#benben — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #benben, aggregated by home.social.
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‘Uncle Ben… and Ben?’: Ben&Ben’s Spider-Man movie stunt amuses Pinoys
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LALALAFEST Manila debut set for August 2026; Steve Lacy, Two Door Cinema Club, Ben&Ben to lead lineup
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SB19 x Bamboo and more: Puregold OPM Con 2026 celebrates OPM across generations
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Who’s who: SB19, Ben&Ben, Flow G, more lead Puregold OPM Con Generations lineup
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I probably mentioned this before, but I'm having a brain moment.
I'll be continuing AppImages for Benben and XQATool after all. The user experience is too valuable to me, even if the AppImage dev is disagreeable. But, I'll be building them on Slackware 15.0 going forward, so the glibc version required will go up slightly. This should impact almost no one.
Not sure if I'll be able to do AppImages for Aika since it's entirely plugin based...
#benben #aika -
I was intending this to be a blog post, but I guess it'll be a long Fedi post instead since I have a large char limit on my instance :-P Time to explain what I've been doing lately!
Basic, new music player: "Aika". I've named it after the character in Agent Aika because I like that anime and I'm just a lewd girl like that. If you know me well, you should not be surprised. Ask me who my Reika program is named after sometime...
Anyway, Aika is NOT a replacement for #Benben (that ain't going away, I love it too much). I gotta emphasize that. Benben will continue. Aika is simply another option for people. This one is special in that the UI is entirely based around #ZeroMQ sockets. So imagine having a local player, running like you see here, but then you can securely connect additional "Remote UIs" to it over a network. These can just connect/disconnect whenever you need, however many you want, and Aika will just keep doing its thing. Kinda like MPD, but easier to use, and you always have a local interface like you see here, never just an invisible process in the background. I call these "Remote UIs". Extremely useful for someone like me who goes around the house to multiple computers while wearing Bluetooth headphones... but it could technically also stream the audio over the network in the future, too. Anyway, I call this ZeroMQ UI stuff the "Remote UI Protocol", and it's Aika's main special thing.
Also, unlike Benben, this one will allow you to add and remove files while it's running through a built-in file browser. So whereas Benben was designed to be like a super sexy version of mpg123 from the start, Aika will be more like a terminal version of Audacious. Sorta. It'll still have its own feel.
Oh, and Aika uses plugins so that support for audio formats, playlist formats, backends, etc. can be changed without changing Aika itself (herself?). So that's another difference. They're just .so files.
The video here just shows a temporary UI that I'm using while I build out the Remote UI Protocol and get things working. It'll look different and more complete in time. This UI here is not yet a true Remote UI, it's entirely local and built into Aika (the "Local UI"), but it is using the Remote UI Protocol over ZeroMQ internally while I design it. Once I have that protocol finished and implemented, I'll convert this Local UI to not use ZeroMQ for some things (for latency reasons), then implement a true example Remote UI that mimics Benben's interface and can run on an entirely separate machine (even across the world if you want).
Lastly, Aika is written in Object #Pascal, not #CommonLisp. So whereas Benben has a 106mb binary (uncompressed, give or take), Aika currently has a 900kb binary. Whereas Benben uses 133 mb of RAM at runtime to play the Quake 2 soundtrack in FLAC format, Aika currently uses 5mb. Also, Aika has been using about half to one quarter less CPU than Benben so far.
It'll be quite a while until Aika is ready for a v0.1.0 release, but I've got the beginnings going on here. The code will be a bit messy at first until the protocol designs solidify, the UI is very incomplete, there's no resampling yet, and it crashes/deadlocks sometimes... but it's at least able to play albums in FLAC format right now :happyremi: https://fossil.cyberia9.org/aika/
As for Benben.. I blasted through the milestones for v1.0.0 a lot quicker than I expected, so expect it out sooner than later. Maybe mid summer.
EDIT: Oh, and Aika is specifically targeting any POSIX-compatible OS. I'm actually testing things fairly regularly on #Haiku to ensure it works there in particular. -
Heads up: I've moved a number of my Fossil repos off of chiselapp. That site is just too unstable anymore, and they haven't moved* to the newer Fossil versions that block scrapers. Here's a blog post describing all of the new links: https://remilia.sdf.org/blog/2026-03-30-a.html
This includes the official site for Benben! It's now at https://fossil.cyberia9.org/benben/
*that I know of, anyway - I can't access it to even check
#benben #xqatool -
Well, the #ListenBrainz integration in #Benben is a bit smarter now. If Benben goes to submit something to it, and it can't 'cause of a network error or similar, then it will store the submission and try again later. This functionality is in the
trunkcode in the repository. I've also updated the manual to describe how ListenBrainz integration works in Benben.
