What's all this talk about hacking?

[JackTucky]

I'm near completion on my MAME cabinet.  It would not have been possible without the help from everyone here.

I heard about Daphnef from here, and I'm going to make that my next emulator on my mame cabinet.

I'm missing a huge part of what's going on in this world, because I don't get what else is going on.   Why hack a joystick?  When you run a PS emulator, are you using arcade controls for that?  Is that why I think PaigeOliver was so excited about the new Radio Shack USB thingy?  But I figured that would be to just hang existing PS controllers out the cabinet?

Do people play PS games on the cabinets?  I know there are tons of other emulators, but I'm not sure they would be too much fun on a cabinet.

I read up on some dreamcast stuff, I know those games were cool, but those are on the cab too?

One thing I'd really like to have is a dedicated NFL Blitz.  I saw some discussion here about just using the PC version in a Mame cab.  That makes perfect sense to me!  Does that need/benefit from a joystick hack?

Rambling over.

Oh, and how come when I launch MAME all I get is a black dos box?  

Art

[paigeoliver]

I don't do playstation, and I am not exactly shure what Radio Shack thing you are speaking of.

But, to give it a guess. You are probably referring to one of my posts about those cheapo consoles with the built in games. The ones that plug right up into your TV set.

Those (with proper soldering) can be interfaced with arcade controls. I have both a  Pong console and a "Dance Master" DDR console on the way.

Almost any console or game can be controlled with arcade controls if you are willing to do a bit of soldering and electronics hackery. I got into this hobby before the I-Pac was available, and have done plenty of custom interface work in the past. Tons of PC gamepad interface hacks, Capcom Bowling trackball interfaced via compusa trackball, Scratchbuilt NES cocktail (best to hack the aftermarket NES controllers, they are easier to work with), a keyboard hack, and all sorts of other projects.

I ordered that Pong console without even knowing a thing about it, knowing that it would be trivial to relocate the controls and make the thing operate on coins.

[JackTucky]

PaigeOliver:

It was Snaake who posted the Radio Shack USB hub.  Sorry for the confusion.

It allows you to use to connect a  PS controller to your PC.

The DDR thing sounds interesting too.  I see those kids at the boardwalk going nuts, and I'm thinking that would be one heck of a party game for, ahem, adults.

You bought that DDR NES thing with the intent of hacking the pad that came with it to hook up to your cab?

Thanks for the reply.

Art

[hooded_paladin]

hacking a playstation controller is not the same as hacking a computer...

when people say 'hacking a controller', it means you take the controller (playstation in this case) and solder your own (arcade) controls onto the circuit board.  This transplants your own controls onto the brain of the controller.

Then, unless you only want to play console games with that controller, you can buy a Playstation to PC converter.  This makes the controller function on your PC.  This is what that 'radioshack usb thing' you're talking about is.

Hacking a controller is one of the alternatives to buying a keyboard encoder, such as an I-Pac.

"Oh, and how come when I launch MAME all I get is a black dos box?"
thank goodness you're joking.

[paigeoliver]

PaigeOliver:



You bought that DDR NES thing with the intent of hacking the pad that came with it to hook up to your cab?

Thanks for the reply.

Art

Well, I actually bought it with the intent of playing it. If it turns out to be stupid, then I will hack it, and jam it inside a spare cabinet along with a used 19" color TV, and sell it locally, or maybe on ebay.

Cabinets are much easier to come by when you collect real games as well. Then you know people. I have one friend who almost always has an empty or incomplete game laying around. I have done lots of deals with him. I really don't even go out looking for stuff anymore. I mostly just go for his leftovers. I hope to buy a (working) Omega Race cocktail from him soon (someone else local called dibs, but if he doesn't buy, then I am).

[u_rebelscum]

hacking a playstation controller is not the same as hacking a computer...

Hacking hardware vs hacking software.  
In both cases "to hack" means to "get into the guts and change something in them to get it working more like you want it."
Or to quote a dictionary:
"<jargon> 1. Originally, a quick job that produces what is needed, but not well." [size=-1]The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing,