Hacking GBArms 4 Alpha 3

Costello · Dec 27, 2006

[current version: Alpha 3. Click here]

Hey guys, a while ago I was asked to resume the development of GBArms

I had started developping a nice version YEARS ago (screenshots here: http://djcostello.free.fr/prog/%5bsoft%5d%20gbarms/ )
unfortunately I lost the source so I had to start it all from scratch.
But I kept the nice interface/design. And it will even be skinnable!

On this topic I will:
- post Alpha versions ("work in progress" versions)
- gather your comments and requests
- answer to questions

So here is Alpha 1:
Download here 27/12/2006

What's new:
- skinnable interface rebuilt from scratch (cant swap skins yet)
- program core written (dat loading, rom structures...)
- dat loading

What will be in the next alpha version:
- swapping dats (multidat support)
- showing screenshots, boxart, nfo, infos
...

yee · Dec 27, 2006

Is this like OfflineList?

Costello · Dec 28, 2006

Well, no... the very early versions of GBArms were released before OfflineList ... and I used to know the author.
So you should be saying "OfflineList is like GBArms"

I wouldn't say he copied my tool, I'd rather say we had the same idea at pretty much the same time.

Anyway, yeah this is an offline list for GBA/NDS/(more...) that will have the following features:

a renamer (renames your roms/isos/files..)
a boxart & screenshot & NFO viewer
a "Trim & Send to" function so you can get your files ready to be stored on your flash cart / microSD

I'm sure most users will like it
a search function
a filter feature
a "favorites" list where you can store your favorites from any Romdat (NDS/GBA/...)
an automatic updater with nice features like small MSN-like popups in the bottom right corner to notify you of new roms
it'll use the rating system of GBAtemp (you can view the rating & rate a game)
it's using GBAtemp's NDS & GBA database so the dat will be updated as soon as there's a new game posted on GBAtemp.net
a skinnable interface
shell integration (can manage roms inside windows explorer)

and much more! I'm trying to make the ultimate rom manager

I'm trying to design GBArms as a software that can be used by flashkit users... to manage their roms, trim them, etc.

so stay tuned!

lookout · Dec 28, 2006

Yahoo! can't wait

Costello · Dec 29, 2006

New Alpha version!

GBArms v4 alpha 2
What's new?
- can display screenshot & boxart (1 screen & 1 boxart supplied in the zip)
- can display rom information (basic view only! I'll work on the display later!)
- settings core done
- saves window settings in the registry, and reloads them
- click on the boxart / screenshot enables or disables image stretching
- .. probably more than I can remember

Download here

Notice the 3 tiny bars in the title bar?
They tell you if you have the resources linked to this rom (left bar: if you have the NFO it's green, if you don't have it it's red. center bar: same, but for the screenshot. right: same for the boxart).
Here there are all green as I supplied the 3 of them in the zip.

Here the bars are all red.
Note that this DS dat supports Ique & XXXX roms.

Z_Hunter · Dec 29, 2006

This is going to be good, I know it. I've been waiting for this new version for a while.

HugeCock · Dec 29, 2006

Great work Costello, downloading now!

Vodka · Dec 29, 2006

Since you're taking suggestions, a lot of people are looking for a renamer that also supports 7zip

One note, if you click NFO, SRCH, or RANK and then click a new ROM name, it doesn't clear what's in the right frame.

Nice work so far

Costello · Dec 29, 2006

Fine, I'll support as many file formats as I can.

I'll need a good library for that.
And yeah since the three buttons NFO/SRCH/RANK dont do anything, don't even bother clicking them yet.

thegame07 · Dec 29, 2006

yes i need something like this thanks

squee · Dec 29, 2006

Great work

nds_gamerz · Jan 15, 2007

this looks promising. what a good way to organize my nds rom list. good luck.

Costello · Jan 15, 2007

I'm still working on it...

I'll release a new build soon that contains some new specific features (not mentionned in the features list)

Sekkyumu · Jan 15, 2007

Can't wait !

fluffykiwi · Jan 15, 2007

I used to use gbarms in its old incarnation and only switched to offlinelist when it stopped getting updated regularly. It was a very nice application.

I didnt know you had lost the source, only thought you lost interest.

Thanks for restarting.

Costello · Jan 15, 2007

GBArms 4 Alpha 3

What's new?
- quick (ugly) module to update the NDS compatibility database
- region now shows up fine
- details on games can be ordered (in the .dat file) and even hidden. The "game id" is hidden by default now.
- I worked more on the bottom icons (home/fav/srch)
- quicksearch works fine

Sooo... the compatibility module.
GBAtemp is (secretly - only you readers of this topic know of this) building a compatibility list.
It can be found here: http://gbatemp.net/gonline/listcompat.php

Step by step:
- To build this list, the only way is to use GBArms.
- To bring the screen that you can see on the picture above, just double-click on a game in the list.
- Select the slot-1 of your choice.
- Indicate the firmware you're using (if you want to help build the list, please always use the latest firmware.. or at least the most compatible!)
- Indicate the name of your removable media (except for DS-Xtreme)
- Test the clean, legit rom on your slot-1. Of course the slot-1 requires a client for the games to work, do use it.
- Indicate the results of your tests, and leave a comment if necessary.
- It doesn't matter if you test a game that is already in the compatibility list.
- Once you're done with a game, click "save & next".

Thank you.
Please don't use existing information from other websites. Respect their work, and produce genuine information here!

Download:
Click here

Shinji · Jan 17, 2007

Darn, me without a slot-1 device...

I'm still going to check this puppy out though, looks nice

phoood · Jan 17, 2007

To me personally, the compatibility list is a bit unnecessary. Since there is no patching fuss, it's either the rom works or it doesn't and you can't do anything about it. But I know it would be helpful to others since it includes other info like slowdowns and glitches.

Great work.

SynGamer · Jan 17, 2007

QUOTE(phoood @ Jan 16 2007 said:
To me personally, the compatibility list is a bit unnecessary.Â Since there is no patching fuss, it's either the rom works or it doesn't and you can't do anything about it.Â But I know it would be helpful to others since it includes other info like slowdowns and glitches.

Great work.

Personally, i would rather see a list of INCOMPATIBLE roms...

Costello · Jan 18, 2007

yeah, that sounds right...
incompatibility list would be more appropriate

but then again, you don't have to report working games...

Hacking GBArms 4 Alpha 3

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taking it to a whole new level.

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