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Week of October 12, 2003
IRELAND: Xbox launches Irish online gaming
>> Microsoft has chosen Eircom, Esat BT and NTL as its broadband partners in Ireland for its Xbox Live video games system.
Orla Sheridan, Microsoft's Irish sales manager for home and entertainment equipment, said Xbox Live users in Ireland will be able to compete against fellow gamers across the world at "blistering speeds".
News-Source: www.businessworld.ie (LIVE in Ireland)
Gentoox 2.4.22 kernel update succeeded *updated*
>> Looks like ShALLaX successfully upgraded his gentoox box to kernel 2.4.22:
[QUOTE]
The following should speak for itself:
Gamebox root # uname -a
Linux Gamebox 2.4.22-xbox #1 Tue Oct 14 20:33:42 BST 2003 i686 Celeron (Coppermine) GenuineIntel GNU/Linux
Looks like I've got a working kernel 2.4.22 patch for the Home edition so far. I'll give it a couple more test runs, then see if it works on the Pro edition. It's quite a complex patch system and if things go wrong half way through, it could get messy, I'll try and neaten it up a bit before release ;)
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://gentoox.shallax.com
Xbox Media Center (XBMC) CVS 2003-10-18
>> A new Xbins CVS Compile of XboxMediaCenter(info) has been released.
What's new/fixed (since last CVS build):
* 10-17-03 fixed: random crashes when entering my XXXX
* 10-17-03 added: GOOM visualisation & new entry in xboxmediacenter.xml for LBA48 support
* 10-16-03 fixed: general settings didnt show selected language
* 10-16-03 added: references.xml for skinning
* 10-16-03 fixed: XBMC home panel crashes if strings.xml didnt contain time / date tuples
* 10-15-03 fixed: spectrum visualisation didnt load spectrum.xml configuration file
* 10-15-03 fixed: visz. stopped after 1 song
* 10-14-03 fix crash & cleanup when stopping visz
* 10-14-03 updated: latest mplayer code
* 10-14-03 added: first viz pluggin -> spectrum analyser visualisation
* 10-13-03 added: more visz. stuff (not working yet)
* 10-12-03 fixed: my music : title button now adds item 2 playlist
* 10-12-03 added: portugese & spanish translations
* 10-12-03 started with architecture for dynamic visualisation plugins
* 10-12-03 italian translations by xANTAL(xAD) *UPDATE* (again :) )
Keep in mind this is just a compile of the sourcecode in the CVS on 18 october and XBMC is still in alpha-phase. There's no guarantee this version is stable or bugfree. Only use at OWN risk if you like to test out new things. Use XboxMediaPlayer(info) v2.4 (released by Complex) if you want to play safe.
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
FCC HDTV comment period closing (whine now or forever regret it)
>> FCC is going to make a decision this month on MANDATING a "broadcast flag" in HDTV broadcasts as well as FORCING consumer electronics manufacturers to include copy protection circuitry in ALL video related CE devices or they will not run in full HD resolution. This is BAD. Read up on it if you wish and you can still add your comments to the FCC right here.
Here's the reasonably short comment I sent to them using the form:
Mandating this HDTV copy protection system from the Federal Government is a bad idea for the consumers the FCC is mandated to serve.
1. NO copy protection is ever 100% secure for more than a VERY brief time. When this hardware-based protection is broken by criminals, what will consumers have to do? Buy ANOTHER piece of hardware with updated copy protection? Send their TV tuner in for a firmware update? This is not a practical idea.
2. Why should consumers have to bear the cost of copy protection that will ultimately be ineffective? What about all the people that already bought HDTV who now have to spend MORE to get full broadcast quality on HDTV if this system is approved? Make the industry pushing for these ill-conceived provisions reimburse the working-class people their decision will affect (early adopters of HDTV whose system will be obsoleted) for the cost of these hardware upgrades!
3. Analog broadcasts can still be recorded forever, and this hole will never be effectively plugged.
4. Consumers right to record broadcasts has been firmly established in the Betamax case. This is a stealth attempt by the industry to regulate what can and cannot be recorded, and is unappreciated.
5. How will this affect the emerging market for TiVo and similar devices. If a program is marked as "unrecordable" or "untransferrable", it would directly affect the functionality of these emerging devices that are the future of television viewing.
