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11-02-05 12:59 PM
Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - - Posts by Dish
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Dish

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From: Disch

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Posted on 09-04-04 03:02 AM, in Need VB help Link
While looking for a link to a doc which explains the format (of which I was going to add to by supplying some of my own C code to sort of show how to apply it), I came across this link:

http://www.zophar.net/tech/files/vbgfxripping.zip

from this page:

http://www.zophar.net/tech/transdocs.html


The description says "This is a guide by The_Fake_God on how to read graphics from roms with Visual Basic.". I haven't checked it out yet but it seems to be exactly what you're looking for =P
Dish

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Posted on 09-04-04 05:17 AM, in Need VB help Link
Originally posted by interdpth
I can still get help here if I dont understand somethings right?


Yah. In fact... I might as well print my previously mentioned code example just in case it might be useful ^^. It's in C, but you -should- be able to apply it (in some form) to VB... although I understand VB lacks some bitwise operators which really help =\. Anyway, something of this sort is what I've found to be the fastest/simplest method to decode NES 2bpp:


int j;
int pixel[8][8];
BYTE a;
BYTE b;
for(j = 0; j < 8; j++)
{
a = ROM[ offset + j ];
b = ROM[ offset + j + 8 ];
pixel[j][0] = ((a >> 7) & 1) | ((b >> 6) & 2);
pixel[j][1] = ((a >> 6) & 1) | ((b >> 5) & 2);
pixel[j][2] = ((a >> 5) & 1) | ((b >> 4) & 2);
pixel[j][3] = ((a >> 4) & 1) | ((b >> 3) & 2);
pixel[j][4] = ((a >> 3) & 1) | ((b >> 2) & 2);
pixel[j][5] = ((a >> 2) & 1) | ((b >> 1) & 2);
pixel[j][6] = ((a >> 1) & 1) | ((b >> 0) & 2);
pixel[j][7] = ((a >> 0) & 1) | ((b << 1) & 2);
}


After that, each byte in the 'pixel' array will be filled with a value from 0 to 3 representing the color of the pixel in the 8x8 image. The array is in [y][x] form, so [0][7] would be the upper right pixel and [7][0] would be the lower left.
Dish

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Posted on 09-04-04 08:33 PM, in What Site Do You Think Looks Better? Link
The popup window thing is a really bad idea. Personally I don't like ANY site design that doesn't size to fit the text. After all... the content is the point of the site, so the design should revolve around the content.... the content shouldn't have to change to conform to the design. (fixed window designs are right up there on my "don't put this on your webpage list" right along with multiple scrollbars and background music)

The actual design of the second one doesn't seem that bad. Just make it resizable and keep it in a regular window. Might want to tone down the border text so that it's not as loud (it's just there for atmosphere, it's not something the user's eyes should be drawn to, so maybe dim it a little?).

As for the first one. I don't see much of a design at all. It's just a black background with a bunch of regular yellow underlined links.

I'd say go with the second one definitely. Just touch it up a bit more
Dish

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Posted on 09-06-04 04:37 AM, in I want to write a C++ program, but... Link
I highly recommend against VB or any "basic" language, as the overhead from being too high-level can really show when you try to do something as demanding as a game. Plus in VB, the main advantage of using a high level langauge (portability) is non-existant, since VB is Windows-only.

VB would be easier for making a quick proggie, but if you're at all serious about programming, learning VB will probalby be more of a hinderance and slow you down.

I would definatly recommend C or C++. There are several good, free compilers available (although they're somewhat awkward to understand and use when you're first starting). Plus, there's an insane amount of libraries available for C/C++ apps which can cover sound/music/graphics, as well as general program management.

I recommend looking into SDL: http://www.libsdl.org
as well as FMod: http://www.fmod.org

SDL is a great library which handles basic management stuff (such as interaction with the OS, retrieving keyboard/joypad input, as well as a lot of graphic stuff). FMod is an ASTOUNDING library for simple, fast sound effect and music playback. And both are available for several platforms. If you write your program (properly) using them, it should be able to run on several different OSes (Linux, Mac, etc) rather than just on Windows.

But yeah.... avoid VB like the plague.


