Memory sticks (or thumb drives) are a necessity nowadays. They are also used to store and transport files. Some people even use them for running their files in public machines and for booting Linux. A few though, use thumb drives to run classic versions of Mac OS. Maybe for nostalgia. Maybe just for fun.

Anyway, you can also do that with the help of an open source emulator, which is now available for download. It is available for multiple platforms like Classic, OS X, Windows, Linux, and Pocket PC. This actually allows you to use Mac on Windows and Linux.

Before you get started, get all the components you need here. After that, for purposes of description, the following steps assume that you are using Mac OS X. Windows users though can also work on this:

    1. Create a new folder and rename it Classic Mac.
    2. Unpack the Mini vMac archive and the vmac.rom file and copy them into the Classic Mac folder.
    3. Unpack the blanks-x.x.x.zip archive and unzip the disk image you want.
    4. To be sure, you might want to choose the largest disk image, which is in the hfs24M.zip archive.
    5. Copy the hfs24M.DSK file into the Classic Mac folder.
    6. Unpack the System_7.0.1.smi.bin archive and move the image files into the Classic Mac folder.

Then after a little downloading, you can now enjoy playing with old system software and applications without digging your old Mac.

Electroplankton is one weird game. In the fullest sense of the word, it can't even be called a videogame. There are no levels you have to pass, no bosses to beat, no top score. There are no objectives, other than the one thing we want most: to have fun. And despite the weirdness and the sheer ambiguity of Electroplankton, it is, hands down, one of the most unique and original titles that has graced any videogame platform in recent times.

In a recent interview with C3, Electroplankton creator and interactive media artist Toshio Iwai revealed quite a few interesting tidbits regarding his videogame roots ("The first game I created was OTOCKY, for NES, released in 1987."), how he feels about people using Electroplankton for more than casual use ("I am very pleased that Electroplankton is used by professional musicians or DJs."), and even his favorite plankton ("...if I choose one from them, it would be Volvoice.").

And the save function issue that a lot of plankton manipulators have been talking about? Well, Iwai had this to say:

"We have discussed a save function many times, and finally concluded not to included it. There are following 2 reasons:

The first reason is that I wanted players to enjoy Electroplankton extemporarily and viscerally, and I thought if the save function was added, the software would become more like a tool. I did not want a play style where players have to open additional menus or windows, or have to input file names to save.

The second reason is that it would require large volume of flush ROM and it would take a lot of time to save and read the data in order to save many voice files for Volvoice and Rec-Rec. I thought players could play the software without stress if I got rid of the save function, rather than incorporating the save function and letting players wait for a long time before it’s saved or being told that only little amount can be saved."

The full transcript of the interview awaits after the jump!

[UPDATE]

Well, it seems that some brilliant member of our comments section (Visigotico) took it upon himself to re-compile the emulator with this one-line fix. He has also taken the liberty as to compile a separate version with frame skip set at 1. StrmnNrmn has stated that adding frame skip will not show a drastic increase, but Visigotico compiled it anyways (maybe to hush those complainers of frame skip). According to StrmnNrmn, frame skipping will only add about 0.5 fps to the overall rate - nothing noticeable.

 

You can view the original article below the line to find out what you can expect from StrmnNrmn in a few days; the speed increases for a few games due to this fix can be found below as well. The download  is not of StrmnNrmn's next version but rather a small user update to R7 with the speed fix.

Download: [Daedauls Pre-R8 Release - Compiled by Visigotico]

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StrmnNrmn never ceases to amaze us with his optimizations and constant updates to his Daedalus N64 emulator. StrmnNrmn originally ported the Daedalus N64 emulator over the PSP earlier on this year, and since then has been improving the emulator's speed and compatibility non-stop. We've seen several new builds come before us, each one better than the previous with mainly speed increases - something of which everyone loves to hear.

