a little immature, and not how civilisation works. I'ts not making me rich. I do it because I enjoy it. I have proof of the finances, but my bank statement is none of your business.

By the way if you think I had utter contempt, do you think I'd post here, even care (and just want money), or had spent 6 hours and also $120 dollars today on the project Today alone??

[markrvp]

I agree 100%  MAME is free so I think everything that has to do it should be free also.

Try convincing Microsoft that their operating systems should be free because MAME runs on them and MAME is a free project.  Maybe AMD and Intel should stop charging for processors because MAME uses processors to run free games.  Tell MAME Marquees that they should provide marquees for free because MAME is a free project.  Tell Happ controls that joysticks should be free because it's hard to play your free MAME games on your arcade cabinet without the proper arcade controls.

That was really an ignorant argument.

umm no, if he wants to sell his software fine, but do it in two parts.  The frontend for MAME should be free, if users want to use the other features charge for that part.  Happ and MAME marquees have a legitimate business beside MAME.  I hate seeing people use others hard work for there profit and that is what he is doing IMHO.

Squirrellydw: you must be on welfare because that is the only explanation for your unreasoned sense of entitlement.  Why do you feel everyone here must serve you for free at the expense of their own time and resources?

In case it hasn't been explained to you before:

squirrellydw: NO ONE HERE OWES YOU A DAMN THING. 

If your welfare check can't cover the cost of GameEx then use one of the free programs, but quit bitching about people who actually give up part of their lives to help out those of us in this hobby who actually appreciate it.  I would gladly pay $100 for a frontend that worked flawlessly, was easy and intuitive to set up, and was well documented.

And in case you think I'm talking out my arse, check my posts and you'll find I'm one of the most helpful people here.  Why don't you contribute something instead of just criticizing others who aren't bowing down to your demands quickly enough?

[tspeirs]

EDIT: Sorry deleting, misunderstood the post. I should learn to read!!

[headkaze]

By the way if you think I had utter contempt, do you think I'd post here, even care (and just want money), or had spent 6 hours and also $120 dollars today on the project Today alone??

I can confirm that Tom has spent $120 on GameEx today, because he donated the money to me for the GameEx theme editor I'm currently writing. Thanks Tom, it's really nice to see that you contribute back to authors supporting GameEx. And I said on several occations that I was not expecting anything for my work. Just goes to show what sort of guy Tom is. Anyway, stay tuned for the theme editor, it's coming soon and should make GameEx much easier to create custom themes for

[LJHalfbreed]

FYI: One of my main annoyances with gameex was the lack of a theme editor, and if anything, was one of the main reasons why I felt it didn't deserve a nagscreen.

If the theme editor comes out and works nicely, I'll definitely give gameex another go. However, at this time, I just don't think it justifies it. I'm not a fanboy of any other FE, just was kinda puzzled by the creator's choice of 'gaining donations'.

[Bones]

I agree 100%  MAME is free so I think everything that has to do it should be free also.  If you want to donate to the people that put the hard work into it fine but don't force people to.  I honestly think that we should boycot gameEX for this reason.  He has probably had more donations for his frontend then MAME has ever received.

Let the rants begin 

[tspeirs]

I'm not a fanboy of any other FE, just was kinda puzzled by the creator's choice of 'gaining donations'.

Don't think I would not do a huge happy dance if I made a lot money of from it, but to answer where you are puzzled in simple terms and not going into costs and my motivation, it keeps the project available, alive, updated, supported and coming on leaps and bound on a weekly basis. The opposite of this is a Dead project. I believe the app is of commercial quality IMHO. The way I see I am only doing what Andy is doing, I am pretty sure he is not making a mint either, but we'd sure miss those arcadevga cards and IPAC's if he's company went backrunpt.

[Directed at all]
Yes MAME is a free project, but can you report a bug in MAME, and have a new release in 2 hours? Can you request an ehancment to it, and have your dream come true within a week? Hey the devs dont give a ---Cleveland steamer--- about your feature request. What do they care there doing it for free, and the project is driven by themselves? GameEx you can, it's not MAME.

As a side point, you all may have started to notice that various open source projects are developing a commercial side. Basically this is so if you do want to spend your money your'll get a better service.

[Bones]

Really Tom, although I do admire your patience and standing in this matter; I don't think you need to make a single explanation to anybody who questions your product, or the way in which you choose to market and support it.

