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New version of X128

JuanF. RamirezJuanF. Ramirez
edited August 2007 in Emulators
I think X128 is one of the best emulators in DOS. The last version is from 2002, I think.
Will we see a new version in windows?
Post edited by JuanF. Ramirez on

Comments

  • Philip KendallPhilip Kendall
    edited July 2007
    If it hasn't been updated for 5 years, do you really think it's likely to start now??!?
  • hackersanonhackersanon
    edited July 2007
    You never know - it might be like buses... You wait for ages, and then two come along at the same time.

    Toodle-pip!
    Gerard
    the-tipshop.co.uk
  • SpectorSpector
    edited July 2007
    I was a big fan of X128. I think I might try and use it again with dosbox now. Dosbox probably isn't stable enough to work with TAPER, which is a real shame, as that was a great little utility.
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  • JuanF. RamirezJuanF. Ramirez
    edited July 2007
    Philip Kendall wrote: »
    If it hasn't been updated for 5 years, do you really think it's likely to start now??!?

    Sorry. I meant: James McKay, author of X128, achieved a great emulator under DOS. If he was able to make such a good emulator, could he make a new program under windows based on the old DOS version? (My computing knoledge is poor) :smile:
  • ewgfewgf
    edited July 2007
    There is a later version of X128, 0.94beta, I think it's called, I've been using it for ages, and it's given me no problems or crashes under DOS/Win9x at all. It does work fine under DOSBox too, provided your PC is fast enough (mine is a 2GHz and runs X128 full speed with DOSBox's options set to maximim speed, you know, dynamic compilation ON, Max cycles etc).

    The new version runs slightly faster than the older versions, has long filename support, ZX80 and ZX81 emulation and maybe more things I can't remember. It's a private beta, only sent out to beta testers (it was speeded up for my old P75 laptop, which ran X128 v0.93 too slowly, so the author optimised the code for me and 0.94beta ran at full speed on the ol' laptop).

    James (the author) has been very busy with work and other projects, so he never got around to finalising and releasing v0.94, but I can personally confirm that for me it never caused any problems or crashes, and I've used it extensively (it's my favourite Speccy emulator) so maybe he'd be willing to released 0.94 as a finished product (though no doubt he's already wondering what to add to 0.95, workaholic that he is - he has been considering a Windows version and sent me an early alpha to test). He'll probably see this thread, but I've e-mailed him anyway, asking him if he'd be willing to release 0.94, or if he'd allow me to send you a .zip of my 0.94 directory.

    Incidentally, I take it you use SGD with X128? It's the perfect combination for Speccy emulation. Well, nearly; you don't get total compatability with X128 (the more exotic demos have timing problems, but all games work exactly as they should), plus X128 doesn't have .RZX or 256 colour support, but for us Speccy gamesplayers SGD+X128=Speccy Heaven ;)
  • CKayCKay
    edited July 2007
    X128 is a brilliant emulator, first I used back in `99. Loved the feature whereby you could run a game at any percentage speed. Still have a notebook with timings for loads of games, like Stunt Car Racer, 165 % etc etc :)
  • SpectorSpector
    edited July 2007
    CKay wrote: »
    X128 is a brilliant emulator, first I used back in `99. Loved the feature whereby you could run a game at any percentage speed. Still have a notebook with timings for loads of games, like Stunt Car Racer, 165 % etc etc :)

    Yeah I used to run Match Day at 140% - it made it a completely different challenge :)
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  • JmkJmk
    edited July 2007
    Hello, my very small band of fans. :D

    All my time is being taken up by work at the moment, plus KO99 is at the top of my personal projects list, which leaves X128 a fair bit behind.

    I do have DOS and Windows versions, but neither is ready for release. Both have their own bits that need rewriting and without that it would be a patchy experience.

    Most of the work that has been done has been rewriting rather than adding features... It would be like digging up a time capsule. Mind you, I would like to see some features available in DOS, like RZX and so on. (256 colour and General Sound being far more ambitious goals. :) )

    But, maybe one day.
  • Ian HamiltonIan Hamilton
    edited July 2007
    x128 was a brilliant emulator. It was one of the first to have tzx support and I used it for years because of that.

    Necros.
  • caffeinekidcaffeinekid
    edited July 2007
    Fantastic news that you are still working on this James, even though it's been a fair old while. It was my favourite emulator for years, until moving to XP and having to find replacements. :)
  • Tom-CatTom-Cat
    edited July 2007
    Necros wrote: »
    x128 was a brilliant emulator. It was one of the first to have tzx support and I used it for years because of that.

    It was THE first emulator to support TZX. Infact back in those days James added the TZX support as it was developed, so it was really valuable input on how to do things so that they also work fine in the emulators. X128 still is a great emulator and I really hope that we see a Windows version released someday.

