Why Ocarina is discontinued

Started by Link, October 13, 2008, 06:47:43 AM

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Link

Basically.. from day 1: Ocarina was completely based on Gecko OS. If you had looked for Wii homebrew being able to start commercial games back then you would have found out that such homebrew didn't exist back then. Gecko Region Free or Gecko OS were the only applications capabale of doing so. Nuke handed me the sources of Gecko OS and then just the apploader was taken. All options removed and the behaviour was defaulted.

Thus:
-Ocarina boots games the same way like Gecko OS in default mode - that means:
--no VIDTV patch
--VI hook
--PAL50 for European games
--NTSC for US/Japanese games

Ocarina then adds the typical code handler by kenobi and Y.S. . This code handler is completely identical to that of Gecko OS 1.06c! Even if you boot a game with Ocarina and then fire up WiiRd - it will communicate via USB Gecko just fine. Simply because the complete WiiRd handler is inside - nothing was scrapped.
And the only difference of Ocarina: it reads the SD card and checks for codes. That's the only feature it has GeckoOS 1.06d- did not have. Other than that.. internally it's Gecko OS without interface and only default options. So those reports on "Ocarina can boot a game Gecko OS cannot boot" - that simply can't be if the applications are properly installed.. Ocarina and Gecko OS share the same apploader - Gecko OS just allows options. However: if you leave anything default, then Ocarina and Gecko OS boot games using the absolutely same way!

Nuke basically is focused on USB Gecko development.. and of course: Ocarina which technically aims at users without USB Gecko is going against that idea. Therefore Ocarina was out-sourced.. however, in the end, Ocarina made the USB Gecko also very popular and thus it didn't go against.. it helped it actually.

And therefore: Ocarina was included in Gecko OS. And additionally the only true Ocarina bug - locked SD cards - was also fixed. So even from day 1 Gecko OS 1.06f was superior to Ocarina even in Ocarina's main functionality.

And now ask me? Why should Ocarina be continued.. because the WiiRD code handler is still in works.. there are bugs:
-bugs (quite a few bugs btw. were fixed in Gecko OS 1.07)
-feature ideas (region-independent code types)

And that's simply something Ocarina couldn't keep track of. That would mean: whenever a new Gecko OS is released.. Ocarina would have to be updated too just to reflect the new changes in Gecko OS. And most of the time it would just mean: "Replace the code handler". The main Ocarina: is like 50 lines of C code. That's all.. Ocarina is just a little C code!

And this code has been completely adopted by Gecko OS. It is a few lines more now: for proper SD card unlock. However, other than that: Ocarina is in Gecko OS.

And that's why Gecko OS should take the place of Ocarina. It's the superior application.. and to all Ocarina users. Some things you might be interested in and why Gecko OS is really better:

  • SD card is usable in games
  • Ever played imports? Ocarina always uses the native color space of the games, however 90% of all working imports also happily run in YOUR preferred color space (for example Smash Bros Brawl US runs fine in PAL60 if deflicker is disabled)
  • PAL users: don't you also prefer PAL60 over PAL50? I at least do.. and Ocarina always force boots PAL games in PAL50. Gecko OS allows you to use PAL60 - which works for 100% of all games.
  • new code handler - fixes at several details (unfortunately this means: some old codes do not work, I know that myself.. that's basically because these codes relied on bugs.. however the bugs limited the functionality and didn't allow several things to work in the intended manner.. therefore.. parts were changed, breaking some old codes but allowing many new codes which would crash the old code handler)
  • experienced games just not working with the standard VI hook? Well, Gecko OS allows two more: Wii Remote and GC Pad.. they sometimes fix non-working games
  • rebooter mode: always wanted to play multi-dol games (Red Steel or masterpieces in Brawl) with cheats - Ocarina can't, Gecko OS with Rebooter can

And I hear "Oh but Gecko OS is so complicated, in Ocarina I just pressed A". Try that in Gecko OS.. do not press anything.. just press A. Oh! The game will start the same way as in Ocarina.. cheat codes on.. automatic color space.. VI hook. No change since the old one!

I hope I finally made the point clear: Ocarina still exists.. at least half of it.. Ocarina is basically: an application and 50 lines of C code. The application stopped existing.. the C code.. still exists! And if you have problems with Gecko OS which are cheating related.. we're here to help!


And it seems people do not know Gecko OS doesn't require the USB Gecko for cheating.. and as people can't read:



I still encourage anyone to get a USB Gecko - but if you just want to cheat you do not need it!

REDSOXROX

I agree with everything there. Also, I mean, alot of people may only buy USBGecko just for the codes...it doesn't seem fair for Nuke to have Ocarina...of course, like you mentioned, it greatly increased the popularity, in fact, the reason I got a Gecko was from using Ocarina.
What are your opinions on Ocarina in GeckoOS/Ocarina apps?
Red Sox vs. Yankees 4/4/2k10 Season Opener
Red Sox: 9 Yankees: 7 Final!

