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Nervous noob, (k)nows nothing, needs (k)nowledge

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EVEGames:

--- Quote from: mgb on March 02, 2011, 11:44:43 am ---Happ supers say they can be either 4 or way but thats not really true

--- End quote ---

Why do you say that, MGB?  Happ Supers can be switched from 4-way to 8-way by flipping over the hourglass-shaped actuator at the end of the shaft.  It is not a true restricted 4-way, if that's what you mean... you can still move the joystick in circles, you don't have that diamond-shaped physical restriction, but the actuator will only hit 1 microswitch at a time while flipped to 4-way mode.

Ubermick, I like Happ Supers myself for a good all-around 8-way joystick, but I may be in the minority on these boards.  I agree however, if you're looking for a dedicated 4-way joystick or a 4-way/8-way switchable, you can do MUCH better than Happ Supers.

-EVEGames

mgb:
I'm sorry, I didn't fully explain.
flipping the actuator isn't really a do it on the fly kinda thing like rotating the restrictor on JLW.
And with the super set for 4-way, there are dead zones.

Epyx:

--- Quote ---First, the computer. I know people have asked something along these lines before, but I can't say I've seen a definitive answer on "What's the minimum system requirements?" It doesn't help that I know NOTHING about pee-cees, having used Macs all my life. But to sum up what I'd like to run, it's basically MAME with the older games (I've got a PS3 and a Wii for anything demanding!) from my childhood with maybe some Golden Tee action for drunken evenings in the Man Cave. I'd like the old consoles - Amiga would be FANTASTIC, Sega, SNES, and maybe some old Playstation stuff. In terms of computers, a friend of mine has an old E-Machines D2046 I might be able to scrounge from him, which comes with (I'm assuming): 2ghz Celeron Processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB HD (I'm already assuming this needs to be replaced with something 10 times bigger), and Intel Extreme Graphics 3D video (built into the motherboard, I assume). Would that be enough for what I want, or am I going to need to go bigger?
--- End quote ---

Looks like you are on the right track already ubermick...that celeron would be just fine with a bit more Ram...I would see if you can scrounge another 512mb or so?  It would then be fine for Winuae (Amiga), Zsnes (Snes), Kega Fusion (Genesis) and Playstation (Epsxe).  Hard Drive you could get by with 120gb so maybe 3 times larger...10 would be nicer but not necessary for your requirements.


--- Quote ---Second, the control panel. I've looked at some builds, and putting them together seems fairly straightforward. One wire from the button to something like an ipac, and then one wire going around acting as a ground, then the ipac plugs into one of the computer's USB ports. Joysticks have me scratching my head, tho. I'm assuming all I'd want is 8-way, I don't really need anything analog, but the selection of just 8 way sticks has me overwhelmed. I like the idea of the Ultimarc Mag Stick Plus, but is it really worth the money, given that one of those is four times the price of other sticks I see used? So do folks have a "preferred standard stick"?
--- End quote ---

My personal favourite joysticks (as with mgb) are the Sanwa JLWs...they are perfect in 4 way and perfect in 8 way and im a fussy as hell guy...ive tried almost every joystick out there and would agree that the Magstick Plus while Ok in 4 way is not a great 8 way and feels very mechanical with its short magnetic throw whereas the JLW just feels "right" no matter what game I play and can be switched with relative ease, depending on how your CP is designed.  I use two sticks and kepe the right one on 4 way...I "only" change it for 2 player 8 way games or games like Robotron that require 2 8 ways for single player...the rest of the time I just leave them 8 way on the left and 4 way on the right...ie playing Donkey Kong I use the right and Black Tiger the left...easy.


--- Quote ---The trackball is something that has me wondering, too. I'm assuming that folks are using something like Ultimarc's U-Trak, or one from Twisted Quarter which goes directly into a USB/PS2 port? If so, is one better than the other? And if not... well, got any recommendations?! (I gravitate towards Twisted Quarter for some stuff, since I have a bunch of ebay gift cards I can use for their stuff!)
--- End quote ---

Most people bash XGaming...and I do as well with their CPs, buttons, joysticks and controller card but one thing they make well and cheap is their Trackball. It is a Betson Imperial clone and is fully compatible with GroovyGameGear's electric upgrades (I am using his kit with the 3" ball in my trackball).  My favourite two features with the XGaming trackball are they are easy to mount flush (IE under your artwork or laminate) with no bolts showing and they come with full usb mouse support built in (even the 3 mouse buttons equivalent arcade buttons are included and wired), so navigation is nice on the Windows desktop. Plus they are cheap in price but good in quality...I use mine a lot...im a huge Crystal Castles and Marble Madness junkie and 2 years later no issues whatsoever.

Last advice...start with building your own CP but make plans for a full cab (boss doesn't have to worry as its just a drawing at this point!) IE design a cab for your CP to fit on...but for now just build the CP ;)

mgb:

--- Quote from: Epyx on March 02, 2011, 12:33:51 pm ---My personal favourite joysticks (as with mgb) are the Sanwa JLWs...they are perfect in 4 way and perfect in 8 way and im a fussy as hell guy...ive tried almost every joystick out there and would agree that the Magstick Plus while Ok in 4 way is not a great 8 way and feels very mechanical with its short magnetic throw whereas the JLW just feels "right" no matter what game I play and can be switched with relative ease, depending on how your CP is designed.  I use two sticks and kepe the right one on 4 way...I "only" change it for 2 player 8 way games or games like Robotron that require 2 8 ways for single player...the rest of the time I just leave them 8 way on the left and 4 way on the right...ie playing Donkey Kong I use the right and Black Tiger the left...easy.

--- End quote ---

I do the same thing, works great.


--- Quote from: Epyx on March 02, 2011, 12:33:51 pm ---Last advice...start with building your own CP but make plans for a full cab (boss doesn't have to worry as its just a drawing at this point!) IE design a cab for your CP to fit on...but for now just build the CP ;)

--- End quote ---
+1

ubermick:
Epyx, you won world-class brownie points with not only your help, but mentioning THE greatest arcade game of all time, the one, the only, Black Tiger. My God, I lost count of the amount of 10p pieces I fed that thing growing up. Honestly, if my cab ends up only having Black Tiger and R-Type, I'd be happy enough.

So looks like the plan of attack will be snagging that Celeron machine (if he's willing and able to part with it - he's going to be building a cabinet right along with me, great friend and fantastic help in everything I've done brewing related, and there's no way my man cave can have one of these without his having one, too! But he has a few machines, including a newer server and a few higher end Macs that he's planning on choosing from) this weekend, and in the meantime I'll be ordering up an ipac2, two Sanwa JLWs (I assume these are the same as the J-Stik from Ultimarc, who I'll have to order from anyways, to get the ipac?), a few dozen buttons, and an X-Arcade trackball. Already have more wire than you can shake a stick at from building up my brewing equipment, and will build something akin to the Tankstick, but... homemade. Which was kind of the original plan all along, but this time, cabinetry will be coming into play, mwahahaha.

Seriously lads, thanks a million for the advice - it's a big help. If any of you are (ever) in the SF Bay Area, I owe some pints...

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