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[Toxigenicpoem]

I have not programmed for the DS yet, so this is why I am asking this question. I just ordered a SuperCart Lite for a DS.

Is there enough knowledge in the Homebrew sector of the DS' hardware that would actually allow/support my effort in converting Mozilla browsing engine to the DS.

I'm not looking to get flamed from someone saying "n00b", translating the software in question is not a difficult task for me, its rather if there is enough information available on the DS' capabities, that would allow this conversion.

Thank you in advance for any advice. If anyone is interested in helping with this conversion process, if someone deems it would in fact be possible, even if it isn't, I'm still willing to try, LOL. I will be maintaining a daily CVS file build. There will be many components that will need to be converted. Mostly the rendering engine, which is ideally the only peace that will be retained in terms of value in the code.

I'd also like to know that people who are wondering if this would be possible, that the source code that will be used as the base of the conversion is the Mozilla ActiveX control.
Here

Anyway thanks in advance again!

[dOoBiX]

I don't know anything about making a web browser, but I think that the DS should be able to render web pages... I think the only problem is that it will be very slow... that's why the Nintendo DS Browser needs a RAM expansion pak? Anyway, I am looking forward to use Mozilla on the DS!!! Good luck to you. ^_^

[Toxigenicpoem]

Yeah I figured that it would be slow due to what I have heard about the Opera Browser requiring a Ram Expander. I'm interested in hearing peoples thoughts on utilizing the SD/CF card for cache memory? I've had some thoughts about modifying the rendering engine to prebuff files off the expandable memory?

[Lunus]

Have you seen the RAM usage of Mozilla? It would be foolish to even try this - instead, it would be much smarter to write your own renderer on the DS, optimized for the DS, and maybe using some techniques from Gecko.

[Hi]

Luna, I don't know anything (beyond quickbasic) about programming but it would seem A LOT easier to port something than write something completely new. Why do you think no web browser (other than ones that work inside of DSlinux which is really hard to set up) work well? I think we need to try something new.

felix, please try. However, consider a web browser that uses very little ram. An example might be an old web browser that worked on a computer like, say, windows 95. As for using the extra ram, great, but be prepared for difficulty. I also ask/reccomend that you make another version for cards that don't contain extra ram like the supercard rumble. And, in general, I for one don't care if it's slow as long as it's functional.

P.S. please include libcartreset (http://licklick.wordpress.com/libcartreset-07/) in the browser.

[WegeHop]

What is Mozilla?? What can it do if it you guys can get it to work on the DS?

[Hi]

Mozilla is a web browser for the pc. Now (not to insult you) knowing this info, what do you think it could do on the ds?

[sardaukar]

A safer bet to port would be MiniMo (mobile Gecko engine).

[Toxigenicpoem]

Lunas >>>  indeed I have seen the RAM usage of Mozilla. But you cannot compare apples to oranges. PCs have amazing overhead period. Remember I am talking about completely rearrainging the Mozilla render's use of memory addressing on the SD card, much like page memory would work.

Also, writing my own rendering engine will not be a better solution. Do you know how much work it would take to become as standard compliant as the Geko/Mozilla? There are years of CSS standard compliance, XHTML/HTML/XML etc in this engine. No need for me to reinvent the wheel there. The aim of this project would be to produce one of the most flexible and "complete" browsers available on the DS, short of the Opera browser, which is both commerical, and can't be used on Flash carts.

Code can easily be optimized, and restructured to take into account the hardware it will run on, which is why I personally love multi-platform languges. I'm new on the scene, and not looking for any love, just looking for information on getting the job done. Thanks for the input just the same.



Hi>> Who is this felix you refer to? I've considered many different types of rendering engines, but honestly the only one that makes sense to port, is Geko/Mozilla engine. If Opera was ported commercially to the unit, then why would we want to shoot for something much lower? And yes, of course libcartreset would be included!!!

[BaseballLegend]

This would be cool if you guys could get it to work!

[WegeHop]

Mozilla is a web browser for the pc. Now (not to insult you) knowing this info, what do you think it could do on the ds?

Haha yea i figured it out. I hope you guys get this to work on the DS, It would be awesome!

GOOD LUCK!

[felix]

Using SD/CF card as virtual memory is a very bad idea. CF/SD cards have a limited amount of write cycles, using it as RAM will distroy the card quickly. A better idea would be to use the RAM in the Supercard.

Also check out: OKIWI, Gnirfleo and links in DSlinux.

[Hi]

:oops:

Oops, by felix I ment Toxigenicpoem... or atleast I think I did... HEY, I WAS TIRED LAST NIGHT OKEY!!!

And, the REAL felix, as I said, I think it would be a great Idea to make use of the ram in the supercard. However, since the supercard rumble not to mention other flash carts don't support it, I think he should make another version that does't requre extra ram. Besides, making use of that ram is no simple task. It took DSlinux forever to do.

[Toxigenicpoem]

Ha ha that happens sometimes. :-D Thanks Felix for the heads up, and references to other projects. I wish these folks published a little more work. I've got another project in the works right now, but I can't wait to start tinkering on the NDS.

[felix]

Besides, making use of that ram is no simple task. It took DSlinux forever to do.

They figured out how to do it, so it would be a simple cut and paste for other programers, right?