Hello Janet,
Nothing wrong with a trigger stick on a control panel. Dont listen to these naysayers. Base your decisions on what you would prefer playing:
As It really depends on what kind of games you wish to play...
If you want to play Afterburner II, Space Harrier, or any similar analog game... the you want an analog trigger stick for best control. (the joystick you posted pics of last)
http://na.suzohapp.com/amusement_products/joysticks/95-0393-00?SS=ON If you want to play Mad Planets, Discs of Tron, Tron (if you modify the grommet or use a diagonals hack), Satans Hollow, Gorf, and many other digital games.. then you want a leafswitch or microswitch trigger stick... such as:
http://na.suzohapp.com/amusement_products/joysticks/50-9975-00?SS=ON Some of these guys may try to talk you into one of these multi-function joysticks. While they can do both analog and digital... they are expensive, and they do not do either digital or analog very well.
Any analog joystick for a PC can be used with Mame. They generally are not very strong however... so its best to use a real arcade joystick, rather than a hacked PC controller. (PC stuff is generally made of plastic, and so it bends and breaks easily... where as Arcade controls are mostly made of metal, and are very strong and durable.
If you didnt know:
Analog = A range of values.. such as 1,2,3... 10 ...Such as a gas pedal.
Digital = On / Off ...such as a simple lightswitch or push button.
Analog controls mostly use Pots. They are round in shape (with exception to sliders), and the shaft turns.
Digital Controls mostly use microswitches, or leaf switches.
I personally prefer digital trigger stick for most games... but certain games, such as Afterburner II, really require an analog stick. Analog sticks can also be used for driving games. (Not as nice as a steering wheel... but it can be usable)
Mad Planets, on its own, is well worth the addition of a Trigger stick + spinner.