It seems that the man behind the fastest N64 emulator on the PSP has done it again - he has improved the overall speed of Daedalus. After reading a single post by Soatome over at PS2Dev, he realized a crucial part in his code that could be easily improved/modified. This single line was change from sceCtrlReadBufferPositive to sceCtrlPeekBufferPositive. Strmn states that this single adjustment has improved the speed of many games by a few frames due to the stalling for a frame every time the ROM read the status of the pad (controller/buttons). StrmnNrmn has listed a few of the speed increases (very impressive from R7) -

Mario now runs at at steady 15fps in most places, and around 20fps indoors etc (it reaches over 35fps in the main menu, and close to 30 in some scenes.) Zelda now runs at around 8fps in game, and up to 20fps in certain places. The 'nintendo' logo at the start runs at over 90fps :D The MarioKart Nintendo logo now runs at 30fps, and the main menu (with the flag) runs at a solid 15fps. In game it's a comfortable 12fps. Starfox runs at around 15fps - the intro runs at 25-30fps. Quest64 runs at 20fps.

Due to this unexpected speed increase, StrmnNrmn has stated that we may see a release of R8 sooner than later! Although no specific time table was given, we should definetly see a release by the end of the week or early next week.

Japanese coding powerhouse, NJ, has just released the newest version of his CPS2 test Emulator for the PSP, updating it to version 5. If you would recall, NJ has sent word a few days ago that version 5 is in the works. Well, now it's here and it's ready for you to download!

We've been told that the cache files (system) that had to be written prior to running the games had to be overhauled. As such, those who will download the the CPS2 Test Version 5 (and that's a lot of readers!) would have to make a new cache file for their game, otherwise the games will load up an error.

Also, the sprite management and processing were re-written anew to improve speed and stability with shooting and side scroll action. Sprite drawing and processing were substantially modified. NJ managed to correct the problems encountered with sprite masking process. He used a method that does not decrease the speed of the system.

NJ has posted some screenshots that show the problems he encountered when running several games (CS Club, Super Street Fighter II: Tournament, Dimahoo, Giga Wing, Progear, Dungeons & Dragons, and Shadow Over Mystara). If you encounter problems, just let NJ know through the comments section.

Thanks Rom Chau for the heads up!

Download: [CAPCOM CPS2 Emulator Test Version 5]

This Arguru homebrew - SpiceBoy GB/GNC Emulator - offers full speed emulation of GameBoy and GameBoy Color on a PSP (much like Homer's RIN or GeMP). That's full-speed fps for all GB and GBC ROMs. Not bad for a day's work; it was tweaked from InfoBOY (a Win32 GB/GBC emulator) in less than one day.

Impressive as that might sound, there are a few limitations to the current version, Release 0:

• There's no browser. You have to manually replace the rom.gb file.
• Sound is not synchronized with the emulation.
• Some users report color changes.
• No savestates.
  

Download: [Spiceboy GB/GBC Emulator R0]

Gamewatch released a primer on the best cleaning agents for your DS or your PSP screen. They studied three cleaning agents, the Cleaning Cloth DS Lite, the CyberNano Cleaning Cloth, and the Nintendo DS Cleaning Strap.

In order to meet the concern and worries of Gamewatch readers, they placed the DS under a series of tests and checked how well those cleaning agents help in saving their DS from that crucial and dirty moment. They said that when the DS is exposed to moist areas, dirt usually accumulate on the screen. These wiping agents help a lot in cleaning your DS screen. They've tried putting Ramen soup and Orange juice to test these cleaning products.

In the end, the Cleaning Cloth DS Lite is your best option as it can take away dirt, juice, and ramen off your screen in less than 10 wipes. An interesting thing pointed out in their research is that facial wipes, or tissue paper, also do a good thing cleaning up the mess. However, it takes a lot more than 30 wipes before you can manage to get the dirt out of your DS. The article ends with a list of DS paraphernalia to keep your DS safe from harm. I guess, we DS users, feel safer knowing these products can save our DS from those sticky moments.

Dedicated workers Ric and Fol have updated their Amiga Emulator PSPUAE once again, bringing the application to 0.53. PSPUAE is one of the oldest emulators still alive and kickin' on the PSP; and it's getting more mature with every version. 0.53 comes with only one, albeit very important addition:

- Drive Speed option added (This helps alot with long loading games, it wont help with all)

This should provide a significant speedup with certain games. PSPUAE hasn't been tested (and isn't likely to work) on FW 2.0+, so be careful. Also, note that you will need a valid Kickstart ROM in order to use the emulator.

