Author Topic: Classic Arcade Graphics Price Drop THREAD IS NOW: GROUP PURCHASE N0:2 (Read 56608 times)

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #120 on:** February 10, 2007, 01:59:01 pm »

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.
Just my two cents...

And a very valid and interesting two cents it is! I've no doubt that we can do that.

Lets get the purchase done and dusted before we start debating this though. Priority one, is get the files bought and paid for.

EDIT: UPDATE!

However!! On another interesting note, there is a move afoot, to further reduce postage costs and distribution time to the guys buying into this in the USA.

To that end, the Hard drive containing the master files, will be making a little diversion via New York on the way to the UK. "Randy. T." of "Groovy Game Gear" fame, has offered to do the distribution on the US side of the pond. Personally I can't think of anyone that is more respected and trusted in this community, and whose record of prompt and efficient delivery is known to all here.

Thanks Randy!!

This will massively cut the postal costs and reduce the risk of drives being lost or damaged in the post, for the guys in the USA. It will also allow me to concentrate on the UK and European distribution and cut the workload.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

ChadTower · « **Reply #121 on:** February 10, 2007, 03:59:05 pm »

I'm not sure I fully buy the "don't devalue MameMarquee's investment" argument. He can't sell the items legally on the basis of their content so basically he's offering a printing service, yes? Someone distributing the images is not devaluing a printing service.

Wienerdog · « **Reply #122 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:50:38 pm »

I'm considering joining in on ths, but I didn't see what happens if more than 21 members join in. If we get 30 buyers, where is the extra $450 going? It seems like everyone should get $15 back but I also don't mind if someone is planning to keep that money. I just want it to be clear where (or to whom) that extra money is going.

Fozzy, you're a saint (but not THE Saint, of course) for coordinating all of this (and Randy and the others too)!

RandyT · « **Reply #123 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:51:12 pm »

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 10, 2007, 01:59:01 pm

EDIT: UPDATE!

However!! On another interesting note, there is a move afoot, to further reduce postage costs and distribution time to the guys buying into this in the USA.

To that end, the Hard drive containing the master files, will be making a little diversion via New York on the way to the UK. "Randy. T." of "Groovy Game Gear" fame, has offered to do the distribution on the US side of the pond.

I appreciate the kind words, but I think Fozzy should read my PM again

To sum up, I don't wish to be "the guy" in the US to do the distribution to everyone in the buy-in group (no way I can swing that kind of time.) We'll need some help from another trusted individual in the US who would like to take the responsibility for that task, preferably someone who's been around awhile. I just wanted to make sure that nothing happened to the drive or it's contents before anyone had a chance to get an image from it (customs delays, possible losses of data due to damage, x-ray machines, etc..) and also wanted to keep shipping costs lower for folks here in the US. I'll also purchase an extra drive and take a whack at compressing everything to it to get the size down. This should help reduce the cost for folks on this side of the pond.

Once an individual is designated to be the one to make sure the rest of the group get their drives filled, I'll duplicate either the original, the compressed or both images to them so they can get the ball rolling. It should be the safest and most expedient approach.

RandyT

johnm160 · « **Reply #124 on:** February 10, 2007, 05:05:28 pm »

Maybe 2 or 3 of us on the U.S. side can split the load of copying the drives so too much work does not fall on one person.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #125 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:09:08 pm »

Quote from: Wienerdog on February 10, 2007, 04:50:38 pm

I'm considering joining in on ths, but I didn't see what happens if more than 21 members join in. If we get 30 buyers, where is the extra $450 going? It seems like everyone should get $15 back but I also don't mind if someone is planning to keep that money. I just want it to be clear where (or to whom) that extra money is going.

Fozzy, you're a saint (but not THE Saint, of course) for coordinating all of this (and Randy and the others too)!

That's an easy one to answer and actually I think I did do that further up the thread..... Personally I'm not doing this to make any money from it. In fact the only thing this project has to do is break even.

