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Let's make a "Well-Designed Cabinet Guide"

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DaveMMR:

I like the idea but this thread is devolving into "answers" rather than topic suggestions.

And I'm all for input from anyone but have the final presentation edited by a handful of veterans to present straightforward advice instead of a mile-long wall of text which go off on tangents. It doesn't have to be the "bible" of building or anything; you can still disagree. But it's nice to have an FAQ of sorts to handle the more reoccurring themes that's not burying information behind personal debates and the occasional outburst.

Some topical suggestions that I (somewhat jokingly) presented in the CrapMAME thread - now re-edited for more seriousness:

* Should I make a four player cabinet?
* Specialized controls - do I need them?
* Panel size?
* Admin buttons - do I need them and why/why not?

yotsuya:

I'm in agreement with Dave on the approach. It should answer questions and provide insight but not come across as the end all-be all.

Monkeyvoodoo:

What about information on mock up software? May help if new people knew they could see their idea as finished before construction, maybe avoid major design issues before any wood is cut?

Vigo:

Great suggestions so far! I updated the Current Agenda to reflect what I saw so far surface as ideas.

Right now I am not sure if we should dip into recommending what type of cabinet for people to build, but it seems to be mentioned above enough that I feel we can keep the door open on the subject right now and hope it doesn't get messy. I read in the paper today about a website that used a web based flow chart to pick your ideal breed of dog for your needs. Maybe we could build something like that for picking a cab, just make it in powerpoint.


--- Quote from: DaveMMR on July 31, 2013, 06:07:11 pm ---I like the idea but this thread is devolving into "answers" rather than topic suggestions.

And I'm all for input from anyone but have the final presentation edited by a handful of veterans to present straightforward advice instead of a mile-long wall of text which go off on tangents. It doesn't have to be the "bible" of building or anything; you can still disagree. But it's nice to have an FAQ of sorts to handle the more reoccurring themes that's not burying information behind personal debates and the occasional outburst.

--- End quote ---

I agree as well. This is pretty much my original scope on the project, so I think you and a few others really get what this is trying to achieve. However, I am keeping other's ideas open on this still.

You are right, we need more questions/topics right now and not so much the answers. (Although, I have found the some of the answers listed have really good questions behind them.)

It looks like I could break the document up into a few sections:
Control Panel (Big topic here)
Software/Emulation
Monitors
Woodworking
Wiring/Electrical
Cabinet Style?




Xiaou2:


--- Quote ---I don't think you can start with "What games do you want to play?".  That is how a lot of crapmame/frankenpanels are started because the answer a lot of times is "All of them!".  The first question should be "What do I want it to look like?".  Next question should be "Would it look like ass if I add <insert peripheral>?".  Keep repeating the that question until the only answer you get is "Yes!".  There.. Now you have your control panel and you can figure out what games you can play, which will determine what kind of computer you need.

--- End quote ---

 Sorry, but I completely Disagree.

 The main priority for me, was playing games I loved in the correct manor.   Thats WAY more important than looks.
Furthermore.. the actual controllers themselves are important...  as I soon found out, that playing Robotron with anything other than real Wico 8way leaf switches.. was so horrible, that I simply couldnt enjoy one of my alltime favorites.

 YOUR OPINION is that you place your Value on looks more than enjoying certain games... and OR you have money and space to built multiple machines, and or deal with swapping stuff around mid-game (which is almost like the old Laserdisc movies, where at some point, you had to flip the disc over, and or swap to another disc, to see the rest of the movie... ).

 But Opinion shouldnt be biased.  Thats like a Karate instructor preaching how everyone should study Karate.  Or how a Priest would tell you that you should give 90% of your wealth to the church.   Its up to the Person reading to get unbiased information, and decide what his or her Priorities are, and then accept the kinds of challenges that will result from those decisions.


 Control panels that have multiple controls can be elegant, functional, and fun.  And they can simply be fun.. and look like hell.. but usually the user who built them doesnt care about that now do they?  Its the outside viewers who seem to be at arms with that.   

 Anyways...  multiple controls and looks are not so much the issue In my opinion.   The number one issue is functionality and control.   That mostly goes for multiple controller layouts... but it can also even be an issue with standard layouts.  (such as the curved button issues,  angled sticks,  poor monitor angles, and poor control panel angles... )

 For example...

 
 If you have a 4way thats very deep in the panel, so you have to reach quite far to use it (which causes fatigue quickly) ... meanwhile, your arms are resting on top of many various buttons and other controllers. (discomfort)   

 There is a very simple fix to this... which is to mount the 4way above and slightly to the left of the typical happs stick.  By doing this, the reach is close, comfortable, and your arms dont have to rest on top of any other controls.  As well as being able to use the same button set as always.


 What you are essentially trying to do, is write another book... and  Or 'fix'  /  'update'   saints outdated information on the site.


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