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Howard_Casto:
There's no such thing as a fe that can run mess as a single emulator because mess itself is only technically a single emulator... the way the file structue is for mess cfgs, it just makes more sense to use it as seperate emus. 

shorthair:
Well, I just tried MaLa, again. It still has too much stuff, too many options. Plus, you can't access other folders like you can in Mame32. (The only thing Mame32 is missing in this respect is being able to create other folders from the GUI....which I would also add to this project.) As well, though configuring in MaLa is easier than other fe's, you can't configure particular apsects in Mame, nor particular Mame games, as you can in Mame32 from the GUI. My icon idea and such address these.

As for MaLa, itself, there are problems with Mame: it said there was no Mame ini, but there was one in the ini folder. Some games ran fine, others ran slow, whereas this is my standard version (.104) on this computer which runs just fine, otherwise.

Lastly, it's not modular, let alone in real-time. Being able to just click'n'drag each 'object' within the GUI would be cool. Additionally, being able to select the background and game list font parametres are desired.

Basically, it seems I'm wanting a GUI like Mame32 but with three other things:

1. new, modular, real-time changeable skin/interface.

2. create new folders from GUI.

3. multi-emu support (without all that extra features crap).

Howard_Casto:
well you best start coding then  :)


3darcade is the only fe that even comes close to what you are asking, but it has those pesky "options" that you hate. 


 :soapbox:
Lord knows we wouldn't want a fe with a lot of features we can either  choose to use or not to use, we just want to make a fe specifially for your needs that only does what you personally want it to do.  And for the record, a point and click interface goes against the spirit of a mame cab (no mouse) which is why you aren't seeing much of that.

 A real-time skinner in any fe not using the crappy gdi (which is what mame32 is using) is incredibly difficult to pull off.  There are a few that attempt it (like 3darcade) but you still end up editing parts of the skin outside of the fe, because you'll need a full keyboard, and again a keybaord goes against the spirit of a mamecab. 

Folders are so 1998.  Good fes might have the option of messign around with folders, but we all use "virtual folders" now.  In other words your roms don't move, but you cna make mutliple lists via filters. 

Multi emu support requires more settings, it's as simple as that.  Some fes make it easier to setup, but you still have more settings.  This is just common sense really.


ahofle:
LOL
I agree with Howard that you can't have too many options (and pretty much everything else he said).  But I disagree on the 'point and click' thing.  I wish there were more trackball/mouse friendly FEs out there, at least as an option.  I hate MAME32, but I use it because I can scroll from 'C' games to 'W' games instantly by dragging the scroll bar button down.  It's definitely not required to use the windows gdi for a scrollbar -- look at the ZSnes emulator.  I know not everyone has a trackball, but I'd be willing to bet a good percentage of MAME cabs do.  And having a scrollbar is useful even without a mouse (provides feedback on list size and position, etc).  Guess I better start coding.  ;D

shorthair:
Now, Howard, I just presented an idea and asked anyone who might be interested say something. Though, definitely your feedback is educational, thanks.

I'm interested in a primarily graphical interface; I don't want to have to think about what's going on behind the scenes. As well, the extra options could be in there, but hidable with a click or just part of a different sub-menu. And even MaLa REQUIRES you set a snap path. Maybe I don't want to hassle with that, at least at first. But I do find myself, particularly when screwing around with native resolutions, using Mame32 cos each game I have the options to right there. You can't even do that with any other fe.

And, echoing ahofle, I think more people have trackballs than that - BUT, the main functions would be mappable through the buttons, so It'd be completely arcade-friendly. I'm assuming most people use both a keyboard and mouse when initially setting up their system, so dragging around the interface components wouldn't be weird - however, for those who have tb's and m's around, they could whenever they wanted...and the real-time option would just be convenient.

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