Noob MAME question

[spuddybuddy]

Well I plan on building my first cab in January so I downloaded MAME, but I dont know how it exactly works. Do I download a frontend the runs MAME for me? And also what is MAME-WAH is it a frontend???

[Mr. Dude]

There is a version of MAME with a built in frontend called MAME32 otherwise you can download one of the command line versions of MAME that you would need a front end for.  MameWah is a front end (actually the one I use for my cabinet) and there are a vast assortment of other good frontends out there to use too.  The advantage of having a front end is that you can customize it practically any way you want.  Where MAME32 will not let you customize it's built in frontend.

[loadman]

Yeah Mame32 is the way to go for a New user..

[brophog]

But not necessarily a new cabinet user. In reality, someone going to take the time building a cabinet needs to get accustomed to the software months in advance of building something like this.

Mame32 is nice and noob friendly, but almost any FE is better put into a cabinet. You can get by with Mame32 in a cabinet, but you'll be happier using a real FE.

[mccoy178]

Man, how many memories reading this thread has brought up.   I second learning how to work a frontend as well.  I would install the microsoft toy that allows you to right click a folder and have the option to open a command prompt there.  That way you can test mame.  Once you feel you get mame set up, this little tool is nice to have to test.  You can find a link at TigerHeli's site, but it is on the microsoft site.  By the way, be prepared to be overwhelmed for a little bit untill you get it figured out.  It's worth it!!!

[Tiger-Heli]

You can find a link at TigerHeli's site, but it is on the microsoft site.