New GB version coming... feature requests, anyone?

[K.C.]

And another feature request!

The Verify Available Files checks if all needed files can be found and generates a text file with all files it needs, but are not found at the locations where they need to be.

Can this be expanded with an option to look for redundant files?
In a collection there could be too many game images, screenshots, or extras that are not accessed from any database entry.
They can be removed to keep the directories clean, but there isn't an easy way to find them.

[Jimbo]

As briefly mentioned before, I've added a way to import your favourites and other personal info from another database (e.g. a previous version of GB64): -



Other updates...

[K.C.]

The global key=value pairs and kvsets are a very welcome addition for me.
The way you implemented it should do the trick, but wouldn't it be better to store all kvsets in one file, for example kvsets.ini or kvsets.txt?
This file could be stored in the database folder itself (creating a subfolder is not needed) and could have the following contents:

[Jimbo]

Hi

Yes it should be quite easy to change the kvsets to use a single ini file in the database folder.

I'll add those ether environment variables too.

[ldaneels]

Hi there,
For the review aggregate field, percentages would be easier to handle (star ratings are easy to convert to percentages). As for the way to store it, I was thinking we can calculate the aggregate manually, but if there is a way to enter multiple review scores that can be calculated automatically, that would be awesome.
Gamebase shows an error message (invalid function parameter 4. Expected: VALUE) when you don't put anything for value. This is the line I am trying to set no value to :
Set_INI_Value(%emupath%\cpce.ini||CPCE||autotype|| )
This line has a space for a value while I would like to have:
Set_INI_Value(%emupath%\cpce.ini||CPCE||autotype||)
Thanks for your hard work,

Loic

[Jimbo]

- Added the following new GEMUS environment vars:

%dbdriveletter%
%storedgames(n)%
%storedpictures(n)%
%storedextras(n)%
%storedmusic%
%storedphotos%

- Fixed GEMUS to allow empty values in key=value pairs, and in all Set_* functions.

- Changed the global/kvsets pairs to use single file (Gemus.ini) in database folder.

- @.mad... fixed that screenshot resizing bug!

more soon...

[.mad.]

Thanks,

When using the personal settings / rating for each game.
if you select rating as classic, the game is then shown in a bold font.

would it be possible to use colours in these settings??

Red = poor
Blue = ok
Green = good

this option could then be used as a visual marker for certain games.

Missing Games in BLUE
Denied Games in RED
Need installing in GREEN

i know your very busy.
if it's easy for you to do, then it's a good idea.

[hardmanm]

Will a new Beta be released soon?
_________________
Gamebase Developer of:

AcornMania, AmstradMania, Atari800, Apple II, SpeccyMania, GamebaseBBC, Gamebase Electron, Apple2GS, Sam Coupe, Gamebase GX4000, Memotech MTX, NEC PC98, Fujitsu FM-7 and Sharp X1.

[Jimbo]

Ok, finally got Run_Emulator_Send_Keys() Gemus function working (thanks for the tip AAG).

Tested on WinVICE, works a charm. Works on DOS apps too: -

Run_Emulator_Send_Keys([5]HELLO{ENTER}[2]JIMBO||100)

The above will wait 5 seconds, then send "HELLO" keys and enter key, then wait 2 seconds, then send "JIMBO". It works with Function keys etc, and shift/alt/control combos work.

The ||100 param is the duration to hold each key down, in milliseconds. Some apps (e.g. WinVICE) seem to ignore the keypresses if they aren't held down for long enough - its as if they are too quick that they don't get registered. That's the reason for this param. I found that 100ms worked best. Just be careful with this param - if you specify a long duration, key-repeat may come into effect (it did for me at 400ms).

@.mad.... Nice idea for the colours, but the listbox in VB can't do that by default so its a lot of work to implement it - I won't be doing that just yet.

Cheers

[Jimbo]

A new beta will be released as soon as I have done: -

- rezip using 7-zip
- sort option for custom views
- add game as copy of existing game

I also have to keep my wife happy, so I imagine it will be a week or two yet!

It will also take longer the more features you guys keep giving me

[Mayhem]

[Jimbo]

Michael Plate just reminded me that years ago I wrote a tool for the GB64 team that does exactly this but only for screenshots. Since I found the sourcecode for it, I think I'll amend it to also check for games/music/extras/photos too, and then release that.

[K.C.]

With the list of changes in mind, I don't think this is not going to be version 1.3, I would surely name it Gamebase 2.0!

A few small questions:

• A lot of Yes/No fields have been changed to Yes/No/Unknown.
  Is there a way to check for Unknown in GEMUS?
  
• In GEMUS you can check if a variable contains some text, but is there also a way to check if it DOESN'T contain a (sub)string?
  The only workaround I know is this one:
  

  Code:

  If %testvar_value% CONTAINS (*text*) Else         Show_Message(testvar doesn't contain the word text!) EndIf

  
  It works, but it would be more elegant if this code would work also:
  

  Code:

  If %testvar_value% NOT CONTAINS (*text*)         Show_Message(testvar doesn't contain the word text!) EndIf

[Jimbo]

I added an EXCLUDES function, instead of NOT CONTAINS, as it was easier

Will look at the Yes/No/Unknown thing!

bye!

[K.C.]