Recent developments...

[Minwah]

Hello all,

As some of you may have noticed I have been a bit quiet lately...I've moved house and been spending most my time restoring my mini, and working on my musical interests...

Anyway, I haven't been living under the same roof as my cabinet for nearly 14 months now, and I miss the old girl.  In the next few weeks I hope to dismantle it and transport it over to my new place.  Not looking forward to that part too much, but am looking forward to firing it up again!  I thought I might upgrade to latest MAME etc. while I'm at it...I think the version on it is 0.99 or thereabouts.

I was wondering if I have missed much since ~0.99?    I'm aware of a few things like save states and I followed some of Derrick Renaud's great work on the input stuff.  Without trawling through the whatsnew's, what I really want to know is whether there are many old games which have been fixed or added.  Or any other nice features I have missed?

I see there have been some interesting hardware developments and new products too, although I am trying to ignore those somewhat as my mini has been doing a good job at emptying my pockets 

[Fozzy The Bear]

I was wondering if I have missed much since ~0.99?    I'm aware of a few things like save states and I followed some of Derrick Renaud's great work on the input stuff.  Without trawling through the whatsnew's, what I really want to know is whether there are many old games which have been fixed or added.  Or any other nice features I have missed?

Yes... They added a wonderfull slow motion mode. 

I think you're going to disappointed with the newer versions. anything beyond .112 is bogged down on even the fastest hardware. For those of us who want to run games and not archive or examine code, the newer versions are not great.

The entire code has been made more module based. Which does make it easy to take it to pieces though. I've been compiling my own versions for specific groups of games and ripping out all the stuff that isn't needed for those games. Which kind of improves matters slightly on the speed front.

The new structure makes it much easier to bolt stuff in there. But at the very detrimental expense of the speed.

On the hardware front.... yes Groovy Game Gear have been knocking out some wonderful new bits. You're going to have to send that Mini to the crusher!! LOL 

One request would be some full documentation for the current version of Mamewah please......

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear) 

[FrizzleFried]

...and the source....

 

[Minwah]

I think you're going to disappointed with the newer versions. anything beyond .112 is bogged down on even the fastest hardware. For those of us who want to run games and not archive or examine code, the newer versions are not great.

OK thanks...any games particularly hard hit by this?  I'm not too bothered about the typically difficult to run games (3d, chd etc).

One request would be some full documentation for the current version of Mamewah please......

Yeah I must get to that...I have a feeling I will be ironing out a few bugs when I put it on my cabinet.  I will try to get it done for a 'final' release, as I don't plan to do much more coding for a while...

[Minwah]

...and the source....

We shall see

[Fozzy The Bear]

OK thanks...any games particularly hard hit by this?  I'm not too bothered about the typically difficult to run games (3d, chd etc).

Yeah.... The Neo-Geo stuff is pretty much ruined by it as is anything from the 90's really. Then again I run Neo-Geo in NeorageX 5.0 anyway, so that rather cures that problem. They run at full speed in there even on a very slow machine.

Even the 80's classics are slowed down by the new versions of Mame..... lower frame rates, sound stuttering etc etc.... Personally I think that the Mame Devs need to remember why the software is so popular and gets the support that it does. We all know it ain't because it's there to preserve the history!!  and personally I don't want to be waiting around for 5 years so that the PC spec can catch up with the overbloated software.

I'm of the opinion that Mame is actually starting to fall into the same trap as Microsoft Windows, with excessive overbloat and significantly worse performance as a result.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Minwah]

Yeah.... The Neo-Geo stuff is pretty much ruined by it as is anything from the 90's really. Then again I run Neo-Geo in NeorageX 5.0 anyway, so that rather cures that problem. They run at full speed in there even on a very slow machine.

Even the 80's classics are slowed down by the new versions of Mame..... lower frame rates, sound stuttering etc etc....

Do you get these problems?  What spec PC?

So is there anything positive to say about the recent versions?

