Talk:Homebrew Browser
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great start ;) well, i dunno if it's planned, but you should add things like repositories, which can be added via the program, maybe in XML format, but, keep on working
- I took the easy way and have to create a new image for each homebrew application -Teknecal 17:24, 29 June 2008 (CEST)
How it works
1. The Homebrew Browser (HBB) contacts main server to receive a listing of the current homebrew applications. The list contains the different homebrew application names, image file sizes, boot file sizes and whether it is a dol or elf file.
2. HBB checks to see if the user has the latest image files (stored in /temp)for all homebrew listed. If the image is out of date or missing, it downloads the image file.
4. Once in HBB and when selecting a game to install, it downloads the icon.png, meta.xml and boot.dol/elf files from the server.
- Should the list in step 1 include the release date? Felix 08:29, 30 June 2008 (CEST)
- At the moment it doesn't because that's all written on the image files you download. Kind of a bad development idea, always having to change images when it gets updated, but for the end user they won't notice. --Teknecal 09:52, 30 June 2008 (CEST)
- Why not put this and the notes for the devs right on the article? --Blooper4912 23:36, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- Well, I went ahead and copied them. --Blooper4912 23:43, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- Thanks --Teknecal 10:23, 4 July 2008 (CEST)
Listing of applications and their folder names
Application (Folder name)
Asteroids (asteroids), Ballion (ballion), Bubble Dizzy (bdizzy), Bichejos (bichejos), CharioMan (CharioMan), Chess (chess), Duck Hunt (duck_hunt), ftpii (ftpii), MAsteroids (masteroids), Matching Cards (matching_cards), Minesweeper (mine_sweeper), PONG (PONG), Rock Paper Scissors (RockPaperScissors), Another Rock Paper Scissors Game (RockPaperScissors_v02), Scogger (scogger) SD Explorer (sdexplorer), Simon (simon), Snake2 (snake), Sudoku (sudoku), Tanks (Tanks), Tetris (Tetris), Touhou Fangame (Touhou), Trojan Wii (TrojanWii), WiiPaint (WiiPaint), WiiPhysics (WiiPhysics), WiiPoker (WiiPoker), Sudoku 2 (wiisudoku2), MahJongg Wii (mahjongg), SpaceShooter (SpaceShooter), Barrage (barrage), Box2D Balls (Box2DBalls), DrawingBox (DrawingBox), ExistenzE (ExistenzE), Jewel Quest (JQuest), MiniMP3 Player (MiniMP3Player), Missile Command (missilecommand), MTP(mtp), PlanetHively (PlanetHively), RayTracer (RayTracer), Gamecube Saver (Sd2gc), WiiBServer (wiibsrvr), Wiihttpd (wiihttpd), wiilight (wiilight), WiiMotionDemo (WiimoteDemo), Wii Web Server (wiiwebserver), WiiWhiteboard (wiiwhiteboard), DragonMedia Player (dmp), HiivelyPlay (HiivelyPlay), MPlayerWii (MPlayerWii), Wii MFE Port (mfe-wii), OpenTyrianWii (opentyrian-Wii), Wii-Tac-Toe (Wii-Tac-Toe), AtaWii (AtaWii), FCE Ultra Wii (fceu), FUSE (fuse), Genesis Plus (genplusgx), Hugo-wii (hugo-gx), Neopop Wii (neopop), ScummVM (scummvm), SMSPlus (smsplus), Snes9X Wii (snes), Visual Boy Advance (vbawii), Wii64 (wii64), Yabause Wii (yabause), Briicks (Briicks), WiiOperation (operation)
Hosting
Are you hosting the homebrew on your own server? FallenAngelUK is also making a Homebrew Library and a Homebrew Manager. It would be great if these tools work with each other. Felix 06:52, 30 June 2008 (CEST)
- Currently hosting on my own server --Teknecal 16:31, 30 June 2008 (CEST)
Stats
Awesome App! But i think maybe you should add some stats (most downloaded) to get some competition going in Homebrew Development :)—Preceding unsigned comment added by Mjbauer95 (talk • contribs) 07:37, 30 June 2008 (CEST)
- Statistics sound good. Where should these statistics be available? Should it be in HBB or just on a webpage? --Teknecal 18:52, 3 July 2008 (CEST)
- I was thinking more in the HB --Mjbauer95 21:22, 3 July 2008 (CEST)
Some stats for the Top 10 applications downloaded
Last updated 15 July 2008
2799 wiiphysics
2075 duck_hunt
1915 sdexplorer
1543 ftpii
1281 tetris
1206 wiipaint
1056 tanks
987 chess
945 PONG
928 ballion
Name
When I first saw the name "Homebrew Browser", I thought it was a web browser. Maybe "Homebrew Downloader" would be more appropriate? Felix 10:09, 30 June 2008 (CEST)
