Click Here
home features news forums classifieds faqs links search
6071 members 
Amiga Q&A /  Free for All /  Emulation /  Gaming / (Latest Posts)
Login

Nickname

Password

Lost Password?

Don't have an account yet?
Register now!

Support Amigaworld.net
Your support is needed and is appreciated as Amigaworld.net is primarily dependent upon the support of its users.
Donate

Menu
Main sections
» Home
» Features
» News
» Forums
» Classifieds
» Links
» Downloads
Extras
» OS4 Zone
» IRC Network
» AmigaWorld Radio
» Newsfeed
» Top Members
» Amiga Dealers
Information
» About Us
» FAQs
» Advertise
» Polls
» Terms of Service
» Search

IRC Channel
Server: irc.amigaworld.net
Ports: 1024,5555, 6665-6669
SSL port: 6697
Channel: #Amigaworld
Channel Policy and Guidelines

Who's Online
39 crawler(s) on-line.
 43 guest(s) on-line.
 0 member(s) on-line.



You are an anonymous user.
Register Now!
 matthey:  6 mins ago
 DiscreetFX:  15 mins ago
 agami:  2 hrs 4 mins ago
 OlafS25:  2 hrs 16 mins ago
 eliyahu:  2 hrs 58 mins ago
 NutsAboutAmiga:  3 hrs ago
 Marcian:  4 hrs 5 mins ago
 michalsc:  4 hrs 6 mins ago
 vox:  5 hrs 26 mins ago
 OneTimer1:  5 hrs 42 mins ago

Software News   Software News : AmiZilla Update
   posted by Ants on 28-Jun-2005 5:34:37 (11207 reads)
AmiZilla is still alive- ROAar! :) This is a full update of what we've been doing for the last 6 months- work on the NSPR, XPCOM and how exe compiling is going. Plus we've started a multi-platform GTK->MUI(Zune)/Reaction abstraction layer- check out the screenshot and demo exe links!


AmiZilla Update 28/06/05

Ok, many people seem to think the AmiZilla project is dead, and with good reason, as there's been no information released in a long time! So I thought I'd put out an update, so people can see things are happening!

Ok, firstly, the NSPR is basically functionally complete- this is a base Operating System abstraction layer (for things like TCP/IP etc). XPCOM seems to be mostly functioning- XPCOM is a Cross Platform Component Object Model- it allows different components in Mozilla to message each other, and access files on any platform etc. A couple of people have had the code compiling with these layers, producing an exe of around 500M in size (with debug info), which ran and exited cleanly, but requires an X11 server as a screen device! At the moment, we have switched from a static huge exe, to a library version (a2ixlibrary), but we haven't been able to do a complete build with this yet.

We're creating some helpful documentation on what files are needed, and how to compile an exe etc, along with some much needed info on how to set up a Cross-Compiling environment on Linux and Windows. This is very important, as unless you have a Dragon accelerator, you can't compile AmiZilla on a 68k-based Amiga, as they physically just don't have enough memory to compile it (you need 256-512M memory at least, and we won't even go into how long it takes to compile 200M of source code, on a 68k...)! It should be possible to compile it on an AmigaOne, or Pegasos though.

But more interesting, a couple of people are working on a GTK->MUI(Zune)/Reaction layer, primarily for the AmiZilla project, but it will be able to be used for other GTK apps too. It's likely, we will be looking at getting Firefox running first (it's only a simple compiler switch, to compile either Firefox or Mozilla), then maybe the whole Mozilla suite if people want it (probably unnecessary though). We're looking at getting it running on 68k/MUI first, and hopefully the 68k exe should run on AmigaOS4 and MorphOS as is.

Then we can look at MorphOS/OS4/AROS native ports. With a MorphOS port we may need a compile of the latest version of GCC ie: 3.x, to be able to compile AmiZilla though.

The GTK->MUI/Reaction layer will be done as a separate project, to make it easier to support multiple OSes (Amiga 3.x, OS4, MorphOS and AROS), but the initial target will be to get Firefox running on Amiga 3.x. Also, an AROS bounty has been put up for a GTK->MUI (Zune) layer, so that it can then be easily ported to any other Amiga Operating System (if not already done). Also, the MorphZone bounty program is considering, either starting their own GTK->MUI wrapper bounty, or pointing it towards the AROS one. The GTK layer will be done as two shared libs- glib.library and gtk.library.

So far, GTK->MUI seems fairly straightforward, as MUI is quite flexible, and fairly similar in structure to GTK- these both use an Object Model (ie: as in using objects like Windows, Buttons etc, not as in C++/Java Object-Orientated programming!), and GTK does not poke directly into it's data structures, but uses functions for object manipulation.

We've put together a basic working example using GTK calls, of initialising GTK (really an MUI call), opening a Window with a Button on it, closing the Window, and shutting the system (MUI) down. We've also compiled the GTK dev-kit examples helloworld and helloworld2, without any modification to their sources. One minor problem is that MUI gives back a pointer when it's initialised, but GTK doesn't, so we'll have to save that pointer somehow, probably in per-app data, saved within the library structure itself.

