Critique My Control Panel

[crackbone]

Hey everyone!
Been lurking here for quite a while now, picking up ideas.  I've got my wood cut, the PC ready, and I'm about to "pull the trigger" on putting this thing together.
First, I'd like some opinions on my CP layout.  The graphics may look familiar, props to the guy who posted these.  I'm still tweaking them for the final design.
It's 34"x19" for reference.


The P1/P2 start, and various Mame buttons will be in the upper left.  I'm also trying leave some space for a spinner above the trackball at a later date (comeon with that tron spinner, Oscar!!!!)
The shapes to the right of the trackball are for 3 buttons.  Missile command, if I'm not mistaken, uses 3 buttons, right?




Thanks,
Crack

[Nailz]

Hey there, welcome....  Looks like a good start.  For cleanliness I would probably ditch the 3 buttons next to the trackball for Missile command and use what you already have for your player 1 buttons (that is unless Missile Command is the one game you love above all other).  Have you thought about what OS and front end you will use?  If you are going to be using any type of windows at all, you should consider a couple of buttons next to the trackball for the mouse though.  You should also start thinking about your spinner placement now, as you don't want it too close to the trackball for obvious interference reasons when you start getting carried away with Missile Command or Golden Tee or whatever.

Just my thoughts, good luck!

[crackbone]

Nailz-

Yeah, I'll be using XP, so I'd like to have at least two buttons for the trackball.  It's got three button connects, so I figured why not?

I'm thinking that the spinner can go between the joysticks, a little higher up than perfectly even.  Golden Tee won't be a real consideration, so I think crazy trackballing will be limited.

[Apollo]

It looks like you are using 8-way joy sticks. What kind are you using and have you thought about what effect they will have on 4-way games ( pac-man, crazy kong etc? ).

[Zakk]

Just a thought, I've found that since the trackball isn't the main control on the panel, it shouldn't be right in the middle.  I prefer to put the player one stick as close to center as possible, since this is how 90% of the gaming will happen (generally).  It makes for a little more cramped gaming with 2 players, but not too much of an issue.  The best 2 player setup I've done so far, and has turned out to be very playable, is http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Cabinet/Chookmame/chookmame.html  (Sorry Mameworld blocks image pulls) so  I guess it depends on how much space you have for each player, and how much two player simultaneous playing you will do!

[Frostillicus]

I would move the trackball up and lose the three buttons down below since they look like they might get in the way of player 2.   My first panel has the trackball in the center and a spinner above that.  It's worked pretty well so far