6. The costs of a "fully secure" system (HDTV, Tuner, DVD, etc) will be so prohibitive that people simply will not buy, further slowing the HDTV rollout and mass-acceptance. Consumers want choice, flexibility, and convenience. This system takes that away under the guise of "protecting" the content providers. It is NOT in the best interests of anyone but the content providers and is actually anti-consumer, taking away rights that have been established for more than 25 years.
7. Stronger enforcement of existing anti-piracy laws will do far more than anything the broadcast flag can do in the real world. Unfortunately, that shifts the burden of cost to the content providers and law-enforcement, who are more vocal about budget constraints than a largely unaware consumer population. However, if this is enacted, that consumer population will vote with their wallets and stall HDTV acceptance progress...again.
----------------
This legeslation is soooo wrong-headed. I don't think comments will change the FCC at this point, but I'm not going to do nothing and wish I had tried after it's too late.
Don't Believe the Hype
- Vic ( Victor Ireland. owner of Working Designs.)
News-Source: www.workingdesigns.com (HDTV copy protection system )
Thanks to CANMORE for the news.
Work In Porgress: Gentoox kernel 2.4.22
>> From gentoox.shallax.com:
[QUOTE]
I'll work on implementing kernel 2.4.22. I've already done some work on it, but have come across the same issues as with 2.4.21. I have to get this problem sorted out once and for all!
[/QUOTE]
The Xbox Manufacturing Process
>> From xbox-linux.sourceforge.net:
[QUOTE]
The Xbox Manufacturing Process. Thanks to everyone contributing to the Xbox Version Database, now we know quite a deal about how Xboxes are made, and also have some information about the three different factories. Read it here.
[/QUOTE]
XS Launches XBOX GAME REVIEWS Forums, 7 chances to win prizes
>> We launched our newest forum today, (XBOX GAME REVIEWS Forum), a dedicated forum for Game Reviews.
To celebrate the launch, and to encourage you to post reviews Nolga / (www.system-mods.com) is sponsoring a contest.
Join the Xbox Game Review Forum.. read the posting (Rules and Template), then read the (Contest Rules).
Post as many Reviews as you wish.. each one that is accepted for posting (in accordance with the forum rules) stands a chance to win 1 of 7 prizes offered by SMT.
List of Prizes to be won..
1st Prize: 1x Xecuter 2 Pro Chip, 1 Memory Card
2nd Prize: 1x Xecuter 2 Lite Chip, 1 Cooling Fan
3rd Prize: 1x Xecuter 2 Pro Chip, 1 USB cable
4th Prize: 1x Xecuter 2 Lite Chip, 1 USB cable
5th Prize: 1 Cooling Fan, 1 USB Cable
6th Prize: 1 Memory Card, 1 USB cable
7th Prize: 1 USB cable
Contest begins (10/17/2003) and run until (11/17/2003) 1 month
DOSXBox v3
>> Xport released a new version of DOSXBox(info) - 286/386 PC Emulator.
What's new/fixed:
* Implemented DosBox 0.60 sources (preliminary DPMI support)
When you start DOSXBox v3, you should see a screen telling you to press A or B for DPMI/Non-DPMI support. Some games only work with DPMI enabled. Some only work with it disabled.
Official Site: http://xport.xbox-scene.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: forums.xbox-scene.com and xbins.org
XLink Needs Your Help!
>> We received this news from dfunked:
[QUOTE]
The lack of news updates would make it seem as though XLink(info) is dead. Far from it!
Although development on RC3 has been delayed due to other commitments (including Factions), TheDaddy and the rest of the team are still working on getting RC3 out soon.
What we'd really love right now is if anyone is willing to donate a couple of XBox Live Starter Kits (1 or 2) to the development team for some tests that we wish to run with MS server communications.
We're not asking for anyone to go out and buy them and send them off to us, but if anyone knows of someone who can get one or two kits for free (might work at Walmart or something), we'd appreciate it very much.
If you are able to donate a kit, email dfunked@xboxlink.co.uk and I'll get back to you ASAP.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.xboxlink.co.uk
XBMSP4Java v1.01
>> From the readme:
[QUOTE]
This is a Java xbmsp-server (for XboxMediaPlayer(info) and XboxMediaCenter(info))
The implementation follows XBMS(info) 0.30.6 quite closely.
