Emulator Package

[ksk h2o]

Okay, I have no clue if this has been done or suggested before but it just dawned on me after reading many many many posts that point to similar problems and questions.

How would it be if someone would put together a package (kind of like a front end) that would group select emulators.  Think of it as... i dunno... emuxhaven emula-pack (or some much jazzier name) a GUI front end that would make selecting emulators and plug ins very easy for the not so computer-literate.  There could be nice buttons with psx N64 Nes etc on them so they could first select the platform they wish to emulate (after which the front end would load up the "select" emulator) and have a much simpler (emulation for dummies) like config panel.  Plus if we were to attach a nice knowledge base as html or txt with the most commonly found questions of the forums (like an FAQ) it would make the perfect pack.

Think of it, people could download this one package (albeit a big file) which would incorporate emulators for all sorts of pouplar platforms.  Plus answers to common forum problems such as "what is an iso... what is a bios... scph?  what do I still need to go and find before I can play games... why doesn't zelda run... etc." this would make the ideal package for someone just starting out emulation and that has not much clue as to what is going on....

okay post too long... what do you think?

http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/shaun.gif

[Cero]

Thats actually a pretty good Idea. http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Would eliminate alot of the repetitive questions we get. Would make our job a heck of alot easier.

But I'm not sure if we can distribute emus with frontends without some kind of uhhh legalities. Another thing is the coding of the front end itself, aside from the members of the hosted sites, none of the EmuX Staff has a decent enough knowledge on C/C++ or VB to code it (as far as I know anyway). Might take some time, but I'd be willing to study C enough to be able to code it..........



Last edited by Cero at April 17 2002,04:13

[brightman]

I don't think this is a problem. There are "emulator packages" concerning PSX emulators out (with plugins and the emulator itself). So I don't see why something like that is impossible.

[metaphysics]

good idea..... i can help..... uhm.... nope i dunno any coding crap... other than HTML and im not so good at that either  http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/baaa.gif

[ksk h2o]

I don't think the "legality" matter would be much of a problem since the emulators in question are freeware.  I think as long as proper credit is given to the creators and the official sites. licenses etc are included in the FAQ, nobody should be getting upset about someone putting together a "package".  It would be a good idea (and also courteous) to drop the creators an email (good luck finding the UHLE guys http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif  http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif  http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif ) letting them know of our nice intentions which "would ultimately be beneficial to the emulator and the creators of the emulator since it would be broadening the reach to a wider audience of the not-so-computationally apt." (nice ad-fab lingo huh?)

The front end itself would be something pretty easy to code since it will just be a pretty window that will call the "real thoughly coded stuff (emulators)" to run via a GUI.  Configuring the plugins straight from this front end could be a problem though...

I think the hardest part would be putting together the FAQ document.  That is the real good part of it though.  I remember all those questions I had when I was first trying to get gulp... zelda... to run on UHLE or etc etc... (you know those reccurring questions better than I do).  a nicely put toghether document outlining these general problems would help a lot.

[The Tick]

Sounds like a great idea, Ksk! http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/happy.gif

[chaman_14]

Yes ill help if u guys neeed help!!!!!!!!!!!

[ksk h2o]

I think we actually need somebody do the whole thing.  We can just sit on the side and admire the pretty work. And make monkey like sounds (ooo...  ah... eek...ee...) as progress is made. http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Demauk]

I get the feeling I'm completely wrong, but have to ask anyway.  http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cwm12.gif

Isn't AdvanceMENU somewhat like this package? Minus the FAQ, of course...

[metaphysics]

its a good idea, btw i havnt ever heard of that thing...

[The Player of Doom]

Cero: you forgot about me!!!!  http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif How could you!?!?!? I know vb and a little c++!
ksk: there's a utility named "The Emulation Utility" made by me for the n64, so there's no need there, just fill me in with suggestions.

[ksk h2o]

Yes but that seems to be for the N64...  Think of somthing like that but for: PS, N64, NES, SNES, SMS, Genesis, GB,GBA, etc...  (even Amiga, C64, Amstrad etc..)  so all the consoles under one integral menu that would summon up the selective emulators.   There would have to be a selection to do before making this package, where you'd select which emulators would be used for wich machine... (you know the knind of:  pj64 or 1964 for N64... epsxe or PSEMUpro for PSX... kind of selection).  Then this front end would have a nice button linking to the .exe of that emulator for that system (located in a subdirectory of the emulator package).

You know something designed for people just getting into emulation, a one stop shop.  Of course proper credit to the selected emulators and their creators should be given.

The package can even have all those Pete's plugins for ePSXe allready intalled into the folder.  a loaded gun in other words.

[Metalgear]

OK this is just roughly wat he means by menu it was a 5minute job so i hope this helps im just guessin wat u mean by menu i know doesnt have all the consoles and systems on them but didnt have timehttp://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/uploads/post-13-09432-GUI__roughly_.JPG

[Metalgear]

ill also help make the faq with whoever wants to help sum1 smart like tekken but if he can't help ill trdge up the internet for it orrr look @ all the old posts and look and teks replys hmm theres and idea. http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[The Player of Doom]

Oh yeah... you could always link the N64 to the utility if installed so that it could handle it. It can launch roms, and even the emulators from within the GUI.