Author Topic: Which FrontEnd do you use? (Read 18467 times)

Havok · « **on:** September 29, 2006, 07:43:39 am »

There are always questions on which FrontEnd is "best" so to get an idea of which are the most popular here, let us know! These are from the wiki, so let me know if I missed any...

Also, please drop a comment about why you choose which one you did.

Hoopz · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2006, 08:17:21 am »

I use registered GameEx. Not sure if you should have a spot for registered v. the nag screen version...

Good poll though.

jfunk · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2006, 08:29:14 am »

You should let us choose multiples.. I've got MAMEWah running on my main cab, but am currently building a classics cab that'll be running AdvanceMenu in DOS... So...

Havok · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:03:01 am »

Quote from: HooPZ on September 29, 2006, 08:17:21 am

I use registered GameEx. Not sure if you should have a spot for registered v. the nag screen version...

Good poll though.

I'd rather combine, just to get an easy to see number of GameEx users. Good idea. Perhaps another poll?

Quote from: jfunk on September 29, 2006, 08:29:14 am

You should let us choose multiples.. I've got MAMEWah running on my main cab, but am currently building a classics cab that'll be running AdvanceMenu in DOS... So...

Good idea - however looks like I can't add the multiple option once the poll starts. So, I guess you can vote your "favorite" ?

I think it will be interesting to see the results...

Buddabing · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:39:30 am »

If possible, please make an addition to your poll and request comments for why they use the front end they use.

And I don't see any option for "All of them".

severdhed · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2006, 11:49:46 am »

I use MALA because it seemed easier to get running than mamewah and some others, plus it lets me fully customize my experience.

Havok · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2006, 11:55:39 am »

Quote from: Buddabing on September 29, 2006, 10:39:30 am

If possible, please make an addition to your poll and request comments for why they use the front end they use.

And I don't see any option for "All of them".

Excellent idea - added..

I didn't give an option for all, since nobody uses Dragon King..

j/k Howard!

katuuuz · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2006, 01:20:58 pm »

GAME EX IS THE BEST HANDS DOWN.

MustardTent · « **Reply #8 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:21:27 pm »

Why do I use mameWah?

To be honest, the only two frontends I've tried are mameWah and Mame32's GUI. I have been using mameWah for a few years (2), and it does everything that I want it to. It's stable, and even though config was difficult in the past, I'd say that it is now much easier with the new config directory structure.

So, the main reaons I'm still using mameWah is that it works (and works well), I have it configured perfectly for my cab, and I haven't seen anything else that wows me enough to try to learn a whole new system.

Maybe I'm just too lazy.

Goz · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:51:06 pm »

GameEx... Why GameEx you ask? Ease of configuration and I only play emulated games in my Home Theater via MCE2005. The animated themes are well done too.

-G

epic69 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2006, 03:18:33 pm »

GameEx in my newest mame machine, ArcadeOS in the others. GameEx becaues it rocks as a jukebox, karaoke, emulators, sorting, etc... ArcadeOS because its the most rock solid way to set up classic mame machines for kids.

Congui · « **Reply #11 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:23:02 pm »

Quote from: MustardTent on September 29, 2006, 02:21:27 pm

Why do I use mameWah?

To be honest, the only two frontends I've tried are mameWah and Mame32's GUI. I have been using mameWah for a few years (2), and it does everything that I want it to. It's stable, and even though config was difficult in the past, I'd say that it is now much easier with the new config directory structure.

So, the main reaons I'm still using mameWah is that it works (and works well), I have it configured perfectly for my cab, and I haven't seen anything else that wows me enough to try to learn a whole new system.

Maybe I'm just too lazy.

Same here. Actually just migrated from v1.61 to v1.62b12, and really love the individual game ini option (finally can get pong, galagads and galaga84 running along with the other games, as if all of them belonged to the same rom set).

Cheers,

Congui

BamBam · « **Reply #12 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:42:26 pm »

Quote from: severdhed on September 29, 2006, 11:49:46 am

I use MALA because it seemed easier to get running than mamewah and some others, plus it lets me fully customize my experience.

Ditto!

loadman · « **Reply #13 on:** September 29, 2006, 05:37:23 pm »

I used to use 'command prompt',

Then I used 'batch file'

OK Where was I?

I accept and understand that GameEX is a great and popular FE but something does not sit right with me that it is compared in this list with FE's that don't have financial backing other than donations.

Anyway

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 29, 2006, 05:50:21 pm »

Gameex, because it was simple to setup, had support for all the emulators that I wanted, and had a professional look to it that I felt other fe's lacked. Also the great community it has behind it.

gonzobrian · « **Reply #15 on:** September 29, 2006, 06:52:42 pm »

AtomicFE, hands down. Awesome support from its author! A developer who is willing to listen to the request of the users and constantly make improvements to the front end. Stunning animated layouts. Support for every arcade and console system most have ever heard of. It

daywane · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:44:26 pm »

Quote from: BamBam on September 29, 2006, 04:42:26 pm

Quote from: severdhed on September 29, 2006, 11:49:46 am
I use MALA because it seemed easier to get running than mamewah and some others, plus it lets me fully customize my experience.

