QJ.NET presents 'Know the Developers' |
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OK, so forgive me for the cheesy title. I had little time to decide about it. Anyways, since this is the first of a series of articles, let me run you guys thru the details.
‘Know the Developers’ is a project which I took up because I felt that few people know the developers well. Sure, they use their homebrew, but if you were to ask them something about its author, they would be pretty quiet. This series of articles will let you know them better. There will be interviews. There will be small biographies. And possibly, a rundown thru all of their homebrew. Suffice to say each article will be enough to help you ‘know the developers’.
And this week in the box, we have none other than zx-81, the emulator-making machine! So IÂ’m pretty sure that everyone has heard of him. If not thru one of his emulators, then thru our front page. This guy has a serious knack of getting on the front page multiple times a week.
So how much do you guys know about him? Not much eh? ThatÂ’s what IÂ’m talking about. So letÂ’s begin.
Ludovic Jacomme, better known as 'zx81' is a resident of Paris, France. And before you start to think of him as a big fat nerd sitting on his computer the whole day porting emulators, check out a few things:His education:
1994-1999 PhD in Computer Sciences and Microelectronic, University of Paris VI
1992-1993 DEA in Microelectronic and Computer Sciences, University of Paris VI
1991-1992 Master's degree in Computer Sciences, University of Paris VI
1990-1991 Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences, University of Paris VI
1988-1990 DEUG A Physical sciences for Engineers, University Paris VI
1987-1988 Baccalaureat (British A Level), Lyc?Fran?s du Caire, Cairo, Egypt
His work experience:
June 2005 Research and development of CAD Tools for FPGA design
2002-2005 Research and development of CAD/TCAD Tools for VLSI design
1994-2002 Research and development of CAD Tools for VLSI design
1993-1994 Unix administration and support of the alert system network of the Paris fire brigade
Wow! Want more? He even has a few published books to his credit. Now IÂ’d have no problem listing them out here. But frankly, considering the field which he works in, I donÂ’t think most of us would be able to make the head and tail out of those names.
If weÂ’re talking about his contribution to the PSP homebrew community, well, itÂ’s huge. He has ported multiple emulators, including but not limited to Intellivision, MSX, Amstrad CPC, Atari 800/130/5200, Colecovision, plus multiple calculator emulators. He has also contributed to software like PSP-FTPD, Portable VNC and many more.
So thatÂ’s that. Now I was lucky enough to interview him recently. LetÂ’s check it out, shall we?
--- Interview ---
QJ: Firstly, a big thank you for letting us interview you. Would you be kind enough to tell us your age?
Zx81: IÂ’m an old man of 36 years.
QJ: And what exactly do you do, apart from making homebrew?
Zx81: IÂ’m a developer who does research in EDA (Electronic Design Automation) for micro-processor design.
QJ: So, when exactly did you begin programming?
Zx81: It was a long time ago, when I was 12Â… On a zx81 Sinclair.
QJ: And IÂ’ll take a guess that your nickname is taken from there?
Zx81: Yes, that was my first computer. I’ve developed small ‘pong-like’ games.
QJ: So when did you buy your PSP? And was it for the games or homebrew?
Zx81: That was 4 months ago. A friend of mine showed me his PSP at work. And some existing homebrew. And I wanted to develop my own software for it, or to port existing software. I bought it after Fanjita released the eLoader for FW 2.5. And I bought my PSP only for homebrew.
QJ: Well, thatÂ’s not something which I hear everyday. Anyways, when did you start programming for it?
Zx81: I first tested many emulators, homebrew, etc. Two weeks after I bought my PSP, I started programming for it by first installing the SDK and recompiling existing homebrew. Finally, I started porting linux/unix software. And yes, my first homebrew was a Hello World app, like all developers. Then, I ported the HP48 Calculator Emulator.
QJ: Wow, thatÂ’s a big leap!
Zx81: IÂ’ve already ported the X48 on many UNIX systems, and I knew the sources very well. So it was easier.
QJ: So whatÂ’s your favorite platform for PSP development?
Zx81: For development, I like Linux and Solaris. In fact, to port an emulator, there are several steps. I can sum it up like this:
- Re-compile the emulator on the original platform (For me, Linux only. I hate Microsoft)
- Test it and see if itÂ’s good or notÂ… Complex or notÂ… And with enough features or not
- Re-compile this emulator using the PSPSDK and patch all sources when necessary.
- Re-write the GUI, Sound.
- Re-write all the screen/frame display stuff.
- Optimize it
- And finally, add missing features like Save States, ROM Loading, etcÂ…
Zx81: ItÂ’s easier in fact. When I get stuck on one, I can continue with another. Lol. And I develop for FW 2.5, which means that I must run GTA everytime I need to test a new version. So itÂ’s easier to test several emulators at the same time. ItÂ’s more efficient.
QJ: LetÂ’s take a break from development, shall we? What would be your favorite gaming console?
