emulation.net News Archives

April 1998

If you've arrived here via MacInTouch, welcome to emulation.net! This site is the premiere stop for information on all kinds of Macintosh emulators, from Windows 95 to Atari 2600. emulation.net is also proud to be dedicated exclusively to the Mac OS! Feel free to explore the emulators listed in the table below.
Unfortunately, the PSX-Emu trojan listed below is even more malicious than expected; it tampers with the System file, installing an INIT resource which causes the "Hogli" user to reappear constantly. This is not only malicious, but is likely to be a performance drain on your Macintosh as well.
EmuMac has moved to a new address, http://www.tristone.co.uk/emumac/.
The Swedish version of MacMAME 0.31.1 has been released.
The Korean version of freeMSX 0.71 has been released.
The ROM links for MacMAME have been updated with some new sites.

Warning: a Trojan horse has been circulating on Hotline recently which is called "PSX-Emu 0.01d." It claims to be a Playstation emulator in development by a group known as Sobo Software. Do NOT run it! If you have a Hotline Server installed, this program will add an invisible user to the server's user list which has full admin priveleges. If you see this file circulating, please warn the owners of the server immediately, so that this Trojan horse is stopped as soon as possible.
If you have already run this program, and you have Hotline Server installed, it is possible to remove the hidden user from the Users folder by using a tool known as File Buddy. You will find a hidden folder inside Users called "Hogli." Deleting this folder and its contents should restore your server to normal.
It's important to be cautious about the files you download! The Internet can be a dangerous place.

MacMAME has received a minor update, to version 0.31.1! This version fixes an annoying sound glitch, and won't crash if you don't have Appearance Manager installed. Also, for System 7 users, a link for downloading the Appearance Manager has been added directly below MacMAME.
iNES-J, the Japanese version, has been updated to version 0.7.7, thanks to Ryumu!! The documentation has not been updated since the version 0.7.5 release, but this is a welcome update nonetheless.
A product is reportedly under development called the "Catweasel"; it would allow a Macintosh to read 5.25" disk data from various platforms, specifically meant for use with emulators.

MacMAME 0.31 is here!! This version took 4 months to complete, and supports a total of 480 games. The most significant improvement is preliminary support for Capcom CPS-1 games (currently emulated by the PC emulator Callus)! The improvements are far too numerous to list here, so visit the Official MAME home page for a complete list. (My weekend will undoubtedly be spent playing Strider and Packrat.)
Catakig, an Apple II-series emulator, has been updated to version 1.10a3. This release fixes some bugs from the previous release.
An emulation.net reader has written in to say that he has not yet received a refund from Console Cables, or even notification about current problems facing the company.

Power64 has been updated to version 2.1! This version fixes several serious bugs and improves speed significantly, so it's well worth an update.
The International Digital Software Association is a group which is targeting emulation for extinction.
Console Cables has written a letter to emulation.net attempting to explain that they are not ripping off users. Several readers note the existence of the Choicestick, another console controller adaptor which is currently available.

Power PC Engine has been updated to version 0.3.4! This version includes some Appearance Manager tweaks and speed improvements; I can't judge the speedups, though, since the previous version already ran at full speed on my G3/266.
Disappointing news--SNES9X's next release has been delayed for a few weeks while the new developers fix some bugs that they have added while working on SNES9X's new features. (This is not surprising considering their relative inexperience with SNES9X's quite large source tree.) Many people have written asking about the Mac OS port status as well--I'm happy to report that, while a few problems with SNES9X itself still remain, the port is looking beautiful. There are a few screenshots of SNES9X's most recent build available.
MacMAME 0.31 will be released in a week! The MAME Work-in-Progress page has verified that this release will support an unbelievable 132 new ROMs, including a few as-of-yet undisclosed surprises!
Dave Weston, author of MAMEBase, is looking for individuals who want to keep updating his guide to MAME. If you're interested in keeping MAMEBase alive, write to Dave and support this project!
Marat Fayzullin has recently updated his article on how to write a computer emulator. This is on the essential reading list for would-be emulator authors.
MacSloMo (a.k.a. "Almost FastMo") has been updated to version 0.42, which, due to heavy optimizations, actually performs at playable speeds. Kudos to the SloMo team for their impressive coding job.

