by derebo » Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:29 pm
Hello,
I said I wouldn't write but the topic isn't too techie so I can say something
About multiple db, If the only need is to do a search among xml/rdb files, I could simply add a new node with all dat, and using the search box on this node could filter the games.
Fantastic! If you can achieve that, that'd be of much help already. I understand all db's would not be displayed in treeview but the search could be run against all available db's, right? If it's so, then it's ok.
Another solution would be to load several db at a time, and switch between them when needed (fix or display for example). Of course, each db will act as an independant database, and belong to a stand-alone node in the tree.
That'd be optimal! Treeview and mutiple db search.
But then, is it really needed to implement that ?
Well, I do think so. As far as I've seen rom managers are rather limited concerning searches. Either no search is possible (RomVault) or only one database can be searched at a time (Offlinelist). Developing this feature would definitely make RomCenter stand out from the rest. And not only that, take into account many may think of RomCenter as a MAME manager. With MAME it's all in one pack so it's just one db. However, usually that's not the case. Take Apple system for instance, there's many db's one per each system. Same applies to Atari, Commodore, ETL, Luxor and many many more systems. And even with each system there are databases (dats) for each category (usually file-extension based). I think we should forget about db's being monolithic one-file databases (eg. MAME) and broaden the scope to embrace systems whose databases are stored in different dats (think of TOSEC as a matter of fact) Not only would RomCenter benefit from being top of the tops but it would also gather new users from those different systems.
You can already go to file/open and switch to another db... If it's too long or too complicated, I could add a database combobox to allow fast switching (like in old romcenter)
Not really. I've done that combobox way too many times in Offlinelist and let me tell you, when you have to check say two databases, it's ok. But when you want to check say Commodore database you actually have to check 172 different dats! That'd be way too much.
BTW, I have one more suggestion: SHA1 hashing. It's being implemented more and more in the 8-bit scene at least. It's stronger, more secure and safer, so why not?
Greetings,
Hello,
I said I wouldn't write but the topic isn't too techie so I can say something :)
[quote]About multiple db, If the only need is to do a search among xml/rdb files, I could simply add a new node with all dat, and using the search box on this node could filter the games.[/quote]
Fantastic! If you can achieve that, that'd be of much help already. I understand all db's would not be displayed in treeview but the search could be run against all available db's, right? If it's so, then it's ok.
[quote]Another solution would be to load several db at a time, and switch between them when needed (fix or display for example). Of course, each db will act as an independant database, and belong to a stand-alone node in the tree.[/quote]
That'd be optimal! Treeview and mutiple db search.
[quote]But then, is it really needed to implement that ?[/quote]
Well, I do think so. As far as I've seen rom managers are rather limited concerning searches. Either no search is possible (RomVault) or only one database can be searched at a time (Offlinelist). Developing this feature would definitely make RomCenter stand out from the rest. And not only that, take into account many may think of RomCenter as a MAME manager. With MAME it's all in one pack so it's just one db. However, usually that's not the case. Take Apple system for instance, there's many db's one per each system. Same applies to Atari, Commodore, ETL, Luxor and many many more systems. And even with each system there are databases (dats) for each category (usually file-extension based). I think we should forget about db's being monolithic one-file databases (eg. MAME) and broaden the scope to embrace systems whose databases are stored in different dats (think of TOSEC as a matter of fact) Not only would RomCenter benefit from being top of the tops but it would also gather new users from those different systems.
[quote]You can already go to file/open and switch to another db... If it's too long or too complicated, I could add a database combobox to allow fast switching (like in old romcenter)[/quote]
Not really. I've done that combobox way too many times in Offlinelist and let me tell you, when you have to check say two databases, it's ok. But when you want to check say Commodore database you actually have to check 172 different dats! That'd be way too much.
BTW, I have one more suggestion: SHA1 hashing. It's being implemented more and more in the 8-bit scene at least. It's stronger, more secure and safer, so why not?
Greetings,