Preferred way to install new software?

I want to release my app LowRes NX for the GameShell. It’s all ready and runs well, but I’m not sure what is the preferred way to install new software on the GameShell (I’m a Linux noob).

I found out about .deb files. Is that the best?

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I think in the past, when people were more actively trying new things etc, where lots libraries/dependencies/permissions were needed, .deb files were the way to go.
Realistically, if you just let one of the Gameshell mods/devs know about it, I’m sure they will include it in the next official version, or as an update.
Most users probably just want to follow instructions that they can just copy paste into an ssh session.
I’ll definitely be including your update on any future releases I may make for my custom OS! I’m really excited that you’ve made a custom catered version just for the Gameshell :slight_smile:

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When releasing apps I was also wondering which would be the best way, I ended up releasing it with regular tarballs as it makes use of the clockwork pi launcher, in a tarball I can bundle the icon, and the script with the binary so if anyone wants to install it just have to write:

tar -zxvf BatMon-0.5.tar.gz -C /home/cpi/apps/Menu/

You could also take a look at the warehouse feature.

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I whole heartedly think this needs to get more attention. This is a very important feature, I believe, for Gameshell :slight_smile:

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But I would say that it still needs work and new features.

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Looks like the warehouse doesn’t help for installing something to the launcher. I thought it might be useful to install featured LowRes NX games, but it looks like it could not download these games to the “games/LowResNX” directory.

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Good point, I wasn’t thinking about that, my bad!
Not entirely sure the best way for adding LowRes NX games :thinking:

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That would actually be absolutely perfect!! In fact, I haven’t even looked at sources of lowresnx games to try out besides the stock ones. Having them in the warehouse would actually be fantastic!

Ugh it’s a bummer that the warehouse doesn’t install to the launcher. I still think that having it a part of the gameshell image and launcher, like pico-8, tic80, love etc would be the way forward. The fact that @guu even made a deb file, provided instructions on how to install it in another thread, and even provided an icon would say that one of the people behind the Gameshell image is also rooting for you. But I can’t speak for him. :slight_smile:

It really is in the whole spirit of the Gameshell to have an open gaming platform like yours, plus having the creator on board is a huge added bonus! Who knows? Maybe … we could have a special edition LowResNX Gameshell, akin to the DEOT special edition Gameshell
@Metonym - this could be a fun collaboration, looking at your specialised skill set. Just include some decals, and we could get something going.
I’d be happy to work on a skinned OS that caters to the appeal of the LowResNX appeal.

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Sounds cool! I’ll get right on it! if i can get my final design done soon we can probably pitch this to clockwork and get them made when the gameshell production restarts, but they will need the skinned OS to be finished for them to officially release

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Hoo hoo I like that a lot! Goes with the whole ethos of a console based on two action buttons and a dpad, with an alternative set in a different colour.
The colour scheme is also very matching!

I haven’t looked into it enough, but is the lowers nx app that we’re using both for playing AND programming games? Even having a small break out mechanical keyboard option (with a nice green and white colour scheme) and a 3D printed “kick stand” to hold up the Gameshell while programming would be a budding programmer’s dream tool!

Since the keyboard sounds like a fairly vital part of the fantasy console, it would almost make sense to bundle an el cheapo mini keyboard (okay maybe not a mechanical) and a USB OTG cable. Factor in the advances people have made with a rear housing that supports an internal light key, and this could be a real hit as a standalone “upgrade/refresh” as well as a collaboration and promotion of the LowResNX platform.

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Those are some good ideas! the version of LowRes NX doesn’t have the programming, but it’s the one that comes with the DEOT image and i haven’t tried updating it yet

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This looks cool, but I want to mention some things.
The LowRes NX community is quite small and I doubt it would help in promoting the GameShell. Also LowRes NX does not only support gamepad and keyboard input but also touch/mouse. For example all the tools are optimized for touch control and don’t work with the gamepad. This fantasy console was designed for mobile phones and only the iOS app has a built in editor.
For me the GameShell is just a nice way to play some LowRes NX games which use the gamepad, but the platform is very limited.

And one more point: LowRes NX’s priority is not simplicity but being realistic about retro hardware. So it’s probably not ideal to learn programming (although there are beginners too).

Here is more info: https://lowresnx.inutilis.com/topic.php?id=38

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This could almost be an avenue to introduce an updated IPS touchscreen! Also, there is a mod that allows you to invoke an onscreen cursor, and use the Dpad as a mouse.
But it does sound like it would be very hard to implement the full editor on the gameshell.

Probably not for the sake of promoting the gameshell, since it sounds like the demand is currently greater than the supply. Perhaps, more a fun way to kick off the production of the next generation of hardware with a community voiced request for a certain colour schematic, along with an updated exterior chassis. It is a modular console after all, intended to be incrementally upgraded.

Even if it’s not to be an official endeavour, I’m sure there would be a handful of people who love be interested in getting together to do a batch order of a special edition gameshell.

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Probably not for the sake of promoting the gameshell, since it sounds like the demand is currently greater than the supply. Perhaps, more a fun way to kick off the production of the next generation of hardware with a community voiced request for a certain colour schematic, along with an updated exterior chassis. It is a modular console after all, intended to be incrementally upgraded.

If anything, this would be to promote LowRes NX and get some fresh ideas out there about new things that can be added and improved on the gameshell

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@javelinface Don´t forget the card kb, it would be a perfect fit!

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I recently got 2 cardKBs so i can experiment with them, i’m just confused on how to hook them up to the gameshell

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.tar.gz was the easiest solution: https://github.com/timoinutilis/lowres-nx/releases/download/v1.1/LowRes.NX.GameShell.tar.gz

More info here:

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