Zx81: From the recent ones, I only have a PSONE and a PSP, but I do have many PCs. And I like to play multiplayer games on my PC. But as a gaming console/handheld, the PSP is the best. I love the hardware inside. My favorite games would be Joint Operation Typhoon Rising, F.E.A.R. and Half Life 2, all three FPS games on PC.
QJ: And your favorite PSP game?
Zx81: IÂ’ve only got GTA lol.
QJ: IÂ’m sure you use a lot of homebrew on your PSP. What would be your favorite?
Zx81: Yes, of course! I really like AFKIM for chatting, Bookr to read my scientific PDFs in the subway, little games such as Freecell and all the emulators you can imagine. And of course! One of the best homebrew, PSPRadio!
QJ: Everybody loves PSPRadio! Anyways, out of all the emulators which youÂ’ve ported, which would be your favorite?
Zx81: My favorite would be my Caprice32 port, PSPCPC. I owned a CPC and I enjoyed it so much at that time. It was also one of the most difficult. I spent many hours on it, mainly because the original source of the emulator is very buggy.
QJ: You’ve been in the homebrew community for some time now. What do you think about the ‘non-developing’ community? Love ‘em or hate ‘em?
Zx81: I donÂ’t know. I recently read a lot of bad comments from kids who donÂ’t like old-school emulators. ItÂ’s a bit annoying. But there are so many other kind people. Always giving me advice and feedback.
QJ: And how do you feel about the developer community?
Zx81: Very good community, just like all other free software/open source communities. IÂ’m in contact with most of the authors of the emulators IÂ’ve ported. And also other coders which offer their help, feedback. ItÂ’s very cool. IÂ’ve also had a good experience in free software development, mainly in my domain (Software for Micro-Electronic Design). IÂ’ve spent many years developing free software on this subject with many others around the world.
QJ: What advice would you like to give to people getting into software development for the PSP?
Zx81: For beginners, itÂ’s best to write Lua scripts. ItÂ’s easier and you can write very good homebrew in a short time. For veterans, IÂ’ll say that you have to be a very good coder on Linux or Windows to make something good. The debugging environment on the PSP is very limited. And itÂ’s worse when you develop for 2.XX firmware, because there is no debug environment.
QJ: Thanks a lot for your time! It was a blast.
Zx81: It was cool. If you want me to port something, feel free to ask.
QJ: How about a PS2 emulator? That will keep you busy for ages. :)
Zx81: Lol! IÂ’m looking for a challenge, not an impossible mission.
QJ: Anyways, from me, QJ.NET and the whole community, a big thanks for your work. And I hope that you can continue making the PSP homebrew community a much better place.
--- End of Interview ---
So that is Mr. Ludovic ‘zx81’ Jacomme for you. I hope you guys enjoyed our new feature. I’m thinking of doing this as a weekly feature. And next week, we have another popular developer who has made your life much easier. So “who is it?” you may ask. Well, keep guessing.
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Comments
Wow...Thank you ever so much, It really does help to know the backgrounds of such great developers in the homebrew community, interesting to see how even the most accomplished of proffessionals such as yourselves are willing to create such magnificant apps for mere peons such as ourselves, I'm looking forward to next weeks feature, could it be Booster or Fanjita? Or maybe a fresh does of Strmnmn (if thats how you spell it) Great job QJ.net and thank you to Zx81, you truly are a great asset to a once corrupted community.
really enjoyed this little interview & looking forward to more.
Hi, (sorry for my english) That was a nice read, thanks zx81 & QJ! Big fan of old-school games here. They bring back some great youth memories. Thats why I really appreciate your work zx81 :) Keep doing this great work, looking forward to any new projects of yours. -C64
good stuff... nice read
Awesome, I like this, keep 'em coming! Bought only for homebrew O_O thanx for that then! :D
do c5cha7 next. this is FLai btw, i just can't be bothered logging in :)
ZX81, you are absolute cool ! Thank you for all your emulators and your work ! You are from Paris? I love Paris, Nectarine Radio is also from Paris :-)
It is nice to see people of our age(i'm 34) doing great things for the younger generation, I quite fondly remember my colecovision and you've helped me relive my zaxxon days again. If I were to ask you to port something, well I'd have to ask how hard a PSOne emu would be? Your schooling is by far some of the most advanced and difficult that I've ever seen. Keep up the great werk! as for next weeks, well its to bad that cyblade is not around for I would have figured it'd be him. So I think it will be Fanjita. Byu the way, PVNC is my favorite app that hasx been made for the psp, if only I could hear and see the stuff playing on my pc whilst controlling it. Still it very very very good. Cheers to you and keep em comming.
Great Work!
More of these columns please QJ.net!
A very enjoyable read. It's nice to know a little about the programmers I think, makes you appreciate their work more. Sony would be proud :P As for next week, I guess it'll either be the PSPRadio person or MPH, although we haven't heard from the latter for a while. Could be interesting to interview the people who did the GBA for PSP, and ask them to continue, or why they stopped.
This is an awesome feature :D Keep em coming :) Though I don't use any of the emulators (im too young to recognize those machinces :P) but I really
u should make the snes better!!! make it more fast since ur da bomb!
