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Category: Emulation

Revive that old PC with Puppy-Miga

Posted on By Amiga office No comments Revive that old PC with Puppy-Miga

Puppy-Miga, a Linux distribution geared towards emulation of AmigaThe project has been developed and published since the end of 2023 by a member of the French-speaking Puppy Linux forum community known as "Bilou".

Puppy Linux It has specific community projects such as AmiPUP y Puppy-Myga, designed for transform old computers into operating systems that look like Amiga or on powerful retro emulation stationsBy combining the extreme lightness of Puppy Linux (which runs entirely from RAM) with emulators of the classic Commodore system, it is possible to revive any obsolete PC and transform it into a dedicated retro machine.

Puppy-Miga (or "Puppy-Myga") offers an emulator of Amiga It's almost ready to use and comes with pre-configured games, making it portable.

Puppy's main projects + Amiga:

  • AmiPUPIt's a classic remaster of Puppy Linux (based on Slacko). Its main focus is on aesthetics. It uses modified lightweight window managers and a custom icon pack ("Ken's Icons"). to identically replicate the Workbench desktop environment of Amigabut maintaining the Linux base and compatibility.
  • Puppy-MygaIt is a distribution packaged in lightweight ISO format that is optimized for direct emulationIt starts instantly and integrates quick selectors such as TinyLauncher o Xbench to run games and applications Amiga without configuring complicated commands.

Emulators used in Puppy Linux

If you prefer to use a standard, clean version of Puppy Linux, you can install the emulator of Amiga manually using two main software programs:

  1. FS UAEIt is the most recommended cross-platform emulator for computers with x86 processors (Intel/AMD). It includes a graphical interface (FS-UAE Launcher) very intuitive and allows mapping native Linux folders as if they were hard drives of the Amiga.
  2. amiberry: An ultra-optimized alternative (originally for ARM architectures like Raspberry Pi, but available on modern Linux) that features direct support for running game files in WHDLoad format directly.

Requirements for emulation

  • PC: With a 64-bit x86 processor and 2 GB of RAM, USB drive or DVD.
  • Kickstart ROMsThe original firmware of Amiga (the most common versions are 1.3 for Amiga 500 and 3.0/3.1 for Amiga 1200).
  • Game/software files: Floppy disk images in format .adf or rigid virtual file systems (.hdf).

The Taskbar

The taskbar offers several configurations, and that's its advantage: everything comes pre-configured for both the lazy and the busy: FS-UAE, the arcade version, but also CaffeineOS, CoffinOS, Amiberry, and Tiny Launcher. The directory structure is truly designed for users seeking simplicity, as the file explorer provides immediate access to the FS-UAE or Amiberry directories without having to navigate through the dozens of folders so common in typical Linux distributions.

It's also worth noting that the "host-run" functionality allows you to run Linux applications through the emulated Workbench. This is extremely useful for those who want to use modern programs through a Workbench.

The Speed ​​of Emulation

Selecting, for example, a 68040 processor with the "fastest possible" option yields around 277 MIPS according to SysInfo, which is more than enough for all games. Puppy-Miga offers seamless emulation without slowdowns in all tested games and applications, similar to WinUAE.

When you shut down your computer, you can create a directory on the host machine's hard drive to store session preferences, files, and so on. And here we encounter a somewhat limiting aspect of so-called "live" distributions. If you use it on your own computer, there are no problems in the next session: the files and settings will be there... but they will disappear if you use it on another computer.

In conclusion

Puppy-Miga is an independent distribution that allows you to have different emulators of Amiga Customizable to suit individual preferences, it's well-designed for almost immediate use. It's ideal for those who have a computer but don't want to add many emulators directly.

Download

News, Emulation

AmiMasterGearCLI: AmiMasterGear from Shell and WHDLoad integration

Posted on By Amigatronics No comments in AmiMasterGearCLI: AmiMasterGear from Shell and WHDLoad integration

AmiMasterGearCLI allows to use AmiMasterGear directly from the command line, without having to go through its graphical interface. The project starts from AmiMasterGear, the well-known emulator of Sega Master System y Game Gear all with Amiga AGA originally created by Juan Antonio Gómez Gálvez, whose version 0.81 was published along with its assembler source code.

That source code has allowed CRANE (TecniMan) to study the program's internal workings and adapt its execution method. The goal was not to create a new emulator or rewrite the original kernel, but to modify the startup flow to be able to launch a ROM directly from Shellso that something like AmiMasterGearCLI juego.sms allow it to load automatically.

The development process involved research and experimentation with 68k assembly code . Locating the routines related to booting, ROM selection, the interface, and parameter passing led to numerous tests, modifications, and recompilations. Some solutions worked, while others resulted in crashes or simply failed to produce the expected outcome, forcing a re-analysis of the code and a search for alternative approaches.

This process has also involved OpenAI GPT as an assistance tool for analyzing code fragments, interpreting routines, proposing possible solutions, and developing some auxiliary tools. The goal was not to request a finished program and use it, but to maintain an iterative process in which proposals were modified, compiled, and tested directly in the AmigaThe results of each test were used to decide the next step.