[Fozzy The Bear]

Do you get these problems?  What spec PC?
So is there anything positive to say about the recent versions?

Take a look round the forum.... nearly everbody gets these problems, with the newer versions. I run it on two machines, a P4 at 1.5Ghz and a newer 3.8Ghz Machine.  Both suffer speed problems that go away when you drop back a few releases.

Anything positive to say.... Yes, they're way better on control interfaces, trackball and guns.... The new rendering system is nice but a bit pointless until they impliment the newer drivers, because it's mostly that causing the slowdown. A few more games run on it, although they also demoted a few games to not working.   So on balance some good stuff, but for games players it's outweighed by the downsides.

Other good things to say.... I still love the way MameWah interfaces so neatly with it. Although that said there are a lot of new commands in Mame and a lot of things have changed about the command line structure.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[juggle50]

I'm just about to upgrade from .80 to 113.  I think the new video features are HUGE for cocktail users.  I can rotate really easily on the fly (sometimes I'll play 4:3 game on vertical orientation and sometimes in horizontal) Also, the mirror mode is awesome for us cocktail guys.

Fozzy, is there a version between 107 and 113 that you really like with the new video features but without the slowdowns?  I'm just about to upgrade my comp from Athalon 2400 to 5300 dual core.

Don't mean to hijack this thread.

[Fozzy The Bear]

I'm just about to upgrade my comp from Athalon 2400 to 5300 dual core.

If you're going with that much power then the latest version may well run fine for you. It'll certainly run almost everything.... probably most of the CHD's will be passable as well.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[DrewKaree]

Need help setting up MameWah?

[Minwah]

Other good things to say.... I still love the way MameWah interfaces so neatly with it. Although that said there are a lot of new commands in Mame and a lot of things have changed about the command line structure.

Thanks   I could be wrong but I think the commandline stuff doesn't really affect Mamewah (nor other FE's presumably), as commandline switches can be user specified, or preferably just use mame.ini.

I may just go with Mame v0.107 then, as I think that is the latest version I have romsets for.  I may upgrade after that to v0.112 or so, if there are any useful additions (I'm thinking of Derricks mouse stuff really).

[Minwah]

Need help setting up MameWah?

I am getting a bit rusty I must admit

[RobotronNut]

i'm not enough of a mame enthusiast to wade through the constant stream of details posted by the mamedevs. it would be great if someone would create an "executive summary" of each release. also, i'd prefer if changes in which games are supported were separated from changes in the basic functions of the core program.

does anyone know if such a "digest" exists? i've done a little bit of searching and haven't found one. if there is none, the byoac wiki might be a good home for it.

[shorthair]

I'm surprised they still use notepad format for such documents.  They SUCK scroll-wheeling through, as well as being able to be infinitely long-lined.

[Kremmit]

I'm surprised they still use notepad format for such documents.  They SUCK scroll-wheeling through, as well as being able to be infinitely long-lined.

 

Dude, you can open a .txt file in any word processor you like, take your choice.  You don't have to use Notepad.  Also, if you look in the "Format" menu on Notepad, you can turn WordWrap on, so that the long line problem goes away.

[shorthair]

Actually, I've converted some notepad files to wordpad and they don't work in Mame, then.  And, since you can turn on 'wrap' (I do remember this), how come people aren't using it?!...like, nobody, it seems.

[leapinlew]

Actually, I've converted some notepad files to wordpad and they don't work in Mame, then.  And, since you can turn on 'wrap' (I do remember this), how come people aren't using it?!...like, nobody, it seems.

....

[Fozzy The Bear]

Actually, I've converted some notepad files to wordpad and they don't work in Mame, then.  And, since you can turn on 'wrap' (I do remember this), how come people aren't using it?!...like, nobody, it seems.

