Opinion Question RE: MAMEui,FRONT END,hiding windows

[mike boss]

There is plenty of talk in other threads regarding the best possible software configuration for many projects.
So many options exist and I guess everyone has different needs.
I'm looking into picking up a Nintendo cabinet next week with the intent on MAME'n it.

Locally I plan on picking up one of these PC's to use as the brains.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computers-Pentium-4-Computer-Clearance-Sale-from-50-W0QQAdIdZ220242465

In he past I've used MAMEui(32...whatever it is called now). I have it so when the PC boots up it goes right into MAME.
However I do see the Windows boot screen. It doesn't bug me, however I see much talk about eliminating it.

I have a few questions :

Anyone ever use instant sheller ? Thoughts ?
I'd like to give it a try. Since the windows environment doesn't bother me that much I'd like/need a simple solution.

With respects to MAMEui/32 the program itself is the front end is it not ?
Can that build of MAME be used with another front end ? Or is it simply a waste of time to even try ?

Can anyone suggest a good front end, something simple ? And what would be the advantages ?

Some of my questions are NOVICE, I know ! I'm a total noob. I think I read too much and scare myself outta stuff.
For my next project I would like to MAME a Nintendo cabinet to play all the old school vertical games.
I'd like an authentic feel if I could get it. I have a working set of ROM's with the correct build of MAMEui.
I know how to use it so I lean that way. If I were to go with another front end would I need to find the regular version of MAME
that goes with my ROM set ?

[nickynooch]

Instantsheller = awesome.  Very easy and works like a champ on my windows xp arcade machine.

My front end is Maximus Arcade and is pretty much known for being easy to set up.  There are plenty of others out there gameex, hyperspin, mala, mamewah, etc.  However, a lot of people say maximus is one of the easier ones to set up.  It is what I use, so maybe I'm a little biased.  I'd say look up each on youtube and see what you like the best.

That said, hyperspin is gorgeous but known for having somewhat of a steep learning curve.  Not trying to bash it, just telling you what most people on this board would say.  But it does look really good.

Maximus Arcade the developer stopped making any future updates, but it works great for me.  If you have any questions hit us up on the maximus arcade tab on this forum and we will be glad to help you.  There's a 30 day trial and it's 25 bucks if you decide to purchase it after that.  Also if you go that route check the "themes" tab under the maximus forum... there are plenty of cool themes to check out (you don't have to use the default one).  Spacegoogies are pretty cool.

Not to sound too much of a fanboy.  I'm just not as well versed in the other frontends as I am maximus and I am a big fan of maximus arcade.

Also, mame32 works perfectly in maximus arcade.  No big deal there.  Easy point and click setup in maximus.

[mike boss]

I appreciate the info.

I'm getting more and more into this coin op stuff and personally very driven by the over all aesthetics of things.
At the same time I'm a creature of habit. I was able to obtain MAME32 with the matching ROM set.
I got it set up and working and was very happy. But now as I get one thing working I think about expanding.
I have an XBOX with every ROM and emulator I can think of. But the idea of having them in an arcade cabinet
now follows me. Just yesterday I saw a red Nintendo cabinet locally for about $75. I'm looking to get this and
turn it into my next project. I have a bartop that will feature a 48-in-1, so a MAME that does the same is really
in some ways a waste. So I thought it would be not only a good MAME project, but perhaps contain the classics.
Atari,Coleco, old school NES (that is what I grew up with). So anyway that is the idea going forward.
As always looking to the BYOAC site for ideas and inspiration.

I've looked at Hyperspin online and it looks awesome.
Really for myself I just need an easy way to transition via joystick/buttons into the other emulators.
I think that most front ends would give me that usability, hyperspin just caught my eye.
However I am open to options.

Anyone else who has a take on this I love the info.

I'm looking forward to giving instant sheller a go.