Main > Main Forum
Heres my initial plan for a 4 player CP.
<< < (3/3)
paigeoliver:
Build a mini panel and test out that curved button layout extensively. I have it and I absolutely hate it.
severdhed:
i think it looks great, except for the admin buttons.   personally, after many versions of control panels in several different cabinets over the years, i'v discovered that i only really need one admin button.  the more buttons on the panel, the more confusing it is for people who aren't you.  If the buttons are there, people will press them and there will be problems.  i keep the power button on the top of the cabinet, not on the panel, which keeps people from accidentally turning it off.  i like the coin buttons on the front edge of the control panel box, instead of on the panel...not only does it reduce the cluttered look, but it simulates that reaching down to insert another coin motion that we are so fond of.  the only admin button i have on mine serves a dual purpose.  if you press it quickly, it pauses the game, and if you press and hold it for 3 seconds, it exits the game.  this works really well because it sucks really bad when someone accidentally exits the game you are playing.

as for the curved button layout, i love it.  i've built many panels over the years, with both straight rows of buttons and curved rows, and i much prefer the curved layout better.  as for everyone else, no one has ever commented to me one way or the other about it.  You will find that the biggest critic will be you.  All of the little things that annoy the crap out of you about your cabinet will go unnoticed by everyone else.  People are just so impressed with you owning an arcade cabinet that plays all of the games they remember playing from years ago, that they don't let things like button placement and things like that get in the way of their gaming.

take lots of pictures and be prepared to make changes.  I don't recommend doing artwork on your panel right away, until you use it for a few weeks and make sure you like it.  I personally have not done artwork on any of my panels, but i'm getting ready to build another unit and i may just break that streak.
Dawgz Rule:

--- Quote ---You will find that the biggest critic will be you.  All of the little things that annoy the crap out of you about your cabinet will go unnoticed by everyone else.  People are just so impressed with you owning an arcade cabinet that plays all of the games they remember playing from years ago, that they don't let things like button placement and things like that get in the way of their gaming.
--- End quote ---

So true. 
Cynicaster:
I'm an unabashed advocate of admin buttons, but after over 2 years of almost daily MAME cabinet play, I only see a use for two: pause and exit.  In saying that, I don't mean "the number of buttons must absolutely be minimized therefore convenience must be sacrificed at times", I mean "I literally see no use whatsoever to having more than pause and exit".   At least, not on a MAME/MESS/MaLa setup like I'm running... not sure about other emulators and front ends, but I'd imagine anything worth running would allow you to configure things appropriately. 
 


--- Quote from: severdhed on July 15, 2013, 10:37:09 pm ---the more buttons on the panel, the more confusing it is for people who aren't you.  If the buttons are there, people will press them and there will be problems. 
--- End quote ---

I see this claim all the time, but in my experience it's simply not the case.  Granted, I use small "radio shack" buttons for admin.  Probably anathema to most on this forum, but I like them because they take up less space, and because there is absolutely no mistaking them for game buttons on my panel. 

 
michelevit:

Admin buttons not necessary and offer confusion to friends and family (especially children or drunks) who will inevitable screw things up.
Use a wireless keyboard to trigger admin commands like Tab,Pause, Esc, Game selection, volume.
If you absolutely need hard wired buttons, a good option is to hide them underneath within reach, but out of site.

For party time, I pick up popular game, load up a gajillion credits and tuck my wireless keyboard on my shelf or in another room.
I might change the game 3-4 times throughout the evening and guests who are often surprised to find that the cabinet is actually running Win7.

Navigation
Message Index
Previous page

Go to full version