New to BYOAC

[elpresidente]

I have been toying with the idea of making a mame cabinet for a couple years now. Recently I have decided to get serious about it, so I'm planning on starting something after the holidays. I'm going to enlist my 9 year old son to help and plan on it taking some time to complete. I just came across this site within the last week and after reading through some threads, I can see what a wonderfull resource you all can be. But I don't want to attempt to enter this community empty handed. This is what I had in mind. Over the last year I have bought a web server to do some business on the side web hosting. I would like to offer anyone who needs web space to feature their creations an account on my server. I know their are many alternatives for web hosting and most ISPs offer some space but I'm thinking of buying a domain name (perhaps mamegallery.com or mamestudio.com) under which to create these accounts. So if the Hulkster had wanted to host his website he could have hosted it under the domain name of mamestrocity.mamestudio.com (I think he did have bandwidth issues with his current host). I might want to setup something to take donations but wouldn't want to "charge" for it. Let me know what you think. If this would not feel any need here, let me know. My feeling wouldn't be hurt. 

As for plans for my project...I haven't decided between restoring a cabinet or building from scratch. I'm not very skilled with woodwork but learn quickly (this is one motivation for this project). I'll start looking around for a cabinet to see what my options are. I'd like to end up with a 4 person cp but will settle for 2 person if needed. I'm a computer tech, so I think I'll be able to cover that aspect of it. Planning on using Linux and AdvanceMame. I have decided to go with a wells gardner monitor (any suggestions), so that may focus the project a little.

Sorry for the long winded nature of my first post. I tend to do that when I'm excited about something.

[Witchboard]

Welcome to the boards.  That's great that you are involving your son.  It should be a good learning experience for the both of you.    The problem with making your own cabinet isn't necessarily your lack of carpentry skills, it's usually the fact that those lacking in carpentry skills don't have to tools for the job.  That can be an expensive part of the project.  I can't make any suggestions on monitors since I'm just now repairing my first Wells Garnder.  Good luck with the plans and the project.

[Buddabing]

I have been toying with the idea of making a mame cabinet for a couple years now. Recently I have decided to get serious about it, so I'm planning on starting something after the holidays. I'm going to enlist my 9 year old son to help and plan on it taking some time to complete. I just came across this site within the last week and after reading through some threads, I can see what a wonderfull resource you all can be. But I don't want to attempt to enter this community empty handed. This is what I had in mind. Over the last year I have bought a web server to do some business on the side web hosting. I would like to offer anyone who needs web space to feature their creations an account on my server. I know their are many alternatives for web hosting and most ISPs offer some space but I'm thinking of buying a domain name (perhaps mamegallery.com or mamestudio.com) under which to create these accounts. So if the Hulkster had wanted to host his website he could have hosted it under the domain name of mamestrocity.mamestudio.com (I think he did have bandwidth issues with his current host). I might want to setup something to take donations but wouldn't want to "charge" for it. Let me know what you think. If this would not feel any need here, let me know. My feeling wouldn't be hurt.

[elpresidente]

I have been toying with the idea of making a mame cabinet for a couple years now. Recently I have decided to get serious about it, so I'm planning on starting something after the holidays. I'm going to enlist my 9 year old son to help and plan on it taking some time to complete. I just came across this site within the last week and after reading through some threads, I can see what a wonderfull resource you all can be. But I don't want to attempt to enter this community empty handed. This is what I had in mind. Over the last year I have bought a web server to do some business on the side web hosting. I would like to offer anyone who needs web space to feature their creations an account on my server. I know their are many alternatives for web hosting and most ISPs offer some space but I'm thinking of buying a domain name (perhaps mamegallery.com or mamestudio.com) under which to create these accounts. So if the Hulkster had wanted to host his website he could have hosted it under the domain name of mamestrocity.mamestudio.com (I think he did have bandwidth issues with his current host). I might want to setup something to take donations but wouldn't want to "charge" for it. Let me know what you think. If this would not feel any need here, let me know. My feeling wouldn't be hurt. 

As for plans for my project...I haven't decided between restoring a cabinet or building from scratch. I'm not very skilled with woodwork but learn quickly (this is one motivation for this project). I'll start looking around for a cabinet to see what my options are. I'd like to end up with a 4 person cp but will settle for 2 person if needed. I'm a computer tech, so I think I'll be able to cover that aspect of it. Planning on using Linux and AdvanceMame. I have decided to go with a wells gardner monitor (any suggestions), so that may focus the project a little.

Sorry for the long winded nature of my first post. I tend to do that when I'm excited about something.

I am looking for a home for my CPMaker project. I don't need too much space, but I need to be able to upload my files and run PHP.

Regards,
Buddabing

Perfect. I have plenty of space and PHP is not a problem. PM me with your email address if you want. I plan on acquiring the domain later this week. If you have your own domain we could use that.

[missioncontrol]

welcome to the boards..........I have my six year old helping me with mine, he enjoys watching the process and stays pretty interested in it and it's a good way for him to learn about all kinds of things.

As for plans for my project...I haven't decided between restoring a cabinet or building from scratch.

my recomendation if you have the tools is a scratch built. Jakobud has some plans on his site to help you out...

http://www.jakobud.com/cabinetPlans.php

[teef two]

First thing to do is buy the book.

As to using an existing cab or building from scratch then really that's only a call you can make. The trouble with buying a cab is that you will, invariably, have to make a compromise on what you want depending on the existing shape and state of the cab.

If I was starting again then I think I would build from scratch if only to get in those design ideas I had to discard.

[spocktwin]

    by all means buy the book.....It is a great resource for those nagging little questions that you often feel embarassed to ask the masters around here.  But in that vein even if you ask what may come out to be a silly question, these folks are the best and answer it quickly and honestly.  I have built one unit with my nine year old daughter and working on the second with my 6 year old and they are loving the experience.  Good Luck!!!

[elpresidente]

I'll definately get that book. I'll put it on my christmas list right away.

I've bought the domain name mameprojects.com (buddabing's suggestion). If anyone needs some web space to showcase their project, pm me and let me know.

[elpresidente]

ALERT! Self-imposed threadjacking.

My wife wants to help our son buy a joystick for me for chirstmas to officially start our project. Problem is I don't know exactly (and she needs exactness) what to recommend. Should I look at happcontrols or ultimarc? and what models does anyone recommend?

[Yander]

It depends what games you want to play. Most classics use 4-ways. If you like fighters I suggest Happ competion Joysticks or I hear Happ Perfect 360s are supposed to be great. If you want something versatile you can get the happ super 4/8-way switchable joystick. Thats my $.02 I would read some of the reviews you can find and wait for some people to respond who know more about some of the other options. Also use the search function on the forum because joystick preference is discussed quite a bit.

Edit: Also if Bob Roberts has what you end up choosing I suggest you order from him and save a few dollars. He is a great guy and ships fast. http://www.therealbobroberts.com/

[Buddabing]

ALERT! Self-imposed threadjacking.

My wife wants to help our son buy a joystick for me for chirstmas to officially start our project. Problem is I don't know exactly (and she needs exactness) what to recommend. Should I look at happcontrols or ultimarc? and what models does anyone recommend?

Retroblast has quite a few joystick reviews.