In my comparison of RealPC and Virtual PC, I was unable to make RealPC work with Quake II. However, some users claim that RealPC can be coaxed to run Quake II properly, but I have yet to figure out a method to keep it from crashing. Stay tuned.
MacPC is a relatively new site dedicated to PC emulation on the Macintosh. They have an excellent article on why the rumored Finder replacement technique for speeding up PC emulators does not work.
EmuMac has an interview with the author of PSMac, a program which may eventually become a Playstation emulator.
Console Cables is now claiming that they have financial difficulties, and that they are seeking investors. This is beginning to sound more and more like a scam. My recommendation: avoid at all cost.
Congratulations to Zac Angus for being emulation.net's 1,000,000th visitor!!

An interview of Richard Bannister is now online! It is especially interesting since they announce two new emulators: the first is a port of Retrocade to the MacOS, and the second is a multi-console emulator called MESS, which emulates Nintendo, Genesis and Colecovision. Screenshots of MESS are also available.
From the response I've gotten, it seems that lots of people were able to appreciate the review of Virtual PC and RealPC that was just posted. The most-often asked question, however, was how well a 3Dfx board for PCs works in a Macintosh. Well, as a matter of fact, it works great! You can easily download the Macintosh 3Dfx drivers online for compatibility with Mac games, and it fits into a standard Macintosh PCI slot with no modifications. The only real drawback is that you don't get the bundled Macintosh games that a Techworks Power3D normally includes.

The emulation.net Comparison of Virtual PC 2.0 and RealPC has been completed! If you're interested in learning how these two emulators stack up, you must read this article!
The MacEmu mailings are being suspended for a week, as the owner of the mailing list is on vacation.

Sorry for the recent lack of news postings; I had an evil midterm a few days ago, and was generally kept busy for the duration of the week.
Exciting news: MacMAME 0.31 will support the Capcom CPS-1 hardware--the same hardware being emulated by the Callus emulator on PCs! Already, drivers are in place for Strider, Final Fight and Willow. This report has been confirmed by the MacMAME Work In Progress page. Other interesting additions include perfect Sinistar support and support for the Atari game Toobin'.
Console Cables, who promised an adaptor to plug Saturn, N64, Playstation and other controllers into the Macintosh ADB port, has suspended the project (whatever that means). They claim that people who have been charged will be refunded within the next week or so.
The Site of the Week has been updated to a site that covers new MacMAME info.
MacSloMo, a Centipede emulator written in BASIC, has been updated to version 0.32.
French versions of SNES9X and Graybox have been released.
An archive of SNES SaveRAM files has recently opened up. Check it out!

The newest MacAddict magazine contains a preview of the "Intellivision Lives!" CD-ROM, including a game previously unreleased in emulator form, called "Shark! Shark!". The full version of "Intellivision Lives!" should be available soon.
Catakig, an Apple II-series emulator, has been updated to version 1.10a2.

A new Pilot emulator, Palm OS Emulator, has been released! This is actually a derivative of Copilot; it has been acquired by Palm Computing (makers of the Pilot) and updated to emulate the latest Pilot hardware. It even comes bundled with working ROM images!
fMSX 1.5.2-Sv, the Swedish version, has been released!
MacSloMo, a Centipede emulator written in FutureBASIC, has been updated to version 0.31. This version includes preliminary Millipede support.
Phil Stroffolino is working on a Tiger Road emulator! Here is a a screenshot of his progress. (This driver will be part of MacMAME 0.31.)

F. E. Systems has developed the Bernie SuperCharge GS, a product has been proven to turn base metals into gold and predict the future using elusive April 1st technology. This is a special one-day offer though, so get it fast!
Catakig, an Apple II-series emulator, has been updated to version 1.10a! This new version fixes some bugs, and most importantly is now "tentatively" 680x0 compatible.