SoLuS xX

But Ocarina was one of the greatest things ever. It helps people like me especially who can't go out and buy all these game parts such as Gecko OS. Finding ocarina was the best thing since I got an action replay and really enhanced the wii's experience. Ocarina couldn't have caused more bad than good and though updating may take a lot how bout having other people help? Even though it's not as advanced as Gecko, as you say; It's still an awesome and useful program none the less. I really believe Ocarina should be continued and I'm pretty sure there are a lot of people that would love the continuing of it as well.

Link

#3
Quote from: Onyx on October 14, 2008, 08:27:18 AM
But Ocarina was one of the greatest things ever. It helps people like me especially who can't go out and buy all these game parts such as Gecko OS.

Gecko OS is free! You do not need a USB Gecko to use it. For cheaters Gecko OS has the same price as Ocarina. What are you talking about?

Do people think you need a USB Gecko to cheat using Gecko OS? Let me just clarify one thing:

You do not require any extra hardware to use cheats using Gecko OS!
Cheating is 100% free of charge

All you need is the Ocarina code manager or Code Manage 0.1a.. create a GCT file.. store it on SD card.. and start the game you wish to play with Gecko OS. Same as Ocarina!

dottor_male

Maybe is not clear that Gecko OS is NOT USB Gecko...
Gecko OS is a software, wich ALSO work as an interface for the USB Gecko, wich is a piece of HARDWARE.

USB Gecko is for hacking, debugging, takin screenshot, do backups of GC memorycard, do backups of games and, because of the debugging feauters, it can ALSO do cheats.

Gecko OS is "merely" an application, a "boot loader" (it's not a boot loader, but...) which can boot import ORIGINAL games, use cheats founded on this site or created with USB Gecko.

I hope that this clarify everithing. (even if Link and Nuke have explained this A LOT OF TIMES...)

James0x57

* James0x57 feels good.

[edit] holly crap, /me support ftw! :D


PsychicKid

Okay, I'm incredibly confused here. I thought Ocarina WAS Gecko? I have no idea what any of this means. And if cheating is 100% free, then what is that hardware for? Someone give this to me in a nutshell.

Link

#7
Quote from: PsychicKid on October 14, 2008, 09:42:37 PM
Okay, I'm incredibly confused here. I thought Ocarina WAS Gecko? I have no idea what any of this means. And if cheating is 100% free, then what is that hardware for? Someone give this to me in a nutshell.



Gecko OS without hardware: imports + using cheats
Gecko OS with hardware: imports + using cheats + making cheats (hacking/debugging) + screengrabs from hardware

The hardware is essentially needed to make cheat codes.. so if noone has it.. you guys without it couldn't use cheats.. you can only use cheats because some hackers own a usb gecko.. making cheats without USB Gecko is and will forever be impossible!

PsychicKid

Oh, okay then. Makes sense now. I've got no use for the hardware then, since all I use it for is using codes and playing imports. Saved me some money there. :D

Link

Lol, yeah, I am quite aware of the endless possibilities with a USB Gecko. I mainly just mentioned the cheating and hacking functionality as that's basically what we're discussing most in these forums.. but in general you're of course 100% correct!

Unknown0

So Ocarina and Gecko OS are the same, but Gecko OS has even more, better features?

Why was everyone using Ocarina then?  :confused:

Link

First of all..

development cycle (SIMPLIFIED):

1. Gecko OS
a) boots games with options
b) allows hacking using USB Gecko

2. later than Ocarina was started as an experiment
a) boots games without any options - it internally uses same code as Gecko OS to start games
b) allows cheating with GCT files

Ocarina went extremely well.. so result:

3. New Gecko OS
a) Boots games with options
b) allows hacking using USB Gecko
c) allows cheatng with GCT files

so..it started with Gecko OS. Ocarina was launched as an external test project.. it went awesomely well.. and it went back into Gecko OS.

Clay

#12
Quote from: Unknown0 on October 26, 2008, 03:16:18 PM
So Ocarina and Gecko OS are the same, but Gecko OS has even more, better features?

Why was everyone using Ocarina then?  :confused:
Cause a lot of people think you have to buy the hardware, which you don't.

Ready_Start_L_Arc

=S When I try to load Gecko OS 1.07b, it tells me it isn't a valid file

Link

because many people didn't expect Gecko OS would work without USB Gecko. How often have I heard "I don't want gecko OS because I not want pay for extra hardware"

for the valid file thing: http://wiird.l0nk.org/forum/index.php?topic=1598.0