Author Topic: What frontend do you use? (Read 3925 times)

AlanS17 · « **on:** May 19, 2003, 03:29:39 pm »

I realize not all frontend are here, but I think most of the popular ones are. If you made your own, brag about it. Choose "Custom". If not's not listed then choose "Other".

I'm curious to know what other people use and why.

I'm upgrading my machine and want some personal insight.

Right now I use MAMEwah and I like it alot, but I'm trying to find something more fun (if that makes any sense).

mastercave · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2003, 04:19:04 pm »

i voted for other, i use mame classic. i guess not much people use it but its a simple windows fe. its actually the only fe i've gotten to work along with arcadefx but then afx didnt show all the games. ones like mamewah and lazarus always had problems like resolution or not even getting it to work, which seems to only happen on my comp.

PacManFan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2003, 04:20:37 pm »

I voted "Custom".
You completely forgot to mention EmuTron.

-PacManFan

AlanS17 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2003, 04:52:30 pm »

I've heard of Emutron but not MAME CLassic.

However, there is only room for 9 options and filled them up. There just isn't room for more.

Funny that someone could get ArcadeFX working, but nothing else. That's about the only one I couldn't get working! (Well Lazarus wasn't that easy, either, but I got it.)

AlanS17 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2003, 05:32:47 pm »

Quote from: PacManFan on May 19, 2003, 04:20:37 pm

I voted "Custom".
You completely forgot to mention EmuTron.

-PacManFan

Ummm... http://www.pacmanfan.com/ seems to be down... I tried to check it out but couldn't.

IIOIOOIOO · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2003, 05:47:21 pm »

Oh, I thought Emutron was one of those "SWEET FRONT-ENDS" that people are always "JUST ABOUT TO FINISH."

Superdude · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2003, 06:19:00 pm »

Quote from: IIOIOOIOO on May 19, 2003, 05:47:21 pm

Oh, I thought Emutron was one of those "SWEET FRONT-ENDS" that people are always "JUST ABOUT TO FINISH."

Seem pretty finished to me. The only thing left is add ons for people who can't code.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2003, 07:55:08 pm »

Actually, even pmf himself will admit that it isn't finished. He's recoding a big portion of it as we speak.

But you know what a "finished" front end means. That means it's abandoned by it's author.

wee beastie · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2003, 09:29:30 pm »

hahhahahahh. so true HC.

"finished" = "it does everything I need it to do"

anthony691 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2003, 09:51:09 pm »

Quote from: wee beastie on May 19, 2003, 09:29:30 pm

hahhahahahh. so true HC.

"finished" = "it does everything I need it to do"

Not everyone programs FEs for their use... MinWah dosn't even have a MAME cab! (Last I heard) and if he wanted something just for PC there are some more convienient solutions.

[endMAMEwahObsession/]
}
}

Hmm... It seems in makeing psuedo code I have incorparated JAVA... Interesting typo... I'll leave it. (shows I have been spending too much time on JAVA lately! I have been putting French Braces in everything I type (it is really becoming an issue; teachers don't appreciate papers with an end Class statement at the end of each paragragh![Don't even get me started with the booleans!])

}
}

PacManFan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2003, 10:18:40 pm »

Quote from: IIOIOOIOO on May 19, 2003, 05:47:21 pm

Oh, I thought Emutron was one of those "SWEET FRONT-ENDS" that people are always "JUST ABOUT TO FINISH."

1AF,

I think EmuTron is a "SWEET FRONT-END", and it's fairly done, I'm always looking to add more options, but As HC pointed out, I'm re-coding a bit now, Not to make more FE improvements, but to build a kick---I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- configuration manager so it'll be a breeze to set up and use. I've ditched my previous VB based ETConfig program for C++ based "Config-O-Tron". It includes an automatic Script-writing Skinner app, XML based Mame database generation, Advanced list generation tools, and a ton of other "goodies", including a way to set up your controller ini files for Mame using info from the KLOV site (alternating info , # of players, etc...)
Laugh if you will, more is on the way.

BTW - I already contacted rampy about www.pacmanfan.com being down. He said it was a DNS error and it should be back up in a few hours.

-PacManFan

Minwah · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2003, 06:12:03 am »

Quote from: anthony691 on May 19, 2003, 09:51:09 pm

Not everyone programs FEs for their use... MinWah dosn't even have a MAME cab! (Last I heard) and if he wanted something just for PC there are some more convienient solutions.