The server requires JRE/JDK 1.4.x
The implementation is all but untested, but has been proven to perform acceptably on an 450MHz Celeron system with 92MB of memory, serving divx-video over a 100M-ethernet --link
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: https://sourceforge.net/projects/xbplayer/
Download: here
New Xbox Live broadband partners announced
>> Microsoft announces broadband partnerships for the eight countries that will be launching Xbox Live later this month.
Microsoft today announced details of 22 new broadband provider partners for its Xbox Live online gaming service. Most of the partners announced today are from the eight countries that will be launching Xbox Live later this month, and they join 50 other broadband providers in North America, Japan, and Europe who have already joined with Microsoft as part of its Xbox Live compatibility program. The broadband partners announced today include:
Australia: OptusNet (cable), Telstra Big Pond (DSL/cable)
Austria: UPC/chello (cable), Telekom Austria (DSL)
Denmark: TDC (DSL/cable), Telia Stofa (cable)
Finland: Elisa (DSL), Helsinki Television (HTV cable) (cable), TeliaSonera Finland (DSL)
Ireland: Eircom (DSL), Esat BT (DSL), NTL (cable)
Korea: KT (DSL)
Norway: UPC/chello (cable), NextGenTel (DSL), Telenor (DSL)
Switzerland: Bluewin (DSL), sunrise (DSL)
In addition to partners for the eight new Xbox Live countries, Microsoft will be expanding on its current partnership with Wanadoo (France Telecom) to cover the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK (Freeserve), as well as adding Wind in Italy.
News-Source: www.gamespot.com (New LIVE Partners)
New Xecuter3 dilbert cartoon
150GBP Xmas Xbox bundle confirmed
>> Recent weeks have seen both Sony and Nintendo cut the price of their consoles, but Microsoft has kept to their price point, saying Xbox already offers good value for money.
However as we reported several weeks ago, a £150 Christmas bundle was said to have been announced to a small number of retailers at the X03 event in the South of France, and it's finally appeared on Amazon.co.uk, who are selling it for £139.99 - £10 less than the RRP.
The bundle is due to go on sale on October 31st, the same day that a new Xbox Live starter kit is believed to be launching in the UK, and would likely signal the start of an unofficial price cut on the console itself as retailers aim to remain competitive by either reducing the console price or creating their own bundles
News-Source: www.gamespaper.com (£150 Xmas Xbox )
StepmaniaX v5
>> Xport released a new version of StepmaniaX(info).
What's new/fixed:
* Option to turn Banner display on/off
This will solve the song skipping problem on the Music Wheel. Some banners take a long time to load and result in skipping on the music wheel. Go to Options -> Graphics Options -> Show Banners and turn it off to stop the music wheel from skipping.
Official Site: http://xport.xbox-scene.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: forums.xbox-scene.com and xbins.org
UK: The Art of Spin pays dividends for Nintendo UK
>> Nintendo UK has jubilantly announced a four-fold increase in sales of the GameCube hardware in the two days following its recent price cut to £79, although even this major boost can't lift it past its home console rivals.
According to the company, sales of the Cube rose by 400 per cent in the first two days of the new price point, a fairly impressive achievement (you'd think) which is reminiscent of last week's stateside performance, where the Cube outsold the PS2 by 20 per cent and the Xbox by 145 per cent.
However, the reality is that Nintendo would have needed a lot more than 400 per cent to pull itself out of third place in the UK, with the console still being outsold significantly last week by the Xbox (around 33 per cent ahead according to some figures) and not even coming close to the PS2 - which outsold it by a ratio of at least 10:1 thanks to the introduction of a lower price and a new silver model.
The new price point is still a good move for Nintendo, as it improves the company's prospects this Christmas significantly. We can't really criticise the company's decision to apply such a positive spin to its sales figures, since this is after all exactly what we exhorted the company to do only last week following widespread criticism of the company's financial results - mostly due to misinterpretation of the figures. If Nintendo is to retain the confidence of the industry, it's just going to have to take on Microsoft at its own PR game.
News-Source: www.gamesindustry.biz (Cube sales up 400 )
Xecuter3 prototype
>> Team Xecuter posted an image of the board layout of their latest Xecuter3 prototype (v1.4b).
