POLL - Add a new "Touchscreen Games" sub forum to BYOAC?

[lilshawn]

With the influx of people i've been seeing buying counter-top touch screen video games like the Merit Megatouch and the JVL machines, I think it would be beneficial to the community to have a section dedicated to repair, maintenance. upgrades and other aspects of these systems.

Most of these systems are becoming end-of-life, meaning the company that makes them no longer supports them. Information on them is scarce at best, and as the companies drop the product lines, the information gets extremely hard to find. People having issues with these machines are currently posting in the main and everything else areas of the forum, but I feel the information being posted is getting lost in the shuffle of the bulk of the forum.

I propose a new sub forum on BYOAC forums that is specifically for these machines. A place where owners (current or potential) can read up on info regarding specifically their machine or use the information contained therein to choose a new one. A place where "experts" of these machines can easily browse and answer questions and solve problems.

[Hoopz]

Just games or all software related questions?   What about hardware issues and questions?

 I think its a good idea.

[lilshawn]

Just games or all software related questions?   What about hardware issues and questions?

 I think its a good idea.

I Would say all software and hardware. An all encompassing machine forum. I know of tips and tricks for some of these machines to help them last. Its always good to pass on this info.

[BadMouth]

IMO will be overrun by people looking for touchscreen game emulators and free touchscreen games.

I haven't voted yet.  I know you and ed would do a kickass job answering questions. 
Just don't know how much traffic will relate to actual machines.

[ed12]

personally i think this is a great idea
because there are soooooooo many tip's and trick's that can be done
and should be done...
from clean fan's/to vinager on the touch screen >glass outside olny<,
to the dif's in power supply's/mobo's and riser card's >i/o<,
right down to using sw 4 and 7 to restore factory hard drive def's >mbr's<,
nice work bud..let's c where it goe's

ed

[BadMouth]

Ok, you won me over.  Voted yes.
I still haven't gotten around to fixing my Megatouch XL, so I'll probably be one of the first to post a problem.

[ed12]

welp
lilshawn
when u are ready
i will up-load here the nessary pdf's
right up to the evo
they may run a tad bigger then we are allowed,so i may need to chop em 2
but they are worth there weight in gold

this is for the simple reason that trying to get through to merit tech support
is just not worth it anymore
personal exp

ed

[lilshawn]

yeah i called tech support about a month or 2 ago, regarding a bug in the new 2013 software that causes the machine to crash and reboot....they just kinda brushed me off. "Who's gonna do that?" they said. I'm like, "well i did it.... and then the boss played a game and he did it too. so right now, were sittin' 2 for 2"    he said he'd make a note of it to the devs, we will see if a patch gets released for it. 

welp
lilshawn
when u are ready
i will up-load here the nessary pdf's
right up to the evo
they may run a tad bigger then we are allowed,so i may need to chop em 2
but they are worth there weight in gold

this is for the simple reason that trying to get through to merit tech support
is just not worth it anymore
personal exp

ed

let's wait out till the end of feb. that's 30 days. then we will see how the votes stack up.

yeah, ive been hoarding PDF's and making notes regarding the Merit systems. Iv'e pretty much come to the conclusion that i'm on my own when it comes to fixing them.

[PL1]

IMO will be overrun by people looking for touchscreen game emulators and free touchscreen games.

One possible way to cut down on this is to call the forum "Touchscreen Systems".

Less chance of misunderstanding by a low-information reader.

Add one "Don't Ask for Games/Software -- Read Before Posting" sticky and that should help keep things on track.


Scott

[lilshawn]

IMO will be overrun by people looking for touchscreen game emulators and free touchscreen games.

One possible way to cut down on this is to call the forum "Touchscreen Systems".

Less chance of misunderstanding by a low-information reader.

Add one "Don't Ask for Games/Software -- Read Before Posting" sticky and that should help keep things on track.


Scott

the name isn't set in concrete. "Countertop games" might be a little better.

basically techinical information related to countertop touch videogames right?

the systems are pretty locked down, there isn't any "pirating" of the software so we are alright there.

we can fuss over the details later, but yeah an info sticky would help cut down on stuff like that.

[PL1]

the systems are pretty locked down, there isn't any "pirating" of the software so we are alright there.