It really is nobody else

[tspeirs]

OK, Ill shut up now then 

Perhaps some kind moderator would lock this thread, but I've said way to much anyhow.

[LJHalfbreed]

I'm not a fanboy of any other FE, just was kinda puzzled by the creator's choice of 'gaining donations'.

Don't think I would not do a huge happy dance if I made a lot money of from it, but to answer where you are puzzled in simple terms and not going into costs and my motivation, it keeps the project available, alive, updated, supported and coming on leaps and bound on a weekly basis.

Which is quite alright, if that's what floats your boat. I'm merely pointing out that I don't agree with it, that's all. 

The opposite of this is a Dead project. I believe the app is of commercial quality IMHO. The way I see I am only doing what Andy is doing, I am pretty sure he is not making a mint either, but we'd sure miss those arcadevga cards and IPAC's if he's company went backrunpt.

There are also apps created by individuals that are neither funded by donations, nor dead. Some people create things for their own benefit, and share them to be altruistic about it. Other people create it for 'ego' satisfaction. Different things drive different people to create 'commercial quality' apps.  On a side note, comparing apps and hardware is apples and oranges...  Yes, andy does create things for mame, but because there is a physical component involved in the cost besides labor, it changes things just due to the nature of the product. While I'm not knocking the time and effort you've put into your software, comparing your software to hardware is kinda silly and out of place.

[Directed at all]
Yes MAME is a free project, but can you report a bug in MAME, and have a new release in 2 hours? Can you request an ehancment to it, and have your dream come true within a week? Hey the devs dont give a ---Cleveland steamer--- about your feature request. What do they care there doing it for free, and the project is driven by themselves? GameEx you can, it's not MAME.

True, and I'm sure plenty of people appreciate that. However, nearly every other FE i've fooled around with has the ability to change the look. Heck, even mame32 allows backgrounds and such. While I've noticed that you've said you're working on getting a theme/skin maker inside your app, you've had it out for quite a while. I saw nothing about your software that reasoned needing a nag screen for just that particular reason. In addition, I've also noticed that some additional functionality is also not present (gameextender) unless you register. So, instead of just a nagscreen, you also have reduced functionality. And, due to the nature of software in general, would you refund this donation/registration fee if a user found the software to be unuseful/unacceptable?

I just think that between the nagscreen and the reduced functionality, it makes your software much less attractive compared to other FE's available. If I try it, I have a nagscreen and missing features, which means that I can't get a valid idea if this is a good or bad software for my needs. If I 'pay to remove nagscreen and get additional features', I'm out almost 20 bucks, and have no way of getting my money back if the features/loss-of-nagscreen are worth it. Seems like a lose-lose situation. I've always been a fan of time-based shareware just for that reason.

As a side point, you all may have started to notice that various open source projects are developing a commercial side. Basically this is so if you do want to spend your money your'll get a better service.

And also as a side note, out of all the various 'open source' and 'freeware' projects out there, I notice a whole lot more that are free-as-in-liberty and continue to be, as opposed to those that suddenly go 'commercial'.

I have no problem with you trying to get compensated for your labor... I just think a nagscreen plus limited functions is *not* the way to go.

[squirrellydw]

I agree 100%  MAME is free so I think everything that has to do it should be free also.

Try convincing Microsoft that their operating systems should be free because MAME runs on them and MAME is a free project.  Maybe AMD and Intel should stop charging for processors because MAME uses processors to run free games.  Tell MAME Marquees that they should provide marquees for free because MAME is a free project.  Tell Happ controls that joysticks should be free because it's hard to play your free MAME games on your arcade cabinet without the proper arcade controls.

That was really an ignorant argument.

umm no, if he wants to sell his software fine, but do it in two parts.  The frontend for MAME should be free, if users want to use the other features charge for that part.  Happ and MAME marquees have a legitimate business beside MAME.  I hate seeing people use others hard work for there profit and that is what he is doing IMHO.

Squirrellydw: you must be on welfare because that is the only explanation for your unreasoned sense of entitlement.  Why do you feel everyone here must serve you for free at the expense of their own time and resources?

In case it hasn't been explained to you before:

squirrellydw: NO ONE HERE OWES YOU A DAMN THING. 

If your welfare check can't cover the cost of GameEx then use one of the free programs, but quit bitching about people who actually give up part of their lives to help out those of us in this hobby who actually appreciate it.  I would gladly pay $100 for a frontend that worked flawlessly, was easy and intuitive to set up, and was well documented.

