Web 1.0 was the best Web.
Yes, some people still blog! I have a collection of random things I’ve written about, big and small, since 2001.
Plots discovered a little problem with the VMU HTML script I have made, and it’s ability to run with DreamKey/DreamPassport (I do believe someone also E-mailed me, or Ch@bed me about this problem too… I can’t remember who anymore though), so I jumped onto my copy of DreamKey and fixed the CGI script. The only problem is the file is recognized as a DreamPassport Bookmark.
I wouldn’t recomend loading this file as a bookmark; however, I do not know what it would do if you tried.
OK, here is my next discovery. I’ve now figured out how to decode images saved to the VMU by means of DreamPassport/DreamKey. Now, I can take the .VMS file made by an upload and convert it to an image. I’ve only tested it on a .gif file, I’m about to run it on a JPG.
I don’t know if there is any practicly purpose for this, but yep.
OK, I’ve got the image detection up in my library script so now whenever you view a VMU File a) listed in the Browser Images or b) the VMS file is DREAMKEY.P** or PASSPORT.P**, you will see a link entitled “View Image”, this will decode the VMS file so you can view the image.
You can now make you own VMU HTML files with whatever file name you want on any browser.
To do this, go to http://kefka.hypermart.net/home.cgi?page=dc/vmuhtml/vmuhtml (Dead Link)
Then, you just type your HTML in, enter a file name (12 characters long, keep special characters to a minimum, there is NO error checking).
Once you submit this information, it will give you two links. The first link is the link to download it to your VMU. The second one is the link to load the page and view it. I added that for those who are new to VMU loading thru the x-avefront commands.
I created a cgi script that took the 131 vmi files on my site NOT compatable with DreamKey/DreamPassport and converted them so they are compatable. When you download them, you will get the ugly planetweb name up there (That will be changed soon too).
So, You can upload with any browser, you can download with any browser and… I’ve also reworked the renamer and now that should work with all browsers.
and i quote from what will be an historic chab….
“it’s done, finished… the browser incompatability is over”
-kefka, 2am central, 12/10/01
kefka’s site now accepts UPLOADS AND DOWNLOADS FROM ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL DREAMCAST BROWSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT IS PARTY TIME!!!!
almost a year we have wanted this!!!!!
i am buying the drinks!!!!!
(not the cheap stuff either)
the new project of the group will be building a hella’ big statue in his honor…
THIS IS THE WORLD’S FIRST CROSS-BROWSER VMU FILE UPLOADER AND DOWNLOADER!!!!!!— insidious_plots
After all of this….
You know what……
I think I might add some more stuff to my site. I see there is a Ch@b directory around here but, what if we have an automated ch@b directory? You just enter your ID in, and whatever information you want and it automaticly creates all the links, and it would be completly searchable…
I’m sure there are many many more features I can add too.
i have had the same thought myself, lately…— insidious_plots
The Ch@b directory is now working at the site. The only thing missing right now is the x-avefront link to send a message (I assume that is what it does).
I’ve added the ‘advertisment’, I’ve rearanged everything to look and move nicer and faster… and I’ve added the uploader history to my forums.
http://kefka.hypermart.net/forums/cgi-bin/YaBB.cgi?board=vmudev (Dead Link)kefka, once again, you are the man, the myth, the legend…
i have started two new categories at the archive…
one is – DCBG Experiment Archive –
and the other is – DCBG Browser Add-Ons –
i am trying to figure out what to do about the second one…
i want it to point people here since we can explain how they work, give support, etc…
so, i may start putting in the name and email space DCBG and dreamcastbrowsers-subscribe @ yahoogroups.com or something…
but, since the experiment archive is for us to use and abuse, i’ll still put my own name on each upload…
i am already putting a few things in there…
this rocks heavily… i am uploading to kefka’s site with dp…
FINALLY after eight months or more, i can begin easily storing my work somewhere…
and hopefully others will be encouraged to contribute…
(oh, and i have some tomb raider 4 saves i may submit, too…)
— insidious_plots
i can add the script to automaticly post an advertisment for files within those 2 directories!
Well, instead of it completly and flat out not letting you download, it now starts to load, and then stops.
http://kefka.hypermart.net/data/test.vmi (Dead Link)which is a step better than this
http://kefka.hypermart.net/data/D00000127.vmi (Dead Link)So, I’m headed in the right direction, but falling short somewhere. Doug is still on the case =)
However, I must end my progress here. I need sleep and I’m about to passout. I’ll start working on this bright and early tomorrow…….
I thought I was going to bed… heh – i haven’t made it
I’m looking at two vmi files, one was created by the Dream browser, the second was created by planetweb… the differences are as plain as night and day, while at the same time it sticks to the same formula. But, I guess a direct translation will not work. Some of the differeces, for example, are: Empty spaces on the planetweb vmi are padded with 0’s (nulls), while DreamKey/Passport are padded with 32’s (spaces). The first 4 spaces of the Planetweb vmi is 65 68 68 64, which is numerical for SEGA, while DreamKey/Passport is 65 4 32 32, which is numerical for the letter S followed by a non-displayable character and 2 spaces.