Front end recommendation?

[CommonDenominator13]

As stated in my previous post, I've finally got the space and time to build my ultimate machine.  But I have some questions, primarily, is Mamewah the frontend for me?

One major drawback, however, is that I can't find the Setup utility for it (many of the sites that used to host have disappeared).  I'm sure I can set it up the old fashioned way, but before heading too far down that path, I wanted to make sure it's really the right choice for what I want to do.

Here's a list of what I like about MameWah, and what I want to do with the frontend:
- Run multiple emulators (Mame, Daphne, Znes, etc.), including launch properties
- Display game screens while browsing through the lists
- An automatic favorites list (generated off of most played games)
- Screen saver using image folder
- Background music while browsing game selection
- Customizable background
- Support for multiple lists
- Customizable controls
- Movie preview support
- Works on windows XP
- Hides windows

I'm not sure if Mamewah supports the following, but it would be a bonus:
- Ability to rate games
- Ability to add comments to a game's listing
- Easy to setup utility (I know Mamewah has one someplace, but as far as I can tell, it's currently MIA)
- Jukebox that can browse songs (playlists even?), perhaps mamewah could launch one

Thank you for your help.
-K

[Perogy]

pretty sure mala can do the majority of that and its easier to set up than mamewah

[massive88]

Just about any of the popular front ends can do what you are asking in the first section.

Check the wiki out for more information. - http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Front-Ends

Or just try them all, set up one emulator in each and see which interface/options you like best.

[CommonDenominator13]

Excellent!  Thank you for the advice.

I wasn't aware of the wiki (a lot has changed while I was gone).

Thank you.

[kaptainsteve]

I've tried them all in my cabinet and at this point, Mala seems to be the simplest and the best for in cabinet use.  The reason is this, the front end has to be cabinet friendly and look like it is part of the machine, Mala does that.  It also has to be completely operated and navigated easily with the control panel controls, and Mala does this too.  Finally, many of the others are a pain in the ass to install.  Mala's really easy to install and set up.

[Havok]

Mala seems to be the simplest and the best for in cabinet use... Finally, many of the others are a pain in the ass to install.  Mala's really easy to install and set up.

 

Your honor, I object! All the currently supported frontends are easy to install and setup. There are many other fine choices out there. Check the wiki, install them all (the actively developed ones) and then choose. They won't conflict so you can simultaneously test them.

[CommonDenominator13]

Pending further experimentation, I think I am going with MaLa.  Although at the moment I'm too lazy to get Mame working with Vista 64, so it'll probably have to wait until I've 'upgraded' to XP (there are more reasons I'm doing so than Mame et al, but it does add to the equation).

Thanks for all the advice.

[ChoiceStriker]

I cast another vote for MaLa.  I've been playing around with several of them trying to decide what's best for myself, and MaLa seems both easy to use and powerful / versatile. 

[Cakemeister]

Please try them all and make your own informed decision. Also,



RRR   EEEEE    A    DDDD       TTTTT  H   H  EEEEE    W         W IIIII  K   K  IIIII  !

R  R  E       A A   D   D        T    H   H  E        W         W   I    K  K     I    !
R  R  E       A A   D   D        T    H   H  E         W       W    I    K K      I    !
RRR   EEEEE   AAA   D   D        T    HHHHH  EEEE      W   W   W    I    KK       I    !
RR    E      A   A  D   D        T    H   H  E          W W W W     I    K K      I    !
R R   E      A   A  D   D        T    H   H  E          W W W W     I    K  K     I     
R  R  EeEEE  A   A  DDDD         T    H   H  EEEEE       W   W    IIIII  K   K  IIIII  !

[Space Fractal]

mamewah is a bit hard to setup, but very easy for end users and a clean navigation. Its a shame, minwah changed the format of the ini file format, that broke the combatible with various third part setup.

I known it exists one for the 1.61 as well, but not sure it works for 1.62. Hopefully, a new setup utility is on the way.

[loadman]

Your honor, I object! All the currently supported frontends are easy to install and setup. There are many other fine choices out there. Check the wiki, install them all (the actively developed ones) and then choose. They won't conflict so you can simultaneously test them.

I Agree 

Pending further experimentation, I think I am going with MaLa.  Although at the moment I'm too lazy to get Mame working with Vista 64, so it'll probably have to wait until I've 'upgraded' to XP (there are more reasons I'm doing so than Mame et al, but it does add to the equation).
Thanks for all the advice.

The next MaLa version should fix that, or just try deleting the MalaKeyhook.dll in the mala folder.

Please try them all and make your own informed decision. Also,



RRR   EEEEE    A    DDDD       TTTTT  H   H  EEEEE    W         W IIIII  K   K  IIIII  !

R  R  E       A A   D   D        T    H   H  E        W         W   I    K  K     I    !
R  R  E       A A   D   D        T    H   H  E         W       W    I    K K      I    !
RRR   EEEEE   AAA   D   D        T    HHHHH  EEEE      W   W   W    I    KK       I    !
RR    E      A   A  D   D        T    H   H  E          W W W W     I    K K      I    !
R R   E      A   A  D   D        T    H   H  E          W W W W     I    K  K     I     
R  R  EeEEE  A   A  DDDD         T    H   H  EEEEE       W   W    IIIII  K   K  IIIII  !

You have set the bar high now    What are you going to do on the next post. Perhaps a  link to a U-tube video that has 3D rendered WIKI WIKI? 

[Ummon]

Yeah. How the hell you get those letters over each other like that? And on that note - wiki, that is - it occurs to me that no one comes and first asks something like, "HEY, WHERE ARE THE FAQS OR INFORMATION SOURCES OR WHATEVER?"

[Cakemeister]

Yeah. How the hell you get those letters over each other like that? And on that note - wiki, that is - it occurs to me that no one comes and first asks something like, "HEY, WHERE ARE THE FAQS OR INFORMATION SOURCES OR WHATEVER?"

I set the font size to 1. For some reason, the text wasn 't all fitting on one line when I cut and paste it from my original post.