EDIT: And as of a few minutes ago, Benben also submits MusicBrainz IDs for the Release, Recording, and Artist if they're present in the track metadata.
https://fossil.cyberia9.org/benben/
https://fossil.cyberia9.org/benben/uv/benben-latest-manual.html -
:happyremi: Happy to be able to participate in this week's This Week in Matrix and see #Benben mentioned!
https://matrix.org/blog/2026/02/27/this-week-in-matrix-2026-02-27/ -
Heads up 2: Reika has been updated to v0.0.4 to fix an issue with building Lisp software. You'll want to grab this update to fix building #Benben and #XQATool.
https://fossil.cyberia9.org/reika/
https://fossil.cyberia9.org/reika/file?name=NEWS&ci=trunk
Also, Benben now uses the newer Cyberia 9 Fossil repos in its Reika project file. You'll want to do anrm -rf deps/inside your Benben folder thenreika updateto grab the new ones (since Reika isn't that smart yet).
https://fossil.cyberia9.org/benben/ -
I updated the instructions for building #Benben. Now that it uses my Reika build tool, it should be much easier for people to build, especially non-Lispers.
https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/wiki?name=Building+Benben -
So, #Benben can now change your status message on #Matrix if you want :happyremi: This is implemented in the current trunk code in the repository. Here's some info:
* Your configuration file needs a new section. This is documented in the manual already. It'll also check that your perms don't have read/write/execute bits set for group and world at startup, and warn you if they do.
* When you start Benben, it will grab your current status message. Then, when you exit Benben cleanly (i.e. not using ctrl-c or when it crashes), it will restore the status message you had when you first started Benben.
* Your online presence (online/offline/whatever) is not changed, just the message.
* After a song has played a minimum of 10 seconds, and the song is 15 seconds or longer, it will change your status message to "Now playing in Benben: <title or filename>". It'll use the filename (specifically the basename of the filename, not the full path) for things like MIDIs. Strings longer than 255 characters are truncated.
* There's a--no-matrixCLI option that temporarily and completely disables Matrix integration. Alternatively, just don't put matrix stuff in your config file.
* Obviously not all clients show your status message. FluffyChat does, but I don't think Element does.
No extra external library dependencies were added, just my CL-RemiMatrix Lisp library. Reika will pull this in automatically at build time. Be sure to doreika force-updatebefore building.
https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/ -
New blog post: "So I've Been Quiet Lately..."
https://remilia.sdf.org/blog/2026-02-14-a.html
#benben #pascal #CommonLisp -
Well, the
initial-1.0-workbranch for #benben has been merged into trunk, if only because there isn't much reason to keep it separate anymore. Also, the key to switch themes at runtime has been changed to a lowercasemfrom an uppercaseM.
I also added a new CLI option,--random-start, which starts playback at a random position in the playback queue without shuffling. Found myself wanting that the other day when I wanted to listen to my KMFDM playlist and start at a random song, but also keep the songs collected into the albums, like they are in the .jspf file :-P
The libuade stuff is on its own branch now,add-libuade. Work on integrating that will live in that branch for the time being. I'll stop giving estimates on when it'll be ready for now XD -
Got my new song finished, submitted, and accepted for this https://osu.ppy.sh/community/forums/topics/2162131?n=1 Can't wait to reveal it :happyremi:
Still can't believe I finished one... maybe I'll try to do an EP or an album this year. Add some retrowave into it, another 90s-inspired trance (maybe make that "my thing"), some dark ambient... maybe XD Time permitting, obviously.
Anyway, next is to finish libuade in Benben (I'm like 80%-85% there now - the depression/anxiety last week can go fuck itself), then get some QR code stuff ported to Pascal for RemiA2ln. Then I have some work to do on Reika, and also my RSConf parser for SDMPas. Then it's more Benben.
My recent focus on Pascal will be revealed in time. And no, Benben is not being ported to it, don't worry.
#benben #pascal -
So, I got tired of non-Lispers finding it difficult to build my software and ended up making my own build tool. Introducing Reika, the opinionated minimal dependency manager and build initiator, made primarily for Common Lisp programs (but it theoretically could work for other languages, too). https://fossil.cyberia9.org/reika/ It's just at v0.0.3, so expect it to be a bit fragile and evolve as it matures. There's a FAQ, some basic instructions, and a link to the manual on the main page.
I've already got #benben and XQATool working with it in their repos (Benben on the initial-1.0-work branch, XQATool on the trunk). Their next releases will use it exclusively. Users should be able to just runreika buildand get a binary with this after installing SBCL and a few C dependencies from their distro's repositories. No messing with ASDF, Quicklisp, cloning Common Lisp dependencies, or the Lisp REPL.