If we get more people subscribing to this than we need then that money will be applied to postal discounts and or free postage or other additional items and freebies.... or at the members discretion a reduction in the initial $50 buy in price, which would be done as a refund. So I hope that clarrifies things.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #126 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:16:00 pm »

Quote from: RandyT on February 10, 2007, 04:51:12 pm

I appreciate the kind words, but I think Fozzy should read my PM again

Oops!! That's what I get for reading and typing things when I get home from work after a day of having the arcade full of tourists, screaming kids, drunks, teenagers and other general morons who can't even figure out how to turn off an emergency stop button, even when there's a big picture of it on screen in front of them and the words "TURN TO SWITCH OFF" in big bold letters underneath it, and then pester the cash desk, who pester me because "that machine doesn't work"

: LOL

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Teebor · « **Reply #127 on:** February 10, 2007, 08:21:00 pm »

Well I can volunteer to help distribute in the UK when the time comes

I will be able to accept SATA and IDE drives both in and out of enclosures but I will only handle a couple a week.

That just for the record

jtfields · « **Reply #128 on:** February 11, 2007, 01:36:21 am »

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 09, 2007, 08:18:29 pm

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.

I already have two unused new 500GB SATA drives lying around that I was hoping to use. Is that something you can handle Fozzy? I don't want to also drop the $ on an external drive.

Anyway, I agree that it would be nice if one person could handle U.S. distribution to save all the U.S. members from having to ship a drive overseas. I don't mind doing it but I'm a newbie here and I can certainly understand why everyone would feel more comfortable with a long-time member stepping up and taking that responsibility. I still think my idea of each person copying for the next would work and would lessen the workload on any one individual.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #129 on:** February 11, 2007, 06:40:29 am »

Quote from: jtfields on February 11, 2007, 01:36:21 am

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 09, 2007, 08:18:29 pm
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.

I already have two unused new 500GB SATA drives lying around that I was hoping to use. Is that something you can handle Fozzy? I don't want to also drop the $ on an external drive.

I'm sure we can work that one out..... Teebor says he is happy to copy SATA Drives, so we may be able to do it that way.

Quote from: jtfields on February 11, 2007, 01:36:21 am

I still think my idea of each person copying for the next would work and would lessen the workload on any one individual.

The problem there is what happens if the chain gets broken.... for whatever reason.... You also have much greater risk of data corruption. On top of that, not everybody will have the tools or experience or time to copy a hard drive.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Bobbler · « **Reply #130 on:** February 11, 2007, 06:56:43 am »

SATA (upto 8 at a time if I can get it all up and running), IDE (upto

, USB and Firewire 400/800 available here.

Got all the bases covered between my three machines

Just need to get me a 500GB drive to start off the process which should be next week when pay day rolls in.

Teebor · « **Reply #131 on:** February 11, 2007, 07:35:36 am »

Quote from: Bobbler on February 11, 2007, 06:56:43 am

SATA (upto 8 at a time if I can get it all up and running), IDE (upto , USB and Firewire 400/800 available here.

Got all the bases covered between my three machines Just need to get me a 500GB drive to start off the process which should be next week when pay day rolls in.

8 at a time!!!??? I want what you got

lol I miss not having access to a bulk copier

SATA and IDE are not an issue for me I have an external caddy that happily accepts both

so I don't need to open my machine up.

Bobbler · « **Reply #132 on:** February 11, 2007, 08:19:57 am »

2 on board SATA, 4 on a PCI card, 2 on another PCI card should be doable I think. Dont know what the speed is going to be like though...but if I can get it setup so I can just leave it running overnight or something should be all good.

One thing I should add is that I am fairly new here but do have plenty of good feedback on Ebay as seller and buyer if people want any confidence in my "trustworthiness"

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #133 on:** February 11, 2007, 07:09:04 pm »

Quote from: Bobbler on February 11, 2007, 08:19:57 am

2 on board SATA, 4 on a PCI card, 2 on another PCI card should be doable I think. Dont know what the speed is going to be like though...but if I can get it setup so I can just leave it running overnight or something should be all good.

One thing I should add is that I am fairly new here but do have plenty of good feedback on Ebay as seller and buyer if people want any confidence in my "trustworthiness"

Teebor and Bobbler..... This is excellent... and exactly what we need to be seeing for this. Well done guys.

Now onwards.... We need more sign ups to this if it's going to work and we're going to be able to get this artwork bought and paid for! We're still only just 1/4 the way to the target.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Teebor · « **Reply #134 on:** February 13, 2007, 09:24:27 am »

/shameless bump

any updates Fozzy??

Damned HDD's haven't turned up yet

bloody supplier

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #135 on:** February 13, 2007, 03:41:08 pm »

Quote from: Teebor on February 13, 2007, 09:24:27 am

/shameless bump

any updates Fozzy??