    TC
  • JuanF. RamirezJuanF. Ramirez
    edited July 2007
    One of the most brilliants features that X128 has got is ZX81 emulation. I never played in a ZX81 until I run X128 (v0.94, I think). Brilliant ! :razz:
  • JuanF. RamirezJuanF. Ramirez
    edited July 2007
    Jmk wrote: »
    Hello, my very small band of fans. :D
    Let's found the "X128 enthusiasts club"! : www.worldofx128.org ;)
  • hackersanonhackersanon
    edited July 2007
    Blimey - I never realised I was living round the corner (globally speaking. Ed) from an emulator author!

    Jmk
    Member

    Join Date: Dec 2002
    Location: Paisley, UK.


    Small world, eh?

    Toodle-pip!
    Gerard
    the-tipshop.co.uk
  • JmkJmk
    edited July 2007
    aowen wrote: »
    So James, when can I expect Spectrum SE support in X128? ;)

    Ah... that reminds me that I don't have any Timex support - so I'd have to do that first!
    hackersanon wrote:
    Location: Paisley, UK.

    Small world, eh?

    Yes, it's true. I sometimes raid the bargain buckets of GameStation in Union Street.
  • SpectorSpector
    edited July 2007
    hackersanon wrote: »
    Blimey - I never realised I was living round the corner (globally speaking. Ed) from an emulator author!

    Jmk
    Member

    Join Date: Dec 2002
    Location: Paisley, UK.


    Small world, eh?

    Toodle-pip!
    Gerard

    Smaller than you think... I live in Paisley too!
    Is there anybody on WOS that DOESN'T live in Paisley??
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  • ZupZup
    edited July 2007
    Me in Pamplona (Spain). No emulator programmers here (as far as I know)... no spectrum fixers, either...
    I was there, too
    An' you know what they said?
    Well, some of it was true!
  • JmkJmk
    edited July 2007
    A Paisley / Glasgow cluster? Sounds like an excuse for someone to set up a little show!
  • PengwinPengwin
    edited July 2007
    Globally speaking, I'm just around the corner from Paisley, but being in Elgin I'm still 200 miles away
  • JmkJmk
    edited July 2007
    Elgin? Pamplona? A mere 10 minutes on the bus. ;-)

    Seriously, someone should do a HOW-TO on setting up little shows.

    Something like:
    1. Think up a theme.
    2. Think up what will be there.
    3. Think up a name.
    4. Pick a date.
    5. Book a hall.
    6. Set a price for stalls.
    7. Promote it.
    8. Hope that some people turn up.

    So, going through the checklist you might (hypothetically) end up with:
    1. 8-bit computers.
    2. Computers running games, new stuff, sales, swaps, etc.
    3. Paisley 8-bit Show.
    4. 30th September 2007.
    5. (Probably a tiny church hall).
    6. (Depends on price of booking).
    7. Mention it on a load of forums, try and get it in Retro Gamer and try and stick up a poster in the local GameStation.
    8. :roll:
    I read a while ago (on a CPC forum) about plans for a meet in Glasgow, but I don't think it came to anything...
  • CKayCKay
    edited July 2007
    The show`s are so small, and the distance`s small vendor`s travel so large, that I wonder sometimes why they all don`t merge together to help costs, and attract more visitor`s.

    To add to your list, free movie show... e.g. Wargames, The Wizard, hehe
    Free Stripper, well perhaps not :D
  • JmkJmk
    edited July 2007
    Some belated news: X128 V0.5 has been ported to the Atari Falcon by Peter Persson!

    It's the closest we have to a new X128 version for now. ;-)

    Link
  • hackersanonhackersanon
    edited August 2007
    Non-X128 related..

    Would any of you Paisley/Glasgow chaps ever want to get together for a few sniffters of finest port? Or some ciders/beers/whatever, if the barkeep's stock of finest port isn't up to scratch.

    If so, let me know.

    Toodle-pip!
    Gerard
    the-tipshop.co.uk
  • VertigoVertigo
    edited August 2007
    No real use to the discussion but the name X128 holds great memories from me as it was my first experience with emulation and was my emulator of choice for a very long time.
    Ah, the good old days of emulation, when Raine was first to emulate Taito games (I only ever saw a Rainbow Islands arcade once, in a Greek bar) and the Ghosts n Goblins was the hot MAME topic... *sigh*
    /digression
  • JmkJmk
    edited August 2007
    Firstly, I don't drink poo-poo! :p

    Although I do think some sort of meeting could be worth a go. As I said, quite a few P/G people on WOS and CpcZone.

    I also have some dodgy (meaning flimsy) CPC & ST/STE SCART cables and a load of old budget games that I'd like to flog cheaply. ;)
  • SpectorSpector
    edited August 2007
    It would be a laugh to have a meet, I think... :D

    I remember at Glasgow Central seeing a tall guy with glasses wearing a red t-shirt saying "C=" on it. I thought how odd it was to see someone else into retrogaming. I'm beginning to wonder if this was Gerard in one of his moments of treachery!
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