The possibility of executing AmiMasterGear from CLI It also opens a particularly interesting door: its integration with WHDLoadBy being able to directly receive the name of a ROM, it is possible to create installations that allow processing games from Master System practically like any other game installed on the AmigaSelect an icon, double-click, and start playing.

From there, tools have also been developed to automate the creation of WHDLoad installations from ROM collections , preparing the necessary names and data and generating individual installations. AmiMasterGear also supports Game Gear , so this functionality is retained in the adaptation.

AmiMasterGearCLI is an unofficial adaptation based on the published source code of AmiMasterGear 0.81. The emulator and its original kernel belong to Juan Antonio Gómez Gálvez , while the CLI adaptation was carried out by CRANE (TecniMan) , with assistance from OpenAI GPT/ChatGPT during development.

The AmiMasterGearCLI version is available for viewing and download via Aminet.

News, Emulation, Video Games

Amiberry 8.3 adds support for ZZ9000 and RP9 packages

Posted on By Amigatronics No comments Amiberry 8.3 adds support for ZZ9000 and RP9 packages

Version 8.3.0 of the popular emulator has been released Amiga "Amiberry", an update that incorporates important new features focused on compatibility, performance and user experience.

Key features include full support for the ZZ9000 graphics card, including RTG acceleration and compatibility with the latest Picasso96 drivers. It also adds support for RP9 packages, allowing you to install and run this format directly from the emulator.

The new version introduces a native shader engine with persistent settings, a revamped organization of configurations using drop-down categories, and a centralized panel for global settings. Furthermore, the Windows graphical interface now runs in a separate window, matching the behavior of Linux and macOS.

In terms of performance, Amiberry 8.3 improves emulation on Raspberry Pi 4, optimizes renderer performance, and fixes various problems related to PowerPC emulation and the JIT system.

The update also includes numerous fixes for components such as the Motorola 68030 MMU, SCSI systems, Picasso96, Ethernet, AutoCrop, and Voodoo3 cards. Additionally, multiple bugs related to the graphical interface, cursor management, and compatibility with controllers and external devices have been resolved.

The Android version receives significant improvements in initial setup, ROM management, and the user interface, while the Libretro kernel incorporates new image cropping options and support for status lines.

Finally, Amiberry updates several important dependencies, including SDL 3.4.14, ImGui and Capsimage, as well as integrating the latest improvements from WinUAE.

* More info and download <—

News, Emulation

AmiDesk continues to evolve with significant improvements in its web, Raspberry Pi, and mobile versions.

Posted on By Amigatronics No comments AmiDesk continues to evolve with significant improvements in its web, Raspberry Pi, and mobile versions.

Just a few weeks We were talking about AmiDesk, Pedro's project «Balrog» that reimplements the API of AmigaOS 1.3 in JavaScript to deliver an experience inspired by the operating system of Amiga directly from the browser. Since then, development has continued to progress, and the author has shared a long list of new features that improve both the compatibility and usability of the project in all its variants.

The web version has received some of the most significant improvements. These include the addition of new libraries and devices, such as req.library, audio.device y printer.devicenow allowing sound playback and the printing of graphics and text. Support for joysticks and gamepads has also been expanded through gameport.deviceIn addition to implementing Blitter functions graphics.librarywhich has allowed the creation of a small clone of Space Invaders as a demonstration of the capabilities that the environment is acquiring.

One of the most interesting aspects is that AmiDesk continues to expand its compatibility with classic applications and commands. The project's goal is not simply to replicate the appearance of Workbench, but to offer a reimplementation of the system calls of AmigaOS so that native software can interact with them as expected. According to its author, numerous Workbench 1.3 commands already work correctly, as do applications like Calculator and More, in addition to several examples from the ROM Kernel Manuals.

The storage system has also evolved. AmiDesk uses a cloud.device designed following the philosophy of the devices of AmigaOS, instead of resorting to a browser-specific solution. When mounting the drive WorkThe environment automatically creates the folders AmiDesk-System, intended for system configuration and execution of a user-startup, and AmiDesk-Workwhere the user can store applications, documents and any other files they wish to use from AmiDesk.

Meanwhile, the Raspberry Pi version continues to progress steadily. Work is now focused on a reimplementation of AmigaOS 3.1 for 32-bit ARM systems incorporates an increasing number of libraries, devices, and system components. Furthermore, the author has implemented significant performance optimizations, notably improving drawing speed through new framebuffer management techniques. In addition, the first preference programs are included, such as those dedicated to the color palette and screen mode, whose settings can now be retained across reboots.

Another striking new feature is the arrival of a mobile-optimized version. The interface has been redesigned for easier use on touchscreens, simplifying some Workbench elements and allowing windows to open in full screen. Menus can be accessed with a long press, and a dedicated key bar has been added to facilitate certain functions that require keyboard shortcuts. Furthermore, the application can be installed as a web app from Chrome for Android, offering a full-screen experience while the developer continues working on improving the app's responsiveness and refining its functionality.

Balrog AmiDesk Web is defined as a project with a significant educational component. The idea is to make API programming more accessible. AmigaOS using JavaScript, a much more accessible language for today's developers, allowing us to understand how a multitasking operating system like this worked AmigaOS without the need to configure compilers or classic development tools.

Link to Amidesk

News, Development, Emulation, Software