(edited by Disch on 09-05-04 07:44 PM)
Dish

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Posted on 09-06-04 09:52 AM, in ASM..? Link
ASM is short for assembly, which is the lowest level programming language of a platform. The type of assembly varies from platform to platform. For instance:

NES uses 6502
SNES uses 65816 (I think?)
Gameboy uses Z80

Some are more complex than others. Some are more powerful... and even though the concept for all of them are pretty much the same... they are all still unique in their own ways.

Knowing the language is only half of what you need, though. You also need to know how to communicate with the platform you're targetting (getting input from the user, outputting graphics and sound).

Which specific platform are you interested in? If you have a specifc goal (like say, making an NES game), it'd be easier to give you info.
Dish

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Posted on 09-06-04 09:30 PM, in VC++ MFC Link
FFHackster was written in VC++ 6 with MFC... but I wrote it a looooong time ago and it's extremely sloppy, so it might not be the best resource. But meh... you might still find it a little useful. The source is up on that page.

*Disch shrugs
Dish

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Posted on 09-14-04 11:12 PM, in Who can help out with what languages? Link
C/C++
6502
and maybe a bit of GB-Z80

I know the NES almost inside out and backwards (especially when it comes to the sound) so I might be able to help with that too ^^
Dish

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Posted on 09-20-04 04:20 AM, in What Site Do You Think Looks Better? Link
you have issues with your design:

http://www.geocities.com/disch_/yoursite.png (copy/paste to address bar is geocities doesn't like when you click it)

I'd assume that's not intentional.

Anyway... I'd also like to revoice my objection to fixed-window layouts and popup windows with content. As you can see, the tiny, unresizable window only takes up like a quarter of my screen... making it very obnoxious.

I don't mean to be blunt... but that layout is shitty. A plain text page would be better. I mean really... pop up windows and fixed size layouts are the worst things you can do to a page aside from background music.
Dish

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Posted on 09-20-04 08:57 AM, in What Site Do You Think Looks Better? Link
Originally posted by Nebetsu

Wow. Firefox sucks.


Meh... I don't even think I'm going to dignify this with a real response.

When you're interested in making a real web page, lemme know.
Dish

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Posted on 09-20-04 09:02 AM, in What Site Do You Think Looks Better? Link
Originally posted by Nebetsu
I dont want to make another template rbecause people use crappy browsers right now. Maybe later.



You already did make a template for a crappy browser. I'm saying you should actually code your page RIGHT so that it works on real browsers.


(edited by Disch on 09-20-04 12:03 AM)
Dish

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Posted on 09-20-04 09:12 AM, in What Site Do You Think Looks Better? Link
No... you don't understand. See... Firefox/Opera/Konquerer/etc actually follow a set of standards. IE kinda does, but it also makes up its own shit. So when people code their page to work in IE, they're doing pseudo code which only IE interprets properly.

This isn't about Firefox being fast. It's about IE being stupid. Pages that only render properly in IE are broken pages. IE's the one that's messed up. Hell, Google doesn't even render properly in IE.

But meh. If you want to stay in your own little world, cool. Like I said, lemme know when you're interested in making a real web page.


(edited by Disch on 09-20-04 12:13 AM)
Dish

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Posted on 09-27-04 10:19 PM, in Zelda Challenge Link
You need a new name.

Zelda Challenge was already taken by Zelda Challenge: Outlands, hand down the most popular Z1 hack ever.

Which particular Zelda is your game for? I assumed Z3, but you don't specify.
Dish

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Posted on 10-04-04 12:53 AM, in DS Emulator Link
Originally posted by dan
I was referring to the fact that GBA games that are only just out (or even before they are released) were being dumped, and put on the Internet. I would easily compare the downloading of GBA ROMs to the warez scene, but not the downloading of NES ROMs as Nintendo can't really make a profit on NES cartridges.


Bah... I made a huge post addressing this subject not too long ago.

I hate when people say "it's okay to pirate NES games beacause blah blah" and then turn around and get mad at people when they download GBA roms. It's all stealing. Anyway... I summed it up in this other post, which I'll copy/paste for you. Note it's mostly relating to FF1 pirating (since it was on an FF1 board), but it applies to anything, really.

--- begin paste ---


it's not a matter of what's legal, it's a matter of what they'd prosecute.


