wii-backups addition

[mq1]

I made a simple backup manager -> https://github.com/mq1/TinyWiiBackupManager

I initially made it for myself, but I think the community may benefit from using it as well

Features:

• Portable binary (just download, extract, run it, and throw it away if you don't need it anymore)
• Tiny binary size
• Fully cross platform (including arm devices)
• Full Wii formats support (yes, including .rvz) without installing external applications

[Aeplet]

This is amazing! WBM is closed source and lacks macOS/Linux support.

[mq1]

@Aeplet do you think we can add it to https://wii.hacks.guide/wii-backups?

[CrazyDog4110]

Windows, macOS and Linux support AND open source? This sounds fire!

[mq1]

https://wii.hacks.guide/gc-backups also lacks cross-platform options #170

I just added support for GameCube games (thanks to @encounter 's nod library), effectively eliminating the need for a separate tool like GameCube Backup Manager.

[playerjmr]

Would just like to point out that we do have Wii Backup Fusion which is a WIT frontend and is cross platform for Windows, Linux, and Mac and works for both Wii and GameCube games.

This is a very cool project though, and I am interested to see where this goes.

[Aeplet]

Would just like to point out that we do have Wii Backup Fusion which is a WIT frontend and is cross platform for Windows, Linux, and Mac and works for both Wii and GameCube games.

This is a very cool project though, and I am interested to see where this goes.

That's correct, but I'd argue WBF is far less user friendly than TWBM.

[playerjmr]

I think its too soon to be discussing this, I am willing to wait for more features and improvements before picking this back up again.

[mq1]

I think its too soon to be discussing this, I am willing to wait for more features and improvements before picking this back up again.

Now that I added a way to disable update checking (useful if someone wants to package twbm for the AUR or something like that) my feature checklist is complete.

I think you're right tho, the project probably needs more testing and feedback to be considered ready.

I'm aware of WBF, my project prioritizes user friendliness over advanced features; it's also heavily opinionated (for example I hard coded the wbfs split size to a reasonable default), so an unexperienced user can easily use it.

Also, there are already great tools like wit and nod for advanced use cases.

I'm open to feature suggestions, but I would like to keep the app simple, and avoid excessively cluttering the ui

[playerjmr]

I'm open to feature suggestions

• Upon opening the exe on windows, it tells you to select a folder without specifying input or output, maybe just have it open the GUI first and let the user press a button to select a folder.
• There is no ability to select a different output folder.
• Would like to see a feature to download and structure coverart for the loaders automatically, since some people are unable to do it from their Wii due to lack of internet connection (Wii backup manager has this feature)
• Does it read WBFS formatted devices? not that we would need to support that but some people still have drives from that era and would need a program to be able to read it.
• Can it transfer files from a drive to the PC?
• You mentioned it had NKIT 2 lossless WBFS, does it verify these files during transfer? Would it need fix files if a file is defective?

thats all i can think of at the moment

[mq1]

I'm open to feature suggestions

• Upon opening the exe on windows, it tells you to select a folder without specifying input or output, maybe just have it open the GUI first and let the user press a button to select a folder.
• There is no ability to select a different output folder.
• Would like to see a feature to download and structure coverart for the loaders automatically, since some people are unable to do it from their Wii due to lack of internet connection (Wii backup manager has this feature)
• Does it read WBFS formatted devices? not that we would need to support that but some people still have drives from that era and would need a program to be able to read it.
• Can it transfer files from a drive to the PC?
• You mentioned it had NKIT 2 lossless WBFS, does it verify these files during transfer? Would it need fix files if a file is defective?

thats all i can think of at the moment

Wbfs file system handling is not planned for the moment, but I think I can implement the rest 🚀

[mq1]

🎉 Progress update

• More explicit base directory dialog
• Switch output folder
• Bulk cover download
• Archive games to pc using RVZ
• Game integrity verification
• Conversion queue

And many minor improvements (especially under the hood)

I just pushed a release candidate at https://github.com/mq1/TinyWiiBackupManager/releases/latest