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(Newbie Alert) Building my first cabinet... Am I on the RIGHT Track?
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ARTIFACT:
just so you know the Supers won't switch between 4 and 8 ways automatically... it's done when you assemble the joystick I believe (I am new to this as well BTW)

I got some Mag Stick PLUS sticks, which allow physical 4/8 way switch from the top (pull the stick, rotate to switch)... they are NICE but I also realized that they have a very short "throw" and thus won't work very well with fighter games (complex moves).

The U360 seems like a great choice (automatically switch modes via software) but you won't need the IPAC2 then as these have their own encoder with connections for buttons (See ultimarc.com)

I hope this helps.
paigeoliver:
The supers are a good 8-way stick, but the 4-way mode is unacceptable for anything other than modern puzzle games.

If you actually want to play games and want a good cheap 4-way stick that is easy to install then get a Happ universal and install it in 4-way mode. Put it next to the player 1 8-way stick and let it share the same buttons.

Don't put any kind of mouse or PC trackball on your control panel, it will be a mistake that will be costly to fix later. Just don't have one at all, or have one that comes out of the coin door or something.

The computer you are getting is fine use mame version .72 with that processor. It should run everything in that version at full speed, although honestly, you would be better off spending half as much on a used computer and getting a trackball instead.

Don't put any plastic on the panel unless you are making your own custom artwork and need to protect it. 90+ percent of real games didn't come with plastic on them, the plastic you remember was covering up extra holes drilled in the control panels of conversion games.

Also, since you really seem to be on a budget I recommend using a used cabinet instead of building one from scratch, as scratchbuilding is absolutely the most expensive way to do it.
Zebidee:

--- Quote from: hellothere123 on August 01, 2007, 12:47:39 am ---
20" CRT monitor (I will modify the cabinet plans by a few inches)

I ws going to mount an old ball mouse unside down on the control panel (this idea is still in testing)...I won't be using it for games, just for navigating in windows.

--- End quote ---

Just say NO to small VGA monitors if you want a cab that looks any good.  a tv will be so much better.

You should only ever mount a proper arcade trackball into a control panel.

For a mouse in windows, I suggest a Logitech Marble mouse, which uses a trackball you pass your hand over to use.  It is USB so You can unplug it/ put it aside when not in use.  No need for a flat surface. 

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/156&cl=us,en


unclet:
I agree, do not install a mouse on the control panel, simply take the mouse out from a hidden keyboard drawer or coin door and use it when needed.    You should just wait for "menace" to sell his used (but refurbished) trackballs.  I think I remember him selling them for $30 and people who have bought them like them.   Anyway, I think a trackball is a must.  Even if you do not play trackball games, someone is bound to come over and ask to play Golden Tee, Centipede, Missile Command, etc.. on your cabinet.

I would go as far to say that if you think spending an extra $30 (or even $70) for a new trackball is too much money at the moment, then you might want to wait a bit before building a new arcade cabinet from scratch since you might need the money for other things.    If you plan on keeping the cabinet for a very long time, then money probably should not be an issue since over time it really is not a lot of money at all.   Please don't take these statements personally .... I was just giving my opinion since you stated the trackball was too expensive to add right now.   Of course if you just do not want a trackball since you do not like them, then this is a different story, but since you mentioned you were not getting one since it is too expensive, then I think you are making a mistake.  You just do not want someone coming over to see your brand new cabinet and the first thing they say is .... lets play some "Golden Tee" ..... it will make you feel ill
shardian:
Better yet, windows has a neat built in function called mousekeys. It is located under the accesibility section in control panel. This will let you use your p1 joystick to control the mouse pointer.
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