 

You turn on word wrap on YOUR machine.... A text file does not contain formatting information, the writer of the file CAN'T turn on word wrap for you. It's a plain text file, with line pragraph breaks, NOT a work processor document that can store formatting.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[shorthair]

HAHAHAHAHAHAH.  Well, to me, it'd make sense to have some kind of formatting in the document, and for things like Mame to be able to recognise it, so any kind of viewing/editing of these documents is friendly.  I mean, to have to continually scroll sideways....then down, to read things is ludicrous.

[Kremmit]

Dude, you just don't get it.  YOU tell YOUR personal copy of NOTEPAD to turn on wordwrap.  MAME doesn't know or care if you do this.  If, on the other hand, you insist on using some other software so that you can add formatting, and it converts the file to some format other than plain .txt, then MAME won't like it, and that's your fault, not MAME's.

They use plain, no formatting .txt for compatiblility, and stability.  Anything that can run MAME can read and write it- Notepad, Word, Claris Works, Linux stuff, Unix stuff, my cellphone, EVERYTHING.  Any other format will give some user somewhere trouble.  Also, most other formats keep getting updated when a new version of the software comes out.  How much trouble would it cause if they used Microsoft Word? Microsoft comes out with different versions of that every couple years, and the file format changes, every stinking time.   Get a new copy of office, edit your MAME config, and BAM!  MAME no worky.

[leapinlew]

Dude, you just don't get it.  YOU tell YOUR personal copy of NOTEPAD to turn on wordwrap.  MAME doesn't know or care if you do this.  If, on the other hand, you insist on using some other software so that you can add formatting, and it converts the file to some format other than plain .txt, then MAME won't like it, and that's your fault, not MAME's.

They use plain, no formatting .txt for compatiblility, and stability.  Anything that can run MAME can read and write it- Notepad, Word, Claris Works, Linux stuff, Unix stuff, my cellphone, EVERYTHING.  Any other format will give some user somewhere trouble.  Also, most other formats keep getting updated when a new version of the software comes out.  How much trouble would it cause if they used Microsoft Word? Microsoft comes out with different versions of that every couple years, and the file format changes, every stinking time.   Get a new copy of office, edit your MAME config, and BAM!  MAME no worky.

 

[shorthair]

I undestand. Yet, there are cases like Atomic, where the cfg is wordpad.  I mean, at least for docs, readme's, and help files, I think wordpad would be good, even if just set as txt documents cos you can use the scroll wheel without it going - WHOOSH....WHOOSH, top to bottom. A small thing, maybe...maybe I'm one of the few who doesn't want to have to hover the mouse arrow over the side scroll bar, or wait for it to scroll slowly by pressing the up/down arrows on the bar. In any case, I'm not at all bitching, just mentioning. As for the compatibility/stability issue, that's a totally different discussion, for a different place....but I will say, it does seem one reason Linux is big in some people's minds.

[CheffoJeffo]

No, I don't think you do ... you are mixing applications and formats as if they were the same thing. 

Ever thought of a Mac ?

[pointdablame]

I undestand. Yet, there are cases like Atomic, where the cfg is wordpad.  I mean, at least for docs, readme's, and help files, I think wordpad would be good, even if just set as txt documents cos you can use the scroll wheel without it going - WHOOSH....WHOOSH, top to bottom. A small thing, maybe...maybe I'm one of the few who doesn't want to have to hover the mouse arrow over the side scroll bar, or wait for it to scroll slowly by pressing the up/down arrows on the bar. In any case, I'm not at all bitching, just mentioning. As for the compatibility/stability issue, that's a totally different discussion, for a different place....but I will say, it does seem one reason Linux is big in some people's minds.

your cfg files are set to wordpad ON YOUR MACHINE.  Just like txt files dont have word wrap on ON YOUR MACHINE.  It is not a standard for the format.  Txt files are ubiquitous and will not be going away anytime soon, and for good reason.  It is for compatibility as mentioned.  You have set your system up in a way that opens certain files with certain programs.  You can change that if you'd like.  You can make txt files open up in wordpad all the time if you want.  It's not hard... and it has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FORMAT.  Its based on your individual PC.

