Author Topic: Classic Arcade Graphics Price Drop THREAD IS NOW: GROUP PURCHASE N0:2 (Read 56603 times)

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #80 on:** February 08, 2007, 08:25:01 pm »

Right Chaps!! As there is no objection to a second group buy, I propose we do it.

The first "Group Buy" was located on the US side of the Atlantic. I propose that the second group buy be located on the UK, Europe, side of the Atlantic.

As it was suggested, that I do it, and as I'm on this side of the pond anyway, then I'm more than happy to organise that. As for distribution amongst the group, there are some very good ideas coming out there. I personally have no objection to copying hard drives as I have spare machines that can be dedicated to doing the drive backups. So they can be set to get on with the job without interfering with anything else I'm doing.

I'm absolutely commited to the artwork being made available to ALL members who want and need it.

Give me 24 Hours and I'll get started organising the collection of funds and contacting Mike to arrange for the purchase.

First off, let me say I'm in for $50USD.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

jtfields · « **Reply #81 on:** February 09, 2007, 02:32:26 am »

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 08, 2007, 08:25:01 pm

Right Chaps!! As there is no objection to a second group buy, I propose we do it.

Hey Fozzy,

I was actually logging on tonight to take the initiative to organize the second group buy myself. Apparently you are beating me to it and I'm glad to see you are still interested as well. Since I'm a newbie and you have been around awhile everyone would probaby trust you more than me so it certainly makes sense for you to spearhead this endeavor. I guess I'll just lay out what I was going to propose so that you can consider my ideas for what they are worth.

I was going to start an entirely new thread since it's a little uncertain on this one as to who is still in and who isn't. I was going to give people the option to say they are in for $50 or $25. Obviously if someone says they are in for $50 then they are in if the buy-in is $50 or $25. If they say they are in for $25 then they are in only if the buy-in is $25 but if it ends up being $50 then they are out. If in the end 40 people sign up then the buy-in is $25. If less than 40 sign up then the first 20 people who pledged $50 are in. If less than 20 people sign up then the whole thing just dies.

Once someone (you, I assume in this case) has collected the funds and made the purchase then I would suggest we start distribution in order of sign up. The first person on the list (we'll call him John Doe) sends you a hard drive. You copy the contents to John Doe's hard drive and send it back to him at your expense. John Doe then notifies the next person in line who then sends their hard drive to John Doe who then copies the files. John Doe then sends the drive back at his own expense.

In the end (for the most part) each person will have to pay for their buy-in, a hard drive, postage to send their drive to the person who is to copy for them and postage to send a drive back to the person they copy for.

Distribution should go in order of sign up with the exception of a few logistical matters such as:

1) PC configuration issues (such as people who don't have SATA connections shouldn't be receiving SATA drives, etc.)

2) Some might be willing to distribute to multiple people. For example, I would be willing to have two people on the list send me their drives. I'd copy to both and send them back. Since both would simultaneously continue the distribution process the total time for everyone to get their collection would be drastically cut.

3) Location should be taken into account to minimize overseas mailings.

Fozzy, since you are in the UK and I'm in the U.S. I'd be willing to handle things on this side. You make the purchase after everyone signs up and sends their funds. I'll send you a drive (and return postage since it's going overseas) and you then send it back. I'll then start distribution to those in the U.S. who bought in and you can start U.K. distribution.

Obviousy I'm in at $50 or $25 or whatever the cost may be. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

Todd

SavannahLion · « **Reply #82 on:** February 09, 2007, 03:24:46 am »

I hate popping up and introducing myself like this, but I just couldn't miss this kind of opportunity. HI EVERYBODY!! I've been lurking around sucking in information for my arcade cabinet design. The Wiki is bitchen and the recent discussion about the interface is phenomenally informative, but I still haven't decided between an IPAC or KeyWiz.

But I digress. Count me in. $50, $25, whatever (not too high though, need money for the cabinet

). I'll pay for shipping back U.S. side and I'll post any further details if my contact(s) needs it.

I would like to point out two things however.

Drive packing. I haven't really lurked enough to know just how knowledgeable everyone really is, so I might just be putting my foot in my mouth. The drives should be carefully packed to prevent data loss during shipping. The retail packaging drives come in appear suitable, but the OEM packaging probably isn't suitable.