Check it out: http://www.teamxecuter.com/phase2.htm
One thing you can directly see from this diagram is that the modchip will be in 3 parts: the mainboard, an expansion board (optional?) with a flashchip on it and an external adaptor (probably for switches, leds and connector to flash with PC)
Where Nintendo goes, so goes Sony .... so goes Microsoft ?
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
Rumors regarding an impending PlayStation 2 price drop swirled a little stronger after a recent Web post suggesting a mid-November PlayStation 2 price drop added grist to the mill.
The site GameCube Advanced referenced an unnamed executive at retail giant Target who claimed he had seen promotional materials announcing the new $99 price point. According to the executive, the price drop would occur in mid-November.
Officials at SCEA would not confirm the price drop, but they didn't exactly deny it either. "SCEA is very comfortable with the dual-pricing plan as announced on August 19," a SCEA spokesperson told GameSpot today. "We have not made any announcements regarding additional pricing adjustments moving into the holiday season."
[/QUOTE]
Now IF sony would really drop the price of their Playstation2 to 99usd ... Microsoft would also almost be forced to drop the price of the Xbox.
Microsoft always said they don't follow the price of the Gamecube, but want to compete with the PS2 (see news.com.au).
N-Gage Flops: Dismal first week for N-Gage, say games retailers
>> Figures from videogame retailers around the UK are showing an extremely low sell-through of Nokia's new N-Gage game deck in its launch week, with fewer than 500 units sold by the 6000 game stores polled by Chart-Track.
Although these figures don't include sales from mobile phone stores, which might well be expected to shift a few units of the N-Gage, they still mark something of a setback for Nokia's ambitions in the console space.
By way of comparison, Nintendo's Game Boy Advance hardware outsold the N-Gage by a ratio of almost 30:1 last week, despite the fact that no key titles launched on the GBA over the course of the week, and that the system is long overdue a price cut.
For the FULL story...
News-Source: www.theregister.co.uk (N-Gage Turtle)
XBINS-TIRC
>> XBINS-TIRC is a customized IRC client specifically for xbins.
From the readme:
This was a script made for those who wished to completely make connecting to xbins automated. This was a 3 week project and is now very reliable and stable. To use it type your desired and permanent nick in the nick dialog on your first start. From there you can have it automatically do it all, or have a dialog that starts up and you can use that to connect, join #xbins, msg the bots, and join the other channels.
Created by {GHOST}Cobra with help from Iriez.
This client fully automates the following:
Upon startup, it connects to efnet, joins #xbins, auto msg's xbins, opens a ftp client (filezilla) with the info already in there! All you have to do is press connect.
Official Site: http://www.trackpads.net/ghost/html/index.php
Download: here
News-Source: xbins.org
Not quite XBOX News: MIDWAY SIGNS UP ID CO-FOUNDERS
>> John Romero and Tom Hall join the US company (MIDWAY) to usher in new age of development
Midway, according to industry watchers, has found the transition from arcade development to home entertainment development difficult in recent years. Indeed, the last Mortal Kombat title aside, the former driving force in the videogames industry has so far failed to set the home consumer world on fire thanks to some mediocre titles. But that may all be about to change.
For FULL Story...
News-Source: www.computerandvideogames.com (Midway Signs Romera and Hall)
FlashX.1.2-XECUTER
>> FLASH-X(info) is a kernel flashing utility made for the xbox
Whats New/Fixed:
- Fixed problems with crashing on bank 4
- Fixed bug that made it go slow as shit (1 bank now 6 seconds)
- Added flash time display
Official Site: http://teamxecuter.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
Avalaunch 0.48 and Qwix 1.0
>> The long-awaited update of the Avalaunch(info) Xbox dashboard has finally been released together with Qwix (Xbox and ISO management tool with several special features in combination with Avalaunch).
Lots of new and fixed stuff (lba48 support fully working,... ) and of course the 'boost-mode' that allows extremely fast filetransfers between PC and Xbox.