Well they're not going to prosecute because it's futile. It's like trying to shut down file sharing. They want to do it, but it's just not going to happen. The most they can do is slow it down by repeatedly shutting down the various contributors that keep coming up (and Nintendo and co were avidly closing down retro ROM sites not too long ago).

It's bad for them. They don't like it. They want to stop it. But in reality there's nothing they can do. Policing the net isn't possible.

Besides... like you pointed out in your post... it's not cost effective. The money they'd spend on lawsuits would just add to the money they're losing.


Still, how much money would Square make today off of copies of FF1 for the NES?


It's not necessarily about money. It's a copyright. It's about people stealing what they own. Things don't have to have a monetary value attached for them to be protected.

Granted, Nintendo might not care as much because it's not as serious as something like DS emulation (or even GBA emulation). But that doesn't make it any more legal.


Why FF1? Because in ROM form, it's free and it's the first in the series. If they like the game, they will buy more FF games thus helping Square.


That's a big load of crap. First of all... Square/Enix is AVIDLY producing rereleased of FF1. So people that turn to pirate the NES ROM are stealing the game for free instead of purchasing the copy that's readily available in stores everywhere.

Maybe a handful of people will use ROMs as a way to 'test' a game series.... but people like that are in the minority. 99% of people that have ROMs because it's a way to get games for free. Yeah a lot of them try to claim they do it for other reasons (like nostolgia or other BS), but it always comes back to them just not willing to dish out the money to actually buy the stuff.


The older games essentially become "free samples".


Except they're not samples... they're full commercial games. And they're not supposed to be free. If Square wanted to hand out free samples, they'd put demos or something on their site for download.


It is such a common fallacy to say, "It's wrong because it's illegal."


It's wrong because it's piracy. Retro emulation is part of the same family as next gen emulation. The same people that go out and download NES roms are out making DS emulators and reverse-enginerring the PS2 and putting Linux on X-Box. The whole subculture is people looking to ripoff game companies for whatever reason. If you pirate roms, you're part of that subculture whether you want to admit it or not. You may not be as bad as the people developing the emus or dumping the ROMs, but you're contributing to the 'problem'. After all... if nobody was downloading ROMs, there'd be no ROM sites and there'd be no emus.

So anyway, yeah. Emulation is bad. I personally don't really care all that much, and it doesn't bother me to steal like this.... but I know that's what I'm really doing. If you emulate, you're stealing. Live with it... or don't do it. Don't try to rationalize it or say 'oh it's not really bad'... because it is. I know better and you should know better.


--- end paste ---

So anyway Dan.... emulation IS a warez scene. It always was. It's all about stealing games. If you don't see that you're in denial.
Dish

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Posted on 10-04-04 02:33 AM, in DS Emulator Link
Originally posted by Drag
What about if the game isn't available anymore? It's not being manufactured, it's not being distributed in stores, and it's just plain not available. You'll still say it's stealing, but is it any more or less severe than pirating the DS before it's even out?


First of all... every game is for sale somewhere if you look hard enough (any NES game, anyway). I even found a copy of Lagrange Point for sale not too long ago. That aside... that doesn't really matter, because the vast majority of people would still download the ROM even if the game was in the hobby shop down the street for $10.

But even that doesn't matter... because the game still belongs to someone/something and you're stealing it

As for the severity of the crime... if you're talking in legal terms, I don't think pirating a DS game before it's release is any more severe of a crime than pirating a 15 year old NES game (provided the copyright is still in tact).

If you're talking about morals... then it's 100% up for the person to decide... and whichever way you want to go is fine by me. My beef comes when people try to dictate their morals as what's right for everyone.

Like Dan's original post... "it's people like that who give the emulation scene a bad name". I find that statement to be completely hypocritical, since Dan contributes to the 'pirating circle of emulation'. Personally... I tend to think that people that think it's okay to steal stuff just because it's old are the ones that need to re-evaluate their morals.


Emulators are not as bad when you think about what ELSE you can do with them. If you dump the game yourself (fat chance), then it's not stealing, because it's yours. And you're not stealing anything when you're making your own game.


Well yeah, there's legitmate uses for emulation, but that's such a small part of the emulation circle. I mean nobody downloads an emu just to write their own game, or play homebrews. Everyone that has used an emu has used it to steal at one point or another.


