[NEW PLUGIN] Programs Plugin

[McBainUK]

After a couple weeks of (reasonably) hard work I'm pleased to announce the public release of the Programs Plugin for GB-PVR.

About
The plugin allows you to play all your favourite emulator games, and launch utilities/applications and Windows games from within GB-PVR. For those of you that remember Reven's 'My Programs' program consider this a PVRX2'ed clone of it.

Use
Download and run the setup program from the Programs plugin wiki page. See the wiki page for config tips and a list of recommend emulators.

Screenshots

Emulators View


Applications View


Config app

[johnsonx42]

Looks good, but it seems to duplicate much of what GameZone does. I suppose GameZone is a bit more game-centric, but it does have the 'ExtraEmulators' mode that is effectively just a program launcher.
I don't suppose there's any reason you can't do another plugin that does more-or-less the same thing; without starting a plugin vs plugin war, is there any advantage to Programs vs Gamezone?

[McBainUK]

It only took me a couple of hours to knock this one out as it's quite simple and alot of the UI is handled by pvrx2 classes nowadays. I tried Gamezone but found it had a bit of a steep learning curve to get started, so I went back to reven's My Programs plugin. After a couple weeks it's out of date UI look was getting on my nerves - so I made this.

So the advantages are from my personal view are simplicity (esp with the "easy fill" config app feature) and the ability to launch apps and games as simply as adding a shortcut to a folder. I use this to launch FIFA and COD4 games for playing on the TV. I have to say I didn't try or notice the 'ExtraEmulators' mode - like I said, I had trouble getting things setup.

I don't suppose there's any reason you can't do another plugin that does more-or-less the same thing

Like with almost all of my other projects they are things I use myself, or have an inquisitive interest in. And then share it with others in the hope that it will be useful. I'm not trying to 'compete' with anything or anybody.

[johnsonx42]

Agreed, Gamezone is a little complicated getting started primarily I think due to a wealth of features added in over the years. Simpler can be better. When the time comes to re-introduce games to my system I'll definitely try your plugin.

And then share it with others in the hope that it will be useful. I'm not trying to 'compete' with anything or anybody.

Thank you very much for doing so. We all benefit from your ingenuity and willingness to share.

[systemshark]

Hi McbainUK

this looks good. have you tried launching a browser via it... I'm think of using it to run iPlayer etc??

[McBainUK]

No I haven't. But I assume if you have a windows shortcut that is actually a URL, it should launch your default browser to that page.

[reven]

looks good, i may start using this

[idkpmiller]

McBainUK it looks great from the snapshots. I have been looking for a reason to pull the plug on GameZone and I think the time has now come for it to retire to make room for the younger plugin on the block.

One of the main issues with GameZone is that it started off with one objective and ended up trying to do many others with no bottom up redisgn, just bits glued on the side.

Thanks

[miyagin]

McBainUK, really nice plugin, simple, fast, easy to use and works without problems. I have mame, Games links, Google Chrome , Windows desktop (i dont start explorer.exe just gbpvr at windows start) with a link to Windows Explorer Command, and its so easy and fast to add new programs that i love your plugin, nice work!!!

[McBainUK]

Thanks