Control Panel Opinion

[cadis12]

Let me start by saying great book.  Been following it very closely.  Biggest problem so far was attaching the front door with hinges.  Man, what a pain. 
Anyway, I am getting ready to add the controls to the control panel.  I plan on following the books control panel design.  I'm curious if anyone else that followed the book looks back and wishes they would have made changes to the control panel design that is offered in the book?  I noticed that the Project Arcade design does not have dedicated buttons for the trackball, spinner or 4-way stick.  Is this something I want to consider?  Overall I really like the Project Arcade design.  Looks nice and clean.

I was thinking of somehow adding a top fire joystick near the top of the panel to play Tron.  Opinions?  Suggestions? 

Thanks.

[ChicagoDave]

Let me start by saying great book.  Been following it very closely.  Biggest problem so far was attaching the front door with hinges.  Man, what a pain. 
Anyway, I am getting ready to add the controls to the control panel.  I plan on following the books control panel design.  I'm curious if anyone else that followed the book looks back and wishes they would have made changes to the control panel design that is offered in the book?  I noticed that the Project Arcade design does not have dedicated buttons for the trackball, spinner or 4-way stick.  Is this something I want to consider?  Overall I really like the Project Arcade design.  Looks nice and clean.

I was thinking of somehow adding a top fire joystick near the top of the panel to play Tron.  Opinions?  Suggestions? 

Thanks.

I followed the books CP layout pretty closely.  The buttons above the trackball are actully mouse buttons, so you can say those are your "trackball buttons".  I have not run into any button problems, so I would say the layout works out just fine. 

I did not include the dedicated 4-way joystick.  I went with the Ultimarc Mag Stick Plus on the right side instead.  It switches from 4-way mode to 8-way mode via the top of the panel.  It works, but I probably would go with a dedicated stick next time.

On the right side I used a Happ Top Fire, which also works out great.

[cadis12]

On the right side I used a Happ Top Fire, which also works out great.

I was thinking the same thing.  Replacing one of the Supers with the Top Fire.  Are you able to play TRON with that set up?