GTK->MUI Screenshots

GTK->MUI Demo code and compiled exes (68k)

GDK is an OS independent video abstraction layer for GTK- GTK makes it's calls to GDK, which then calls the underlying system (in Linux it's X-Windows). We haven't looked into it fully yet, but we shouldn't have to worry about GDK, as only GTK calls it, and Firefox shouldn't make any direct calls to it- and as we're replacing GTK calls with MUI/Reaction ones, GDK won't be called!

More of a challenge will be GLib- we're currently researching how much Firefox uses it, as some of GLib is very simple, and would just take a recompile, but other stuff like events, signals and threads could be more problematic, and may require replacing with Reaction/MUI calls.

More developers are always welcome to join us- the more resources we have, the quicker this will get done! :) To join the AmiZilla list, either send an email to amizilla-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or go to the Yahoo AmiZilla website (but you need to create a Yahoo account, to do it this way). Also, donations to help encourage more developers, are most welcome too! :) - AmiZilla donation page.

- Ants
AmiZilla Team


    

STORYID: 2386
Related Links
· More about Software News
· News by Ants


Most read story about Software News
UBoot 2010.06.04 for Sam460ex available

Last news about Software News
Hollywood APK Compiler 4.0 released
Printer Friendly Page  Send this Story to a Friend

Goto page ( 1 | 2 )

PosterThread
elwood 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 7:19:30
#1 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 17-Sep-2003
Posts: 3428
From: Lyon, France

Quote:
GDK won't be called!

Good, so the exe won't grow bigger. 500 MB? Ouch.

Good job to all!


_________________
Philippe 'Elwood' Ferrucci
Sam460 1.10 Ghz
AmigaOS 4 betatester
Amiga Translator Organisation

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
Cyborg 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 7:22:14
#2 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 26-Nov-2003
Posts: 424
From: Germany

@AmiZilla Team

Great to hear the project is progressing!

Now also the last people should see that you're doing an amazing job! Keep it up and us informed

Edit: typo

Last edited by Cyborg on 28-Jun-2005 at 07:23 AM.


_________________
Regards, Cyborg.
AmigaOS4 development team member

"In the beginning was CAOS.."
-- Andy Finkel, 1988 (ViewPort article, Oct. 1993)

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
Mr_Capehill 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 7:33:09
#3 ]
Super Member
Joined: 15-Mar-2003
Posts: 1932
From: Yharnam

Great to hear that people are doing something. Good luck!

Ps. Have you read this:
http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=12922&forum=4&28

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
MagicSN 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 7:47:09
#4 ]
Hyperion
Joined: 10-Mar-2003
Posts: 662
From: Unknown

Are you guys working on both Reaction and MUI implementation of GTK ? Are the two versions at the same state ? Or is one of them "ahead" ? Are there people involved in the project who have AmigaOne's and already could adapt the makefiles and such for OS 4 (IMHO it often makes a lot of sense to already adapt the project to several destination platforms while working-on instead of "in the end"... of course I don't know the Mozilla source-code, so I cannot really give a qualified comment how viable this is right now, especially as you guys have all hands full with making the OS 3.x version already) ?

Steffen

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
Rudei 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 8:28:03
#5 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 20-Nov-2002
Posts: 3589
From: Dallas, Texas

This is good work and a welcome news update.

Best of luck to the whole team involved, I'm off to make a donation since every little helps.

Rude!


_________________
2017 Camaro 2SS

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
mwoof 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 9:25:02
#6 ]
Super Member
Joined: 12-Jan-2004
Posts: 1174
From: Larisa, Greece

What is the size of the executable of Mozilla (or Firefox) on a Mac???


_________________
And may the AmigaGuide you!

AmigaOne G3-SE, OS4 Final (July 2007 update), Debian Sarge, 512 MB RAM, 20 + 80 GB hard disks, NEC 3540 DVD writer, LG DVD reader, Radeon 9250, SB Live, Intracom Netfaster router, PCI USB card (NEC - OHCI/EHCI)

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
AmigaMac 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 11:10:12
#7 ]
Super Member
Joined: 26-Oct-2002
Posts: 1094
From: 3rd Rock from the Sun!

What is the size of the executable of Mozilla (or Firefox) on a Mac???

25.3 MB on disk


_________________

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
VooDoo 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 11:17:24
#8 ]
Super Member
Joined: 16-Jun-2003
Posts: 1503
From: Croatia

This is good News..


_________________
--

Amiga x5000 ı o2o ı 4GB RAM ı RadeonRX580 | SBlaster Audigy Fx - AmigaOS4.1 FInal Edition

A1200 sandwich :)

Croatian Amiga portal

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
TrebleSix 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 12:46:36
#9 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 6-Sep-2004
Posts: 3747
From: Pembrokeshire, Wales

Well done for getting this far chaps. All the best wishes for continued success


_________________
Dark Lord Design Wicked Solutions For Damned Problems

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
AmigaMac 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 12:57:55
#10 ]
Super Member
Joined: 26-Oct-2002
Posts: 1094
From: 3rd Rock from the Sun!

Is Thunderbird on the roadmap for future porting?