I wasn't thinking about Megatouch Pirates,  I was thinking about Fruit Ninjas.   

The idea behind avoiding "games" in the forum title is to reduce the inevitable "Where can I find Fruit Ninja/Angry Birds?" posts and keep the focus on Megatouches, etc.


Scott

[lilshawn]

the systems are pretty locked down, there isn't any "pirating" of the software so we are alright there.

I wasn't thinking about Megatouch Pirates,  I was thinking about Fruit Ninjas.   

The idea behind avoiding "games" in the forum title is to reduce the inevitable "Where can I find Fruit Ninja/Angry Birds?" posts and keep the focus on Megatouches, etc.


Scott

"I see", said the blind man, pissing into the wind, "It's all coming back to me now."

[Hoopz]

Countertop games?  Man, that's a bad idea.  We could get some very interesting questions in there.... 

[lilshawn]

Countertop games?  Man, that's a bad idea.  We could get some very interesting questions in there.... 

hey hoopz, hold out your hands...

let me just scoop this out of the gutter for you here...

*PLOP*

there you go.

you, like 69% of the people out there have their mind in the gutter.

[Hoopz]

Well played, good sir.

[PL1]

Countertop games?  Man, that's a bad idea.  We could get some very interesting questions in there....

Why is the phrase "Aunt Jemima Treatment" leaping to mind?

you, like 69% of the people out there have their mind in the gutter.

And then there are those of us that need to pole-vault to reach the gutter.   


Scott

[Hoopz]

PJ Soles!  She was cute.  Good reference Scott.

[Nephasth]

I don't know if I can vote without seeing a scantily clad woman play some MegaTouch...

[lilshawn]

I don't know if I can vote without seeing a scantily clad woman play some MegaTouch...

there is less than scantily clad women on the megatouch (if you enable it that is) 

[yotsuya]

Adult play is (unfortunately) shut off on mine.

[ed12]

i pray u get the chat channel open for this

yotsuya

if it is any merit
go into setup >main< setup- not through the touch screen but the button that say's :set-up:,go to game's,turn back on adult
save by exiting out
away u go

ed

[Nephasth]

Oh he knows. Like me, he's got little ones in the house.

[yotsuya]

Thanks for the tip, Ed! 

Neph's right. Besides, my Porn Machine computer has More recent photos and doesn't play hard to get like my XL! 

[lilshawn]

you can set an enable and disable times for adult content. for example from 9pm to 2am. The TIMER button is next to ALLOW SEX in the OPTIONS screen.  Touch the button and you will be able to set the time when you want the adult-oriented categories and features to be available.


see? this is why we need a forum for this!

[ed12]

welp thats why we put them in :free-play:
so we can get to the candy

ed

[yotsuya]

I'm aware of the timer option. 

I can't wait for the new Megatouch forum, so I can ask you guys about my graphical glitchiness... 

[lilshawn]

I'm aware of the timer option. 

I can't wait for the new Megatouch forum, so I can ask you guys about my graphical glitchiness... 

sounds like an overheated northbridge...try  CAREFULLY removing the heatsink and redoing the thermal on it.

[ed12]

see how fast a request will turn to subject matter ?

both there south and north bridge's have problem's
:thermal:.....if u can remove the heat sink's and clean them,silcon thermal heat sink compound :both north and south: bridge's, fan both
make sure fan's are running clean,clean ram stick
u should be good to go

ed

[smartbomb2084]

Voted 'YES'... it's all about sharing information....

Let's not bash MERIT Tech Support too much now gentlemen.... they have helped us IMMENSELY over the years and Joe and Tom are class act guys...

The new ML-1... now that's worth bashing.

[yotsuya]

I'm aware of the timer option. 

I can't wait for the new Megatouch forum, so I can ask you guys about my graphical glitchiness... 

sounds like an overheated northbridge...try  CAREFULLY removing the heatsink and redoing the thermal on it.

Mine is actually a MegatouchXL with a Telco motherboard. It's basically a 486. The glitches are pretty random- some games have them, some don't. You can see it on the menu. They basically are thin lines that shift across the screen.

[mahkeymike]

the systems are pretty locked down, there isn't any "pirating" of the software so we are alright there.

I disagree.

[lilshawn]

the systems are pretty locked down, there isn't any "pirating" of the software so we are alright there.

