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mame project IS school project

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teef two:
Ryan,

Let me just mention that I'm in the UK so if you are not then things may or may not apply to you. So in no particular order here goes.

First off, are you going to be doing this project at home or at school? If at school then I'd imagine you'd have access to the basic tools required for the job and also a teacher with the relevant skills in which you are lacking. If you are not doing it at school then it might be worthwhile asking your friends if any of their parents are any good at woodworking and get help that way.

You are not really going to be able to get away from using power tools so unless you have previous experience I would strongly suggest supervision by an adult.

Whichever way you do it at some point I should think you'll need to transport the cab to school so make sure you are able to arrange that.

You of course have the usual two choices of either maming an existing cabinet or building one from scratch. If building from scratch then I would recommend buying saints book and working from those plans.

For the wood I'd go with whatever is cheapest for you to get where you are, either plywood or MDF.

As far as the electronics go you want to get the best bang for your buck. For the monitor stick with a standard PC CRT monitor of no greater than 19 inches (get the cheapest second hand one you can find). Also a cheap second hand PC.

For the control interface the cheapest method would be to hack a keyboard which you should be able to get for almost nothing. Joysticks and buttons could be obtained via e-bay or by ordering from the real bob roberts or one of the many suppliers that are around.

Keep it simple and just go for a two joystick, three buttons each panel with player 1 and 2, coin buttons and a couple of admin buttons. A coin door is nice but will add to your expense.

Photograph and document everything as you build. Will make presenting the project so much more professional. Always give the apppropriate credit to your sources too (this allows copying others work!)

Be aware of the legality issue surrounding roms. School might not like a project that breaks copyright laws. I would purchase at least one board set and just emulate that game. On that point I'd submit the project giving a brief synopsis of MAME (i.e. the history of MAME and why it got started) and all the issues that surround it including methods of emulation, interfaces available etc. Again be sure to credit your sources.

Search the forums - There is a wealth of information here and you may get slammed if you ask without searching first.

Make a budget - The only way you'll know what you can afford to build is if you cost it up front - and allow a 10% - 15% margin for unexpected costs. Once you have a budget for all the items you'll need, stick to it (and put this in the report too. Trust me, it'll look good)

As for t-moudling, it's the bit of plastic that runs up the edges of the wood. It is called t moulding as in profile it is shaped like a T. A groove is cut into the wood into which the base of the T is inserted and it's purpose is to give a nice finish as well as protecting the edge of the wood.

If the cost of a full machine is too great then why not consider just building a stand alone controller - a lot easier and a lot cheaper, or even a bartop.

Remember there are no short cuts, do it properly or don't do it at all.

And finally, don't write up the entire project as one long sentence with no punctuation!  ;)

paigeoliver:
Oh, as far as legality goes there are those couple of legal roms. Robby Roto, Poly Play and that other one. Then you can always get one free one from Starroms, unless they changed their setup.

ryantheleach:

--- Quote ---Let me just mention that I'm in the UK so if you are not then things may or may not apply to you. So in no particular order here goes.
--- End quote ---
im not in the uk im an aussie but everything seems to apply

--- Quote ---First off, are you going to be doing this project at home or at school? If at school then I'd imagine you'd have access to the basic tools required for the job and also a teacher with the relevant skills in which you are lacking. If you are not doing it at school then it might be worthwhile asking your friends if any of their parents are any good at woodworking and get help that way.
--- End quote ---
maybe both dads pretty good with wood work and has or can get the tools from family friends hes also got a stack of mdf (not sure what size have to check it out)

--- Quote ---You of course have the usual two choices of either maming an existing cabinet or building one from scratch. If building from scratch then I would recommend buying saints book and working from those plans.
--- End quote ---
im building from scratch cuase i'd have no idea where to find a cabinet to destroy and also i wouldnt like to destroy a cabinet

--- Quote ---For the control interface the cheapest method would be to hack a keyboard which you should be able to get for almost nothing. Joysticks and buttons could be obtained via e-bay or by ordering from the real bob roberts or one of the many suppliers that are around.
--- End quote ---
thought about doing this but im not sure depends on how easy it is if its too difficult im just going to have to fork out for an i-pac^4 since i was thinking of making a cabinet --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- this project anywayz

--- Quote ---Keep it simple and just go for a two joystick, three buttons each panel with player 1 and 2, coin buttons and a couple of admin buttons. A coin door is nice but will add to your expense.
--- End quote ---
i guess since i can always add buttons as i go on after the projects finished

--- Quote ---Photograph and document everything as you build. Will make presenting the project so much more professional. Always give the apppropriate credit to your sources too (this allows copying others work!)

--- End quote ---
was going to do this and its great to show others on the web as well :P

--- Quote ---Be aware of the legality issue surrounding roms. School might not like a project that breaks copyright laws. I would purchase at least one board set and just emulate that game. On that point I'd submit the project giving a brief synopsis of MAME (i.e. the history of MAME and why it got started) and all the issues that surround it including methods of emulation, interfaces available etc. Again be sure to credit your sources.

--- End quote ---
already checked with the school aparently people have dones the pros of using marajuana before so i think ill be safe

--- Quote ---Make a budget - The only way you'll know what you can afford to build is if you cost it up front - and allow a 10% - 15% margin for unexpected costs. Once you have a budget for all the items you'll need, stick to it (and put this in the report too. Trust me, it'll look good)

--- End quote ---
my parents are helping but i guess theyd like this (so would the teachers)

--- Quote ---If the cost of a full machine is too great then why not consider just building a stand alone controller - a lot easier and a lot cheaper, or even a bartop.
--- End quote ---
if the cost is too great my display will just be a nintendo 64 running and a computer running the same thing complete with controls for 64 also id still have all the theory of building one :P

--- Quote ---Remember there are no short cuts, do it properly or don't do it at all.

And finally, don't write up the entire project as one long sentence with no punctuation!
--- End quote ---
i dont normally type like this im just a lazy teen at 10:14 at nite thats been partying all week end also i understand there are no shortcuts since i plan to keep this cab



--- Quote ---i really like using uotes have you noticed since its my first time with quotes
--- End quote ---
i really like using uotes have you noticed since its my first time with quotes

teef two:
The legality question cannot be compared with people doing projects about dope unless they actually stood up in front of the class and smoked a joint! If you present a cabinet with illegal roms on it you ARE breaking the law. If you present a project about marijuana you aren't - unless you skin up and smoke a spliff right there.

Anyway I think you maybe have enough now to go on with so I'd go and do a bit more research before you come back just to avoid the wrath of paigeoliver. Hint - look at the first few threads of this board.

ryantheleach:
yer i guess ur rite but it seems fine with the school (not very strict)

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