(agree)x1 otto888- Another person got confused:[1] Felix 03:48, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
- Another confused right here. :) What about Homebrew Manager? Xyrion 21:40, 11 July 2008 (CEST)
- Disagree. Name a web browser that's NAMED (Something) Browser. There isn't one. Homebrew Browser would be at best a description of a homebrewed browser. This is definitely a name, and it fits perfectly. "Downloader" is more of a misnomer than this. And stupid people on the forums are hardly a convincing argument --ProdigySim 04:34, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
Background downloading
It would be nice if we could keep on browsing while it is downloading. Felix 10:09, 30 June 2008 (CEST)
Background Music
Help out by finding and linking us to any calm music loops so we can decide which one to use.
Loop_01 Loop_02 Loop_03 Loop_04
Robert Rich: Past Glances Parallel Horizons Felix 13:58, 4 July 2008 (CEST)
Definitely 'Loop 3'! Quixada 03:31, 7 July 2008 (CEST)
- I agree on loop 3 IF teknecal does this feature. It sounds the most wii-oriented. Pinball wizard 16:44, 11 July 2008 (CEST)
Loop 1: Too much beat for BG music. Loop 2: Sounds a little too old school for Wii. Loop 3: I'd have to agree that this is probably best... Loop 4: ...But this one is fine too.--PCDude2143 23:40, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
Need Help?/Suggestions
I have a suggestion as to make it look more like the shop channel so it is divided into categories. Other than that, GREAT JOB!!! Also, do you need help adding more content into the lists? I noticed that you don't have things like any utilities, media things, etc. I know most need other folders but if you put up a warning message that in order for it to work it must include XXX installed then it should work. Pinball wizard 16:29, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- At the moment I'm working with LowLines to get some better graphics. I'm thinking that some background sound to the HBB would be nice as well (can anyone recommend some calm background music like the shop channel). In a future version of HBB I plan to include those applications that don't run off a single boot file or need to create directories, both of these would be done by HBB. Good suggestion about the categories. I might need help with the content list in the future. If you'd like to help straight away, link me to some homebrew games that use a single boot file or homebrew applications that would likely be run more than once (like WiiPaint, ftpii, etc). Thanks. --Teknecal 17:15, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- Here are the ones I didn't see yet added. I included TItle lister since it can be quite useful but it is YOUR project so don't let my ideas change yours unless you agree. Pinball wizard 17:00, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Image:JQuest_Wiimote.zip
- http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Homebrew_apps/MissileCommand
- http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Homebrew_apps/Title_Lister
- The problem with the first two is, they load up files from the SD card and HBB doesn't support downloading those files yet. --Teknecal 17:15, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- They do? I installed at least Missile Command with only the elf I thought. Sorry my mistake. EDIT: I see, you cannot have more than the .elf/.dol the meta.xml, and the icon.png in anywhere. I thought it was that it couldn't link to anywhere else in the card other than the folder. Pinball wizard 18:23, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- The problem with the first two is, they load up files from the SD card and HBB doesn't support downloading those files yet. --Teknecal 17:15, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
Amazing
This is just awesome. Very well made, and easy to use ;) Just one little detail: the screen is pushed down a bit. Anyway, that's just a little thing compared to the rest of the app. --PaRaDoX 22:08, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
- I agree with PaRaDoX. It's completly awesome, it works really good and is really usefull. Continue the good job, I know it could lead to something even more powerfull =D. Keep updates on. --LaPatateInc 22:12, 1 July 2008 (CEST)