I only have one question. Will you be arrested if you own roms? The worst that usually happens is that rom sites will get shut down. And even then, more pop right back up.


No you won't get arrested... but that doesn't really mean anything other than it's easy to get away with. You could easily go up to someone on the street, punch them in the eye and run. But just because you won't get arrested doesn't mean it's okay



I'm not saying roms are illegal or not illegal, but I AM saying that most likely, Nintendo isn't going to care about the NES roms,


Well they do. Go visit nintendo's site sometime. They have like a whole page dedicated to how they hate the emulation scene and give a million reasons why.

The only game company I can think of that really expressed indifference to emulation was Sega, and look what happened to them with the DC


The rest of your post seemed to be you going off on some crazy tangent, so I'll just let it go ;D
Dish

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Posted on 10-10-04 04:39 AM, in Ballon Fight not running in FCEU? Link
Originally posted by Dylan
with the exception of jnes, which says mapper #64 is unsupported. Would that have anything to do with it?


It's a bad dump, or at least... the iNES header is incorrect. Balloon Fight is mapper 0 (no mapper). So this is definatly a problem with the ROM and not FCEU.

To fix, break out the ROM in a hex editor. Bytes $00007 through $0000F should all be zero. Yours probably has "DISKDUDE!" or something similar which should not be in this (or any) ROM.
Dish

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Posted on 10-17-04 03:06 AM, in GB ASM? Link
Originally posted by Smallhacker

Anyway... I need to know a little about GB ASM, of course. GB uses a z80 processor, right? Is it a normal one or a modified? (In other words: Will any z80 command list work or is a certain "GB z80" list neccesary?)


Some instructions and registers removed, and a handful of instructions added.. .and possibly even instructions moved around. You'll need a special "GB z80" list.

Here's a page I found when looking for info for a GBS player I was working on:
http://www.devrs.com/gb/docs.php#docsmisc

the 'GB Cribsheet' link on that page I've found to be wonderful and I highly recommend it.. even though it is a pdf file =/
Dish

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Posted on 10-22-04 05:55 AM, in Same question as before, but for MAC Link
Originally posted by Hiryuu
Did you use LIPS (Lunar IPS) to patch it with the ROM?



How is he supposed to use LIPS if he's on a Mac, silly.

But yeah... the patch and ROM are both completely platform independant. So the only thing I can think of is you either aren't patching the ROM properly, or you have the wrong ROM dump.

What patcher are you using? Have you had success applying previous patches? What ROM do you have (what's the title)?
Dish

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Posted on 10-22-04 06:03 AM, in Starfox 2 - Translated at last Link
I use the SNES9x version mentioned in the readme. I typically prefer ZSNES, but for StarFox2, the SNES9x build runs it flawlessly as far as I can tell. I only had a problem once, but it seemed to be due to a bug in the ROM, not the emu (animations/music were still running, but the game was in like a loop that didn't accept user input).
Dish

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Posted on 10-22-04 08:30 AM, in Starfox 2 - Translated at last Link
From what I heard from Zelda DD, this is a common problem with ZSNES... which is why I don't use it.

My problem (which happened only once in my many many MANY runthroughs) was on the map screen when a bunch of game events happened like all at the same time (I blew up a missile while another one launched, and the satellite shot something down... I'm pretty sure it was just a game glitch). Not once have I had problem with the in-flight game. A few depth problems here and there (like I could see a switch/enemy through a small platform) but nothing major.

Granted... I haven't played with the ZSNES version.. but it seems to be error prone from what I've been hearing, and even the discaimer on their page. So for now I'd recommend sticking with the special SNES9x build.
Dish

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Posted on 10-22-04 09:28 PM, in Starfox 2 - Translated at last Link
Originally posted by Trashykins
Just bite the bullet and use the latest SNES9x. It won't kill you. Just keep it and the rom in a nice seperate folder.


That's exactly what I'd recommend. The SNES9x build runs the game supringly well... and the only features it's really missing are rewind and fastforward-on-a-gamepad. I still prefer ZSNES whenever possible... but SNES9x just seems like it's clearly the better option for this particular game.

Although, I don't think it's the latest SNES9x... it was a special build. v. 1.41-1 I believe. It's available on their site still though. The latest might run it too... but I'm not sure (I'm kind of doubtful).
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