What would you like in the next edition

[teef two]

Now I have no idea if Saint is planning a version 2 of this book (perhaps Advanced Project Arcade!) but in case he is I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread of suggestions for what might be included and improved upon from the first.

Now I know that most information will be available here but remeber that this is a reference book to be used when offline.

Off the top of my head these are the following ideas I'd like to see in.

1. A section on swappable control panels and means of manufacture, interface etc.

2. A section on the construction of metal control panels.

3. Comprehensive section on setting up a rotatable monitor.

Feel free to add more or shoot these ideas down.

[Flinkly]

no offense to any mame cab builders, but from a woodworkers perspective, a better cabinet plan to outline.  first off, no mdf.  secondly, have a inner frame that you screw into the sides with from the inside, thus no holes to cover on the outside.  overall, lighter weight and sturdier for a bit more time.

[javeryh]

I'd love a seperate book for Project Arcade: Cocktail

[johnnysmitch]

I think it would be pretty sweet to have a followup coffeetable-style book that just has like the top 25 cool and unique arcade projects that people have done, with lots of nice pictures and such - something to possibly inspire more people to try new and different things. Just a thought.

[paigeoliver]

no offense to any mame cab builders, but from a woodworkers perspective, a better cabinet plan to outline.  first off, no mdf.  secondly, have a inner frame that you screw into the sides with from the inside, thus no holes to cover on the outside.  overall, lighter weight and sturdier for a bit more time.

Build the same cabinet out of plywood and it will be A LOT lighter. Empty MDF cabs seem to weigh more than populated plywood ones.

[Flinkly]

i like the coffeetable idea...cept it should probably be from a different publisher.  do something hardbound in white with a glossy pic of 1up's arcade on the front and then  20 more of the greatest cabinets mamers have built...and include some from different styles (cockpits, cocktails, upright, other...).  it would be an interesting book to keep alonside your cabinet...and it would show off the community well, cept then we'd get more attention and some of the bad things that might come from that attention.

[SeaMonkey]

More plans...like sitdown cockpit, etc. We need a DVD with nothing but measurements of all the classics.

[Shape D.]

  1 million dollars!

It never hurts to ask right?

[namedos]

For a second issue, I would like to see color pictures and heavier paper (my copy after being read twelve times, is starting to fall apart). 

I would also like to see more information on cocktail tables.

I think it is a great book and has been very helpful in setting up a project plan.   

[SmartBomb]

Firstly, great book Saint - it has inspired at least 3 people I know to build cainbets, after they'd procrastinated for years!  It really was the impetus behind my project; the way Saint writes - "If I can do it, anyone can!" - is very reassuring and inspires confidence.

That said, here are some suggestions:

• Provide a glossy, color version - of course it would be more expensive, but if someone's going to drop $1000 on a cab, they should be willing to shell out a little more for the book.  The color figures are of course on the CD, but that's not always convenient.
• Better advice on scaling the templates to print them - I had a hell of a time figuring this out and it cost me a control panel top in the attempt 
• A section on "common newbie mistakes"
• Of course, a discussion on using the TV speakers for sound - this can save a lot of hassle and extra work.
• Sections written by a professional woodworker.  (e.g. little "tip" boxes a la Dummies series)  It'd be really nice to have a professional's perspective
• A step-by-step, idiot guide - this could even just be a bullet list in the appendix.  The book is fascinating reading, but sometimes the diversions break up the flow of the project.  Some people might just like a "recipe".
• Perhaps a spiral-bound "workshop" version - someone on this board had that done at Kinkos and I think it's a great idea.

[jonm]

I like the cocktail idea. However I think the best things for a 2nd editions would be:

• Updates to the CD. (newer versions of everything)
• More indepth coverage on tracksballs, perhaps dual trackballs.
• Incorporation of all the currently known errata and mistakes.
• A spiral bound version! This way we can take to the workshop and not have to worry about the book closing when we take our hands off of it! I know someone hacked up their book to do this.

[MrTroy]

I absolutely HATE that CD. It seems like an after thought. I'm sorry if I offended anyone who put alot of work into that CD but I litterally put the CD in maybe 3 times. First time to see what it was. Second time to snag the plans off. Third time 2 minutes ago to make sure I wasn't writing this in vain.

I haven't began my Cabinet(won't start till next month) but still I'd like a wider veritety of cabinets. Is it a case of there some kind of copyrite issue?

[alundra]

must have the guide for how to make jamma cab from scratch...