29 September 2008 (v0.2.3)
A quick update for the Homebrew Browser, one to fix the delete corruption bug and to add a Popular category which lists the applications by popularity. I haven’t gotten around to adding the update all button or the installed applications button, but they will be there on the next update.
Download HBB v0.2.3 or run HBB on your Wii to update
6 September 2008 (v0.2.2)
Download HBB v0.2.2 or run HBB on your Wii to update
This update should make loading the Homebrew Browser a better experience as you’ll no longer have to wait for it to download all the images when first run. The IR cursor being fixed should also make things a bit better as well.
The fix for the IR cursor was quite simple. I was using ir.sx and sy before as I thought that it would have been better as these co-ordinates are smoothed but it turns out that using ir.x and y work just as well and I believe have fixed the IR cursor correction problem.
I haven’t really had much time to work on updating the Homebrew Browser, but am hoping to perform the following changes to it:
1. When deleting applications, delete all files in the directory being deleted: Right now only the files that are downloaded are deleted which sometimes leads to some applications been unable to be deleted. This is because some applications have a configuration file or a save file. In this version of the HBB, the HBB will do a directory listing on the folders and remove each file listed. [Completed]
2. Fix or change the way the IR cursor works. I believe that there is some code from Wil’s Solitare game that should be able to help me to fix the IR correction issue. If that code doesn’t help then I’ll put the IR correction option elsewhere. [Completed]
3. The D-pad left and right will control the categories. [Completed]
4. Put some information about this website and the Wii message notifications that you can sign up for. [Completed]
5. Make loading HBB even faster by downloading images in real time. This means at the start you will still see the black screen, but only until it downloads the homebrew list. It will then load the graphical interface and proceed to download the first 6 images. If you decide to change categories or change pages, it will download the new 6 images which will be displayed. Images will still be cached as usual. [Completed]
There is a bug in v0.2.1b which either gives you a code dump or corrupted images when loading HBB for the very first time. I haven’t been able to find the reason of this bug, but it does seem to happen when you download a certain number of images. This bug is currently present in this v0.2.2 development version and only will occur if you view all the games, emulators and media categories and then try to view the utilities category it kicks you back to the HBC.
Just a quick post, does anyone actually use the IR cursor correction while in the Homebrew Browser? The reason I ask is because it might be better to assign the Dpad left and right to be able to control the categories.
3 August 2008 (v0.2.1b)
Just some small additions to the Homebrew Browser.
You’re now able to cancel downloads by pressing B. After pressing B it will stop the download and then delete all the files that have been downloaded. I’ve put in a slight rumble when hovering over buttons with the cursor. I didn’t want to it rumble too much as the buttons are quite small. The help and controls icons have been moved to the left of the banner so that users with 16:9 TVs should now hopefully be able to see them.
I was going to add some controller images to the HBB so that for each application it would tell you which controller is required but there was too many controllers to fit on the “channel” so I’ve left this for when I remove the about text and replace it with an about window.
PiesAreBlueGuy and Felix have suggested a great idea, being notified via the Wii message board when an update or new applications for the HBB are available. I’ve gone ahead and set up an email address which is hbb@codemii.com.
From your Wii, all you need to do is add that email address to your address book and then I will reply with a confirmation email. You’ll then be signed up to receive messages when there are new HBB updates and new or updated applications are available.
If you haven’t already checked out the links section of this blog, you’ll find a really simple page that will show you the most downloaded applications from the Homebrew Browser.
Just some quick fixes for the Homebrew Browser.
27 July 2008 (v0.2.1a)
The first issue seemed to happen when nearly all of the images were downloaded for the first time. The files were being downloaded correctly but it seems like I had some bug when displaying a “blank channel”. I’ve correct the issue and it should work the first time.
The Homebrew Browser has been updated to v0.2.1.
26 July 2008 (v0.2.1)
The following applications have been added/updated:
I would have liked to put in some background music but didn’t have much time, so I’ve added what I could. Statistics is probably the more important feature in this new version. Soon I’ll put up a link to the statistics which will show the number of times an application has been downloaded.
I’ll be working on a small update to the Homebrew Browser which will increase the buffer size even more so that GeeXbox can be put on the homebrew list. Other things which I might do once I have some example source, is make the cursor rotate and disappear when the wiimote is not pointed to the IR sensor. Another small thing to do is change the IP address in the HBB from wiiregionworld.com to codemii.com.
Yet another small little thing to put in is the ability to delete old files that certain applications used. An example is with genplus, I went and chose the boot.elf file but now with the new build they only have the boot.dol file (same thing happened with sd explorer, except in that case there wasn’t any reason to update it yet as a user is reporting that the delete function doesn’t work?)
I might also think about putting up the help and controls icons as found in the LowLines working demo.
I’d like to put in the background music but am not great with threads. I’ve tried but can’t get the mp3 to keep playing in the HBB. If anyone has a threading example which can loop an mp3 and do other things like draw graphics/display pictures, etc, please post a link to it here or in the HBB page on Wiibrew.
Edit: Mouse rotation and mouse disappearing when not on screen has been done. It was just a few simple code line changes, thanks to ebool for helping me out. I think I’ll just use mod files instead of mp3s to play the background music. As I remember mod files keep looping until you stop them. Hmm, I’m having a bit of a problem when playing the mod file created from the mp3. It seems to play a little and cut out and then play the same little bit, etc.
Edit 2: If I’ve got enough time on the weekend, I might integrate statistics in HBB. The stats would just be displayed on a web page for now and not actually shown in HBB. This is so developers can easily see if users are downloading their applications.
Edit 3: Unfortunately GeexBox won’t be added into this version. The buffer size can’t be extended that much, so it will have to wait for the version of HBB that has zip functionality if that ever happens.