Seriously...just walk away from your PC.  You're probably going to blow your mind when you realize .jpgs are not "Photoshop Files" and .avi files are not "Windows Media Player files"

[DrewKaree]

I undestand.

Really?  Understand?  As a wise man attempted to put it so nicely "I do not  think that word means what you think it means".

Dude, you don't have a CLUE what Kremmit is talking about.  Those airplane whooshing sounds you keep hearing?  That's his point going RIGHT OVER your head.  Kremmit laid out what should be a PC novice user's primer on how files are used by programs.  Everyone AND their mom are now acutely aware of the inarguable fact that you indeed, DO NOT UNDERSTAND!

The following words are not uttered by someone who DOES, in fact, understand:

Yet, there are cases like Atomic, where the cfg is wordpad.

A wise saying many (myself included) tend to ignore:  Better to have the world think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

You clearly DON'T understand, and this is becoming hilarious! 

Take your computer in to Best Buy, tell them what your issue with .txt files are, and the Geek Squad will be fix your problems for you.  POSSIBLY while you wait or shop around in the store  

Shouldn't cost you more than $50, but for YOU, it's money well spent

[shorthair]

Heheheheheeh.  Mmmm, I forgot that if you set one file to a certain format, all of the same everywhere will be affected.   Fool is a strong word (and one I don't use). No worries, though.  Thanks for the instruction.

[ark_ader]

I undestand.

Really?  Understand?  As a wise man attempted to put it so nicely "I do not  think that word means what you think it means".

Dude, you don't have a CLUE what Kremmit is talking about.  Those airplane whooshing sounds you keep hearing?  That's his point going RIGHT OVER your head.  Kremmit laid out what should be a PC novice user's primer on how files are used by programs.  Everyone AND their mom are now acutely aware of the inarguable fact that you indeed, DO NOT UNDERSTAND!

The following words are not uttered by someone who DOES, in fact, understand:

Yet, there are cases like Atomic, where the cfg is wordpad.

A wise saying many (myself included) tend to ignore:  Better to have the world think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

You clearly DON'T understand, and this is becoming hilarious! 

Take your computer in to Best Buy, tell them what your issue with .txt files are, and the Geek Squad will be fix your problems for you.  POSSIBLY while you wait or shop around in the store  

Shouldn't cost you more than $50, but for YOU, it's money well spent

I've must have read that twice Drew and I cannot for the life of me find anything funny.

We all start somewhere Drew, give the guy a break.

[DrewKaree]

We all start somewhere Drew, give the guy a break.

When complaining about what others' hard work gets for you, for FREE, perhaps.  When it's explained to you in terms a 5-year old should be able to figure out, it's stretching a bit.  To then come back, demonstrate that not only did you NOT understand, but you're going to prove just how much you didn't understand, then I'll let you give him all the breaks in the world.  Myself, not so much.  He didn't get it, tried to play it off like he did, then tried to prove his original point with something that demonstrated that he couldn't grasp Kremmit's 5-year old example.

I'll give him a break when he doesn't try to pawn himself off as Ari-fricken-stotle in other threads (yet can't pick up on the basics of file formats).  Argue your point with the MAME devs, they seem to be the one he has issues with.  Perhaps they'll "give him a break" and make everything in formats his PC is configured for   As for me, when someone gives me pointers, I'm not too proud to say "huh?" instead of trying to prove they're wrong after I've claimed to know and comprehend what they're talking about.

Also, if he hasn't been here under another screen name, I'll eat my hat.  I can't remember if he was chased out after his behavior last time and he figured changing his name would give him a fresh start, or if he ditched his old account hoping no one would notice.