By that same token, some sort of checksum of the drive data should be done and the file should be added to the drive AND sent and/or posted somewhere so data integrity can be verified. MD5Summer looks good for Windows users, since it's compatible with Linux' MD5Sum utility, to generate the file output. In the unlikely event the drive is damaged or data integrity is compromised, we can run either of these utilities against the data and spot them relatively quickly as opposed to manually viewing 400+GB of files by hand and looking for corruption.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. If for some bizarre reason things move faster than I expect, you can find me at Vortigaunt.com forums.

BTW: MD5Summer has this really annoying file association bug. It'll keep asking if you want .md5 files to be associated with MD5Summer, but will never actually associate the files. I still use this because I need the compatibility with the Linux generated md5sum files, the GUI makes people more comfortable and I'm just too darn lazy to find a better Windows utility elsewhere. $:-\$

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #83 on:** February 09, 2007, 04:14:00 am »

Thankyou to the two newbie guys that just posted.... Your ideas will be taken on board and considered. It doesn't matter if you're newbies or not your opinion as a member here still counts.

jtfields.... If you wish to distribute copies from your drive once you have one there is nothing to stop you from doing that. There are no restrictions on this and the more people who distribute it the better protected the archive is.

I don't however agree with you on this who is in and who is out business, where you say:

Quote from: jtfields on February 09, 2007, 02:32:26 am

Obviously if someone says they are in for $50 then they are in if the buy-in is $50 or $25. If they say they are in for $25 then they are in only if the buy-in is $25 but if it ends up being $50 then they are out.

It will be organised so that ALL members will have a right to access on the material and the right to a copy. There will be no exclusions and no individual member will be refused access. The whole point is to get the cost to the members who want the material way down from the initial purchase price.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

jtfields · « **Reply #84 on:** February 09, 2007, 01:30:25 pm »

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 09, 2007, 04:14:00 am

jtfields.... If you wish to distribute copies from your drive once you have one there is nothing to stop you from doing that. There are no restrictions on this and the more people who distribute it the better protected the archive is.

I don't however agree with you on this who is in and who is out business, where you say:
Quote from: jtfields on February 09, 2007, 02:32:26 am
Obviously if someone says they are in for $50 then they are in if the buy-in is $50 or $25. If they say they are in for $25 then they are in only if the buy-in is $25 but if it ends up being $50 then they are out.

It will be organised so that ALL members will have a right to access on the material and the right to a copy. There will be no exclusions and no individual member will be refused access. The whole point is to get the cost to the members who want the material way down from the initial purchase price.

I don't know why but I thought basically we had determined that it would not be fair to Mike and the vendors who've already purchased the package for us to start freely distributing the files after we get them. The weeding system I devised would work for general distribution but in my scenario it was only limited to the list of people included in the buy-in.

Some seem to want to buy-in at $25 and others at $50. So basically what I was saying was that if enough people signed up (40) then the buy-in would be $25 but if we only got 20 to sign up then the buy-in would be $50 and those who were only willing to buy-in at $25 would be out. Again, I was assuming distribution of the material would only be to those who bought in. If I understand your comments correctly you want everyone, regardless of whether they bought in or not, to have access to the material. Which is fine if that's what is determined to be the right thing to do.

I'm still in at whatever the buy-in is determined to be. So don't forget me.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #85 on:** February 09, 2007, 01:37:34 pm »

Quote from: jtfields on February 09, 2007, 01:30:25 pm

I was assuming distribution of the material would only be to those who bought in. If I understand your comments correctly you want everyone, regardless of whether they bought in or not, to have access to the material. Which is fine if that's what is determined to be the right thing to do.

No... that's not quite what I meant.... What I meant was that we will not limit the number of members who are allowed to buy into this. There will be no limits on who can buy into the group purchase. Obviously if we exceed the purchase price coming in, we can look at things like free postage of hard drives and other freebies and extensions to the archive.

I'm also looking at zip compressing the files with CRC checking so that we can fit the whole archive onto smaller drives, thus reducing the costs massively, to each individual who wants it.

I'll post all of the buy in details, in a few hours time.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #86 on:** February 09, 2007, 01:42:52 pm »

Quote from: jtfields on February 09, 2007, 01:30:25 pm

I don't know why but I thought basically we had determined that it would not be fair to Mike and the vendors who've already purchased the package for us to start freely distributing the files after we get them.

That was probably my doing as my response to you may have implied that I was speaking for the original group and that we all felt that way.

There are those in the group who share that thought, but there may be some who don't (as per Chad's response to me above).