I disagree.

how about we avoid that for now until AMI abandons the line completely. At the rate they are going, it won't take long.

[mahkeymike]

how about we avoid that for now until AMI abandons the line completely. At the rate they are going, it won't take long.

Its been avoided for over 5 years(atleast that i know of), and im sure it will stay that way for another 5.

[lilshawn]

how about we avoid that for now until AMI abandons the line completely. At the rate they are going, it won't take long.

Its been avoided for over 5 years(atleast that i know of), and im sure it will stay that way for another 5.

AMI calls the ION 2013 software line "legacy" now. i'll bet dollars to doughnuts it wont receive an update to 2014.

[mahkeymike]

how about we avoid that for now until AMI abandons the line completely. At the rate they are going, it won't take long.

Its been avoided for over 5 years(atleast that i know of), and im sure it will stay that way for another 5.

AMI calls the ION 2013 software line "legacy" now. i'll bet dollars to doughnuts it wont receive an update to 2014.

Your probably right. They havent even bothered to add the 2013 software download to there site. Ive already got an original software disc with a minor scratch that fails to install.
They never even bothered to release a 2012.5 update and went straight to 2013.

[lilshawn]

Bump to get back to the first page.

[Nephasth]

17-5. Good enough for me. Add the new sub forum.

[PL1]

Since it looks like a sub-forum will be added, can we add a poll for the forum title?

Three possible titles mentioned so far:

- "Touchscreen Games"

- "Touchscreen Systems"

- "Countertop games"

Anyone have any other forum titles they'd like to see in the poll?


Scott

[lilshawn]

"countertop games" probably fits the best and makes it so we don't have general touchscreen questions ending up in there...not that i think it would happen that often.

a few more...

"countertop systems"

"Touchscreen countertops"

[PL1]

YOU know what you're talking about . . .
I know what you're talking about . . .
What about new readers?

I know that whenever you try to idiot-proof something, somebody always builds a bigger better idiot.   

With that said, several alternate interpretations starting with the worst:

"Touchscreen Games" - Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja requests galore.   

"Countertop Games" or "Countertop Systems" - Could be mistaken for a bartop MAME system.

"Touchscreen Countertops" or "Touchscreen Systems" - Would "Touchscreen Game Systems" be a clearer description?


Scott

[yotsuya]

I nominate '---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- You Probably Played Last Time You Were Lit Up At The Bar/Pub'

Touchscreen Gaming Systems is good, too.

[ed12]

just to kick this into the ball game
general counter top game's is a little short
just like touch screen game's is a tad broad
let's refine it
ie merit/jvl touch screen's or such
or we keep it general
2%

ed

[PL1]

Another consideration on title choice, the longest title right now is "Project Announcements" and the longest in the first column is "Arcade Miscellaneous"

Project Announcements
Arcade Miscellaneous
-----------------------
Merit/JVL Touchscreen
Touchscreen Systems
Touchscreen Game Systems
Touchscreen Gaming Systems
Touchscreen Games
Countertop Games
Countertop Systems

Looks like Ed's idea is both a good fit for the current menu layout and an accurate description.   


Scott

[DaOld Man]

I just voted yes, because I think it's a good idea.
Makes me feel bad now about not doing a poll for "Automated Projects, was Mrotate" before asking Saint to set it up. (My apologies to the group.)
I would also like to see a forum for Electrical, I know this has been tossed around, and I suppose Automated Projects could include that.

[ed12]

100% correct pl1
thk-u

ed

[DaOld Man]

100% correct pl1
thk-u

ed

I forgot to add that I agree with you and PL1.

[BadMouth]

Yep, I like Merit/JVL Touchscreen too. 

[PL1]

I would also like to see a forum for Electrical

I'd settle for the Wiki logins being fixed so we could put the info there.   

For those keeping track, this is the 5.5-month, 3-unanswered-PMs-to-Saint, and several-friendly-reminder-posts-on-this-topic bump for a problem that SirWoogie told me via PM on August 19th, "We'll be fixing it in the next few days."   
[/hornet nest kicking] 


Scott

[lilshawn]

to be quite honest, i haven't viewed the WIKI since i found the link to the forum.

google searches come from the forum.

everybody's here.