And in case you think I'm talking out my arse, check my posts and you'll find I'm one of the most helpful people here.  Why don't you contribute something instead of just criticizing others who aren't bowing down to your demands quickly enough?

Your right, no one owes me anything.  It was my opinion.  You are just typical and attack someone with out knowing anything about the person.  FYI, I work for DHS and make nice money, it was my opinion you have yours, who is more mature you or me.  I didn

[markrvp]

This is a great website which is why I am offended when people like you who don't contribute anything come in and slam the people who do actually contribute. 

On a side note, comparing apps and hardware is apples and oranges...  Yes, andy does create things for mame, but because there is a physical component involved in the cost besides labor, it changes things just due to the nature of the product. While I'm not knocking the time and effort you've put into your software, comparing your software to hardware is kinda silly and out of place.

Another ignorant statement.  Both Tom's software and Andy's hardware are facilitating the use of MAME.  Neither is necessary to use the software, but both make its use more enjoyable.  Believing software has no value because you can't hold it in your hands is what is silly and out of place.


I know the anonymity of the internet emboldens people to say things in threads that they would be too cowardly to say face-to-face, but the lack of class you guys are showing by knocking Tom for giving the option to donate is beyond belief.

Here is a good general rule in life and specifically for this forum.  If you don't have something nice to say then STFU!

[Goz]

Is it a coincidence that the ones that are crying the loudest about Tom's software are n00bs? They both have 50 posts or so and think the world should be free and then believe they are the ones who are being attacked. This train of thought is common more and more amongst todays youth. I don't know if these people are are young or old and frankly don't really care. Just because you don't believe something is of use enough to you to warrant the nag screen doesn't mean that you should crap on someomes product or are required to post your opinion.

I have machines running Mamewah and GameEx and they are both excellent software packages but Tom by far is the most responsive to requests and bug fixes. Not a slam on Minwah but rather a praise for Tom. It is hard damn work doing what the FE developers do and to have passion and continue to move forward with a vision takes a real set of balls and determination.

With that said... This thread should be locked or the negative comments including this one removed.

-Goz

[brophog]

With that said... This thread should be locked or the negative comments including this one removed.

Just lock it. No need for censorship.

[LJHalfbreed]

On a side note, comparing apps and hardware is apples and oranges...  Yes, andy does create things for mame, but because there is a physical component involved in the cost besides labor, it changes things just due to the nature of the product. While I'm not knocking the time and effort you've put into your software, comparing your software to hardware is kinda silly and out of place.

Another ignorant statement.  Both Tom's software and Andy's hardware are facilitating the use of MAME.  Neither is necessary to use the software, but both make its use more enjoyable.  Believing software has no value because you can't hold it in your hands is what is silly and out of place.

Actually, I never said that, nor did I imply that. Hardware implies that you need physical components, access to those components, and the ability to get those components put together the way you need them to. Software (or, if you prefer, Intellectual Property) indeed *does* have value, but comparing it to hardware (Physical Property) does not hold up, for multiple reasons, and if you need more info on the subject, just google up some pages containing Intellecutal property, MPAA/RIAA/**AA, DRM, and similar.

Read up on it, and you'll see why I think it's foolish to compare the two.

It's an ok software, but there are problems with it that I voiced, and reasons why I believe some things shouldn't be the way they are on said software. I'm just voicing my opinion (or review, if you will). Sorry if you think it needs to be censored.... Perhaps if I gave it a rave review would be better? 

[Brad]

Is it a coincidence that the ones that are crying the loudest about Tom's software are n00bs? They both have 50 posts or so and think the world should be free and then believe they are the ones who are being attacked.

With that said... This thread should be locked or the negative comments including this one removed.

-Goz

It's also a common misconception that anyone with thousands of post counts MUST know vastly more than someone with 50 or less and that anyone with a post count less than 2000 is obviously a fool Afterall massive post counts equates to the combined IQ of the whole world! 

Other than that I would agree in that this thread should probably be locked. I wouldn't censor it though.

Brad

[Goz]

Brad you miss the point entirely but this is not about a flaming low posters. I don't harbor anything against you as you've been arround for years and only have 120+ posts. My post count is above 2000 as most of my posts are helping others... but i digress. I should have said 50 posts and most of them not benefiting the community.

[Goz]

This thread should be in EE as the direction has gone from a praise to flame.