Cheers.

koz319 · « **Reply #87 on:** February 09, 2007, 02:01:38 pm »

Count me in for $50.

Also if there is interest in hosting these just let me know, I may be able to help. (See this post)

Koz

ChadTower · « **Reply #88 on:** February 09, 2007, 02:11:32 pm »

If it means anything, I'm not saying I personally plan to distribute anything. It's not a moral issue on my part. I just don't have the time or hardware even if I wanted to do it.

johnm160 · « **Reply #89 on:** February 09, 2007, 04:52:08 pm »

Well I am over on the U.S. side also but I would like to be in on this. How big of a hard drive do we need?

Count me in for the $50 or $25 whatever it ends up being.

John

I can also help with copies on the U.S side to minimize shipping.

jtfields · « **Reply #90 on:** February 09, 2007, 05:38:40 pm »

Quote from: johnm160 on February 09, 2007, 04:52:08 pm

How big of a hard drive do we need?

My understanding is that the collection is 400GB although I think they were going to see if it could be compressed some.

johnm160 · « **Reply #91 on:** February 09, 2007, 05:51:30 pm »

Thanks, so probably a 500 gig to be safe since the the formated size is smaller.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #92 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:09:58 pm »

Quote from: jtfields on February 09, 2007, 05:38:40 pm

Quote from: johnm160 on February 09, 2007, 04:52:08 pm
How big of a hard drive do we need?
My understanding is that the collection is 400GB although I think they were going to see if it could be compressed some.

The collection is just under 400GB but once they are zip compressed that should shrink down by a huge margin. A much cheaper 320GB drive should be able to hold the entire collection in compressed format... One word of caution though!! don't go buying your external hard drive until we can confirm the actual size that will be needed... unless of course you already have one available.

Hold on to your hats!! I'll be posting the buy in details in the next hour.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Teebor · « **Reply #93 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:13:11 pm »

I can only afford $25 right this minute, possibly more later but I'm in just let me know where you want the money Fozzy.

Zip with MD5 checksum to maintain integrity is not a bad idea.

johnm160 · « **Reply #94 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:17:37 pm »

I did not think images compressed that much.

Will wait to hear back from you.

Teebor · « **Reply #95 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:25:14 pm »

Depends on what the images are, bmp compress a lot and jpgs compress a teeny amount if at all normally.

I haven't look at the file list (which I think some other have so may be able to clarify for us) but the files are something like a photoshop file maybe? I dunno?? anyone??

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #96 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:30:54 pm »

Quote from: Teebor on February 09, 2007, 07:25:14 pm

Depends on what the images are, bmp compress a lot and jpgs compress a teeny amount if at all normally.

I haven't look at the file list (which I think some other have so may be able to clarify for us) but the files are something like a photoshop file maybe? I dunno?? anyone??

http://www.arcadecompany.com/arcade-list.txt

Teebor · « **Reply #97 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:36:15 pm »

cheers dude, nice one

Mostly psd's and tif's so compression should be good, small number of jpgs (in relation) so shouldn't have to worry an enormous amount

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #98 on:** February 09, 2007, 08:18:29 pm »

OK Chaps!

Here's the buy in details.....

Mail is now on the way to Mike at Classic Arcade Graphics to arrange everything.

The buy in will be at $50USD per person. This is for several reasons.
1) the first buy in from the forum was at that level and it's only fair to those guys that were on that deal, that this one comes at the same price.
2) We need to do this promptly, because Mike may not continue to offer the artwork for very long.
3) At $50 each we only need to get 21 Members to sign up... the extra one there covers the paypal fees.

Payment of $50USD is to be made by Paypal. All funds must be paid in US Dollars.

The funds will be held in the Paypal account and in the unfortunate event that we do not reach the required numbers to buy the artwork you will then be refunded in full directly from that sum.

Should we reach sum required and the purchase proceeds, please note that there will be NO refunds after that time. So please be sure that you want in on this, if you make a payment.

The buy in entitles you to have a drive copy made from the zip compressed artwork.

You will either need to send a drive to me... Ideally a new external USB2 or Firewire Drive. Or I can obtain drives and just post them out to you. You will be responsible for the full cost of your drive and the return postage.

Once the files are compressed I will let you all know the full details of the drive size needed.

