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8 buttons too much?
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javeryh:
severdhed makes an EXCELLENT point and probably the most important thing to consider when designing a CP - keep it simple!  If you are going to be the only one playing your cabinet then go nuts with the buttons - it doesn't matter - but if you plan on playing with friends then the more buttons on your CP the more questions you will get as to how it works. 

If you think your friends are smart enough to figure everything out after one explanation they aren't - especially if you are going to be installing multiple emulators.  I have a DK in my living room - it runs 4-way vertical games ONLY (MAME only) and every single time people come over to play (which is quite often) I get questions on how to work the thing.  The CP has P1 Start, P2 Start and ONE action button (never mind 8!) with two admin buttons (coin and exit to FE) which are out of sight.  It couldn't be any easier!  They're all morons I tell ya!!!   :cheers:
massive88:

--- Quote from: justinjstark on February 08, 2010, 10:57:38 am ---
--- Quote from: severdhed on February 08, 2010, 10:27:58 am ---on a side note, to those of you using dedicated mouse buttons for your trackball, there is no real reason you would need to do that.  an easy way to clean up clutter on the control panel is to double up your buttons.  wire up two of your regular player 1 buttons to the mouse, and just configure mame to use mouse buttons for those inputs.  that way you will have access to the mouse buttons when you need them, but don't have to have dedicated buttons there for them.

--- End quote ---

Sorry to go all off-topic but argggh, this has been a problem for me lately.  Certain games/emulators don't recognise mouse buttons as inputs so this method causes problems.  Also, I want games like neverball/neverputt (which use the mouse and mouse buttons) to be intuitive to new users so I'm thinking dedicated mouse buttons (in a place near the trackball where they won't be confused) is the way to go...especially since my mame cab will be as much a computer as an arcade system.  To each his own I guess.

--- End quote ---

I use a wonderful program called Xmouse, which is pretty awesome to get around anything that causes problems and needs keyboard inputs instead of mouse.

Check it out here - http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/XMouseButtonControl.htm

You can have it load only when certain applications are active, and have them all operate anyway that you want.  Its a fantastic solution imo that has worked flawlessly for me.
justinjstark:

--- Quote from: massive88 on February 08, 2010, 11:12:18 am ---I use a wonderful program called Xmouse, which is pretty awesome to get around anything that causes problems and needs keyboard inputs instead of mouse.

Check it out here - http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/XMouseButtonControl.htm

You can have it load only when certain applications are active, and have them all operate anyway that you want.  Its a fantastic solution imo that has worked flawlessly for me.

--- End quote ---

Looks nice but my heart belongs to linux.

And while I'm sure I can come up with solutions for linux, I still think dedicated mouse buttons would be easier for people rather than having to tell them to use certain player 1 buttons for the mouse.   :dunno
massive88:

--- Quote from: justinjstark on February 08, 2010, 11:16:21 am ---Looks nice but my heart belongs to linux.

And while I'm sure I can come up with solutions for linux, I still think dedicated mouse buttons would be easier for people rather than having to tell them to use certain player 1 buttons for the mouse.   :dunno

--- End quote ---

Probably.  Its a tricky though making things intuitive or not for people, as javeryh noted above, even the simplest layout will be met with a multitude of questions.  My need for dedicated mouse buttons is low, but Im sure glad I have the ability to use the trackball, with buttons, in windows if needed.

You'll probably be telling people what button to press irregardless if its overlapping previous buttons or are their own buttons (even if labeled), its just the way it goes.  Doubling up the buttons just saves you real estate, but if that's not a concern, go nuts.

Personally I have my mouse buttons as Player 2's buttons 4 and 5, with xmouse running in the background to simulate keystrokes on press in programs where its needed.
Epyx:

--- Quote ---The whole purpose of building a cabinet is to re-create the whole arcade experience and re living what it was like to play the games originally.  When were these games played on an ARCADE cabinet? (except at a cheap ass arcade place maybe).

SNES (and other console) games are meant to play in front of your tv with it's controller. Playing with an arcade cabinet is just lame..
--- End quote ---

Actually, it all depends...to me it isn't the whole purpose. My ideal personal arcade would be a couple of classics AND a mame/console/old computer cab.  I loved the arcades, loved my C64 and loved my NES. However, I do remember thinking at the time...Man this C64 or NES game would be so much better on an arcade cab...shooters in particular are/were a pain in the butt on a C64 joystick or original NES controller.  Even titles like Super Mario Brothers play a lot better on an arcade controller imo than on the original controller.

Amiga games like Road Raider/Xenon/Battle Squadron/Turrican play fantastic on an arcade cabinet as well.

So really it boils down to personal preference.
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