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What is JAVASCRIPT MESS?
The JAVASCRIPT MESS project is a porting of the MESS emulator, a program that emulates hundreds of machine types, into the Javascript
language. The MESS program can emulate (or begin to emulate) a majority of home computers, and continues to be improved frequently. By porting this program into
the standardized and cross-platform Javascript language, it will be possible to turn computer history and experience into the same embeddable object as movies,
documents, and audio enjoy.
Try the Beta Version!
We're now experimenting with a beta version of the JSMESS program. (A lot needs to be done. Click on the following systems to try them out:
Where do I start?
If you're a developer or want to contribute code or coding to the effort, you'd do best to go over to the Wiki page and read up about all the involved issues to get it to compile, and what's needed. We also have a github page for the project here.
If you're just curious how this might look, a demonstration page has been set up to discuss the K.C. Munchkin Look and Feel case. In this page,
verbiage about the history and images of the cartridge and system used are (hopefully) followed by a window allowing you to try the banned videogame yourself.
Why can't I...
Do anything? Run other stuff? Mostly, it's because we're using this to work out the bugs, and things like keyboard input, speed, and running other
computer/console architectures are not currently enabled. We hope to get that working soon.
It Acts (Weird, Slow, Well, Not at All) in my Browser?
This definitely works in the latest Google Chrome and Firefox browsers, and probably in any browser that supports javascript typed arrays
Note that we're not using the NaCL (Native Client) application that Google Chrome uses - this is mostly related to how different
browsers handle this amount of Javascript. It also has been shown to work in very, very new version of Apple's Safari browser.
Opera is able to sort of run it, but it's slow and problematic.
The plan, naturally, is to work in most if not all modern browsers that reasonably implement Javascript and HTML5. We'll keep it updated.
If you find it works on your browser, let us know.
How did you...
Multiple people have worked for months to port MESS to Javascript, and we still have a long way to go, but it was time to share. Huge thanks to Justin de Vesine, Alon Zakai, John Vilk, Andre D, and Justin Kerk.
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