 

EDIT:

also they never fixed my OCD. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,122022.msg1296535.html#msg1296535

also some other stuff is broken on some of the other forum skins.

[ed12]

ok
guy's let's nail it down
sub or main fourm ?

lilshawn
the link dose work

i like a header
ie touchscreen or merit/jvl

then we do our best to make ppl understand what they are playing with

my vote goe's toward's a sep fourm in the main fourm
much like this

>Main Woodworking Reviews Software Monitor/Video Maximus Arcade
Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Project Announcements Artwork Consoles Buy/Sell/Trade Meet Up
Arcade Miscellaneous Everything Else Politics n Religion Forum Discussion Wiki Discussion GroovyMAME
DOS/WinCab PowerMAME SK Jukebox Mrotate Project Arcade Old Boards
Linux Restorations Pinball MaLa Frontend controls.dat Old Archives
<
but it would inculde touch-system's
then can be refiend

2%

ed

[PL1]

to be quite honest, i haven't viewed the WIKI since i found the link to the forum.

I don't expect an experienced guy like you to be reading the wiki all the time, but there are many good reasons to fix it.

1. It's easier to steer people to a well-written wiki page than spending lots of time typing up a lengthy response that has a huge overlap with 20 other lengthy responses that you've typed up in the last month. 

It's much more efficient to post, "Read this and LMK if you have further questions."

2. The info in the Wiki is now badly out-of-date.

3. The "Unknown Unknowns" factor - A well-organized wiki page will let noobs discover related issues/topics and make it easier for them to use better/more correct terms when searching or asking questions in the forums.

4. Forum search results can give you out-of-date info -- and only the poster (or a mod) can fix it.

IIRC, one of the reasons I bought a TT2+encoder instead of a SpinTrak was a post that mentioned a several-seconds switching delay between spinner and trackball if you accidently jostle the wrong one first when both are connected to your Mini-Pac.

Apparently that hasn't been the case for a long time.   
[/derail]


Scott

[smartbomb2084]

Just add the forum already... what's the big deal with the naming of it?

If you call it MERIT/JVL then you are eliminating all the MIDWAY Touchmaster Infinity games.  I know they are the lesser of the three in manufacturing quantity but they are still out there...

Here's my nomination... straight from the ION 2013 Software attract mode..

<no thong pics outside the cheescake thread, kthxbai - haruman>

[MTPPC]

I think you need to include homebuilt touch game countertops in your consideration of who will be using the forum. I am not forgetting about my project on hold, but I have Angry Birds and IGT slot machines already configured. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123338.0.html

[saint]

OK, I will set this forum up. Please settle on a name and let me know   Should someone moderate the forum? If so, whom?

[lilshawn]

it begins.

the reason I was considering just the commercial countertops is because they are all the same (between models) and they have their own specific set of software for them. information contained in the forum would be particular to these machines. common problems have a common solution across the board because of this linearity. All the same boards, all the same displays, all the same configuration.

a home built machine could have any amount of software or hardware in it...making diagnosis fairly difficult. The issues you may encounter could be caused by just about ANYTHING. hardware, software, errors in setup, or modifications.

Perhaps a HOMEBUILT child forum inside the "touchscreen games" parent forum could be in order. (similar to how the "Drinking, Knitting & Boating Forum" and the "Meet-Up" are sub forums of the "everything else" forum.

Assuming we can keep the cross-contamination down, It could work.

Thoughts?

[BadMouth]

Thoughts?

Merit/JVL Touchscreen

I think it will keep the people looking for emulators/downloadable games away.
Someone with a Touchmaster would still know to post there.

[yotsuya]

Thoughts?

Merit/JVL Touchscreen

I think it will keep the people looking for emulators/downloadable games away.
Someone with a Touchmaster would still know to post there.

I second BadMouth's suggestion. Also, a Homebuilt subforum would be best. The proposed forum is really for commercial machines converted to home use, anyway.

And I nominate lilshawn and/or ed12 to be moderator, if he is willing.

[lilshawn]

And I nominate lilshawn and/or ed12 to be moderator, if he is willing.

I suppose I could step up to the plate and keep it on track. if no one objects of course.

I also have no problems with someone helping out too. no need to be pretentious and monopolize the subforum.

EDIT:

Looks like Ed's idea is both a good fit for the current menu layout and an accurate description.   