Download: [PSPUAE 0.53]

We are all waiting for the latest on StrmnNrmn's N64 emulator for the PSP, Daedalus R7, which by the way has achieved a tremendous increase of 22-26% in overall speed as we've previously covered in detail here at QJ. To ease the wait, very persevering Captain Morgan has been a busy bee when it comes to compatibility updates on R6. Here's another batch that he has sent in. And, oh yeah, he wants to end the confusion on whether he's a gal or a guy. He is 100% alpha male.

UPDATE: Captain Morgan is one busy and persevering worker for he just updated his list today. He says that "two more games are covered since my release earlier-- Harvest Moon & Space Station Silicon Valley. Also "Advanced Shots" were added to the Super Mario 64 section. Details on those I can't tell you so go check them out!" He also wants to extend his thanks to Extrakrispy, Minotaur, and Mario Kart God.

Mickey's Speedway USA

Can only get past here if you have Dynarec OFF	I ended back up here, you cant see what you clicking through so I ended back where I started, ran good, 8-12 FPS

Kirby 64	Earthworm Jim
Ran good, lots of graphical problems, around 7-11 FPS	Runs great because its a small rom, minor graphical problems, 12-17 FPS

Pilot Wings 64	Quake 64
Ran decent, some graphics errors because it just looks like this when your playing, 5-8 FPS	Runs slow, crashes after about 10 min. of use, 2-5 FPS

Road Rash 64	S.C.A.R.S
Sort of fast but with graphics problems, slows down in the actual game, 5-8 FPS in menu, 3-5 FPS in game	Runs almost full speed, obvious graphical errors, runs for a while and great speed, 18-30 FPS

South Park Rally	Yoshi's Story
Runs almost full speed, obvious graphical errors, runs for a while and great speed, 18-30 FPS	Cant get past this, says 22 FPS

Download: [Captain Morgan's Daedalus R6 Update (*UPDATED*)]

Would-be EverQuestors can now get their original fantasy MMO EverQuest II base game within the comforts of their game rooms. That's right, no more waiting in lines - the game is now available for digital download at Sony's Station Store for $19.99.

This hassle-free software-only purchase is only possible if you have a valid credit card or Global Collect. You can't use a GameCard to order; it won't be accepted for obvious reasons. The software is required for each EverQuest II account you wish it enabled.

Here are the required specs to get EverQuest II running:

• Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
• Processor 1 ghz or greater
• 512 MB RAM
• Pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 64MB of texture memory
• DirectSound compatible audio hardware
• 56K + Internet Connection
• 16X Speed CD-ROM
• 6 Gigabytes Hard Drive Space
• DirectX 9.0 compatible video card

Daedalus, which means "cunning worker" in Greek, was first used to refer to a labyrinth for King Minos to imprison his wife's son, Asterius, the Minotaur. The labyrinth he built had numberless winding passages and turnings opening into one another, seeming to have neither beginning nor end.

Fortunately for us, Daedalus can only be StrmnNrmn's Nintendo 64 emulator for Windows and PSP. The only thing that StrmnNrmn's Daedalus has in common with the labyrinth, is that its developments seem to have neither beginning nor end. Just recently, work on optimising the emulator's dynamic recompiler has ensued.

Giving us a taste of what we can expect from Daedalus, Captain Morgan has send in his ROM test results. In his own words:

This is Daedalus R6 Rom Test Results, all work done by me. I'm actually hoping to team up with StrmnNrmn but for now here are some of the test results on some of the n64 games that we love. I didn't include Mario 64 since I think we've all tested that one. There are more to come but that's for a later release. note I'm the first person ever to play the first mission of starfox 64 on a psp!

Mario Kart 64

actually still in first	still in first, about as far as I can go until it freezes

Super Smash Bros

can only get past this with Dynarec turned OFF	can't get past here, great speed through out look 14.99 FPS!

Mario Party	Mario Tennis
crashes after you go in to play the actual game, good FPS	this screen flickers once in a while but after last pic it blacks out, good FPS though

Diddy Kong Racing	Nascar 99
good speed, but blacks out after this	can't get past this, great speed but it says FPS is like 5-7

You can download the entire results of his test by clicking on the download link at the bottom of this article.

Download: [Captain Morgan's Daedalus R6 ROM Test Results]