Lxdream is a Linux-based emulator for the Sega Dreamcast system that is currently under active development. The version number indicates that it is still a little ways to go until a 1.0 version but quite a number of demos and even some games are running. The latest versions boasts OSX support!

For those interested in the obscure, but very intriguing Sinclair QL from the mid-80's, you can now get a type of turn-key QL environment for use with a modern Windows PC that can be transferred to a USB memory stick (minimum 128MB). This is a great idea and I'd like to see implementations of this for other systems. I personally own a very robust real Sinclair QL setup, but I think this would also make a fine companion for that, particularly in regards to data exchange. More information here.

Hardball on the Apple IIgsBill Martens, who runs the superb "Virtual Apple 2 - Online disk archive" has informed me that the site now supports Firefox. Previously the Website only supported Internet Explorer. For those not familiar with the Website, it allows you to play Apple II and IIgs games directly in your browser. No fuss, no muss, and it's fairly configurable to boot. As a bonus, the site also gives you access to the ROM images for use in another emulator or for transfer to your real Apple system. While my preferred way is to of course play these games on the real hardware, nothing beats the immediacy of a well functioning browser-based emulator that already has the ROMs, as it's invaluable for quick reference and screenshot captures. Check it out at http://www.virtualapple.org/.

Andre' brings us his regular updates for ZX81/Sinclair/Timex 1000 users:

What's new ?

NEW emulator for the ZX81! The emulator PSPZX81 v1.0.2 for the
Sony PSP machine is available at
http://zx81.zx81.free.fr/serendipity. Welcome PSP owners to the world
of the Sinclair ZX81 and the Timex/Sinclair TS1000.

Philips 1982 Videopac 39 ‘Freedom fighters’On www.gp32x.com a news item stating the multi-platform Odyssey 2 (O2) emulator o2em was released for Gamepark's latest console. It doesn't feature an interface or ROM selector, but sample scripts are provided to allow you to run the games.I had some trouble getting it to run at first because my Windows notepad.exe program screwed up the scipts, introducing illegal non-Linux compliant carriage returns. One joystick is emulated with one of the action buttons as a fire button. The full keyboard is not emulated, but the shoulder buttons and the remaining 3 action buttons are configured to work as 0,1,2,3 and 4 in order to start the games. You need the Odyssey 2 BIOS to be able to use the emulator and the Videopac G7000, G7400 BIOSes are supported. I managed to get Timelord+ (Terrahawks), Killerbees+, KC Munchkin, KC's Krazy Chase and Freedom Fighters running perfectly with full sound and zero frameskip.

Apple LogoNatalia Portillo (wow a female programmer!) has compiled a 64bit version of Mini vMac for Microsoft Windows XP x64. I wonder if this emulator will actually run even faster in 64bit incarnation.
The regular 32bit version is incredibly fast when you turn of the speed limiter. There are versions of the emulator out there that allow you to run at resolutions that were never possible on the old MacPlus. A great little emulator for all those B&W mac games.