Send feedback to emulation.net.
Back to emulation.net.

	If you've arrived here via MacInTouch, welcome to emulation.net! This site is the premiere stop for information on all kinds of Macintosh emulators, from Windows 95 to Atari 2600. emulation.net is also proud to be dedicated exclusively to the Mac OS! Feel free to explore the emulators listed in the table below. Unfortunately, the PSX-Emu trojan listed below is even more malicious than expected; it tampers with the System file, installing an INIT resource which causes the "Hogli" user to reappear constantly. This is not only malicious, but is likely to be a performance drain on your Macintosh as well. EmuMac has moved to a new address, http://www.tristone.co.uk/emumac/. The Swedish version of MacMAME 0.31.1 has been released. The Korean version of freeMSX 0.71 has been released. The ROM links for MacMAME have been updated with some new sites.
	Warning: a Trojan horse has been circulating on Hotline recently which is called "PSX-Emu 0.01d." It claims to be a Playstation emulator in development by a group known as Sobo Software. Do NOT run it! If you have a Hotline Server installed, this program will add an invisible user to the server's user list which has full admin priveleges. If you see this file circulating, please warn the owners of the server immediately, so that this Trojan horse is stopped as soon as possible. If you have already run this program, and you have Hotline Server installed, it is possible to remove the hidden user from the Users folder by using a tool known as File Buddy. You will find a hidden folder inside Users called "Hogli." Deleting this folder and its contents should restore your server to normal. It's important to be cautious about the files you download! The Internet can be a dangerous place.
	MacMAME has received a minor update, to version 0.31.1! This version fixes an annoying sound glitch, and won't crash if you don't have Appearance Manager installed. Also, for System 7 users, a link for downloading the Appearance Manager has been added directly below MacMAME. iNES-J, the Japanese version, has been updated to version 0.7.7, thanks to Ryumu!! The documentation has not been updated since the version 0.7.5 release, but this is a welcome update nonetheless. A product is reportedly under development called the "Catweasel"; it would allow a Macintosh to read 5.25" disk data from various platforms, specifically meant for use with emulators.
	MacMAME 0.31 is here!! This version took 4 months to complete, and supports a total of 480 games. The most significant improvement is preliminary support for Capcom CPS-1 games (currently emulated by the PC emulator Callus)! The improvements are far too numerous to list here, so visit the Official MAME home page for a complete list. (My weekend will undoubtedly be spent playing Strider and Packrat.) Catakig, an Apple II-series emulator, has been updated to version 1.10a3. This release fixes some bugs from the previous release. An emulation.net reader has written in to say that he has not yet received a refund from Console Cables, or even notification about current problems facing the company.
	Power64 has been updated to version 2.1! This version fixes several serious bugs and improves speed significantly, so it's well worth an update. The International Digital Software Association is a group which is targeting emulation for extinction. Console Cables has written a letter to emulation.net attempting to explain that they are not ripping off users. Several readers note the existence of the Choicestick, another console controller adaptor which is currently available.
	Power PC Engine has been updated to version 0.3.4! This version includes some Appearance Manager tweaks and speed improvements; I can't judge the speedups, though, since the previous version already ran at full speed on my G3/266. Disappointing news--SNES9X's next release has been delayed for a few weeks while the new developers fix some bugs that they have added while working on SNES9X's new features. (This is not surprising considering their relative inexperience with SNES9X's quite large source tree.) Many people have written asking about the Mac OS port status as well--I'm happy to report that, while a few problems with SNES9X itself still remain, the port is looking beautiful. There are a few screenshots of SNES9X's most recent build available. MacMAME 0.31 will be released in a week! The MAME Work-in-Progress page has verified that this release will support an unbelievable 132 new ROMs, including a few as-of-yet undisclosed surprises! Dave Weston, author of MAMEBase, is looking for individuals who want to keep updating his guide to MAME. If you're interested in keeping MAMEBase alive, write to Dave and support this project! Marat Fayzullin has recently updated his article on how to write a computer emulator. This is on the essential reading list for would-be emulator authors. MacSloMo (a.k.a. "Almost FastMo") has been updated to version 0.42, which, due to heavy optimizations, actually performs at playable speeds. Kudos to the SloMo team for their impressive coding job.