What's new/fixed Avalaunch 0.48 (full changelog - yeah it's long :)):
* Added "during boot" safety feature : left thumb = boots d:\default.xbe without doing anything else ( not even init of screen )
* Added "during boot" safety feature : left thumb + right thumb = writes backup of EEPROM to the EEPROM ( stored in Avalaunch's "savegame" )
* Added "during boot" safety feature : autocreates backup of EEPROM in savegame if none is found - made for use with both thumbs on boot, but can also be used with config magic and such
(WARNING : Safety features wont work if eeprom is busted and harddrive is locked !)
* APOD : skips pic of today if it's GIF ( duh, was a gif on releaseday )
* Network : Added "Download" section, and put in QWIX there for now.
* updater : Fixed a auto-launch problem of the up
* Core : busted our asses a little to locate a EVOX BIOS fault in the latest releases, had to ditch some features in order to make M7 "cooperate"
* Implemented the 'properties' menu choice for the games/apps in the menu. Press Start to bring up the menu
* network setup : DHCP will now request IP more... properly ( doesn't require TP cable to be inserted at boot anymore )
* core : Fixed DVD problems regarding reading non-9660 cd/dvd's, affected both filemanager and ftp-server
* shoutcast : fixed a major crashbug
* shoutcast : added a server-list reader that looks in /shoutcast for .sc files ( containing single or several http:or shoutcast:links )
* Located a hard-to-find http bug that occured only after many hours of intense data-transfers
* did some fixes to iso9660 so it could be opensourced to XBMP/XBMC people.
* Added the ability to specify which ports to use for passive transfers in the XML file
* Internal nickname : some xboxes has no nickname, added local IP for that part
* FTP-server : added 9660 support
* Extended the override icons setting to look for icon files that has the same name as the .xbe. E.g. football.xbe will look for avalaunch_icon.png, avalaunch_icon.jpg, football.png and then football.jpg
* Added ability to set fan speed in the XML file
* Enabled the dusty fanspeed-code, and set a safisfying setting to avoid fried chipsets
* shoutcast : Made it read /shoutcast dir for .sc files in xbmp style. Location should be added to xml.
* Trashed old XML parser, wrote a new one
* Added ability to specify whether or not to load random APOD's and to display APOD explanation or not to the XML file
* Finished APOD, involving browsing through archives randomly and showing explanations
* Core : *FINALLY* completed the BFM loader, need someone to make a UI or something for this - sidenote, seems to not work on many xboxes, please give feedback
* Added auto detection of multi game DVD's and displays a menu with list of games when you press 'A' on the DVD icon
* Added to possibility to specify whether or not switch video mode using the controller should be allowed
* XML file now supports <path> statement directly under <menu> section (nice for multi-app DVD's)
* Added the possibility to specify whether or not to mount the F and G drives in the XML file
* Added some more logic the IR-remote implementation to hopefully avoid the 'multiple key presses'
* Core : fixed the system memleak we've had since the very beginning - not recorded any loss over 1 hour testing
* Fixed delete folder to work on CesarFTP FTP servers
* Controller button 'B' now changes to parent folder in the file manager (was button 'Y'; but other team members can be very persuasive thx to big baseball bats)
* Fixed bug that could cause some XBoxes with large F drives to freeze on boot
* Added shoutcast support for internet radios
* Added some more logic to prevent freezing when launching while APOD/rss feeds are downloading
* Added GIF support, due to big amount of gifs in APOD - but it's disabled for now
* Added support for more (different) rss feed layouts
* Fixed a possible crash bug when reading news feeds
* Added SITE MD5 command to FTP server
* Added SITE CRC32 command to FTP server
* Made delete folder command in file manager lightning fast compared to old one
* Fixed bug in file manager (introduced in 0.47.4) that copied files to the wrong destination folder
* Updated danish language file (thx to KTC)
* Added forgotten piece of code (doh) that does the actual video mode switching when launching games
* Fixed HTTP code a bit to support a wider area of http-versions
* FTP client : Uses SITE DELTREE command when delete folder is chosen and remote server is Avalaunch
* FTP client : Switched to asynchronous file io to make transfers go faster
* FTP client : Added implementation of BOOST mode support
* FTP client : Automatically shows all Avalaunch servers on the local network (if they are set up to be shared) -> no more typing IPs and logins :)
* FTP server : Added BOOST mode, both upload and download for _maximum_ transferspeeds (10-11mb/s upload). For now only Avalaunch and Qwix clients can use boostmode, but protocol will be opened for those who wants
* FTP server : Fixed internal cache a LOT for noticeably faster transfer speeds
* FTP server : Added additional checks for 'FreeRootSpace' when CWD command is encountered. Not all FTP clients does PWD after CWD to check what the real folder is
* Ava-core : Added broadcast login for autodetection of other Avalaunch xboxes on the network, so you can sign right into them without typing ip's
Any questions/remarks about the changelog: forums.xbox-scene.com
Features Qwix 1.0:
[QUOTE]
Qwix 1.0 is a new Xbox and ISO management tool for the Windows platform. It will be evolving rapidly, but the first version offers the following features. Many more features planned for upcoming releases.
