Table/Field Requirements:This first post will contain the up-to-date compilation of data requirements for the Project Database. I will review suggestions below, and if we want to capture the requirement I will update this post. When we have the list of requirements, we can focus on the correct tool(s) to make it happen. We'll start with a look at the table/field requirements, then talk about the search/browse functionality.
This will most likely need a set of relational tables. Tables will be listed in
Bold, fields in
blue followed by a colon, and if a field only allows certain values they will be listed in brackets. These are all up for discussion, and where indicated in italic I am looking for feedback.
Update Comments:Updates in green with input found later in thread (beginning here). Added Pics table for all pictures.Projects TableName: Cabinet Name
Jimbo. How could I have missed this one?Description: Brief description of project.
JimboStart Date: Date work began on project.
Actual project start date, not entry into database Jimbo.BYOAC Thread: Link to BYOAC thread
Jimbo.Type: [Upright, Cocktail, Cockpit, Jukebox, Bartop, Other]
Base: [Scratch-built, Conversion, Restoration, ?]
NPThe completion and phase fields can be captured a couple of different ways. We an have a field for the phase of construction:Phase: [Planning/Design, Construction, Almost Complete, Complete, Sold, Re-design]
And another field for percent complete.Complete: [0-100] in 10% increments including 99%
Would the percent complete reset for each phase? Should we skip the phase, and only offer a percentage?Coin Door: [Two-coin over-under, Three-coin over-under, etc.]
Overall Rating: [1-5]
as rated by othersFront-End: [Mala, Mamewah, GameEx, etc.]
Jimbo. Multiple entries allowed.OS: [DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, TinyXP, Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Linux]
Emulator: [MAME, Daphne, Modeler, Nebula, Vantage, Zinc, etc.]
multiple entries allowedInspirations: [
link to other projects/users]
Display: [Arcade Monitor, CRT, TV, LCD, Vector, Other]
Multiple entries allowed.Display Type: [Static, Rotating Manual, Rotating Motorized]
Added motorized. Jimbo/shock_.Aspect Ratio: [4:3, 16:9, 16:10, ?]
Diagonal Size: (inches)
Orientation: [Horizontal, Vertical, Both]
Control Panel Type: [Static, Swappable, Rotating, Modular, ?]
CP Inspiration: [
link to other panels/users]
CP Rating: [1-5]
as rated by othersLast Updated: (automatically updates to the last time the data was updated)
Total Cost: To date.
Jimbo.Tags: Free text. Covers anything not inlcuded in select fields.
Jimbo.Plans: (sketchup/autocad/pen-and-paper/"by the book"/based-on/etc.) Jimbo. I'm not sure how this would be kept consistent. Maybe rolled in with the Inspiration field?Plans Link: Link to plans file if available.
Jimbo/shock_Computer HW: [Original arcade PCB, multi-game PCB, Desktop PC, laptop PC, Other]
shock_CPU Type: [PIII, PIV, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, etc.]
shock_Each project will also need multiple entries in the following table, one for each picture oof their project.
Pics TablePicture of: What is the picture of - CP, cabinet, coin door, etc.
Can be select box, or free input.Picture Phase: What phase is the component at the time of the pic.
Same phases as above.Picture JPEG, GIF, PNG, etc.
Picture Tags Free text for searchable keywords about picture.
Each project will also need multiple entries in the following table, one for each control on their panel.
Controls TableType: [Joystick, Button, Trackball, Spinner, Lightgun, Wheel, Pedal, Shifter, Yoke, Handlebars, Encoder]
Make: [Happs 8-way, Ultimarc 360, Logitech Driving Force Pro, I-Pac2, A-Pac, etc.]
Mount: [Top Flush, Top, Bottom, Removable, Other]
Light: (
either boolean or type of light here)
Original Post Follows:I'm thinking about creating a website for the sole purpose of categorizing and showcasing users cabinets. My initial thought was to create a database where cabinets could be stored with pictures, stats, etc. for easy searching and reviewing.
A user would log in and add their own cabinets complete with fields for cabinet style, monitor type, controls, OS, front end, mame version, inspirations, plans (if available), leds, etc. Then users could perform complex searches to get ideas or see how others performed similar tasks. I even thought about adding a ranking system where users could vote for cabs from one to five stars. I would also include a spot to keep track of your build stage, so others could see in what state your cabinet is.
The idea is just an idea right now, but I wanted to see if there is interest out there in the community. Would you use something like this? If the site could grow to hundreds of cabinets, there may be some really useful information to be found. It would be free... I wouldn't be interested in charging people to access the site.
I have more ideas, but it is a long road. What do you think?