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Some Questions for those of you with Custom MAME Arcade Machines
JKJudgeX:
I asked these in my project announcement thread, but, it got 64 views and no replies, so, I'm assuming people aren't reading the whole thing (which is okay, I'm a windbag lol).
I could still benefit from answers though, so I thought I'd repost the question portion:
1) For my front-end, so far, I've had fun with GameEx, I tried MameWah but found it just a touch to time-consuming to configure/make look good. Do you guys recommend any others, I am always open to spend an evening configuring a new front-end if it will work out nicely.
2) Vinyls/siding/marquees/etc... My cabinet seems very nicely set up for rapid swapping of the marquee and artwork, does anyone know where I could get/make some good stuff (I want it to still be illuminated, etc)
3) I notice that my old buttons are all oiled/greased. Is this something I should do when I get my new buttons? If so, what kind of oil/grease? How do you apply it if you do, and, if not, how can i clean my old buttons?
4) Are an escape button and a utility button enough? I mean, I'll of course keep a mouse/keyboard on hand under the hinged control panel, for emergency use, but I would like to be able to use the controls as much as possible.
5) How do you go about getting a piece of plexiglass and getting it cut to the exact dimensions of a piece of plexiglass that you already have?
6) What kind of seating goes well with an arcade setup? Barstools? Are there compact/easily moved/comfortable/affordable barstools? What do you guys use?
7) Any cupholder designs that work well mounted on these things?
javeryh:
1. Try MaLa - it's really easy to set up and totally customizable.
2. mamemarquees.com but I'm not sure why you would want to swap out art and stuff
3. New buttons should not need grease. Try the power of oranges or something to clean the ones you have?
4. Not sure what you mean by a utility button. You will get a million different answers to the "right" button layout - do whatever works for you.
5. I'd just trace it and cut to the lines... or maybe use my router and a pattern bit depending on the thickness of the material
6. I don't know - I don't use them... yet.
7. I don't know - I won't use them... ever (they look ugly and tacked on, IMO)
:cheers:
TheShanMan:
Do a search on "admin buttons". Here's one fairly recent thread on the subject, but it comes up regularly. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77795.0
emb:
Great questions. Here are my suggestions:
--- Quote from: JKJudgeX on March 28, 2008, 10:34:39 am ---1) For my front-end, so far, I've had fun with GameEx, I tried MameWah but found it just a touch to time-consuming to configure/make look good. Do you guys recommend any others, I am always open to spend an evening configuring a new front-end if it will work out nicely.
--- End quote ---
AI have been using atomicFE lately when I upgraded my mame computer. It is very pleasant on the eyes, and looks amazing (it has very fluid animated backgrounds and such, and is relatively easy to configure). Before that I used mala, which I liked alot, but it was not as graphically pleasing (in terms of animation and such).
--- Quote from: JKJudgeX on March 28, 2008, 10:34:39 am ---2) Vinyls/siding/marquees/etc... My cabinet seems very nicely set up for rapid swapping of the marquee and artwork, does anyone know where I could get/make some good stuff (I want it to still be illuminated, etc)
--- End quote ---
mamemarquees.com is freaking awesome
--- Quote from: JKJudgeX on March 28, 2008, 10:34:39 am ---3) I notice that my old buttons are all oiled/greased. Is this something I should do when I get my new buttons? If so, what kind of oil/grease? How do you apply it if you do, and, if not, how can i clean my old buttons?
--- End quote ---
Nope, you should not have to worry about this when you purchase your new buttons.
--- Quote from: JKJudgeX on March 28, 2008, 10:34:39 am ---4) Are an escape button and a utility button enough? I mean, I'll of course keep a mouse/keyboard on hand under the hinged control panel, for emergency use, but I would like to be able to use the controls as much as possible.
--- End quote ---
I would suggest having a quit and a pause button. I would not throw a utility button in there because many of your friends will come in to play and see that button, and they WILL MESS S**T up (from personal experience). I suggest the pause button because there are many times when you are trying to beat a game. After a few beers you may break the seal and have to make frequent bathroom breaks (no sense crossing your legs and squirming). So whenever I have to do maintenance, i just pull out the keyboard and mouse rather than having a utility button. After you initially configure all your games, you will rarely see the keyboard and mouse again.
--- Quote from: JKJudgeX on March 28, 2008, 10:34:39 am ---5) How do you go about getting a piece of plexiglass and getting it cut to the exact dimensions of a piece of plexiglass that you already have?
--- End quote ---
I just went to my local menards (they also carry it at at home depot & lowes) to get a piece of plexiglass. Near the plexiglass shelves the stores commonly carry cheap plexiglass cutters you can buy for dirt cheap (for like a dollar or so), and it is pretty easy to cut yourself.
--- Quote from: JKJudgeX on March 28, 2008, 10:34:39 am ---6) What kind of seating goes well with an arcade setup? Barstools? Are there compact/easily moved/comfortable/affordable barstools? What do you guys use?
--- End quote ---
No idea here. I am looking for some myself :D.
--- Quote from: JKJudgeX on March 28, 2008, 10:34:39 am ---7) Any cupholder designs that work well mounted on these things?
--- End quote ---
Same here as well, I have no idea. I really want to get some cupholders for my cabinet as well.
Hope my suggestions help :cheers:
Ginsu Victim:
--- Quote ---I just went to my local menards (they also carry it at at home depot & lowes) to get a piece of plexiglass. Near the plexiglass shelves the stores commonly carry cheap plexiglass cutters you can buy for dirt cheap (for like a dollar or so), and it is pretty easy to cut yourself.
--- End quote ---
Lowes will cut it for you free (nothing too fancy. Just 90° angles)