[FrizzleFried]

I undestand. Yet, there are cases like Atomic, where the cfg is wordpad.  I mean, at least for docs, readme's, and help files, I think wordpad would be good, even if just set as txt documents cos you can use the scroll wheel without it going - WHOOSH....WHOOSH, top to bottom. A small thing, maybe...maybe I'm one of the few who doesn't want to have to hover the mouse arrow over the side scroll bar, or wait for it to scroll slowly by pressing the up/down arrows on the bar. In any case, I'm not at all bitching, just mentioning. As for the compatibility/stability issue, that's a totally different discussion, for a different place....but I will say, it does seem one reason Linux is big in some people's minds.

Dude...open mame.ini (or any txt, cfg, ini, etc. file that is in standard NON-FORMATTED text file format) in NOTEPAD.  Go up to where it says "FORMAT" across the bar at the top.  Click.  See where it says "WORD WRAP"?  Make sure there is a check mark next to it.  If it doesn't,  click on it and a check mark will appear.  You  no longer have to scroll to the right or left.  It's magic.

[FrizzleFried]

've must have read that twice Drew and I cannot for the life of me find anything funny.

We all start somewhere Drew, give the guy a break.

...I found it mildly amusing.

Especially the Best Buy part.

...but I have a strange sense of humor.

[Fozzy The Bear]

've must have read that twice Drew and I cannot for the life of me find anything funny.

We all start somewhere Drew, give the guy a break.

...I found it mildly amusing.

Especially the Best Buy part.

...but I have a strange sense of humor.

I found it very amusing.... But then again I love Drew's dry sense of humour and sardonic wit.

The thing I'm really wondering though is how the heck Shorthair is managing to run Mame at all when he hasn't even wraped his head round the basics of his own computer???

Shorthair DUDE!! You need to get yourself some basic computer training. I'm sure your local community college will have some basic computer courses for not much charge. TAKE THEM!! It'll save you a load of money in the long run and stop you from looking like a Total AssHat in here. Just some friendly advice Dude!!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[u_rebelscum]

... you are mixing applications and formats as if they were the same thing. 

Sadly, far too many people think file format = application file.  It's more a learned thing thing though:  Windows backs up the view with its "File Types" in the Folder Options.  Almost all manufactures promotes the same; Adobe calles files "Adobe Acrobat file" instead of "pdf file" with the dozen+ non-adobe pdf readers that do the same as Acrobat Reader.   

Some people don't know how to right click; or don't know how to use the tab and enter keys to "navigate & click buttons"; or don't know the difference between a mouse, a mouse pointer, and a cursor.  These are, however, more "not-taught" non-know hows".  [shrug] 

My two cents on the un-knowledge of average PC users.


FWIW, personally I use TextPad instead of notepad, writepad or other text editor to edit text files (*.txt, *.c, *.h, *.mak and other stuff like *.html or *.xml when I want to see as text).  My brother uses EMACS.

[shorthair]

Thanks am.  I'm not phased by the general ego of males, and the inherent expectations of people. (Does that sound familiar, Drew? An evolution, and a physical move is the case.) I, as always, state my mind. This, in various ways challenges others emotionally. I don't fault them for it, I just do my thing. Of course - as you may, folks - feel free to continue this thread along these lines in whatever way is compelling.  As for me, as I've gotten the information I requested, I'm finished with it.

(Edit: some hours ago, I was roaming around - like, physically - and recalled that I referred to ark_arder as am.  Sorry for the error.)

[DrewKaree]

FWIW, personally I use TextPad

I'm throwing my vote at Notepad+

Because it's got wrap down pat 

[danny_galaga]

Thanks am.  I'm not phased...

this is NOT true. you are NOT 'not PHASED'. you are 'not FAZED'

everyone as you were. spelling police. nothing to see here...

[danny_galaga]

Hello all,

As some of you may have noticed I have been a bit quiet lately...I've moved house and been spending most my time restoring my mini, and working on my musical interests...

Anyway, I haven't been living under the same roof as my cabinet for nearly 14 months now, and I miss the old girl.

oh, and back on the subject. i feel for you dude! i live 1000's of km from my cab. i visited him over the christmas break (ostensibly i was there to visit friends and family). buts its already been too long...