Slashdot Mirror
Java On Dreamcast Forges On
Anonymous Coward writes: "Yup, much to my disbelief, it looks like Planetweb are still determined to try and profit off of the dc with their new DC browser version 3.0. According to the site, 'Users will now be able to access the multimedia features on Web sites using Java and play games written in that language..." I'v given up all hope on the DC, but maby a few of you out there...." Since these are officially EOL (even if not completely out of stores), you might be able to pick up your next web-browsing toy at a yard sale.
What ever happened to the day when people would actually play games on the console gaming machine? Now your console browses the web, runs linux, makes your coffee, and does laundry!
The Dreamcast has a GD-ROM drive. Newer units have had the BIOS tweaked so as not to accept CD* media for booting, but older units read CD-R with no problem (and with a little luck and a screwdriver, can be adjusted to read CD-RW, as well).
And there's already a Linux project going on. Google is your friend.
I have both systems sitting in my house and the DC seems to be a MUCH better system. Yea the PS2 has prettier graphics but the games for it suck. I'm sorry to see the DC die like this considering it has Broadband connection for web browsing and internet games. Where is that net connection for PS2? I'm glad the development continues for this system ... it has/had so much potential!!
Here's a real great idea for the "net appliance" that was supposingly going to replace home PC's years back. The thing can run Linux, browse the web, run on an ethernet network, play MP3's, oh and by the way, it's a pretty decent gaming machine.
Throw that together with the fact that it's about 80 bucks brand new and tell me what you really have to complain about...?
--The space between my ears was intentionally left blank--
ok, maybe not Java related, but is about the dreamcast not being so dead as lots of you might think.
There already is linux running on the DC, with MAME, running Doom even (imagine that! an emulated game on a physical machine!) checkout this site for lots of information and useful stuff.
Long live the dreamcast!!!
Why yes, all my base are belong to you.
How did you guess?
Unfortunately, broadband never really took off on the DC. The "broadband adapter" (a modified version of a Realtek ethernet card) is supported by a grand total of six games. Not to mention that SEGA only sold them for about three months, and now they go on eBay for $120+.
Yeah, it's cool to play with Linux on them, but don't you already have 5 computers in various states of disrepair running Linux/BSD? I know I do...
Despite all this, the DC is/was a great console. Its library of titles whips the PS2 and probably will until at least the middle of next year...and it has a thriving homebrew community.
(-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
Users have not been able to download other browsers such as Netscape Communication's Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer because users can only download game files and the size of the Dreamcast hard drive is limited.
Wow. I must of missed that feature when I bought my Dreamcast.
I wasn't aware the Dreamcast's HITACHI PROCESSOR wasn't a factor in running Netscape or Internet Explorer. Gee, the AMOUNT OF RAM doesn't seem to be an issue either. Or OPERATING SYSTEM support for that matter! The only issue blocking the use of these other browsers seems to be the lack of a sufficiently-large hard drive!
Well shit, if that's the case, I'm going to upgrade mine!
*pops open Dreamcast*
Err...Where's the old one?
-- Give him Head? Be a Beacon? :P)
(If you can't figure out how to E-Mail me, Don't.
Some people have been asking, why Java? What's the point? The Dreamcast is dead!. In answer: lots of people still use their DC, so the more support, the better. More generally though, the DC is still a nice piece of kit.
As a gaming platform of course, the Dreamcast's days are numbered - it won't be long before the rate of release of new games declines to a trickle. Not that that should stop anyone from enjoying the many fine games already released of course!
Yet with the very low cost of the DC now, if you can find one, and the very wide distribution of information on the console, it has become a perfect, cheap platform for experimenting with embedded programming, or console game development, or even for trying out non-x86 based Unixes. Remeber that there is a version of BSD and Linux available.
The so-called 'coders cable' can provide connectivity for development, but for high speed access there is the official broadband adapter (hard to find and pricey). If you're feeling brave there has been some talk about the viability of a USB-Controller port adapter. The Maple Bus (used to connect the controllers) has been well documented.
An earlier slashdot story has already talked about a nice step-by-step for Linux on Dreamcast.
My local Software Etc. and Electronics Boutique both have their back rooms piled high with used, working Dreamcasts. I just picked up one of the cool black ones with its controller for $50 + $10 for a six month warranty against it dying.
It comes with a modem and a browser and you can get a keyboard and mouse for it. Several companies make adapters that allow you to connect it to a monitor. You can still find the broadband (Ethernet) adapter on Ebay for about $120.
I have the base linux system up and running on it, so now I'm working on getting it to dial up an ISP and start a browser on power-up. My grandma has been putting off getting online for a long time, and now I can get her there for $50 + ISP charges. All she has to do is push the power button and she's on the web and able to email her far flung family. I'm making sure the interface is big and readable on her 35" TV.
It's pretty easy for me to get linux running on it now, and then connect to my home computer and run terminal services. Why do I do this? Because $150 for a new computer for my wife is much less than $1000 for a new low-end computer, especially when it is just used for basic productivity suite software and web browsing.
Also, the linux system is just a CD-R, so I just pop it out, and pop in a game and I'm playing Quake, or Crazy Taxi, or Ready to Rumble, or Sega NFL with no patches or incompatabilities with up to three of my friends. (All of these games are readily available used for $15 or new for $45)
obviously no deficiencies vs. no obvious deficiencies
First let me say: I'm very active in the DC scene(s).
Broadband adapters need to be made again!
For god sakes SEGA is still making games for the DC, as they only pulled out of the hardware business. It's flat out impossible to play new games online (WSB2K2, Mars Matrix, etc) when you canceled your dial-up account 2 years ago.
As for another suggestion posted above; yes streaming mp3 support needs to be covered. The DC outputs some of the best sound I've heard on a console. *If* I could get a BBA then I would be able to stream them right of the PC. But, I've also archived all my mp3's to CD so I can already play them in the DVD player, DC and PC. BUT! Playing a shout,er,icecast stream would be great for ambient music.
The DC can be anything people want it to be. It's your all in one box. It's even got a C64 emulator.
But what can we do to resurrect this machine to above it's full glory?
[ps. i noticed on mtv the other day that they gave a few DC's away on a show - so people, of course, still love them.]
Get your Unix fortune now!
There are several possibilities:
1) Shinobi - the official Sega "OS". It's really
just a mixed low/high level API. Not an OS.
2) Dragon - WinCE for DC. This is crap. Few
people ever used it, though it was the first
winCE with direct-x.
3) Linux - it runs all right.
4) KallistiOS, it's turning back into a library now.
I've got the DC dev kit, and by FAR the Sega API is the best and easiest to use.
The copper bosses killed you, Joe. 'I never died', said he.
Since everybody is complaining about the DC BBA being obscenely expensive secondhand on eBay,
here's a link to a project where you use the DC internal modem to network to a linux PC through another modem and piggybacking on that broadband.
Google is your friend.
http://www.kinox.org/articles/linuxdc.html