#CommonLisp
Written in #CrystalLang -
Heads up for those of you who like to build #benben from source: you may run into issues with SBCL 2.5.11 and SBCL 2.6.0. If you do, update your copies of named-readtables and possibly FXML, to the latest git checkouts. It builds fine after that. I think named-readtables had some breakage due to changing #sbcl internals that they were using.
I updated the AppImage build script since, which will exist for a bit longer, just until I finish my build tool. Then no more AppImages. -
New video up on my Retro Chiptunes #PeerTube channel: Ranger-X (Sega Genesis/Mega Drive). Also called Ex-Ranza in Japan. One of my favorite games and soundtracks :happyremi:
https://spectra.video/w/3sNdMAT85NVh5JSNoPsMC4
Also, a quick note: I'm changing to doing this videos every other week, so no video next week. I'll also be moving the Retro Chiptunes posts to a dedicated account so that this one isn't just announcements for programming and chiptune videos :-P
#chiptune #vgm #benben -
New version of my TUI music player Benben is up! Version 0.7.1 is just a small update that brings just a few small fixes and changes, and also adds support for IMA ADPCM encoded .wav files.
Linux x86-64 AppImage and source code:
https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/technote?name=b51812d3d4592e916bb390ea96940cbbff86d157
Don't forget to check out the skins/themes area as well, as it was updated not long ago: https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/dir?ci=tip&name=themes
#benben #CommonLisp #LinuxAudio #AppImage -
New video up on my Retro Chiptunes #PeerTube channel: Metal Slug (NeoGeo)
https://spectra.video/w/qYUdq4g8PoveGyuaHckPE7
#chiptune #vgm #benben -
New video up on my Retro Chiptunes #PeerTube channel: Journey to Silius (Famicom/NES)
https://spectra.video/w/jFci19ncYmWcEAfdrGG5x1
#chiptune #vgm #benben -
Benben may or may not be getting support for a new container format from the old DOS days for v1.0 and play its entries directly...
#benben #CommonLisp -
Not one, but TWO new videos up on my Retro Chiptunes #Peertube channel today! Did it this way because I usually enjoy listening to the Soul Edge soundtrack with a bit of reverb added, but I suspect others may want the signal straight from the VGM files.
[Arcade] 1995 - Soul Edge
https://spectra.video/w/pjf1nPEYHNvNdvFq1HqMBY
[Arcade] - 1995 - Soul Edge (reverb added)
https://spectra.video/w/4ppkYoUzgEH3kJKbGs9KVn
#chiptune #vgm #Benben -
After many months of hard work, Benben v0.7.0 is now released! 🎉 There's been a HUGE number of changes since v0.6.2, including porting the entire program from Crystal to Common Lisp, initial ListenBrainz support, new formats, and more. Check out the full changelog, grab the source code, or download Linux x86-64 AppImages for both Benben and remote-benben here:
https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/technote?name=13535d0483d16bfb2a3967cd8be778c327dbfb06
#benben #LinuxAudio #vgm #CommonLisp #lisp -
New video up on my Retro Chiptunes #PeerTube channel! I love how quirky and oldschool anime-sounding this soundtrack is.
[NeoGeo] 1991 - Eight Man
https://spectra.video/w/q1iwhtGSeHmsuAjdnnNZCA
#vgm #Benben #chiptune -
A new release candidate for #Benben, v0.7.0-rc5, is now up! AppImage for Linux x86-64 and list of changes since rc4 is here on the releases page in the source repo: https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/wiki?name=Releases
I'm predicting that this is the final RC before the release on the 1st. I'm also predicting I will eat my own words :blobcatgiggle:
#CommonLisp #LinuxAudio #lisp -
New video up on my Retro Chiptunes #PeerTube channel!
[Sega Genesis/Mega Drive] 1993 - Sub-Terrania
https://spectra.video/w/1QziEJ2fMrEMRJ6ZBhusq4
#vgm #chiptune #benben -
v0.7.0 isn't out yet... but I've already started drafting up a list of milestone goals for #Benben v1.0.0, which is what I'll work on after v0.7.0 is finished. Not sure when I'll start on these (I usually take a short break to scratch other itches after a release), but for sure by the end of October.
https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/wiki?name=Milestone+1.0.0 -
New release candidate for #Benben, my console-based music player, is up! This is v0.7.0-rc4. A Linux x86-64 #AppImage is available under the "Development Builds" header on this page as usual, as well as a link to the repo changes since the last release candidate: https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/wiki?name=Releases
Should you want to build from source instead, instructions are here: https://chiselapp.com/user/MistressRemilia/repository/benben/wiki?name=Building+Benben
The final release for v0.7.0 is planned for 1 October 2025.
#CommonLisp #LinuxAudio #vgm #lisp