CAPS user library available for linux (ppc and i686)

[cgutjahr]

@Kent:

CAPS is about archiving software (i.e. games) that comes on copyprotected floppy disks. Prior to CAPS, you could either archive a *cracked* version of an original game or use whdload to install it to hd (and backup the hd contents).  CAPS provides tools that let you create images of copyprotected disks. The image format is "ipf".

The user library is a plugin that can be used by software developers to make their software support ipf images. WinUAE already supports ipf images, now that the library is available for Linux, LinuxUAE can be updated to include support for those images too.

[cgutjahr]

@Kent:

CAPS is about archiving software (i.e. games) that comes on copyprotected floppy disks. Prior to CAPS, you could either archive a *cracked* version of an original game or use whdload to install it to hd (and backup the hd contents).  CAPS provides tools that let you create images of copyprotected disks. The image format is "ipf".

The user library is a plugin that can be used by software developers to make their software support ipf images. WinUAE already supports ipf images, now that the library is available for Linux, LinuxUAE can be updated to include support for those images too.

[cgutjahr]

@kolla:

And exactly what benefits are there over disk images (ADF)?

You're playing the *original* game, not a crack - i.e. no crack intro, no bugs or incompatabilities added by the crackers, you can relive the great tradition of taking a break at regular intervalls to search for certain words in the manual (manual copy protection) etc.

Using ipf images with UAE is just an added benefit imho - CAPS' main goal was to create a way to backup (and, more importantly, *restore*)  original disks.

[cgutjahr]

@kolla:

Pardon?

Please answer my question - what benefits are there over disk images (ADF)?

It seems to me you are assuming that all disk image files are cracks, which is a plain bogus assumption.  

Please point out exactly which cracked games you have downloaded from back2roots.  

Watch your attitude please, I'm just trying to be helpful.

Cracked games on BTTR: Most (formerly) commercial games on BTTR that are available as an ADF image are cracks, check Banshee, Battle Command, Battle Squadron, Battle Tech... (and that's just the games starting with "B").

I did not claim that *all* ADF images are cracks, but all *copyprotected* games can only be ADF'ed after they have been cracked.

[cgutjahr]

@sbeehre:

so how do you go about downloading the images?? I looked at the game database site and couldnt figure it out.

The games are still copyrighted and it's illegal to distribute them unless you have the permission from the copyright owner.

IIRC, CAPS and BTTR are planning to offer IPF images in the future, but don't quote me on that.

@AxE:

bizarrly you can only get these legal images through illegal channels...  

These images are not "legal", distributing them is still forbidden. You are allowed to own/create such images if you own the original game, but that's about it.

@sbeehre:

So what the hell is the point of this project if nobody can get hold of the image's legally?? It seems pretty stupid to me....  

I guess the aim is to backup the original disks as long as they're still readable. Many of these disks are 15 years old.

@Acill:

All I see from this project is one more excuse to pirate Amiga games and call it a potection of the classics sceme again. Its one thing if your only getting games you own, but they post all these all over the pirate news groups.  

I don't think anybody needs an excuse to offer pirated games on the net. All games available as IPF images are already available elsewehere (in cracked form) and get distributed through newsgroups in various intervalls ("TOSEC floods").

The CAPS guys have invested a lot of time and effort to re-engineer various copy protection methods. That demonstrates a lot of dedication and love for the platform and those old games, IMHO.