I ' m opening this new topic to show you evolution of the program MSX ROM DATABASE i already shown you in another topic.
The software had multiple evolutions, and with Vitor Martinez 's help the interface is more friendly to use, and really faster.
I add some functions to the program, that are kind of "gadget", but I want to show how to take advantage of a MSX connected to the internet.
First some precisions...
What is GR8NET cartridge?
It's a cartridge developped by Eugeny Brychkov, enable you to connect you MSX to internet.
Basic instructions were developped and added to the MSX ROM to take advantage of the internet.
Of course you can also program it in ASM.
What is the Cloud ?
The Cloud is a storage space, you can connect to with internet. This storage space can store Datas, but also account informations, parameters etc...
What is MSX ROM DATABASE ?
It's a MSX rom database based on the one from VampierMSX (Member of this forum).
Every rom file are identified by a SHA1 sign, that can be easy to differentiate multiple rom files for one only game.
Near 1000 roms are available now.
What is MSX ROM DATABASE CLIENT ?
It's a Basic program to use on MSX2 with a GR8NET cartridge.
This program is connecting to the database and allow you to play any MSX ROM.
You don't need to have ROM files on you storage, everything is on the Cloud.
Lastest version is downloadable from here :
http://msx.ebsoft.fr/gr8net/rombase.bas
First launch
The program can be use without any settings.
In the search zone, at the bottom of the screen you can enter any word, or game title ou part of name or year etc...
After you press ENTER, the list of games will be show at the screen
Example of what you can search for :
-gradius
-konami
-hal
-msx2
-knigh
-disk2rom
etc...
Here the game list after searching for the word 'konami'
The rom list is big. There are multiple pages.
Go to a page or another with left and right arrow keys.
Select a game in the list with up and down arrow keys.
Once you selected a game, press SPACE BAR to download and play the rom.
There is no need to set any mapper or rom size. All parameters are already set in the database. All you have to do is choose and press SPACE.
Nota : Most of the roms can be started without MSX make a reset. But some roms will refuse.
If the CAPS LOCK key is ON, a reset will be done before starting the rom.
The functions keys
At the top of the screen you can see F1 to F6 Function keys.
[F1]- Force screen to 50Hz(Pal) or 60Hz (NTCS)
[F2]- Activate ou desactivate turbo, mode for Turbo-R and panasonic MSX2+
[F3]- Manually choose the mapper type.
[F4]- Game Language if avaliable for the game. International or Japanese. Most of Konami game use this parameter.
[F5]- Only for Konami games. Enable you to simulate a second konami cartridge in the MSX. Choose the one you want by multiple press on F5 key
[F6]- Cool Colors, enable MSX2 palette if possible.
CLOUD ! Note your choices with [F1], [F2], [F3] and [F6] are automatically saved in the cloud.
At every startup of the program, function keys will get their last state.
Other function key [F7]
Press [F7] to enter parameters menu.
Enter your name or nick name.
Choose text color and screen color.
Use left and right arrow key in front of the color you want to change.
Use up and down arrow key to choose the one you want to change.
Press ENTER to validate.
CLOUD ! Note your pseudo, and color choose are saved in the cloud. At every startup the colors you have choosen will be applied
At every startup the program is using your color choice, and say you hello. Also, the last search string you have entered is write in the search area. So you continue exactly where you stoped in your last session.
Other function key [F8]
Press [F8] to enter statistics screens
This first screen show you the most used search strings by all users.
This second screen show you the most game launch by all users.
Auto Update
At every startup, the program will check if there is a new version available.
In the case there is a new version, it is print on the screen.
You have the choice to pass the update by pressing a key, or make the update by pressing [F1].
If you choose to make the update, the UPDATER Program will start.
It renind you what is the lastest version, and ask you to enter a name to save the new program on your local storage.
then ,he ask you if you want to start the new program once downloaded or not.
In some seconds, the update is downloaded and saved on your MSX locale storage.
Advertising
CLOUD ! Once a day an advertising screen is shown, during 4 seconds.
Tip
To show lastest ROMS recorded in the database enter : /lastroms
as search string
Enjoy...
Let me know what you think !
