Amiga.org
Amigakit Hardware => A600GS & A1200NG => Topic started by: Stilvoid on August 22, 2024, 02:57:09 PM
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Is there a central point for gathering feature requests or bugs, e.g. a GitHub issues page or something?
I've been taking some notes on papercuts while building up my game library on my A600GS (and getting in some serious time with Settlers ;D)
I hope these are helpful and please point me at an issue tracker if there is one :)
- Missing quality of life features:
- Ability to invert mouse scroll direction ("natural" scroll).
- Progress bar when adding HDFs. Anything over a few MB takes a while and there's no indication that anything is happening.
- Timer or something when opening a large folder from USB stick. Bonus points if you swap the mouse pointer for a "thinking" cloud ;)
- Ability to choose smaller icons or perhaps a list view in the games selector.
- Access to amiberry interface for additional tweaking when games need it.
- Ability to map keyboard keys to joystick (as per UAE, cursor keys + ctrl)
- Ability to filter/start typing when selecting an adf to import. Long lists are painful to scroll through.
- Ability to map a joystick button to Up (and disable Up on the joypad)
- Disk drive noise 8)
- Issues:
- Audio pops on jack output when no sounds have played for a while (a few seconds) and then you click on a disc or something. Not good for my speakers!
- File selector is case-sensitive so upper-case appears before lower-case.
- Sounds sometimes repeat, e.g. select a game, sometimes the disk sound happens twice.
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These are all great suggestions as well as the idea to start this thread. Here are some quick suggestions off the top of my head that I have come up with as well as other folks who used it at our WAUG meeting
- Power and drive activity LED's
When I shut down via software I have to make it a point to press the power button or else I end up switching "off" the GS next time I go to use it. SillyBilly. Even just a power light would help immensely especially when doing a cold boot after crashes.
- Ability to make folders in "Games and Applications" launcher
Right now I am using this launcher as a "best of" and only importing my favorite items or else the carousel/menu will feel overloaded. I would like to be able to create a folder for "Shoot 'em Ups"; "Strategy"; "TBL"; "H0ffman" etc...
- Ability to load multiple .HDF files as a DH0: DH1: etc... So you have a virtual machine with multiple hard drives.
Maybe this feature already exists because AmiBench has multiple drives? Perhaps I don't know how to use it properly. After I load an .HDF I only see the option to replace the .HDF file, not add an additional one.
- Improved ADF Disk Swapping/Multiple Drives
I loaded up a 2 disk Cinemaware game. It doesn't seem like I can have a DF0: and DF1: (could be user error?) I added both ADF files but when I boot it prompts me to insert "reel2" So I navigate to the "Disk Changer" in the F12 menu and click on #2. This inserts the #2 disk into DF0: and it works, but it is all very vague and not clear. This can get extremely confusing when there are more than 2 floppies involved. It would be great to have at least a DF0: and DF1: but 4 floppy drives would be best. And when using the "Disk Changer" it would be nice to have the file names so I am clear which disk I am putting in what drive (providing you add more than one floppy drive support). It would also be great to be able to assign specific .ADF files to specific drives in the edit menu
- Hot Key for Disk Swaps
Feeding off the note above, it would be great to have hot keys for disk swaps so you don't have to break the flow when inserting a new disk. For example, in Eon, when it is time to insert disk 2 in DF0: you have to press F12, the machine pauses, and go navigate the menu. This kills the flow of the demo. If I could hit a hot key to swap disks or to inset disk 2 it would be awesome so the is no break in the demo. This is sort of a unique circumstance so I totally understand it not being a high priority but I am just throwing out ideas here.
- Wrap Around in the F12 menu
I usually navigate with a keyboard and every time I want to quit, my muscle memory has me press up arrow to wrap around to the bottom of the menu, but it doesn't do that. I have to down arrow through all the options to the bottom in order to quit. Not a huge deal but design elements like this make it feel a bit clunky
- Don't let the system icons on the left "jump" in Games and Applications Launcher
This is a minor one, but would improve the interface and user experience. When using a moue to navigate Games and Applications, don't allow the icons on the left to jump to a different part of the screen when you mouse over them and expand the menu. It is annoying. For example, if I mouse over the Gear System Icon, it jumps away from my pointer and my pointer ends up hovering over the Games and Applications tab. It isn't a huge deal, but it feels clunky
- Expert Mode
I wish you could switch into an expert mode so when you press F12 you get the AmiBerry menu like with PiMiga, AmiKit, Amibian, AGS, etc... This would let us re-map buttons, controls, and tweak settings. It would be really helpful. I am experiencing emulation issues on quite a few things. I know emulation is very difficult and I have issues with the other emulation systems as well, but frequently I can get something to run properly or better when I change the emulation settings in AmiBerry.