[endMAMEwahObsession/]
}

In all honesty, I did make MAMEWAH just for myself...but planning to use it in my yet-to-be-built cab. I then decided to release it and 18 months down the line I still have no cab

I do have a load of rusty old bits & pieces tho, and everything except wood+time to get going

Aceldamor · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2003, 11:17:09 am »

I've played around with a bunch of different fe's. I'm personally torn between 3D Arcade, Lazarus (in anticipation of dx laz), Emutron, and Mamewah.

IIOIOOIOO · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2003, 11:22:59 am »

I was just giving you a hard time PMF, because everytime there's a post about someone elses front end, there's some note on there from you about how EmuTron has already supported that feature for 8 years, but better. You're like the SlikStik guy of the FE world

PacManFan · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2003, 11:41:45 am »

Quote from: IIOIOOIOO on May 20, 2003, 11:22:59 am

I was just giving you a hard time PMF, because everytime there's a post about someone elses front end, there's some note on there from you about how EmuTron has already supported that feature for 8 years, but better. You're like the SlikStik guy of the FE world

8 years?!?
EmuTron has only been around since like December... The first few releases did have a lot of features though. I'm like a proud Dad, showing off my progeny's abilities.
-PMF

Bill_S · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2003, 12:51:18 pm »

I'm hoping this easy to configure version of emutron comes out soon because I'd like to try it. I don't want to have to learn how to program, though.
I'm using Mamewah now BTW and I like it lots (vers. 0.895, not 0.90, I say this in almost every post about mamewah hehe).
I really think people having problems with mamewah .9 should try .895.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 20, 2003, 02:11:24 pm »

Ok, I found the Emutron website. Just by looking at what's on the screen I can tell it has a lot of options...

No offense, but I just think I like MAMEwah more, though. 90% of people won't use most of what that thing can do, and it's my experience that most flyers are kind of ugly (and I'm too lazy to take them out).

Superdude · « **Reply #17 on:** May 20, 2003, 04:09:17 pm »

I taught this thread was about which Front End I use?
Not which Front-End should I bash?

Nerds....

anthony691 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2003, 04:45:09 pm »

See MinWah, MAMEwah really is very popular! Get out the new release!

JUNE, 1
JK

You know you can do it at your leasure, but we all really do love MAMEwah! I love the MAMEwah idealology. I am even writeing a book MAMEwahology; yes I invented a science.

JK

I really do use MAMEwah as a term for something simple that gets the job done well (like Winamp 2) it is actually catching on...

AceTKK · « **Reply #19 on:** May 20, 2003, 11:13:09 pm »

Emulaxian / 3d-arcade is the most complete front end available, bar none. You have to be willing to put some time into setting it up to your liking though.

-Ace-

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #20 on:** May 21, 2003, 11:01:30 pm »

The ratio as to what percentage of people use which fe is probably fairly close, but notice that only 26 people voted. I didn't say anything before but that's one of the reasons I don't like such questions... nobody will participate in the poll unless they are the most dedicated of users.

Something that did hit me as obvious is that front ends with "raging dragon like" features (if you'll excuse my arrogance for a minute) are the ones that came out on top. The reason I point this out is I noticed our main gamelauncher man is taking a survey on future features. BIG hint dave.

Thumpa · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2003, 01:24:16 am »

I think maybe you HAVE to be a dedicated user to get half the FE's going at all at the moment.
Im sure as the FE's become more user friendly and easier to configure , then the masses will start using them.
I suppose its like how MAME really took off when MAME32 entered the scene.You could set it up and be playing on your p.c at work during lunch time.I know thats how I first started to get the bug for a dedicated arcade machine.
Can't wait for the new Mamewah.Then maybe I can finally put the covers on my Machine and call it finished(.......maybe for a month?).
Looking forward to a new Gamelauncher too.Gamelauncher was my first FE I tried.A bit like your first Girlfriend.....you always have a soft spot for her.

Nikodemz · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2003, 01:50:21 am »

To be perfectly honest I use Lazarus, MameWAH, and EmuTron, and the reason I do is because the three authors frequent these boards and are amazing about helping work out problems and tech issues. I've asked questions about Lazarus and EmuTron and got answers back in hours, it was awesome (never had to ask about MameWAH it's wicked simple, my only wish is that I could make a use defined list of some sort or use a clone instead of the original in some cases).

I voted for MameWAH on the pole simply because it's the FE that I'm using on my half-a-cab right now. I think until the new versions of all three come out in the next month or so it's going to stay like that just because it's so easy to use and it runs games so fast. I would probably be using lazarus the majorty of the time but on large games it simply won't load them and on most small games it take up to 30 seconds to get them started (that doesn't sound like much but my mame box is top of the line and nothing should take that long). If you can get that worked out Howard, or if I'm doing some wrong, I would love to keep using it since I've made my own skin and all.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think all three FE's are great and I commend all three of the authors for their dedication to those of us that benefit from their hard work.