Connection manager makes it easy to keep settings specific to different Xboxes or dashboards.
-FTP browser (more FTP features will be added later)
-ISO features:
---Create double-optimized ISO files
------Direct from FTP
------From PC folder
------Convert existing ISO to new optimized format
------Optional automatic cross-linking of files
---Extract files to PC drive
---Direct-to-FTP upload to Xbox
---True Average for transfer speed
---Browse ISO contents
---Smart ISO loading routines compatibile with almost every Xbox ISO(info)
---Detects invalid filenames for FATX, allowing rename or skip per file
---Batch transfer ISOs to the Xbox
---Automatic media patching
-Avalaunch-specific features:
---Supports the new Boost transfer mode in Avalaunch 0.47.5 and up
---Auto-detects Avalaunch boxes for easy connectivity
---Powerful game management features (as shown in the screenshot)
------Delete
------Rename XBE
------Launch
------Calculate MD5 values on all files
------Shows picture from XBE file
------Create ISO directly from selected game
Q: What is Boost Mode?
A: Boost Mode is an improved FTP protocol that is currently only supported with Avalaunch. It can make transfers push the limits of your 100Mb connection, and is especially helpful with transfers that contain a lot of small files.
[/QUOTE]
Check out the FAQ of Qwix: http://www.crusaders.no/~joker/JJ_TJ/snowy/qwix_faq.htm
Any questions/remarks about the Qwix features: forums.xbox-scene.com
Official Site: website currently offline, go to EFnet (IRC) #avalaunch and #qwix or visit the Avalaunch/Qwix forums here
Download Qwix 1.0: here
Download Avalaunch: n/a (built with XDK)
Xecuter3 cartoon
Ed'x Xebian 0.5.1
>> New version of Ed'x Xebian(info) (called Ed's Debian before) Linux install CD has been released:
[QUOTE]
Minor tweaks and a few packages remvoed to reduce size. Most of all this package is clean (that is no longer corrupt) on the mirrors. Enjoy and please remeber to give your feedback to the Mailing lists or to the IRC channel.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net
Download: prdownloads.sourceforge.net (several mirrors are already up)
AdamX v1
>> Xport released AdamX - ColecoVision/Adam Emulator port for XBox.
Features:
* Emulates Colecovision/Adam Home Computer
* Excellent compatibility - ported from AdamEm
* USB Keyboard support
* ZIP support
* Cheat system - Search/Create your own cheat codes (see notes)
* Favorites list
* Netplay
* Resizable game screen
* 480p, 720p, 1080i support
... and all other features available in ports released by Xport - see full list here
Official Site: http://xport.xbox-scene.com/
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: forums.xbox-scene.com and xbins.org
XBtool 1.0.10
Skin Your EvoX v0.9b
>> M4uR1g10 released a new tool to skin your EvolutionX(info) dashboard.
From the readme:
[QUOTE]
FEATURES:
- Ability to save and load projects
- EvoX 'skin.ini' export feature
- Loading process simulation (maybe it doesn't work on Win9x)
- Drag'n'drop text labels
- Multilanguage support (English and Italian languages included)
- Very user-friendly interface (I think... ;))
- IT WORKS!!!! (maybe...)
TODO:
- Add the possibilty to import 'skin.ini'
- Add alpha preview for Labels and Menu bar
- Upload skins directly on XBOX
- Remove all bugs
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by M4uR1g10
Download: here
SEOUL: More console games in next World CyberGames
>> For this year, Microsoft Xbox title "Halo" will make its debut in the World Cybergames 2003. The game is among the first of several titles introduced in Microsoft's gaming console Xbox in 2000.