Ditto!

That's why I use Atomic FE
I jumped on it when atomic was brought to BYOAC
others I tried were To hard to set up. Atomic comes in and boom I had a nice screen,
Mame 32, and real crappy sound... I asked about it... ( the sound) the author got back with in minutes and explained it was a demo sound and showed me how to replace the mp3

all others were to hard to set up for me.
I have noticed the farther along any frontend gets the harder it gets to set up...
( but that is because the extras we ask the Fe to do)

not to take any fame from mamewah his is #2 for me
its like the dummies books VS idiots books
Dummies is more simple ...... idiots books are more advanced
I can use the dummies books... most isiots books are more advanced than I wish to go

Nologic · « **Reply #17 on:** September 30, 2006, 12:23:28 am »

I use GameEx currently, and originally MameWah.

I feel both are very nice and worth a try...tho GameEx far out does MameWah when it comes to features.

If your doing a cab...I feel its a toss up between the two....if your doing a media PC...there is only one choose and thats GameEx.

Timoe · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2006, 11:32:24 am »

I like MaLa because you can do some neat things with the layouts that I have not seen in any other FE. If you are a great graphic artist or you can find help from someone who is, MaLa can look very slick.

Also the easy LED support was a feature that I had to have.

The built in jukebox is also nice.

Raitsa · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2006, 12:29:18 pm »

I am quite new to all this and GameEx seems to be the one for me: direct support from the author, steady row of upgrades based on feedback/wishes from users, great helpful community of enthusiasts.

gamecreature · « **Reply #20 on:** September 30, 2006, 12:44:10 pm »

Tastes great! Less filling!

But seriously, I don't think it's fair to judge an FE based on its popularity. Everyone has different needs and each FE has features that appeals to different users. It doesn't take anything but a little bit of your time to try the FE's that appeal to you and see which one you like the best.

jelwell · « **Reply #21 on:** September 30, 2006, 05:00:12 pm »

I'm using MAMEWAH but I'm seriously considering switching to MALA. I ran into a problem, on a friend's cabinet, with MAMEWAH that I could not get around so I put MALA on his machine - and I was amazed at the simplicity.
Joseph Elwell.

tx_trinity · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2006, 08:09:14 pm »

Gamex is my personal favourite.

lingpanda · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2006, 12:19:27 am »

GameEx! Very easy to config the FE. The interface is cab friendly. Support for many emulators not just mame. Still in active development. Great community. Capable of creating custom layouts via. Theme Editor.

Buddabing · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2006, 11:04:51 am »

BTW, please don't accuse Tom of shilling. Someone (not Tom) posted a message on his forums asking people to vote in this poll.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2006, 03:10:40 pm »

Also there's another issue regardling how valid this poll is going to turn out, namely time.

Once the average joe gets their arcade cab setup we never hear from them again unless they run into problems, so obviously the very old fes aren't going to get as many votes. I know a lot of people with afx on their (now ancient) mame cabs and it's still chugging away.

screaming · « **Reply #26 on:** October 01, 2006, 04:36:57 pm »

I imagine what this poll is trying to point out is the latest favorite, not the number of users dedicated to one front end. That's why they keep popping up from time to time.

headkaze · « **Reply #27 on:** October 01, 2006, 05:38:09 pm »

Quote from: Buddabing on October 01, 2006, 11:04:51 am

BTW, please don't accuse Tom of shilling. Someone (not Tom) posted a message on his forums asking people to vote in this poll.

I made that post, and so what? The GameEx community is on the GameEx forums, not here, so I wanted the poll to be fair. FE's that don't have their own support forums get more traffic from their users here because that is where they get their support.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #28 on:** October 01, 2006, 06:15:41 pm »

Quote from: headkaze on October 01, 2006, 05:38:09 pm

Quote from: Buddabing on October 01, 2006, 11:04:51 am
BTW, please don't accuse Tom of shilling. Someone (not Tom) posted a message on his forums asking people to vote in this poll.

I made that post, and so what? The GameEx community is on the GameEx forums, not here, so I wanted the poll to be fair. FE's that don't have their own support forums get more traffic from their users here because that is where they get their support.

Well the question is, why would you care? I pitty anoyone who would actually look at the results to this poll and make a decision based on it.

Try em you idgits!

headkaze · « **Reply #29 on:** October 01, 2006, 06:23:05 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on October 01, 2006, 06:15:41 pm

Quote from: headkaze on October 01, 2006, 05:38:09 pm
Quote from: Buddabing on October 01, 2006, 11:04:51 am
BTW, please don't accuse Tom of shilling. Someone (not Tom) posted a message on his forums asking people to vote in this poll.

I made that post, and so what? The GameEx community is on the GameEx forums, not here, so I wanted the poll to be fair. FE's that don't have their own support forums get more traffic from their users here because that is where they get their support.

Well the question is, why would you care? I pitty anoyone who would actually look at the results to this poll and make a decision based on it.

Try em you idgits!