I will PM everyone in this thread that has said they want in on this, giving the Paypal address and details, please allow up to 24 hours for that PM to be sent:

.... Please DO NOT PM ME unless it is really really important, or unless you do not receive a PM from me. This is going to be a heavy workload as it is and having to answer a lot of messages that could have been done in the forum will make it twice as difficult to get things done.

Anybody who has not yet expressed an interest, in this thread, but would like to be in on this deal, please feel free to PM me for the Paypal details.

There is NO restriction on the number of members who can sign up for this deal. ALL are welcome! I will keep you all updated on the progress in the forum.

OK DUDES!!! LETS ROCK AND ROLL!!!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

johnm160 · « **Reply #99 on:** February 09, 2007, 08:55:36 pm »

Sounds good, I am in, just waiting for the PM

acevedor2 · « **Reply #100 on:** February 09, 2007, 09:23:22 pm »

I'm in. Just let me know what paypal account

Cheers!

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #101 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:13:41 pm »

PM's now sent..... Anyone else wanting in on this purchase, please either leave a message in the thread or PM me.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

johnm160 · « **Reply #102 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:16:15 pm »

payment sent,

Thanks Fozzy

spacies · « **Reply #103 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:41:03 pm »

Ok,

So in a month or 2 I can come in on this?
Or are you going to have a cut off date?

Also, anyone in OZ going to buy in? I would rather get it from closer to home than UK or USA but I will be in regardless.

Good work.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #104 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:44:27 pm »

Quote from: spacies on February 09, 2007, 11:41:03 pm

Ok,

So in a month or 2 I can come in on this?
Or are you going to have a cut off date?

Also, anyone in OZ going to buy in? I would rather get it from closer to home than UK or USA but I will be in regardless.

Good work.

The sooner the better...... There will be an eventual cut off date but not immediately. The objective here in the first place is to get the archive bought.

PM Sent.....

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

spacies · « **Reply #105 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:46:04 pm »

Thanks,

I just maxxed out the plastic buying more stock.
Probably end of next week I will PM you.

fixedpigs · « **Reply #106 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:46:26 pm »

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 09, 2007, 11:44:27 pm

The objective here in the first place is to get the archive bought.

agreed...!

fozzy...check your pm from me...

spacies · « **Reply #107 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:52:37 pm »

Thanks for the PM Fozzy.

*edit*

rockin_rick · « **Reply #108 on:** February 10, 2007, 12:14:24 am »

For copy software, may I suggest using syncback freeware from 2brightsparks.com? This is an easy to use copy program that can copy an entire drive in one operation with (the option of) HASHING VERIFICATION. Let's ensure that the archive does not get corrupted!

I've used this many times to make backups of stuff.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html

Rick

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #109 on:** February 10, 2007, 12:30:08 am »

Quote from: rockin_rick on February 10, 2007, 12:14:24 am

I've used this many times to make backups of stuff.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html

Rick

Thanks Rick.... I'll take a look at that. I usually use "drive image" with verification turned on. But I will be checking every single drive before I send them out.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

PoDunkMoFo · « **Reply #110 on:** February 10, 2007, 01:54:50 am »

Maybe this isn't the proper thread for the question but how is the quality of this artwork. Looking at the list of files I see a lot of in progress and original scan type files but not a lot of vectorized stuff. I'm just curious.

Bobbler · « **Reply #111 on:** February 10, 2007, 07:10:38 am »

Money in

To be honest I understand what people are saying about making the whole archive available freely online, but yet its almost a double standard as people have no objections to the availability of ROMs for the masses? Thats what confuses the argument a little in my mind. Those ROMs are also someones hardwork which are there for preservation, what is the difference with the artwork? I dunno maybe I am missing something here?

I personally do not see why we cannot do an on demand availability to items which people need to complete a restoration (regardless of if they where in on a group buy or not) via either something similar to the ROM burning services or make items available online privately for the person via FTP/web. This would allow some element of control over the entire set not being used for profit making.

Just my two cents...

Teebor · « **Reply #112 on:** February 10, 2007, 08:22:43 am »

All my quids are in fozzy!

Heres hoping we get the money together to make a quick purchase

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #113 on:** February 10, 2007, 10:01:39 am »

Quote from: spacies on February 09, 2007, 11:41:03 pm

Ok,

So in a month or 2 I can come in on this?
Or are you going to have a cut off date?

Also, anyone in OZ going to buy in? I would rather get it from closer to home than UK or USA but I will be in regardless.

Good work.