I agree as well... "Merit/JVL Touchscreen" is both describing exactly what we want, and it seems to fit in the space okay. with a child forum for homebuilt systems seems appropriate.

Should "Merit/JVL Touchscreen" prove to be too long, (IE formatting issues with the other columns or on window re-sizes) shall we choose a next best alternative?

(a quick copy paste of suggestions.)

- Touch Systems
- Touchscreen Systems
- Touchscreen Game Systems
- Touchscreen Gaming Systems
- Touchscreen Games
- Countertop Games
- Countertop System

[smartbomb2084]

Just calling it MERIT/JVL is a huge slap in the face to WMS Industries...

You can play CENTIPEDE on a Touchmaster..... I thought this was an ARCADE forum... HMMM...

And why did the best MEGATOUCH attract mode PIC of all time get shot down by the police...  If you want me banned just tell me to leave ... I see this pic on EVERY ION 2013 in the wild...

What is this PINSIDE??

[lilshawn]

well, they are available for download on their page...if you want to use it as a desktop...or whatever.

link may or may not be NSFW (guess it depends where you work)

http://www.megatouch.com/marketingmaterials/index.php

[smartbomb2084]

Where do you think I got the Pic in the first place,,,,

[ed12]

imho
listing as touch screen
the a refeind engine
ie drop down's
will clear the matter's up
70% tell's anyone to do it

ed

[yotsuya]

Go ahead and make the forum. I have a grounding question I want to ask.

[ed12]

yotsuya
u might as well ask now
if u are refering to 3 wire ground ?
please make sure the machine is fully grounded
ie all of the metal goe's to the half round lug
as a rule they tie it all toghter into a single point
then take the ac input ground >green wire< to that point
that is then fully grounded

ed

[yotsuya]

Ed-

I thought it was grounded, then last night as it was on, I touched the lock on the back and could definately feel a light shock. Also, I've noticed that if I am barefoot, the touchscreen is wonky. If I put on shoes or if I sit on a stool, everything works just fine.

[lilshawn]

maybe the outlet is improperly grounded. have you tried another?

[yotsuya]

My house was built in 1955. I have a feeling the whole thing was improperly grounded. But yes, I've tried another outlet with the same results.

[lilshawn]

you might need to swap out the power inlet on the machine. It likely has caps and whatnots to help with surge supression built into (or onto) it. If the caps get zapped or get leaky the power gets shunted to ground. then you when you touch it you can feel it... I've only encountered it once before and that's what it was...

you might be best to change it to be sure.

[yotsuya]

I replaced the power supply on it. Anything else I should look at?

[lilshawn]

What Model is your machine? I'd Search your post out but I'm on the road using my smartphone.

[yotsuya]

MegatouchXL, Telco Mobo, Titanium HD.

[ed12]

on a cement floor that will happen,just like back in the day when u pluged in a tube radio,had bare feet on a cement floor. and touched the chassic..that will learn u fast

but i am going with open ground

ed

[GreggB]

Sounds like a great plan.  I like have logical separation of game info.

[lilshawn]

You Have leakage someplace. Check The cord. You might have cracked insulation inside the jacket.

Or a coin has fallen inside where the AC is and its slightly energizing the cabinet.

[saint]

Forum added. Anyone want to give me a list of threads to move into the new forum?

[PL1]

SK Jukebox forum is no longer on the list of forums -- replaced by new touchscreen forum in menu.

Might be better to have touchscreen forum in column 1 or 2 to keep longer forum names in same column. 


Scott

[lilshawn]

SK Jukebox forum is no longer on the list of forums -- replaced by new touchscreen forum in menu.

Might be better to have touchscreen forum in column 1 or 2 to keep longer forum names in same column. 


Scott

it's not in the hotlink bar at the top anymore but it is still available in the home of the forum. (click "HOME" in the menu just above the hotlink bar) - for people looking for it.

[Drnick]

on a cement floor that will happen,just like back in the day when u pluged in a tube radio,had bare feet on a cement floor. and touched the chassic..that will learn u fast

but i am going with open ground

ed

Damn, maybe that explains why I never got the tingle when working on my kiosk in the kitchen. But now its in the back room where the flooring has been ripped up bzzzzzzt bzzzzzztt.