It's helpful that I don't have to bounce back and forth between the Wii and the computer. You also seem very into the project, because there have been 2 updates in the past week. One small cosmetic thing I would adjust is the CLI at the beginning. Maybe a Wii Shop-like loading screen instead with a single line of text underneath so you can see the progress and any status messages. --PCDude2143 23:52, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
Other icons
This isn't really a big issue, but it would be a good idea for later on in development. After picking an application to install, it would be nice to get a popup asking which Icon you wanted to use for it. Many applications still do not have "official" icons, and people like Lowlines have created some very nice icons that people enjoy, too. --ProdigySim 19:21, 2 July 2008 (CEST)
- Yeah I actually had this idea as well and so did LowLines, sometime in the future I guess. --Teknecal 02:36, 3 July 2008 (CEST)
Check Icons
How about a green check if installed and a blue check if it can be updated? At the current colour (Blue/Gray) on my older television, its hard to tell them apart (the only tell-tale difference being the "Download" button, heh) --Navarr 20:36, 5 July 2008 (CEST)
- Yeah, I was having a little trouble as well. We'll have a green tick for installed and a blue tick if it can be updated as you have suggested. --Teknecal 02:55, 7 July 2008 (CEST)
RayTracer?
Any one successfully downloaded RayTracer? I got "download failed" when I tried. Felix 02:38, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
- Same issue here along with WiiWhiteBoard also. Pinball wizard 03:32, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
- Thanks for letting me know. There was a small bug which caused this to happen. v0.2.0a should fix this issue. --Teknecal 13:12, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
Info/Stats Bar for sd disk
First off, GREAT WORK! If I may suggest, would it be possible to put in some form of info/stats bar illustrating sd card disk (free) space vs data used..etc. Maybe similar to Wii menu > save data management screen (Blocks used/free) Thanks! --ramie 07:52, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
- Just a number showing free space is good enough for me. Felix 12:13, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
Make buttons bigger
Can the about/download/delete buttons be made bigger? I have a small tv and it is hard to aim for the buttons. Felix 12:13, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
Wrong version
First, let me thank you for adding my game to the browser. But Wii-Tac-Toe should be version 0.1 like in the XML file. The About button should be "Tic-Tac-Toe game" like the short description in the meta.xml. There is two mode for playing the game so the current description is confusing. By the way I really like your application, you did a great job. -Crayon 17:27, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
- Thanks for bringing this up. I normally just go off the description written in the homebrew apps section. Description and version number have been updated. --Teknecal 10:44, 11 July 2008 (CEST)
What about SDExplorer 0.9 being upgraded to SDExplorer 1.0a? Too many files outside of the "apps" folder I guess... --Ace Alabama
Wanted Apps
DragonMedia
If you want an app added, put it here, personally, I would like DragonMedia Player, not sure if thats possible though
- With the recent updates, DragonMedia should be possible. I too would like to see it. Its an application that updates a lot. --Navarr 19:13, 10 July 2008 (CEST)
- DMP has been added. --Teknecal 15:55, 11 July 2008 (CEST)
Guitar Fun
How about Guitar Fun? :D --Navarr 18:58, 11 July 2008 (CEST)
- Should it really be added? I mean you have to download a song off the internet and therefore you'd basically have to take out the SD card anyway or ftp it over? --Teknecal 15:55, 12 July 2008 (CEST)
- You have to do the same thing for emulators, but you're putting those on. --Blooper4912 16:21, 12 July 2008(CEST)
- It would be useless for upating Guitar Fun and keeping the songs that we had previously on our SD Card.
- You have to do the same thing for emulators, but you're putting those on. --Blooper4912 16:21, 12 July 2008(CEST)
GeeXboX
How about the new version of GeeXboX who is now compatible with wiimote?
