Beta Testing for Mac MM

[MAC-man]

Will there be a MM5 have MAC version?

[drakinite]

I'm wondering, since the majority of MediaMonkey 5's codebase is in HTML and JavaScript, it wouldn't be too difficult to make ports for Linux and MacOS, right?
I know how many Mac users would be interested in MediaMonkey, because it's designed for a more savvy audience; however, I think it would be really popular among Linux users for just that reason. Hell, just searching for "MediaMonkey Linux" provides plenty of articles on cross-platform MediaMonkey alternatives.

[Peke]

Hi,
If that is as simple as it looks. UI is Cross-platform, but CORE is still in Delphi and as MM5 release getting closer we are more looking into porting CORE CODE to MAC.

[drakinite]

Ahh, gotcha. I didn't realize that; I guess I was confused by the jillion individual JS and HTML files, but I forgot that compiled code can have a ton of individual source files that are compiled into one (or a few) executables. Makes a lot of sense why you'd keep the core in Delphi, now that I think of it; because hooo boy would it be inefficient to have all the database and filesystem stuff handled by Chromium.
That's cool that you're gonna make a Mac version, though. Just wondering, is there a reason why you aren't planning on doing Linux as well? It doesn't really affect me, since I use Windows, but I would figure it'd become pretty popular among Linux users.

[Peke]

Hi,
Simply said until less then 2 years ago there was no Delphi Linux compiler and even now it is in its early stages. MAC compiler is much older, should explain itself.

[drakinite]

I see, ok!

[Barry4679]

Simply said until less then 2 years ago there was no Delphi Linux compiler and even now it is in its early stages.

Not completely true. I was at the Borland conference when Delphi for Linux was released in 2001. Its product name was Kylix.

[Peke]

Not completely true. I was at the Borland conference when Delphi for Linux was released in 2001. Its product name was Kylix.

Agree, I stand corrected, I meant more on a Cross-Platform Compiler. Kylix was too complicated and I remember hen I tried it it required almost whole rewrite, to make even simple tasks done. This is bit different approach and with Delphi 10.4 using FMXLinux can make things much easier for developers.

FYI Original KSDev (above FMXLinux develeoper) Theme engine is used for MM4 that is later natively implemented in Dephi FireMonkey CrossPlatform apps. Only issue is time needed to develop things. I can only say that I see increased number source changes in OSx Project files as we are closing to MM5 release.

[ABramley]

Just want to give another thumbs up for a mac version! Currently running bootcamp off an external drive just to use Mediamonkey

Keep going

[ABramley]

Oh - also, not seen what you're thinking about regarding payment, but I think it's totally fair to expect to have to pay an upgrade fee for a major new release on a new OS. I'd be extremely put off by a subscription model though.

[drakinite]

Yup. I'm very happy with MM Gold being a one-time payment.

[tarasis]

The upcoming swap to Apple Silicon will further complicate things.

I can offer to test MM5 for Mac under Rosetta when you eventually get to that point. (I have a DTK)

[drakinite]

Right, that change to Mac on ARM will make things difficult.
I suppose that they'll be depending on Delphi adding support for it.

[Peke]

Right, that change to Mac on ARM will make things difficult.
I suppose that they'll be depending on Delphi adding support for it.

Apple is making bad bad choices and wants you to be completely dependable on them. This can be confirmed by any MAC user that needed to go to Genius Bar due the broken MAC for a fix and wanted to have their data back intact. Or currently if you break charging port you need to pay xyz number of USD to have your MAC fixed, loose data just because of an 10USD chip that is no way to buy except to rip it off 120USD charger but only if you have MAC older than 2018/2019 which do not have SN firmware tied to that MAC motherboard TPM chip which will not allow you you replace it, due the security reasons and Genius Bar ill tell you need 1200USD+ for the fix as whole motherboard needs to be replaced.

I can share more info in PM if needed, but frankly after ARM change things will just go worse.

Note: This is my personal opinion from 25+ years of experience in computer hardware repairs.

EDIT: Has anyone bothered to question why they didn't choose AMD CPUs? I'll leave you to your imagination.

[drakinite]

Linus Tech Tips did a pretty good explanation on their reasoning behind choosing to make their own processors. https://youtu.be/KtgeS2hhV9U TL;DR: By making their own processors they'll save a boatload of money, and they'll be even less reliant on other manufacturers' supply chains. It's certainly not a bad business choice from them.
Now, I still strongly dislike them as a company and I really don't like their products. And their reliability is pretty bad. So we can certainly agree on that front.