Hey Spacies, you might want to send diverdown a PM. He was in the first group buy and I'll be sending a hard drive his way (Victoria) soon enough. I think it makes sense for people that contribute to both group buys to scratch each others backs to make the distro process a little easier.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #114 on:** February 10, 2007, 10:06:06 am »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on February 10, 2007, 10:01:39 am

Hey Spacies, you might want to send diverdown a PM. He was in the first group buy and I'll be sending a hard drive his way (Victoria) soon enough. I think it makes sense for people that contribute to both group buys to scratch each others backs to make the distro process a little easier.

That makes good sense ... once I hook up with Jabba, I can help out up here in Canada.

Cheers

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #115 on:** February 10, 2007, 10:23:50 am »

Quote from: Bobbler on February 10, 2007, 07:10:38 am

To be honest I understand what people are saying about making the whole archive available freely online, but yet its almost a double standard as people have no objections to the availability of ROMs for the masses? Thats what confuses the argument a little in my mind. Those ROMs are also someones hardwork which are there for preservation, what is the difference with the artwork? I dunno maybe I am missing something here?

The guy who did the work of collecting and tweaking the artwork is still selling this -- making it freely available would make 'his' archive worthless. Also, Scott from MAMEMarquees bought the library on his own as a business investment, which would be largely devalued by immediate and free access.

Quote from: Bobbler on February 10, 2007, 07:10:38 am

I personally do not see why we cannot do an on demand availability to items which people need to complete a restoration (regardless of if they where in on a group buy or not) via either something similar to the ROM burning services or make items available online privately for the person via FTP/web. This would allow some element of control over the entire set not being used for profit making.

Great ... or they could ask someone who was in one of the group buys (I have a couple of local folks getting files from me for their projects) or go to MAMEMarquees.com, as is already happening now.

Cheers.

Bobbler · « **Reply #116 on:** February 10, 2007, 11:41:17 am »

Quote from: CheffoJeffo on February 10, 2007, 10:23:50 am

The guy who did the work of collecting and tweaking the artwork is still selling this -- making it freely available would make 'his' archive worthless. Also, Scott from MAMEMarquees bought the library on his own as a business investment, which would be largely devalued by immediate and free access.

Great ... or they could ask someone who was in one of the group buys (I have a couple of local folks getting files from me for their projects) or go to MAMEMarquees.com, as is already happening now.

Cheers.

Dont get me wrong Cheffo, just wanted to hear the opinions on it personally.
Scotts work I hear is great (I have an order in with him at the moment), just a shame there are not more like him about in this rather niche market. He may actually see an upturn in sales if its more available to members of BYOAC as people dont always have the facility to print.

One positive from my point of view would be to use elements from those artworks on the disks to create my own custom piece or print them out in low quality to sample what they would look like on my cab before I invest $200 on a CP and sides from Scott.

Still its underway, though I dont actually need any artwork at present, I feel that warm fuzzy feeling for helping put something in return for all the knowledge I have acquired from reading worklogs, guides, troubleshooting etc etc on this fine forum by helping preserve something for future builders to take advantage of.

The community spirit shown on this board is well beyond most of the other places I frequent and feel glad to be a part of it.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #117 on:** February 10, 2007, 11:48:37 am »

Quote from: Bobbler on February 10, 2007, 11:41:17 am

One positive from my point of view would be to use elements from those artworks on the disks to create my own custom piece or print them out in low quality to sample what they would look like on my cab before I invest $200 on a CP and sides from Scott.

Quote from: JoyMonkey on February 05, 2007, 01:03:34 pm

To add to what I posted in the other thread, here's the site I've been putting together:
http://artwork.joymonkey.com

Uploading everything is pretty tedious, but eventually everything will be up there and people outside of the original group buy will be able to browse through low-resolution versions of everything, then request the specific pieces they're looking for in full res.

The way I see it, it's better to have a quick look at a piece of sideart and decide if it's what you want that to download a 2gb version of the same image only to see it's not what you had in mind.

Again, none of this is going to happen overnight, but eventually I hope it will work out in everyones favor without stepping on anyones toes.

Cheers.

acevedor2 · « **Reply #118 on:** February 10, 2007, 01:13:46 pm »

Money sent this morning via paypal. Cheers!

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #119 on:** February 10, 2007, 01:55:36 pm »

OK Guys!
The news so far is looking good..... We have six people signed up in the last 15 hours..... So we're over a quarter of the way to the target.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)


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