Emulators
Now that Homebrew Browser can install programs that access files on the SD card, more emulators would be great!
- Emulators should be in HBB by 24 hours. --Teknecal 15:55, 12 July 2008 (CEST)
Give a hand?
Can I help in some way? I'm better at the web side of things with PHP skills (don't know - are you using FTP or something :) ). --Lukegb 21:34, 11 July 2008 (CEST)
- If you would like to help and don't mind doing something repetitive, you could find all the applications HBB supports and add "| hbb = 1" to the Infobox homebrewapp of that application and "| hbc = 1" if that application can work out of the box with HBC. What do you think about having a HBB website which lists all the applications in HBB and make them downloadable similar to this website (http://skhsarki.extra.hu/files/download/apps.html) --Teknecal 15:45, 12 July 2008 (CEST)
- Sounds great :) - I'll start on doing the repetitive task first. --Lukegb 10:33, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
- OK - I did a test version of something similar to the website you mentioned (but with your awesome channel graphics) - at the moment it only displays the graphic (table style). I've put it up at http://www.lukegrangerbrown.uni.cc/hbb/. --Lukegb 12:08, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
- Doesn't look too bad, are you reading all the applications from the list file? I probably should start zipping up the games so that they can be linked to. Wonder if there will be enough interest in this sort of thing. --Teknecal 14:00, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
- Yes - the script is reading from the listv020b.txt file on your server (which I discovered by running strings boot.elf | grep HTTP). Easy - thanks to PHPs EXTENSIVE string handling, parsing and processing functions! --Lukegb 15:14, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
- Mmm, didn't know elfs contained plain text --Teknecal 15:15, 14 July 2008 (CEST)
- Yes - the script is reading from the listv020b.txt file on your server (which I discovered by running strings boot.elf | grep HTTP). Easy - thanks to PHPs EXTENSIVE string handling, parsing and processing functions! --Lukegb 15:14, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
- Doesn't look too bad, are you reading all the applications from the list file? I probably should start zipping up the games so that they can be linked to. Wonder if there will be enough interest in this sort of thing. --Teknecal 14:00, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
Don't worry about zipping, I think I might link to the original archive... --Lukegb 05:47, 14 July 2008 (CEST)
Homebrew Browser cannot download /temp/opentyrian-Wii.png
Since today, July 11, 2008, the Homebrew Browser has given me the following error message every time I run it: "The server appears to be having an issue. Retrying... The server appears to be having an issue. Retrying... The server appears to be having an issue. Retrying... Could not create or request file /temp/opentyrian-Wii.png, exiting..."
I wanted to bring this to your attention in hopes that it could be quickly and easily remedied. Here is a thread in which the issue was brought up. http://forum.wiibrew.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=689
I also would like to add a big thank you for making such a great application. Excellent work! It makes the installation of homebrew quick and easy, and it brings great new applications to my attention.
- Thanks, issue fixed. I forgot to upload that file :\ --Teknecal 03:20, 12 July 2008 (CEST)
Unofficial releases in HBB?
Will you also add unofficial releases to the HBB? (e.g.: SNES v3.1 of LoPsT) --ChronoX 09:53, 13 July 2008 (CEST)
- Yeah, I will probably do this in a few days. I'd have to put plain text over the icon image to signify whose unofficial release it is. --Teknecal 15:25, 14 July 2008 (CEST)
Loading GUI First - Do not show black/white text at startup
Why don't load the GUI first, and them tell the user that is loading the network, them looking for an update and downloading the list. The idea will be not to show that ugly command text at startup. A little bit similar to the Homebrew channel, whe it shows an icon when loading the network device and reading the SD card. --EvilMind 13 July 2008.
I kinda like having the terminal pop up to show what it's doing. It also helps users to debug what may be going wrong such as when Teknecal forgot to upload an image. I'm sure it would have gotten fixed but it just brought the problem to our attention so much faster. --NatenNator 18 July 2008
Cursor is kind of small
Why not make it bigger? -bdr9
- It's a bit smaller because the buttons are quite small --Teknecal 11:04, 17 July 2008 (CEST)