Damned HDD's haven't turned up yet bloody supplier

No updates to speak of at the moment Teebor..... We're still at only 1/4 way there and no new sign ups

not sure why the interest seems to have died out on this....

Come on guys! if you want access to this artwork we need to make this happen soon!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #136 on:** February 13, 2007, 03:53:17 pm »

Just thought I'd mention that I resaved a couple of the original TIFs to see how they'd come out with LZW compression. I thought that the originals would have already been LZW compressed, but it seems not; I took a couple of 400mb TIFs, opened them in Photoshop and resaved them turning LZW compression on. This brought the files down to about 260mb.
LZW is a lossless compression used for TIFs, it's very similar to zip compression but it works by compressing data inside the file, so the compressed TIF is still readable and editable afterwards with no loss in quality. LZW compressing is a lot faster than zipping too.

If you can do this to every TIF on the drive (a lengthly procedure, but a little Photoshop script might speed it up), I think you might just be able to squeeze the full collection onto a 320gb drive.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #137 on:** February 13, 2007, 08:27:23 pm »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on February 13, 2007, 03:53:17 pm

Just thought I'd mention that I resaved a couple of the original TIFs to see how they'd come out with LZW compression.

[SNIP]

(a lengthly procedure, but a little Photoshop script might speed it up), I think you might just be able to squeeze the full collection onto a 320gb drive.

That's a very worthwhile experiment Joymonkey..... Maybe it might be worth doing a file size comparison with LZW, compared to zipping the same file with maximum compression... and also will the file zip by any appreciable amount after LZW compression.

On a sadder note chaps.... I'm going to be away fro the next three days... as my Aunt died last Sunday, and I have to attend her funeral some miles away from here. So please don't expect any updates until Saturday at least. Hopefully by then a few more people will have signed up.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

johnm160 · « **Reply #138 on:** February 13, 2007, 08:33:02 pm »

Sorry to here that Fozzy,

Have a safe trip.

Teebor · « **Reply #139 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:21:00 am »

Sorry to hear that dude, take care and a have a swift journey

johnm160 · « **Reply #140 on:** February 16, 2007, 11:46:35 am »

BTT

I don't know if anyone else signed up but I figured It would be good to get this one page one again.

Hopefully we can get this done.

Teebor · « **Reply #141 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:00:32 am »

^^ Aha someone thinking like me.

Good news is I should receive my 500GB HDD today and a spare, my new copy of Ghost has arrived (for disk cloning) and I broke the bank and ordered an extra SATA controller as I was inspired by Bobbler

So I am all set, just crossing fingers now.

Bobbler · « **Reply #142 on:** February 19, 2007, 07:09:26 am »

Nice one Teebor, I plan on ordering my disk today/tomorrow too (hurrah payday!) . Still need to finish some testing on the multiple drive ghosting/acronis at the moment though as it didnt work as well as I would like. Want to get it running off a USB thumbdrive so that I can just plug it in without permanently dedicating it to the operation as I use the box for many other things too.

Anyone else looking for a 500GB drive in the UK, Staples are currently doing an Iomega USB2 unit for £99 which seems pretty good deal for the high street.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #143 on:** February 19, 2007, 08:08:26 am »

Quote from: Teebor on February 19, 2007, 06:00:32 am

So I am all set, just crossing fingers now.

Quote from: Bobbler on February 19, 2007, 07:09:26 am

Nice one Teebor,
Anyone else looking for a 500GB drive in the UK, Staples are currently doing an Iomega USB2 unit for £99 which seems pretty good deal for the high street.

Nice one chaps, Teebor thanks for your PM....
I would have held off on buying HD's if I were you for a couple of days, we may have a significantly cheaper source in the pipeline for straight USB2 ones. Update on that later.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Teebor · « **Reply #144 on:** February 19, 2007, 08:56:53 am »

I was planning to buy them anyway this just gave me more of a reason to, its also why I am a bit strapped at the mo

They've not turned up yet though so a little concerned

AlexC · « **Reply #145 on:** February 20, 2007, 11:03:37 am »

I want in if it's not too late

Let me know....

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #146 on:** February 20, 2007, 08:45:02 pm »

Quote from: AlexC on February 20, 2007, 11:03:37 am

I want in if it's not too late
Let me know....

Not too late at all Alex... PM sent.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

grundle · « **Reply #147 on:** February 20, 2007, 09:10:03 pm »

I don't know what I'd do with 500 gigs of arcade art, but I thought I could help...

