Date   : Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:44:33 -0800
From   : kieran@... (Kieran Mockford)
Subject: DCBeeb.. like MMBeeb but for DataCentre

Here's something for the weekend..

DCBeeb is an adaptation by me of the software originally designed to work with 
Martin Mather's excellent MMBeeb. Details of MMBeeb can be found 
here: http://members.multimania.co.uk/mmbeeb/

I've tried to contact Martin to make sure he's OK with me sending this out,
but I've
sent mails but haven't been able to "find" him. Martin - if you have a problem
with
this adaptation, then I'm more than happy to take it down.

DCBeeb provides an identical menu and launch mechanism to MMBeeb but for use
with the RetroClinic DataCentre using a USB storage device.
Full details of DataCentre can be found here: http://www.retroclinic.com/

You can find DCBeeb here: http://home.kindredintellect.com/beeb/Software/DCBeeb

How to use DCBeeb:

There are three .zips in the directory:

1. DCBEEB_games.zip - the directory of zipped (file extension-less) disc 
   images from the archive at http://www.stairwaytohell.com. The disc image
   filenames have been shortened in order to work with DataCentre's, FAT 
   inherited 8.3 filename restrictions.
   
2. DCBEEB_menu.zip - an SSD disc image that contains the menu and data. 
   Also on here is the DataCentre modified version of the menu source code.
   
3. D.GAMESDB_DC.zip - the source text data for use with Martin's 
   MakeGameData.exe Windows application which will create the data file that
   the Menu system will consume on the Beeb. You'll need this if you'd like 
   to make menu additions/removals/modifications.

NOTE: Quite a number of the games in the http://www.stairwaytohell.com 
archive do not run correctly on anything other than a Model B, so if you're
using a Master you'll have to try the game and see! :( As an aside, DataCentre 
works perfectly with the Vine Micros Master->B converter, even in 'B' mode
(unfortunately MMBeeb's DFS does not). If you're lucky enough to have a Master
fitted with both a DataCentre and a Master->B converter, then you're in great
gaming shape!

To prepare your USB storage device (I'll assume that it is already formatted
and works OK with DataCentre):

1. Plug the device into your PC/Mac/whatever

2. Unzip DCBEEB_games.zip into the root of the USB device (it should create a
   directory called DCBEEB in which you'll see quite a large number of files.
   These are the disc images, but they don't have file extensions)
   
3. Unzip DCBEEB_menu.zip into the root of your USB device (it will create a 
   disc image called DCBEEB.SSD)

4. Now appropriately disconnect the USB device from your PC/Mac/whatever.

5. Plug the USB device into your Beeb's DataCentre USB port.

6. Type (this should import the menu system into RAM Drive 0):

   *RAM
   *IMPORT DCBEEB.SSD
   *DRIVE 0

7. Optionally (to copy the menu system to the NVRAM drive 4 of DataCentre.
   Beware this might overwrite some of your existing content):
   
   *COPY 0 4 *.*
   *DRIVE 4
   *OPT 4,3

8. Boot the menu (*EXEC !BOOT, or Shift-R-Break)

9. Select a game - this should import RAM drives 0 and 2 into DataCentre 
   and run the game of your choice.

10.When you've had enough of that game, you'll need to re-import DCBEEB.SSD
   if you didn't choose the optional step 7. If you did choose the optional
   step 7 then you can re-boot again from the NVRAM copy of the menu system.

Happy Gaming!