Lemon Launcher.....

[Jakobud]

http://lemonlauncher.sourceforge.net/

Interesting new Linux Frontend that is based off of Game Launcher.  This thing has submenu's though....

Has anyone here run Mame a lot in both Linux and Windows and could comment on the performance differences?

[Howard_Casto]

I only ran it on linux for a short time but here is what I found.... (your mileage may vary in other words)  

Linux is the equivelent of running mame in dos.  Although linux has a much smaller footprint than windows it seems to not take advantage of hardware (read video card, not memory ect...)  and thus some of the newer 3d games actually perform worse on linux.  From what I could tell though, the simple raster games seemed to run more smoothly in linux.  But then again you don't have those nice options like hardware stretch so that may be the added performance boost right there.  

Also one of the main problems with linux in general is getting your video card to work right in it.  Some of the resolutions I could use in windows weren't available in linux.  

But the real problem I have with linux is there simply isn't any software for it in terms of emulation.  There are plenty of emulators, but no "non windozy" front ends to drive them.  Nor are there rom managment tools, or other useful helper devices.  

So long story short I would stay stick with windows as you have more choices, but linux will run mame just fine.  It's definately not as limited as dos, but hardware support seems to still be touchy.  

[SirPoonga]

I only ran it on linux for a short time but here is what I found.... (your Linux is the equivelent of running mame in dos.  Although linux has a much smaller footprint than windows it seems to not take advantage of hardware (read video card, not memory ect...)  and thus some of the newer 3d games actually perform worse on linux.  From what I could tell though, the simple raster games seemed to run more smoothly in linux.  But then again you don't have those nice options like hardware stretch so that may be the added performance boost right there.  

Well, sorta true.  But we are talking mame here, not 3d games:)

Also one of the main problems with linux in general is getting your video card to work right in it.  Some of the resolutions I could use in windows weren't available in linux.

Note anymore.  And as long as you have a popular card there should be absolutely no problems.

But the real problem I have with linux is there simply isn't any software for it in terms of emulation.  There are plenty of emulators, but no "non windozy" front ends to drive them.  Nor are there rom managment tools, or other useful helper devices.  

True, but again, he's just asking about mame:)


There isn't going to be much of a performance difference.  I'd still stick with windows for an arcade cabient due to many factors.  One, mame is always many many versions behind on linux.  Two, you better know what you are doing.

I love linux, but it definately isn't for someone who doesn't like fooling around with computers.