	In my comparison of RealPC and Virtual PC, I was unable to make RealPC work with Quake II. However, some users claim that RealPC can be coaxed to run Quake II properly, but I have yet to figure out a method to keep it from crashing. Stay tuned. MacPC is a relatively new site dedicated to PC emulation on the Macintosh. They have an excellent article on why the rumored Finder replacement technique for speeding up PC emulators does not work. EmuMac has an interview with the author of PSMac, a program which may eventually become a Playstation emulator. Console Cables is now claiming that they have financial difficulties, and that they are seeking investors. This is beginning to sound more and more like a scam. My recommendation: avoid at all cost. Congratulations to Zac Angus for being emulation.net's 1,000,000th visitor!!
	An interview of Richard Bannister is now online! It is especially interesting since they announce two new emulators: the first is a port of Retrocade to the MacOS, and the second is a multi-console emulator called MESS, which emulates Nintendo, Genesis and Colecovision. Screenshots of MESS are also available. From the response I've gotten, it seems that lots of people were able to appreciate the review of Virtual PC and RealPC that was just posted. The most-often asked question, however, was how well a 3Dfx board for PCs works in a Macintosh. Well, as a matter of fact, it works great! You can easily download the Macintosh 3Dfx drivers online for compatibility with Mac games, and it fits into a standard Macintosh PCI slot with no modifications. The only real drawback is that you don't get the bundled Macintosh games that a Techworks Power3D normally includes.
	The emulation.net Comparison of Virtual PC 2.0 and RealPC has been completed! If you're interested in learning how these two emulators stack up, you must read this article! The MacEmu mailings are being suspended for a week, as the owner of the mailing list is on vacation.
	Sorry for the recent lack of news postings; I had an evil midterm a few days ago, and was generally kept busy for the duration of the week. Exciting news: MacMAME 0.31 will support the Capcom CPS-1 hardware--the same hardware being emulated by the Callus emulator on PCs! Already, drivers are in place for Strider, Final Fight and Willow. This report has been confirmed by the MacMAME Work In Progress page. Other interesting additions include perfect Sinistar support and support for the Atari game Toobin'. Console Cables, who promised an adaptor to plug Saturn, N64, Playstation and other controllers into the Macintosh ADB port, has suspended the project (whatever that means). They claim that people who have been charged will be refunded within the next week or so. The Site of the Week has been updated to a site that covers new MacMAME info. MacSloMo, a Centipede emulator written in BASIC, has been updated to version 0.32. French versions of SNES9X and Graybox have been released. An archive of SNES SaveRAM files has recently opened up. Check it out!
	The newest MacAddict magazine contains a preview of the "Intellivision Lives!" CD-ROM, including a game previously unreleased in emulator form, called "Shark! Shark!". The full version of "Intellivision Lives!" should be available soon. Catakig, an Apple II-series emulator, has been updated to version 1.10a2.
	A new Pilot emulator, Palm OS Emulator, has been released! This is actually a derivative of Copilot; it has been acquired by Palm Computing (makers of the Pilot) and updated to emulate the latest Pilot hardware. It even comes bundled with working ROM images! fMSX 1.5.2-Sv, the Swedish version, has been released! MacSloMo, a Centipede emulator written in FutureBASIC, has been updated to version 0.31. This version includes preliminary Millipede support. Phil Stroffolino is working on a Tiger Road emulator! Here is a a screenshot of his progress. (This driver will be part of MacMAME 0.31.)
	F. E. Systems has developed the Bernie SuperCharge GS, a product has been proven to turn base metals into gold and predict the future using elusive April 1st technology. This is a special one-day offer though, so get it fast! Catakig, an Apple II-series emulator, has been updated to version 1.10a! This new version fixes some bugs, and most importantly is now "tentatively" 680x0 compatible.