Yeh, do one for MPH!!! Or Humma Kavula but you guys wouldn't like that.....
great original concept. Loved it, Thanks
That would be a very nice feature to read every week. I'll be looking forward to reading who is gonna be interviewed next time.
you're doing a great job guy. a perfect Amiga emulator would be really nice
firstly, I want to thank QJ for bringing out this new to everyone. This is a great idea! Cant wait to see what we find out about some other devs. To zx-81, thanks dude! I LOVE portableVNC and I use a few of your emulators a lot, the colecovision is great!
I liked the review, and its cool to know about the developers! Keep on developing those old-school emulators zx81, their great and i support you 200%!
interesting article, it was a good read! and zx81, thanks for all your work. i really appreciate it!
keep going Zx81!!! Not even a french sentence in this Interview, so disappointed lol. Wow i was only 4 when u get your baccalaureat. (got mine 4 years ago^^) I've a long path to do^^
Yeah thats banging carry on with making the PS2 Emulator
this is a cool article. ( i am stopping spam comments that make no sense)
that would be sweet
I always to learn about developers!! thanks.
Hi, I think this is a great idea. Keep it up.
do one for fanjita or ditlew
good stuff, really enjoyed the read, not something I'd expect from a mainly news based site but it gave me the kind of satisfaction only a magazine normally can, so yes, atop of the cap to you. oh oh oh and say through instead of thru...it just annoyed me for some reason at the start haha
Great work zx-81! There's plenty of us "old timers" who really enjoy your work bringing back fond memories of consoles past to our amazing new little piece of hardware.
Ask Edison Carter what happened. Maybe the PMP guy?
- GBA emulator would be cool (yup, I know you are already working on that one, just get it done please!) - Amiga (PSPUAE is not being developed, and there are so many cool games for that system) - PSOne (if you manage to write your own emulator, no 1.50 user will upgrade to Sony's) Plus big thanks for bringing sweet Amstrad memories to PSP - I still play Fruity Frank on the train to work (sniff, a melancholy tear in my eye, my childhood remembered...). Keep up the good work!
Fantastic zx81 rides again w/ PSPVBA... Since your first PSP's homebrew for hp48, I admire you! Working with others developers it would be goood!... People asks for N64(!) and PSOne(?) Well, we'll see in the next release of zx81 ['da emu machine']... and for QJ, this kind of interview,... it's awesome!
hahaha lol hes rite, to much flamers, hope that died down a little, but anwyays, probably fanjita.. cmon, lol we dont even kno much bout him, well i dont atleast, dosen't mean i dont like his work of art tho, eloader is just impressive!
Très bien. J'adore voir des gens qui se poussent autant pour aider une communauté. Hes only one man but has brought us much good! peace
"Zx81: I don’t know. I recently read a lot of bad comments from kids who don’t like old-school emulators." Some of the kids who I know would love a free portable SNES! ------ 'Know the Developers' is a great project. Can't wait for part 2.
old-school emulators are the best emulators
Wow. Ppl here have extensive backgrounds... Very cool article.
The background of Zx81 is really something. He is like the Tom Cruise that has been doing the impossible missions to bring us the best emulators out there. Keep up the good work, Zx81. Every bit of your work is appreciated by us and we hope you would keep up the good work. About that PS2 emulator, I really look forward for that PS2 emulator. I bet with that PS2 emulator, PSP would be the best multi media gaming console the world has ever seen. Haha, I would love to hold the PSP console and play the PS2 such as Final Fantasy and such. Anyway, hoping you would work on finding out how to make an emulator for PS2, Zx81. Keeping up the good work.
I tip my hat to a fine fellow, who makes fine emulators!
Really nice guy. Keep up the good work man.
Wow, this guy is awesome in many respects.
Zx81 you got quite an interesting background, im only 17 but im planning on getting into computer science field as well, ur a GREAT insparation
But you should have told him an awesome SNES emlator would be nice!
Since he made the port of Caprice32 for the PSP anda now I can play my beloved Amstrad CPC 6128 games on my PSP I can say this guy is a genius!!! Thanks 4 the interview QJ staff and how about a new one to Dark_AleX???
Z, you are a badass. Congrats on the PhD. too.
Old school emulators rock, if only someone would make a good amiga emulator....
His education: 1994-1999 PhD in Computer Sciences and Microelectronic, University of Paris VI 1992-1993 DEA in Microelectronic and Computer Sciences, University of Paris VI 1991-1992 Master's degree in Computer Sciences, University of Paris VI 1990-1991 Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences, University of Paris VI 1988-1990 DEUG A Physical sciences for Engineers, University Paris VI 1987-1988 Baccalaureat (British A Level), Lyc?Fran?s du Caire, Cairo, Egypt CRAZY! Keep going on the GBA emulator, Zx! You're making great progress on it. Thanks for the awesome ports and your great contributions to the PSP community. If only there we're more developers in the PSP scene with your level of education. Good luck on all your projects.
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