The upcoming EAB's Database

[RCK]

I think you are right,
but if only moderators can update the base, it will be slower to fill no ?

(yes, slow but perfect )

I think about people who like to contribute with little things like a few screenshots, or just one or two informations... they maybe don't wan't to be *moderators*.
So the public post should be enable no ?
(controled & modified if necessary by moderators)

(those kind of new informations won't be include to the database without have been validated)

[Warlock99]

Yeah, if we want this project to work, I think we need to allow other people to contribute. As RCK says the entries won't be put into the database until moderated anyway. That's the whole point of the moderators.

If only a few select people are doing this, we're back to square one and looking at a database in 10 years time. With applications and games, this database is going to be an absolutely mamoth task.

I honestly think the database will benefit from outside help. I think we'll discover information and lots more games that we didn't know about, I also think outside contributions will add to the richness of the database.

Come on, we can make this mamoth database, but only with outside help! The team of moderators will need to really know their stuff.

Also, if we provide some sort of guidance on the form about each field of the record, then maybe we can eliminate half the errors.

I don't really see how the login is going to help make anything easier in fact it could put people off. We need to make it easy otherwise, people simply won't bother.

[RCK]

agree,
I'll start coding it this week-end, upcoming moderators will have access to beta aera as soon as possible

about all the informations of the database, no need more ?
are you all ok with the #revision 4 ?

[RCK]

about screenshots, let's fix it:

I think that 320*240*16M in PNG format is a good compromize between quality and size.

Using Emulator in 640*480*32-bit (take screenshot), then resize it to 320*240 and encode it to PNG is the best solution.


Take a look at this 57Ko PNG file of Sanity - Interference.

Two screenshots by production is a good value.

[Warlock99]

Languages - Italian and polish games are everywhere

Types - Beat-em-ups, Arcade strategy (such as syndicate), arcade adventure (head over heels etc), board games, puzzle (tetris), quiz, 3d shoot-em-ups, flight sims, rpg, sports. I think there's more too.

[Warlock99]

BTW - Picture looks fine to me.

[RCK]

Okay, I've updated the game's type, and I think we should not add more.

about the row - Configuration*, do you think it is really important ?
(we won't try again all database games for each new emulator)

[Warlock99]

I don't think it's really needed either and it's easy for a visitor to just try each configuration for their game. But, I don't suppose it'd be absolutely necessary for it to be filled in for every game.

Will we allow visitors to just give us partial information for a game?

[RCK]

Ok, config removed.

Of course visitor will be able to submit us partial infomation !
(like one new review or a single screenshot)

I think we will allow multiple review.
(but not too much also, only the 3 best)

[Warlock99]

RCK, if you're starting the programming then I'll trim my list. It should give us a damn good starting point for the games list. The list will just be names of games and nothing else to start with. Then maybe, I'll try and get info from other sources afterwards such as databases, lists, etc.

Does someone want to make a start on the apps list?

[P-J]

Hey guys, count me in....

Can someone give me a general synopsis of the format/whats happening, so I haven't got to read all those threads

BTW, have you any idea of the size of space required to store this amount data WITH screenshots?

...don't start without me... fill me in

PJ.

[Jambo]

Sounds interesting

If you need any help with any of the coding RCK I'd be more than happy to help out.

Thanks
James Thomas

[RCK]

yes, I've already count the amount of data required.

arround 50 Ko for each screenshots.
so arround 100 Ko for each games.

1000 games -> 100.000 Ko (100 Mo)

hum ... maybe only one screenshot by games / apps will be enough no ?


btw: hey PJ big lazy ! please read all the post

[Amiga1992]

STOP!!!

You are about to completely SCREW UP the pictures!! take a moment to think, that the Amiga's lo-res resolution is 320x256 , not 320x240.

You will completely corrupt the screens' aspect ratio, or even cut a border.

Unluckily, Amiga emulators suck for taking screenshots. Unlike any decent emulator, where no matter what screen res you are using you have an option to take ascreenshot of the correct resolution and aspect ratio, you have to do shitty stuff with Amiga emus to get a decent screenshot.

[RCK]

But there is a way to have one correct screen ratio with WinUAE 08.14 R3.

btw, we decrease the size by 50% after, so pixel will merge themself a little.
the important point is to have one good start ratio.

take look back at the pic of Sanity a few post ago, we haven't loose any pixel on it.

[P-J]

Just run WinUAE in super fast 'sound disabled' mode in a Window @ 320 x 256 and use PSP to capture the image.

With PSP I'm able to grab just the actual picture out of a window with one click, and end up witha clean 320 x 256 minutes. I can get up to 60 screenshots an hour with this method...

[RCK]

Yes, your method is quite good, but the screenshot take also winuae border, so we have to cut the zone 320*256 for each production ...

btw, could you post the exact setting you use for screenshot ?
(just the graphic one)

[Amiga1992]

Man, RCK, look at that pic. It's ANTIALIASED! you killed ALL the pixels.

PJ's method is DA BOMB and is the best way. Besides, with PSP, you can choose to capture an object, thus leaving OUT the window border [as he mentions]

A bit of cropping wouldn't do anyone harm anyway, lazy peeps

Do not snap at 640x480 and resample. you are killing the images. If you don't mind killing images, snap them at 160x80 or something like that and save on disk space ;p

[RCK]

Well, you're right

but I still have prb to see all the pixel (perfect ratio screensize)
what about the exact WinUae setting are you using ?

[Amiga1992]

I barely ever use WinUAE, or any other emu, unless I want to take screenshots. I use to take them with WinFellow, but then I have to rework them a bit to take them back to their proper aspect ratio.

iIn WinUAE, do just as PJ said: 320x256 windowed mode. If the game uses higher resolution graphics, you will have to change the resolution.

Best option still is 800x600, no stretching, scanlines or anything, and then cropping the image by hand. That way even if teh program uses interlace/super hires/overscan, you still get the whole picture