Thank guys,

-Niko

Minwah · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2003, 11:56:49 am »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on May 21, 2003, 11:01:30 pm

The ratio as to what percentage of people use which fe is probably fairly close, but notice that only 26 people voted. I didn't say anything before but that's one of the reasons I don't like such questions... nobody will participate in the poll unless they are the most dedicated of users.

Also, I guess alot of cab users don't even look in the software forum much.

Nikodemz: you will be able to make whatever custom lists you like in my next release

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2003, 04:51:46 pm »

Quote from: Nikodemz on May 22, 2003, 01:50:21 am

I would probably be using lazarus the majorty of the time but on large games it simply won't load them and on most small games it take up to 30 seconds to get them started (that doesn't sound like much but my mame box is top of the line and nothing should take that long).

Even on the slowest of pcs Lazarus loads games at exactly the same speed as it would tkae simply launching mame through the command line. I believe that the fact that the command line is hidden from you is tricking you into thinking it takes longer than it does. Also a game isn't launched until after the launch sound has finished playing (not so in dxlaz but let's not get ahead of ourselves.) Those large games you mentioned probably only seem like they won't load because larger games like the kof series can take up to a minute to load on even the best of pcs. When you have no visual feedback on the status of the rom, things could seem to be "locked up".

Don't take what I said the wrong way, you may be right to a degree, this is just the first I've heard of it, and I've never experienced it myself.

Nikodemz · « **Reply #25 on:** May 23, 2003, 01:23:51 pm »

It may be that i have something set up wrong or some other thing. But when I do a comparison with the mame command line, mamewah and lazarus it takes significantly longer in Lazarus. Now this is when I use my own skin and I had only tried a few starting a few games with the default skin and I don't remember having that problem. I haven't had time to test it all out and see if it's just something that I'm doing wrong, and at this point with dxlaz on its way it kinda doesn't make a difference. I'll just start things either with mamewah or on the command line until I get to play with all of the new stuff being finished (hopefully) in the next few weeks.

Once again, thanks for all your hard work.

-Niko

Lilwolf · « **Reply #26 on:** May 23, 2003, 05:58:00 pm »

1) I use my own... JFront! I dont' think its even being hosted at work anymore...I'll have to check. But it's about 6 months old now and needs the 3d frontend upgrade.. thats 1/3 of the way done.

2) Howard... Having some way to show that it's not locked up helps.

Ever consider capturing the output coming from the console window ("loading 257-v3.bin") and then keep track of the number of roms for a given game... then do a percentage bar? Might not be all that hard if you are already storing the info from the listinfo...

Just a thought... And I've been having this problem myself recently... Just because some of the newer games take so long.

liquid8 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 23, 2003, 06:49:39 pm »

I would definitely say its a shame that EmuTron isn't on the list. Even though configuration is quite a task to do the really cool things, most of us that are building our own arcade machines can handle writing little scripts. While I am still sticking to my own custom frontend, emutron (for the advanced) and mamewah (for the beginner) seem to stand out in my eyes... of course, it is only 1 week until DXLaz, right Howard?? Better meet your deadline!

LiQuiD8

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #28 on:** May 23, 2003, 07:36:33 pm »

Quote from: Lilwolf on May 23, 2003, 05:58:00 pm

1) I use my own... JFront! I dont' think its even being hosted at work anymore...I'll have to check. But it's about 6 months old now and needs the 3d frontend upgrade.. thats 1/3 of the way done.

2) Howard... Having some way to show that it's not locked up helps.

Ever consider capturing the output coming from the console window ("loading 257-v3.bin") and then keep track of the number of roms for a given game... then do a percentage bar? Might not be all that hard if you are already storing the info from the listinfo...

Just a thought... And I've been having this problem myself recently... Just because some of the newer games take so long.

Yes both sirp and myself have looked into it. There is a way to capture the command line that is compatible with xp, but so far we haven't found it. Also if I were to do this then I couldn't freeze laz while a game was playing and thus it would take up valuable resources. Also if I called the renderer everytime the bar updated that would be taking resources away from mame, and thus it actually would be slower.

Presonally I have no problem with it and if I did I would just show the command line during launch.


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Poll

What frontend do you use for MAME?

Author Topic: What frontend do you use? (Read 3925 times)