- Clearer "Controller Preference" Menu
I was confused about the controller preferences. When I add a DB9 joystick it says "DB9 Right Joystick" or "DB9 Left Joystick" in the menu However, on the A600GS itself they are labeled as "1. Game" and "2. Game" The labeling should be consistent. Additionally, left and right changes depending on on your orientation and which way you are looking at the device.
Thanks for hearing me out. I am really enjoying the A600GS so far and appreciate your efforts. The team seems passionate about the device and dedicated to future improvements and upgrades which is what gives me hope and excitement. It is easy for me to sit here with a beer in one hand and keyboard in the other coming up with all these ideas and critiques, but it is time consuming and difficult to actually implement them and and improve the A600GS. I am looking forward to further developments. Cheers guys!
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- Issues:
- Audio pops on jack output when no sounds have played for a while (a few seconds) and then you click on a disc or something. Not good for my speakers!
- File selector is case-sensitive so upper-case appears before lower-case.
- Sounds sometimes repeat, e.g. select a game, sometimes the disk sound happens twice.
Never had audio pop, only when you switch from HD to Jack. So would need to be able to do it hear, so it can be looked into.
File selector, not sure what you mean, do you mean they way it orders things?
Sound does repeat, as its more than likely loading images on games menu.
Floppy sounds, god no, :). Yeh its fun for about 20 secs, then it gets annoying, as its nothing like a real floppy, ;).
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Never had audio pop, only when you switch from HD to Jack. So would need to be able to do it hear, so it can be looked into.
I'll see if I can get a recording! About to head out for the weekend so will be next week :)
File selector, not sure what you mean, do you mean they way it orders things?
Yes that's right. For example, you would see
HARLEQUIN.adf
HeroQuest.adf
hammerfist.adf
instead of:
hammerfist.adf
HARLEQUIN.adf
HeroQuest.adf
Doesn't make much difference in this short list of course but in a list of 200 ADFs, hammerfist.adf would be all the way at the bottom past everything starting with 'H'
Floppy sounds, god no, :). Yeh its fun for about 20 secs, then it gets annoying, as its nothing like a real floppy, ;).
True. More as something to indicate loading without needing to have all the LEDs turned on the whole time (which is just annoying). There have been a few times where I'm not sure if the emulator/Amiga has crashed or if it's loading. On a real Amiga, of course you'd hear if it was loading :D
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I was wondering if a web browser would be feasible?
AmiFox apparently uses a server to do the heavy lifting from what I can see. So, could the underlying Linux host OS run the backend server and Amibench run the AmiFox client?
otherwise..
What about something like the "Rabbit Hole" feature on AmiKit X to run Chrome on the underlying OS over the Amibench?
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I was thinking about this feature request topic the other day and it occurred to me that we have a lot of knowledgeable people here who are very passionate about the Amiga. How do you folks feel about opening things up a bit, perhaps a bit further down the line? There's no better follow-up to a feature request than "...and here's my branch in GitHub where I've proposed a solution". Obviously there's some overhead to managing community contributions but you'd have an overall increase in feature development. I can't speak for others but the potential for A600GS is why I bought one and I'm so impatient for it to be the under-the-TV everyday Amiga experience I'm looking for that I'd happily give some of my spare time to helping out :)
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I'm so impatient for it to be the under-the-TV everyday Amiga experience.
Me too, :).
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A web browser would be good. On Amikit they have one with a direct link to Aminet. Something like this would be very useful
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Hi all! I´m new here because of my recent purchase of an A600GS. I own a pretty big collection of real Amiga, but I like new approaches...
I´m using AmiFox and IMP3 right now and it is just awesome!
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With Super Skidmarks you can "Unprotect" it and delete (if you so wish), but you do not have that option for Thunder Hell.
I will never play Thunder Hell so would like to remove it from Games and Applications, but the "Unprotect" option is shaded out. Can this be enabled in a future update so we have the option to delete it if we want?
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Also, just a reminder here about the “Load State” feature request in case it gets lost!
https://forum.amiga.org/index.php?topic=76648.0
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With Super Skidmarks you can "Unprotect" it and delete (if you so wish), but you do not have that option for Thunder Hell.
I will never play Thunder Hell so would like to remove it from Games and Applications, but the "Unprotect" option is shaded out. Can this be enabled in a future update so we have the option to delete it if we want?
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Also, just a reminder here about the “Load State” feature request in case it gets lost!
https://forum.amiga.org/index.php?topic=76648.0
This is not a feature request, :).
Its proberly missing the protect file, so its greyed out. I will mention it.
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With Super Skidmarks you can "Unprotect" it and delete (if you so wish), but you do not have that option for Thunder Hell.
I will never play Thunder Hell so would like to remove it from Games and Applications, but the "Unprotect" option is shaded out. Can this be enabled in a future update so we have the option to delete it if we want?
