Request a wiki

Ascended (19468)

31-07-2016, 13:58

I agree that the OPL4 chip specifications should be separated from the different implementations of "MoonSound". I suppose it's best to make a separate OPL4 article which can be referred to from any other article that describes the specific devices that use the OPL4. As there will be hardly duplication between these articles (because for the core specs they refer to the OPL4 article) I think that makes it very clear. And all articles could still be grouped with a Category ("OPL4 based sound cartridges"?).

And the same for MSX-AUDIO. An article about the "MSX-AUDIO" standard and articles about different cartridges that implement it, grouped with a single category.

Par RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

31-07-2016, 16:59

gdx wrote:

Here's another Good example of a bad grouping:

Worse: both OPL4 and MSX-Audio page mention the audio IC they're based on, but that IC doesn't have its own page. Which is wrong imho: MSX-Audio != Y8950, it's a standard that's based on Y8950. That chip very well deserves its own page in the MSX Wiki, among other things telling that it's the basis for MSX-Audio.
Both OPL4 and MSX-Audio pages are also missing a link to their respective IC's datasheet, btw.

For MSX sound extensions, I think you have basically 3 separate pieces of info:

a) The sound chip it's based on. This could be a detailed technical specs page, with a picture of the IC itself, link to datasheet, mention that it's used in sound standard X or Y, predecessor / successor / related IC's, register descriptions etc. An example of how it sounds, should also go in here: while there are differences between implementations, what you can do with it music-wise depends on the IC & its capabilities, not (so much) on the board it's in.

b) A standard (where applicable) using that IC: summarized specs + a link to sound IC. A description of software support: CALL commands, bios ROM, how to determine if a cartridge implementing that standard is present, etc. And an overview of various implementations of that standard (shouldn't hurt to have a -one- picture of each).

c) A number of implementations of that standard / boards using that sound chip. In most cases, each of those could have its own page, I think. That would make it easier to go into detail about that specific cartridge, like how to use -extra- software that comes with it, adjustments / repair tips, pcb shots, etc.

Both a) and b) definitely deserve a page of their own, I think.

Par gdx

Enlighted (6215)

31-07-2016, 18:02

A massive reclassification of the Wiki is currently going...
The goal is use the tags "Category" the most possible to include softwares and the different hardwares easier. Please take this into account if you modify the Wiki today and tomorrow.

Par RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

31-07-2016, 20:20

I was surprised that "memory mapper" referred to a non-existing page in the MSX Wiki. Fixed... Thought I'd be a good candidate to create this page since I know memory mappers well, both from hardware & software side.

I'm targeting this page mostly at "what is it?" for MSX newbies, and some info from programmer's point of view. But (photos of?) examples, links to related pages, etc are also welcome. Expect quite a few edits to follow.

Par gdx

Enlighted (6215)

02-08-2016, 11:07

I finish the reclassification execpt for programming. At first glance this category requires a lot of work. I do not touch.

Par snout

Ascended (15187)

02-08-2016, 14:14

Fan-tas-tic job, gdx! Loving the changes made. As this topic is more or less hijacked for general discussion on the wiki: let's discuss a sensible approach for the programming corner. Any thoughts?

Par mars2000you

Enlighted (6487)

02-08-2016, 22:05

snout wrote:

How about we use extra categories for this? I think that ought to keep everybody happy.

Example

Category: Sony HB-700 series
Contains generic information that otherwise would be duplicated and some generic pictures where it doesn't matter which specific type is shown. As it works with Wiki categories, all different types will be listed below in a nice little table.

So the HB-700P (etc) would get a separate page, categorized within the Sony HB-700 series where one can lookup the information that applies to the entire range of HB-700 computers.

I think it's a good solution. In a first step, I've created 10 sub-categories for the concerned Sony computers (at first sight, it seems to be mainly a Sony 'problem', but probably other sub-categories will be required, for example for National/Panasonic CF-2700) and added an explanation on the page about the Sony category.

Note that I don't have created a HB-701 category because the HB-701FD is an improved version of the HB-701 and both machines are exclusive Japanese machines.

Next steps will be to add infos on the sub-categories pages and to find a picture equilibrium between these pages and the pages about the corrresponding localised models.

Par meits

Scribe (6544)

02-08-2016, 22:37

Well, maybe, since everything is going to be very neatly cathegorised, it could be a good idea to handle all (quite different) vg8235s as well then.

Par mars2000you

Enlighted (6487)

02-08-2016, 22:52

Meits wrote:

Well, maybe, since everything is going to be very neatly cathegorised, it could be a good idea to handle all (quite different) vg8235s as well then.

The problem is indeed different for the Philips machines, especially the VG8235 (same reference, but differences inside AND difficulty to get the software on disk on another language than Dutch). So, until we find French, German and Spanish versions of the software, creating a category with mainly the specifications and the different PCB's while reserving the screenshots of the firmware for the specific pages is really not required !

Par gdx

Enlighted (6215)

03-08-2016, 12:16

I wonder why Guillian always erases from the MegaflashRom Wiki this sentence: "The cartridge contacts are not gold plated but tinned." without explanation? We see well that contacts are not gold plated on pictures.