I used the open source "Ghost 4 Linux" to ghost abunch of hard drives at work. The beauty is that you save/retrieve the image directly to an FTP server. I even rigged it up to boot off a USB stick. Might help at least with the overseas transactions.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #148 on:** February 20, 2007, 09:15:04 pm »

Quote from: grundle on February 20, 2007, 09:10:03 pm

I don't know what I'd do with 500 gigs of arcade art, but I thought I could help...

I used the open source "Ghost 4 Linux" to ghost abunch of hard drives at work. The beauty is that you save/retrieve the image directly to an FTP server. I even rigged it up to boot off a USB stick. Might help at least with the overseas transactions.

Interesting Grundle..... Please PM me the details of exactly how you can help and we'll see what we can do.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

werejag · « **Reply #149 on:** February 20, 2007, 09:27:56 pm »

if only i had money to give now

DefJam · « **Reply #150 on:** February 20, 2007, 10:21:46 pm »

Fozzy,

If you still have room, count me in. (not sure when I'll get a drive to store it, but at least I can contribute to getting this done).

Jim

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #151 on:** February 20, 2007, 10:38:17 pm »

Quote from: DefJam on February 20, 2007, 10:21:46 pm

If you still have room, count me in. (not sure when I'll get a drive to store it, but at least I can contribute to getting this done).

There are no limitations on who can sign up! ....... PM Sent!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Angry_Radish · « **Reply #152 on:** February 21, 2007, 12:41:07 pm »

Count me in as well
Also, I can help out if needed imaging the drives, plenty of SATA ports here, and run ghost/acronis on a daily basis (systems admin)

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #153 on:** February 21, 2007, 01:57:13 pm »

Quote from: Angry_Radish on February 21, 2007, 12:41:07 pm

Count me in as well
Also, I can help out if needed imaging the drives, plenty of SATA ports here, and run ghost/acronis on a daily basis (systems admin)

Great! OK ..... PM sent.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

fixedpigs · « **Reply #154 on:** February 21, 2007, 08:38:21 pm »

fozzy...what are we up to...?

it's too bad that there isn't something where people could thrown in money at any given time and it would keep track and reimburse anyone who had thrown in more...

like say the goal would be one hundred dollars...ten people throw in ten bucks...goal met...
then an eleventh person throws in ten bucks...it would then divide that ten bucks by eleven and reimburse everyone ninety-one cents...then a twelfth person throws in ten bucks and it divides and reimburses again...

that way the money would go back to the original funders...

is there any online accounts out there like that...?

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #155 on:** February 22, 2007, 03:28:47 am »

Quote from: fixedpigs on February 21, 2007, 08:38:21 pm

like say the goal would be one hundred dollars...ten people throw in ten bucks...goal met...
then an eleventh person throws in ten bucks...it would then divide that ten bucks by eleven and reimburse everyone ninety-one cents...then a twelfth person throws in ten bucks and it divides and reimburses again...

That's exactly how it will work..... After we get everything done, any money left in the pot will be returned to the contributors, and yes, we can do that directly via Paypal as partial refunds.

After the initial group of signups. Out of the five or so people who have said, "Count Me In" in the last few days, so far only one of them has signed up yet.

If you'd signed up you'd have all the details.... everyone who has signed up, is being kept fully informed of the progress. At the end of the day it's their money on the line. I don't really think it's appropriate to give the full financial detail in public, because It's not my money. But we are at roughly just over 1/3 of the full target.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

fixedpigs · « **Reply #156 on:** February 22, 2007, 11:36:59 am »

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 22, 2007, 03:28:47 am

If you'd signed up you'd have all the details....

wtf...?

i just checked...my paypal transaction never went through...let me try again...

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #157 on:** February 22, 2007, 02:50:23 pm »

Quote from: fixedpigs on February 22, 2007, 11:36:59 am

Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on February 22, 2007, 03:28:47 am
If you'd signed up you'd have all the details....
wtf...?
i just checked...my paypal transaction never went through...let me try again...

Thanks! your payment has arrived now... Please see the PM sent out to you.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Dervacumen · « **Reply #158 on:** February 24, 2007, 08:40:30 am »

Fozzy,
I'm interested. Please PM me details.
Thanks!

JoeB · « **Reply #159 on:** February 24, 2007, 02:34:09 pm »

Fozzy, I'm interested PM me the details (I'm in Canada) any Canadians in the group?


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