_________________

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
BobW 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 13:34:30
#11 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 9-Apr-2004
Posts: 275
From: Central, NY USA

From what I understand Thunderbird is Mozilla compiled with different flags.


_________________
Micro A1 866 Mhz and AmigaOS 4.1
PowerMac G4 1.4 Ghz and MorphOS 2.7

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
alx 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 15:05:44
#12 ]
Super Member
Joined: 7-Mar-2003
Posts: 1224
From: Midlands, UK

Quote:
From what I understand Thunderbird is Mozilla compiled with different flags.


Sure you're not thinking of Firefox? The Mozilla Suite might include a mail client, but I'd have thought that thunderbird would be a completely different set of sources (albeit perhaps with much in common)

That said, I don't think that there's quite as pressing a need for a new mail client - the current ones work fine, and e-mail hasn't changed as much as the web in the last few years.


_________________

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
amipal 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 15:45:13
#13 ]
Super Member
Joined: 8-Apr-2003
Posts: 1907
From: Saltdean, East Sussex, UK

This is fantastic progress. You guys should be proud of yourselves!

Its building the underlying components that's going to take the time. Once all the small, niggling bits are out of the way, the rate of progress will increase dramatically! Well done chaps.


_________________
After a decade away from the scene, I am back!

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
BobW 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 16:27:49
#14 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 9-Apr-2004
Posts: 275
From: Central, NY USA

@ALX

I thought it was the case for both Firefox and Thunderbird. I may be wrong though.


_________________
Micro A1 866 Mhz and AmigaOS 4.1
PowerMac G4 1.4 Ghz and MorphOS 2.7

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
mbilla 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 18:53:08
#15 ]
Super Member
Joined: 25-May-2003
Posts: 1369
From: EU

Great to hear!!!

Let's hope GTK is done very soon, as long as there are enough Amiga programmers, so they can port easier Linux progs: OpenOffice, Thunderbird, Celestia, ScanView and tons of other great progs!

Of course FireFox is a must! Mozilla can come later.

Last edited by mbilla on 28-Jun-2005 at 06:53 PM.


_________________
A computerworld without MS products and Windows!
Connect your Amigas ...
...The Red ONE-A1XE G4 - A3000T- A3000 - A4000 - A2500- A1000 - A600 - CDTV - CD32...
and your PDAs and laptops ...
Psion 5mx Pro - Psion NetBook - Apple iPhone - MacBook Pro

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
Manu 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 20:04:49
#16 ]
Super Member
Joined: 4-Feb-2004
Posts: 1561
From: Unknown

Thanks for the progress report. Keep going and let's hope some new
coders could join you.


_________________
AmigaOS or MorphOS on x86 would sell orders of magnitude more than the current,
hardware-intensive solutions. And they'd go faster.-- D.Haynie

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
Samwel 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 21:25:43
#17 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 7-Apr-2004
Posts: 3404
From: Sweden

Fantastic news.

Keep up he good work!

How much time, approximately, will it take before a alpha Firefox
can be compiled? With the current speed of progress!
6 months? 10? 12?


_________________
/Harry

[SOLD] µA1-C - 750GX 800MHz - 512MB - Antec Aria case

Avatar by HNL_DK!

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
freaks 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 22:56:10
#18 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 8-Jun-2004
Posts: 318
From: france

nice to hear some news from the amizilla project.
indeed..
i think the mui/reaction warpper is a good idea, i hope the amiga version will remove all the bloat, unnecessary stuffs... and result in a fastn' responsive browser.
thus the amiga version might be the better version of mozilla(cauz: bloat-free)

keep up the good work ppl!

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
Plaz 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 28-Jun-2005 23:43:46
#19 ]
Super Member
Joined: 2-Oct-2003
Posts: 1573
From: Atlanta

Nice job Ants.

Quote:
Sure you're not thinking of Firefox? The Mozilla Suite might include a mail client, but I'd have thought that thunderbird would be a completely different set of sources (albeit perhaps with much in common)


They do have much in common and some have said that once Mozilla
has been ported cleanly, Thunderbird might be finished easily.
I tend to be more speptical, but hopeful too.

If I understand correctly, the current version of Firefox is based on Mozilla 1.8.
This is the same version of Mozilla that the Amizilla project is targeting.
I'm not sure how that will translate exactly in terms of porting firefox directly.
But I would think that it would come very close.
Can anyone correct or confirm my version numbers?

Plaz

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  
Ants 
Re: AmiZilla Update
Posted on 29-Jun-2005 4:06:06
#20 ]
Member
Joined: 28-Jun-2005
Posts: 75
From: Auckland, New Zealand

> Good, so the exe won't grow bigger. 500 MB? Ouch.

That's only with debug info- using tha a2ixlibrary, and no debug info, that'll drop by a huge amount! :)

-Ants


_________________
- Ants

 Status: Offline
Profile     Report this post  

Goto page ( 1 | 2 )

[ home ][ about us ][ privacy ] [ forums ][ classifieds ] [ links ][ news archive ] [ link to us ][ user account ]
Copyright (C) 2000 - 2019 Amigaworld.net.
Amigaworld.net was originally founded by David Doyle