Newbie FAQ - Every question I could think of

The purpose of this post is to try to answer every newbie question I had, and provide a sort of FAQ for anyone just discovering the DS emulation and homebrew scene.

I aologize in advance if this has been done before, but I figure that the easier it is to get into the DS scene, the more likely it will attract new people to make games, apps, and improve the current stash of programs.

Please add questions to the FAQ if you find something missing - it will only make the FAQ that much better.

Basics about the Nintendo DS -

1. What is a "homebrew" game or application?
A:

2. What do I need to run Homebrew on my DS?
A:

3. What kind of Homebrew applications are available for the DS?
A:

4. Can I run downloaded Nintendo DS 'ROMS' on my DS with the right hardware?
A:

5. Where can I find Emulators/Homebrew/Roms to run on the DS?
A:

Basics about Hardware -

1. What is the "best" hardware to use for running Homebrew/Roms/Emulators?
A:

2. Does some hardware do things better than others?
A:

3. What are the differences (Pros/Cons) between the different hardwares?
A:

4. Where can I buy this hardware from? Is it safe? Is there a preferred place to buy from? Is there somewhere that I shouldn't buy from?
A:

5. Do you HAVE to have hardware in order to run Homebrew on the Nintendo DS?
A:

WiFi Questions

1. Can I surf the net on my Nintendo DS? How?
A:

2. Can I download files directly to my Nintendo DS? How?
A:

3. Can I download games FROM my Nintendo DS to my PC to save as a ROM?
A:

Application Questions:

1. Are there any "MUST HAVE" homebrew applications? Are there any programs that I should avoid because they can be problematic?
A:

2. What kind of Homebrew Applications are available for the Nintendo DS?
A:

Homebrew Game Questions:

1. Are there any "MUST HAVE" Homebrew Games for the Nintendo DS? Are there any I should avoid because of problems?
A:

Emulators:

1. What systems can be emulated on the Nintendo DS?
A:

2. Can you list any emulators that are just a Demo/don't truly run?
A:

3. What are the best running emulators on the Nintendo DS?

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Okay, that's all I can think of for the moment - please take a shot at it :)

1. What is a "homebrew" game or application?
A: Homebrew is a large variety of things from Games to Apps that are coded by programmers as a hobby/freetime they are non comercial and are typicaly done out of a passion for the type of work that is envolved.

2. What do I need to run Homebrew on my DS?
A: There are several flash cards that are available. Items that will take information from your pc and let you use it on your ds with the use of a SD or MicroSd. such as the R4 or M3 amongst others.

3. What kind of Homebrew applications are available for the DS?
A: As mentioned there is a large variety of Apps and Games to choose from.

4. Can I run downloaded Nintendo DS 'ROMS' on my DS with the right hardware?
A: "Your" Backed up NDS files will play on most flash cards. However! Using rom files backed up by someone else and of wich you do not own the original is ILLEGAL.

5. Where can I find Emulators/Homebrew/Roms to run on the DS?
A:You can find Emulators and Homebrew right here. However as mentioned Downloading Roms dumped but someone else for use is ILLEGAL and cannot be discussed on this site. Needless to say they can not be found here either.

Basics about Hardware -

1. What is the "best" hardware to use for running Homebrew/Roms/Emulators?
A:There are a couple Flash Cards Mentioned above..as far as the best that is relative to opinion. Doing some research on whats available im sure you will find something for you.

2. Does some hardware do things better than others?
A:Ofcourse

3. What are the differences (Pros/Cons) between the different hardwares?
A:There are to many to list here. Taking the information allready provided you will be able to find what your looking for in paticular.

4. Where can I buy this hardware from? Is it safe? Is there a preferred place to buy from? Is there somewhere that I shouldn't buy from?
A:My personal experiences with sites like Modchipstore.com and realhotstuff.com has been pleasent.. there are many decent places out there im sure others will have some places to suggest

5. Do you HAVE to have hardware in order to run Homebrew on the Nintendo DS?
A:Ofcourse

WiFi Questions

1. Can I surf the net on my Nintendo DS? How?
A:Yes with a webbrowser

2. Can I download files directly to my Nintendo DS? How?
A:You can put files on your flash card via a SD/MicroSD card

3. Can I download games FROM my Nintendo DS to my PC to save as a ROM?
A:If your mean can you dump your own games for your personal use.. then yes i believe so with additional hardware.

Application Questions:

1. Are there any "MUST HAVE" homebrew applications? Are there any programs that I should avoid because they can be problematic?
A:A must have app would vary according to taste..look around

2. What kind of Homebrew Applications are available for the Nintendo DS?
A:You will find many Apps on this site. start browsing

Homebrew Game Questions:

1. Are there any "MUST HAVE" Homebrew Games for the Nintendo DS? Are there any I should avoid because of problems?
A:Again must haves would vary according to taste..

Emulators:

1. What systems can be emulated on the Nintendo DS?
A:there is a list of emulators on the ds portion of this site

2. Can you list any emulators that are just a Demo/don't truly run?
A:there are quite a few that are at a work in progress stage

3. What are the best running emulators on the Nintendo DS?
I personally enjoy Snemuds Picodrive and nesds.