Um, skids marks should not be deletable, that's an installation bug! Pre-installed software is double protected from deletion. If you deleted it it would likely get put back by an update anyway. Perhaps a hide from menu and show hidden option is needed.
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I like the idea of "Hide" and "Show Hidden" options - that would be great.
I just don't like seeing Thunder Hell in my lovingly curated games collection, when I know I'll never play it. Super Skidmarks on the other hand is awesome and will stay there. :D
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Um, skids marks should not be deletable, that's an installation bug! Pre-installed software is double protected from deletion. If you deleted it it would likely get put back by an update.
That's not the Amiga philosophy; it is more like Windows or Android where they deliberately make it difficult to uninstall all the crapware.
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That's not the Amiga philosophy; it is more like Windows or Android where they deliberately make it difficult to uninstall all the crapware.
Huh???
You can't unsintall anything on A500 mini. Most of the games are rubbish. I can't remove the ones I dont want.
So what is your point, apart from what I can clearly see as trolling.
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What does the A500 Mini have to do with anything? I was talking about the Amiga. Why does it matter what the A500 Mini does, unless you are just attempting to copy that?
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What does the A500 Mini have to do with anything? I was talking about the Amiga. Why does it matter what the A500 Mini does, unless you are just attempting to copy that?
You opened the door, as thats the only other thing like it. Yet theres no issue with that having crapware (as you put it) on it.
You contacted them to complain that they have unremovable crapware on it.
Not copying, project started before Mini, so nice try.
Stop trolling.
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Again, I was not talking about the A500 Mini, and never said anything remotely like "there's no issue with that having crapware". If it has nothing to do with the A600GS then why do you keep mentioning it?
I really don't see any cause for these personal attacks, it is very unprofessional.
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Again, I was not talking about the A500 Mini, and never said anything remotely like "there's no issue with that having crapware". If it has nothing to do with the A600GS then why do you keep mentioning it?
I really don't see any cause for these personal attacks, it is very unprofessional.
Was trying to use an example, which was Amiga related. I mean its 3 games.
Besides, it could be changed at any time, if people really wanted to remove them. Just really do not see point in your original comment.
You say I keep mentioning mini. As stated, its the only on the market comparison at the moment. Not Android or Windows as you mentioned, which cant be compared as they pump crap on to your device after every update. You missunderstood, you took whole sentence (I ment one word, crapware), "there's no issue with that having crapware".
Sorry if you see it as a person attack not my intention, as I have no issue with you what so ever.
Spoken to you loads of times over the years.
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Back to feature requests...
I'm sure I read somewhere that some programming languages might be added? Is that still a plan?
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Huh???
You can't unsintall anything on A500 mini. Most of the games are rubbish. I can't remove the ones I dont want.
So what is your point, apart from what I can clearly see as trolling.
Most of the games are rubbish?! Most of the games I play are side loaded off a memory stick! If I'm completely honest I spend 90% of my time on the mini console using Pandory500, 9% on AMiNIMiga and only 1% on the RGL Carousel included with the console itself. Memory sticks can be swapped out fairly fluidly to be honest! Media management takes place with the memory stick plugged into a PC. It works fine! No need to fling mud!
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Most of the games are rubbish?! Most of the games I play are side loaded off a memory stick! If I'm completely honest I spend 90% of my time on the mini console using Pandory500, 9% on AMiNIMiga and only 1% on the RGL Carousel included with the console itself. Memory sticks can be swapped out fairly fluidly to be honest! Media management takes place with the memory stick plugged into a PC. It works fine! No need to fling mud!
Not going down this route again.
Back on topic please.
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OK, back on topic:
1) A serial port which allows 2 x A600GSs to be connected for 8-player Super Skidmarks.
2) How about having the Virtual GP game automatically configured for A600GS gamepad controls?
3) Thee option to buy an additional gamepad would be nice.
4) Maybe more Arm accelerated software like Aladdin 4D?
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1. Who knows, not planned at present. Please stop going on about skidmarks and 8 players.
2. It already is. As mentioned numerous times.
3. Thats the plan, Just getting GS orders out of the way first.
4. Who knows, nothing has been mentioned as yet.
5. You do not even own an A600GS.
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5. You do not even own an A600GS.
Last time I checked you have two types of people reading this thread; either customers or potential customers. None of us are your automatic signed up betatesters. I don't think you should have any expectation of people buying it and then telling you what features they want! More likely we'll check to see what it can do and only buy it if it definitely does what we expect! That's why I'm here.
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Had my A600GS for a few days now, after I got some initial issues out of the way I'm having a great time with it.
This and "TheC64" (my other great purchase a few years ago) sure beat emulation on a boring old PC.
- Ability to choose smaller icons or perhaps a list view in the games selector.
