This post originated on GP32X.com Forum:
N900 is not really fitted as a game console. Arcade games are horrible to play without using PS3 DS controller.
So for now I am more interested in porting and improving ports of mouse (touch screen) based games: Widelands, Bos Wars, Freeciv, LinCity, etc. as this is what I play while commuting to work. (N900 resistive screen with stylus is perfect for that).
Since most emulated games are arcade ones, I have less interest in improving emulators. With one exception – I do like to play Tekken3 on TV using dualshock.
I guess this is general point missed by most non-coder community members of all open source based communities.
We (mostly) do not code, port and hack software because we like the process (it’s tedious and mostly boring), we want to make world better (well… maybe the closest one), or seek community appraisal. We do this to fulfill our own needs. To scratch the itch.
I ported PCSX and PSX4ALL because I love Tekken3. I ported E-UAE and UAE4ALL because I wanted to watch SOTA whenever I want. I ported Widelands because I loved to play Settlers and still love it. Etc. etc.
So yes. If I would buy Pandora this would naturally incline me to work on software for it.
But since I already own N900 I do not really want to spend money on another gadget which I may or may not find use for.
But since it’s the same hardware and software basically, you may enjoy my improvements on Pandora and I may enjoy Pandora improvements on N900.
It’s pity though that GP2X and Pandora developers do not share the habit of sharing the (even GPLed) source alongside with binaries, like we Linux folks do and we (maemo people) need to resort to begging GP2X/Pandora devs for the sources.
Posted in Maemo, Programming.
Tagged with GP2X, n900, Pandora, rants.
By Tomasz Sterna
– Yesterday
You’ve been waiting for this too long, so I finally released first part of my new Playstation emulator for Maemo. It’s based on updated source of PSX4ALL by ZodTTD and incorporates Maemo specific backends written by me. It uses new PulseAudio sound backend and HAA display scaling PSX native resolutions to 640×480 for N900 display (so it keeps correct aspect ratio).
The new concept for the emulator fully utilizes Maemo osso-games-startup frontend with standalone CLI psx4m worker binary.
And the first part of this combo is out: http://maemo.org/packages/view/psx4m/
Posted in Announcement, Maemo.
By Tomasz Sterna
– 18 July 2010 (2 weeks ago)
A user of TMO asked a question “When we Expect a Huge & reliable numbers of applications for N900 ?”
My answer is:
Simple answer: Never.
Longer answer:
N900 and its Maemo5 operating system is already abandoned by Nokia and is pretty much dead.
Next device from Nokia, will have Maemo6 operating system which is:
a) very different from Maemo5
b) a dead-end of Maemo operating systems, because we already know it will be discontinued in favor of MeeGo
So… None in the right mind would start developing an application for already dead Maemo5.
And none in the right mind would start developing an application for Maemo6, knowing that it’s targeted for death right after seeing the daylight.
They say that we should start developing applications for MeeGo, but no one knows how, because specification is work-in-progress and kept secret.
For me the answer is simple – move to Android.
I ordered Motorola Milestone yesterday.
Posted in Maemo.
Tagged with android, Maemo, meego, rants.
By Tomasz Sterna
– 20 June 2010
On pupnik‘s request I did a quick port of POWDER – a nice roguelike game originally developped for GBA. It took me about half an hour. :)

Posted in Announcement, Maemo.
Tagged with fremantle, game, Maemo, port, roguelike.
By Tomasz Sterna
– 5 June 2010
Porting games to Fremantle if taking me less and less time… :-)


Posted in Announcement, Maemo.
Tagged with dune 2, fremantle, game, Maemo, port.
By Tomasz Sterna
– 1 June 2010