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Thank you sir!!!

I never thought of using wheel2xinput for pc games but that is certainly a consideration. It wouldn't be any trouble at all to test it.

But statistics will be statistics.  It's not the total number of fatalities which are important, but the overall percentage of fatalities for the number of active operators.  I would suspect that there are a LOT more cycles on the roads than hobbyists buzzing around the skies. 

You are correct to point this out. However, those statistics compare JUST motorcycle rider fatalities with ALL power aircraft occupant fatalities - which means it includes everything from large commercial aircraft to things like helicopters and light planes and ultralights (but not gliders). There is no further breakdown, and that category covers a lot of people doing a lot of stuff, not just ultralight hobbyists. Queensland is BIG, people fly there a lot and for many reasons.

No doubt, motorcycles can be quite dangerous even if you are careful. A lot of what makes them dangerous is other drivers with poor awareness.

For the curious, there were a total of 324 transport accident related deaths in Queensland for 2022 (V01-V99).

Interestingly 11 people died due to "Sleep disorders (G47)"   Even sleeping is dangerous. A further 4 people died from falling off chairs (W07), so sitting can be dangerous too.

Life is short, don't worry too much, do what makes you happy, just please try to be as safe as reasonably possible.

Go buy this.

https://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=HSAST

That thing would only need to save 4 digits at my house. Countless hours spent for a 2,XXX high score.

"simple" haha

Are you sure about that encoder?

To put things into better perspective, in Queensland during 2022:

- 72 Motorcycle riders died due to transport accidents
- 12 Aircraft occupants died due to powered aircraft accidents

Maybe flying is the safer option.

[Australian Bureau of Statistics, 3303.0 Causes of Death, Queensland, 2022, V20-29, V95]

Yes, they used to say its safer than driving a car. But I dont think thats the case anymore. But, I was thinking the other day that its much safer than riding a motorbike, since you don't have drunk drivers and geriatrics gunning for you when you're in a plane

I've had a couple of close calls on a cycle with drivers pulling right in front of me.  One time with a passenger and I had to take the bike sideways and still stopped only inches from the vehicle.  Caused me to keep my eyes glued on vehicles stopped at on-roads from then on.

But statistics will be statistics.  It's not the total number of fatalities which are important, but the overall percentage of fatalities for the number of active operators.  I would suspect that there are a LOT more cycles on the roads than hobbyists buzzing around the skies. 

This discussion reminds me of a saying about the old days on the autobahn where there was no speed-limit.  As a whole, you were very unlikely to get in an accident on the Autobahn.  But if you did, it would almost certainly mean that someone was going to die in the most gruesome of ways.  This is how I view personal aircraft, except maybe with an increased chance of something bad happening.

Everyone has to go at some point.  It might as well be while doing what you love.

Has anyone used UV prefinished plywood to build an arcade cabinet? How does vinyl do on it?

I haven't used it, but I would expect vinyl to stick to it like iron.  So long as the finish isn't leeching any oils (which it shouldn't be...I assume that the UV moniker is an indicator of a UV cured resin soaked into the outer layer) then that smooth and non-porous surface would be ideal.

If you aren't looking for that woodgrain look around the vinyl it might not have as much value, considering the extra cost.  But if you are thinking a large decal on wood-grain or a full wrap, it would probably be the best wood-based foundation for one available.  Definitely consider using the wet application method if you go this route.

Also, given the hard outer layer, make sure your machining process is compatible, to avoid edge chipping and the like.  It may or may not be as hard and fragile as melamine, but it's worth looking into that aspect before deciding.

Do you want it just illuminated, or do something clever like only light when playing trackball games?
Mine is simply lit from below by an LED strip (left over from my marquee light) and both connected to a switch.
So, normally, they are on when the cabinet is powered on, but I've the option to turn the lighting off if wanted (with the cab still running)

Just illuminated is all I want.  Didn't even think of just getting a simple LED strip but that sounds like a plan to me.  Thanks

Do you want it just illuminated, or do something clever like only light when playing trackball games?
Mine is simply lit from below by an LED strip (left over from my marquee light) and both connected to a switch.
So, normally, they are on when the cabinet is powered on, but I've the option to turn the lighting off if wanted (with the cab still running)

Go buy this.

https://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=HSAST