"We will definitely have more console games at the World Cybergames," said Hank Jeong, president of International Cybermarketing Inc., organizer of the World Cybergames (WCG) 2003.
He added that the inclusion of the Xbox in this year's world tournament aims to evaluate if console games can generate enough interest from players around the world.
Only 17 players from different countries are participating in a multiplayer tournament of Halo this year.
For the FULL story...
News-Source: www.inq7.net (World Cybergames)
TECH TV: See how modders are adding functionality to the popular gaming console
>> By Kevin Rose
Why mod the Xbox? Well, the Xbox is more than just a gaming machine. It's the most powerful computer you can purchase for $199. Under the hood, the Xbox is equipped with a 733-MHz Intel Pentium III processor, an Nvidia graphics subsystem, hard drive, Ethernet, and four USB ports. Modding the Xbox turns it from a gaming console into a fully functional PC that can still run games. Tonight I'll show you the first step: installing a mod chip.
Watch Saturday 10/18 at 10 p.m. Eastern
I've found that Xbox-Scene is the best resource for Xbox tutorials on the Web. If you have any questions along your modding journey, visit the site.
For the FULL story..
News-Source: TECH TV (KEVIN ROSE loves XS)
Xbox chip maker IPO to proceed despite patent suit
>> Scottish microelectronics company, Wolfson Microelectronics, intends to go ahead with its initial public offering (IPO), due to take place this week, despite a patent infringement suit from US competitor, Cirrus Logic.
Wolfson and Cirrus Logic both make audio digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that are used in games consoles, STBs (set-top boxes) and other entertainment products.
One of Wolfson's major clients is Microsoft, which uses Wolfson audio DACs in its Xbox console. Cirrus Logic DACs are used in Sony's PlayStation.
Cirrus Logic announced last Thursday that it had filed a patent infringement suit against Wolfson in the US District Court for the Southern District of California.
The suit related to 15 of Wolfson's DACs, which Cirrus Logic said infringed US Patent Numbers 6,492,928 and 6,011,501.
The company was seeking damages and a permanent injunction against Wolfson selling or importing its products into the US, it said.
Wolfson would defend itself against Cirrus Logic's allegations, which it did not believe had merit, it said.
News-Source: www.arnnet.com.au (Xbox chip maker IPO to proceed )
EGM's EIC On Headline News
>> This might interest some console fans:
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to run a games magazine for a living, CNN Headline News has decided to explore that same question on national TV this month. On Tuesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 16, the cable news station will run three spots dedicated to life as the editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly... starring, of course, Electronic Gaming Monthly editor-in-chief Dan "Shoe" Hsu.
To check out the three stories -- covering game demos, meetings, and inflicting pain on editorial underlings -- tune in to Daniel Sieberg's tech report on Headline News at the following times:
7:45, 8:15, 9:25 AM Eastern Times
Each time is a different story, so West Coast readers will have to tune in early, but it's worth checking out nonetheless. If you miss it on the 14th, you can always catch the replay on the 16th.
News-Source: www.1up.com (EGM's EIC on TV)
XBMS patch for XBMC support
>> Looks like it has been release some days ago already ... but better late then never so here it is.
A patch has been released for the XBMS(info) linux streaming server to allow it to work for XboxMediaCenter(info):
[QUOTE]
New Patch! Frodo submitted a xbmc-compatibility-patch, which allows xbms to be used as (guess what?) xbmc-streaming server.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://wipux2.wifo.uni-mannheim.de/~ck/index.html
Download: here (xbms 0.30.6 and Comma Bug patch included)
StepmaniaX v4
XPired
Xebian 0.5.0 *updated*
>> Xebian v0.5.0 (previously called Ed's Debian Linux install CD) has just been released:
[QUOTE]
Now based on the Debian unstable tree, includes the latest and greatest kernel patches especially the new xboxfb driver, Install cd is more Live oriented w/ Xfce4 as DE, installs Gnome2.2 by default and many more great apps!
[/QUOTE]
Full Changelog since 0.4.1:
* Releasing Xebian
* Please don't flame me. This is an initial release of Xebian which is based on Debian unstable. I don't realy know, on which corners and ends it crashes and which know problems come with unstable. It boots and it installs ;) Happy penguin.
