Yes, MAME is about preserving old games before the original hardware dies out of existence, but not officially about allowing you to share memories past. If that was the case, the roms would be free for you use. Consider it more as an "no one really cares but it is still technically illegal" nicety of MAME.
If you are true arcade hobbyist, well then I am sure you own some old PCBs? or maybe not... they are still available at reasonable prices if you look hard enough.... thats if you really interested to that degree... Maybe you already are, and good if so... because I am... I own a several boards... one which cost me a lot of do$h at the time. But I don't regret it, as its still not emulated... and may never be due to heavy protection...
Oh and sorry, but when I did I mention online store in my original post? I can pick up a local computer trader magazine, walk in to a local store and pick up a product upto a 1/4 of the price cheaper than a big retail store. Okay, they'll probably give me a hard time if I need/want to return/replace it, but hey, for that amount of money I'll take the risk. Or alternatively, like I have before, walk in to OfficeWorks, show them the adverts of the competiting store up the road, and whammo, after a phone call to check that shop has it in stock, that printer was mine for the same, heavily discounted price.
And back to the main argument just to end, again.... what can you do about .... nothing... so why waste time caring about what stupid people buy things at stupid prices. Sad thing is, you probably care more than Andy etc. I sure he is doing quite well... and good luck to him if he is.
In theory, you can look at it in a way that Andy (and others) are pocketing good money with good products that easily enhance the MAME experience. So do they donate to MAME dev or ROM dumping teams with a percentage of there product earings? They have created there success from a "non-commercial" hobby that is MAME, running a very commerical business.
Hope they do, that is if they are doing well from it all.... but thats there choice either way and I'm fine with that.
Anyway, lets just leave it at that.... I see your point... I was just kind of expressing the reality of it.... and they fact that overall, its probably so insignificant that we should be enjoying games on MAME rather than worring about it. I'm sure Andys not loosing sleep over it.... but I am.... as it late.... as I write this.... time for bed.
Play nice...