It's just a bit of fun, but yeah don't take the poll too seriously everyone. All FE's have their good points about them. There are some FE's that may not get as much traffic here as some of the more modern or more active FE's so it's not ever going to be very accurate.

Havok · « **Reply #30 on:** October 02, 2006, 07:09:51 am »

Haha - I was wondering what was up with the GameEx votes: they all just seemed to come in around the same time, and overwhelmingly so. Looks like we've got a mini cult going on here!

Just don't drink the KoolAid if Headkaze says so though...

Texasmame · « **Reply #31 on:** October 02, 2006, 01:27:36 pm »

MAME32 for Girlcab. Just wanted something easy for the primary users and MAME32 is pretty straight-forward.

I'll be using a different front end for MY cab, tho. One that can run MAME plus 2600, 5200, NES, Coleco, etc. emulators. Haven't researched enough yet to decide. . .

Havok · « **Reply #32 on:** October 02, 2006, 03:02:09 pm »

Quote from: Texasmame on October 02, 2006, 01:27:36 pm

MAME32 for Girlcab. Just wanted something easy for the primary users and MAME32 is pretty straight-forward.

I'll be using a different front end for MY cab, tho. One that can run MAME plus 2600, 5200, NES, Coleco, etc. emulators. Haven't researched enough yet to decide. . .

I would suggest Atomic for your cab - with all the plug and play modules you've got the emulators already setup to work...

Texasmame · « **Reply #33 on:** October 02, 2006, 03:19:30 pm »

Just checked out Atomic's site. Looks like you have to use THEIR modules. Problem with that is in the file extensions. All my 2600 ROMs are BIN files, IIRC. I'd have to rename them LNK or whatever they required for their module.

lingpanda · « **Reply #34 on:** October 02, 2006, 04:33:22 pm »

Quote from: Texasmame on October 02, 2006, 01:27:36 pm

MAME32 for Girlcab. Just wanted something easy for the primary users and MAME32 is pretty straight-forward.

I'll be using a different front end for MY cab, tho. One that can run MAME plus 2600, 5200, NES, Coleco, etc. emulators. Haven't researched enough yet to decide. . .

Looks like a job for GameEx. With it's new install wizard. Setting up a FE has never been so simple.

gamecreature · « **Reply #35 on:** October 02, 2006, 04:43:15 pm »

Like I said, try them all, it won't cost you anything. I use MaLa - here's a handy guide to setting it up: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=56010.0

I find Mame32 a little difficult to use with an arcade keyboard. Assuming that you don't expect your users to "get under the hood" with your machine, just about any FE will work fine - ease of use is what they're all about. It's the set up that can be a pain sometimes.

Texasmame · « **Reply #36 on:** October 02, 2006, 05:32:32 pm »

Quote from: gamecreature on October 02, 2006, 04:43:15 pm

Like I said, try them all, it won't cost you anything. I use MaLa - here's a handy guide to setting it up: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=56010.0

I find Mame32 a little difficult to use with an arcade keyboard. Assuming that you don't expect your users to "get under the hood" with your machine, just about any FE will work fine - ease of use is what they're all about. It's the set up that can be a pain sometimes.

It is a bit "minimalist." Still, they don't go "under the hood" at all - they want strictly plug-n-play. I'm the plugger and they are the players.

Texasmame · « **Reply #37 on:** October 02, 2006, 06:11:05 pm »

Quote from: lingpanda on October 02, 2006, 04:33:22 pm

Quote from: Texasmame on October 02, 2006, 01:27:36 pm
MAME32 for Girlcab. Just wanted something easy for the primary users and MAME32 is pretty straight-forward.

I'll be using a different front end for MY cab, tho. One that can run MAME plus 2600, 5200, NES, Coleco, etc. emulators. Haven't researched enough yet to decide. . .

Looks like a job for GameEx. With it's new install wizard. Setting up a FE has never been so simple.

Looks promising. When I get back to my DSL hookup, I'll download the vid. Looks are a bit vanilla, I suppose, but if it works, it's okay by me.

gamecreature · « **Reply #38 on:** October 02, 2006, 07:51:24 pm »

Quote from: Texasmame on October 02, 2006, 05:32:32 pm

It is a bit "minimalist." Still, they don't go "under the hood" at all - they want strictly plug-n-play. I'm the plugger and they are the players.

My 13-year-old and his friends have no trouble at all with my MaLa set-up. I suspect your family wouldn't have any problems with any FE on that cab. Try a few and get their feedback.

Havok · « **Reply #39 on:** October 02, 2006, 10:41:33 pm »

Quote from: Texasmame on October 02, 2006, 03:19:30 pm

Just checked out Atomic's site. Looks like you have to use THEIR modules. Problem with that is in the file extensions. All my 2600 ROMs are BIN files, IIRC. I'd have to rename them LNK or whatever they required for their module.

Use the multisystem_angelscry.exe - it emulates the 7800, which can run 2600 .bin images...


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Poll

Which FrontEnd are you using currently?

Author Topic: Which FrontEnd do you use? (Read 18467 times)