* Removed vnc
* Renamed dist to Xebian
* Switched to the unstable tree.
* Woody is more and more outdated for the Desktop and so i switched to the unstable tree of Debian.
* Set /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_ecn to the correct value. This made troubles with some routers in the past.
* Defult sources.list does not use apt-proxy.
* Default windowmanager changed to XFce4, a tiny desktop environment which is fast enough for running from the cd/rw.
* The autologin can switeched of with gdmconfig. With gdm you also can start a full featured gnome2.2 environment.
* Extra gcc and xfree packages are no longer needed. Unstable uses gcc 3.3.2 and xfree 4.2.1. The xbox xfree driver is seperated out in an extra package.
* Added the posability to install the dist from the xbox hdd. For this, make the following : Unpack the file 21585554.tar.bz2 and copy the directory 21585554 to e:\UDATA\. Copy the files livefs and xbox.tgz from the install cd to E:/UDATA/21585554/000000000001 and start from E:/UDATA/21585554/000000000001 the install.xbe. For uploading the files, burn the iso boot_upload.iso and start it. This starts an minimalistic linux with an ftp and telnet server. ( user / pass : xbox / xbox , ip : 192.168.0.3 )
* Updated mplayer to version 1.0-pre2
* New minimum required rootfs size, about 1.2 GB.
* Updated kernel to 2.4.22
* Added xine.
* Make alsa compatibel with PC and xbox.
* Updated kernel, which makes it possible to use a single kernel for PC and XBOX
* Switched from rivafb to xboxfb.
* Updated mplayer to version 0.91
* Updated installer : the installed files on a FATX installation will now in a subdirectory called debian.
update on http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net:
[QUOTE]
We're not really sure whats going on with sf.net mirrors, but the upload seemed to get corrupted somewhere along the way, so its been deleted for the mean time. It will be re-uploaded sometime before the end of the week.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/docs/debian.html
Download (457MB): sourceforge.net (removed - see update above)
BT promotes broadband for gaming
>> It has joined forces with gaming giants Sony and Microsoft to offer a combined router/modem and broadband package for console gamers. "Broadband and online gaming are inextricably linked," said BT Openworld boss Duncan Ingram. BT hopes this will help it reach its ambitious target of five million broadband connections by 2006.
Microsoft, is aggressively pushing online gaming through its Xbox Live service. It is planning to spend £3m in the run-up to Christmas promoting its service. "The UK is the biggest country for Xbox Live after North America," said Xbox European boss, Michel Cassius.
He said that a quarter of Xbox gamers in the UK switched to broadband just to play online.
For the FULL Story...
News-Source: BBC UK (XBOX Online in the UK)
Xbox-Linux: Finding out your Xbox Version
>> Using the data they collected from the Xbox Hardware Database - the guys at Xbox-Linux made a guide on how to find out your xbox version from the Xbox manufacturing date and serial number.
It's not complete yet, but under some circumstances it can already give you the version of your xbox without opening your console:
[QUOTE]
On the bottom of the Xbox, you can see the manufacturing date and the serial number. The manufacturing date is in the following format:
YYYY-MM-DD
(Year-Month-Day) which is the Japanese, or Big Endian format.
The serial number looks like this:
LNNNNNN YWWFF
FF is the code of the factory (02: Mexico, 03: Hungary, 05: China), L the number of the production line within the factory, Y the last digit of the production year, WW the number of the week of the production year, and NNNNNN the number of the Xbox within this week.
[/QUOTE]
Read the full guide on xbox-linux.sourceforge.net.
Please help them to get more data so they can make their version guide more accurate ... fill in your xbox info here!
Microsoft in for the long Haul
>> ...Microsoft is interested in selling more than boxes. It is putting a lot of emphasis on Xbox Live, an online game service that it says is driving broadband traffic for phone companies.
Microsoft's cash hoard gives it a huge war chest, and it is looking to gain dominance 10 to 15 years from now, after two or three more generations of consoles have been released, according to Michael Goodman, a Yankee Group analyst.
A Microsoft executive seemed to support that view. "It is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are pretty good at marathons," said Peter Moore, vice president for worldwide retail sales and marketing at Microsoft's home and entertainment division.
For the FULL story...
News-Source: NY TIMES (Mictosoft's Long Term plans)
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