- Ability to map keyboard keys to joystick (as per UAE, cursor keys + ctrl)
- Ability to map a joystick button to Up (and disable Up on the joypad)
- Disk drive noise 8)
These.
Re disk drive noise: some people may not like it, but it would be nice to have it as a selectable option for those that do/those that want it there as a reassurance their A600GS has not crashed on long load times that some games have.
Joystick mapping needs to be done, particularly for racing games where you have to push up all the time to accelerate, that's murder on my thumb when I do it using the d-pad. So an option to map joystick movements and also keyboard keys to buttons on the gamepad.
Option for smaller icons/list view (list preffered) for the launcher to minimise amount of scrolling when I ultimately get a ton of games installed, and AmigaBill's suggestion of folders in the launcher would be great too!
Also a web browser to run inside AmiBench as some others have suggested.
(edit: fixed typos)
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For the AmiBench prefs, would it be possible to either adjust the screen titlebar popup under mouse so the mouse needs to be closer to the top before the popup happens, or be able to set a delay for it to pop up?
Reason for asking is that for some floppy disk icons they will apear very close to the top left part of the workbench, and then when moving the mouse over the disk icon title will popup and hide the icon, making it impossible to select or double click the icon. Off course there are workarounds, like turn off backdrop or make the title always visible or always hidden, but I like the behaviour of the titlebar hiding.
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Would love to be able to contribute some of these small "quality of life" features if you folks have a way to take contributions? I know you're busy with the big features but as I use the A600GS most days, it's the papercuts that I feel the most and I'm always happy to get stuck in ;D
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@Stilvoid
It is great that you are using your A600GS daily.
Please let us know the small features that you would like
Thanks
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Everything I listed in my first post in this topic ;D
- Missing quality of life features:
- Ability to invert mouse scroll direction ("natural" scroll).
- Progress bar when adding HDFs. Anything over a few MB takes a while and there's no indication that anything is happening.
- Timer or something when opening a large folder from USB stick. Bonus points if you swap the mouse pointer for a "thinking" cloud ;)
- Ability to choose smaller icons or perhaps a list view in the games selector.
- Access to amiberry interface for additional tweaking when games need it.
- Ability to map keyboard keys to joystick (as per UAE, cursor keys + ctrl)
- Ability to filter/start typing when selecting an adf to import. Long lists are painful to scroll through.
- Ability to map a joystick button to Up (and disable Up on the joypad)
- Disk drive noise 8)
- Issues:
- Audio pops on jack output when no sounds have played for a while (a few seconds) and then you click on a disc or something. Not good for my speakers!
- File selector is case-sensitive so upper-case appears before lower-case.
- Sounds sometimes repeat, e.g. select a game, sometimes the disk sound happens twice.
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And here's another tiny feature request: file selectors should remember your last position and start from there next time.
For example, say I have ADFs in a folder like Downloads/ADFs/Games/S/. First I insert Settlers disk 1, I have to navigate through those folders, scroll through a hundred ADFs to find it. For disk 2 I have to do all of that again. If the dialog remembered my folder and position in the scroll list, disk 2 would be right there already.
Doing this once isn't a problem. When you're playing Amiga games every day and you do this a lot, it's very annoying ;)
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The file sector need a through rework, but I agree with your concept.
Bear in mind though that in a A600GS GUI when you add a a game you can add all 15 disks (if it has that many) and use the diskchanger to quickly select between the selected disks.
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Yeah, not too bad if I'm just setting up a new game in the list as I just have to do it once. This is more of a pain for "messing about with Amigas" uses. For example, the other day I set up an A500 system and was browsing through some old magazine coverdisks for nostalgia.
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I'm not sure if this is a request or existing features I can't find:
- Mass add WHDLoad LHAs to the menu. I've got loads via the WHDLoad Download Tool, which I use for my A500Mini, can I just import them all?
- Also with WHDLoad, can you set the "custom=" field, or change a setting to see the WHDLoad options when you launch?
- And I guess, seconding (or whatever-ing) the request to allow multiple HDFs to be added.
- Themes for the main A600GS menu? Just in case you wanted something different to the dark theme. I guess same goes for Amibench itself (which I haven't even checked!)
I probably just need to spend more time tinkering.
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How about support for two mice? Bit of two player Lemmings!
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Is there support for an emulated or real MT32?
I've seen the option for serial TCP under the game settings, can you use a USB-to-serial for null modem games?
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For me the most obvious quality of life feature request would be a browser and I too would concur with the rabbit hole/chrome option found in amikit
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Second that, a computer without a web browser doesn't make much sense.
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While you are waiting just use AmiFox (https://blog.alb42.de/programs/amifox/) on AmiBench ... works great :)
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How about being able to further categorise games? Create your own for instance, like different genres etc