Linux or Win

[ai-guy]

I'm working on a cab project using stuff I have on hand including an old Compaq PIII. It currently has a Debian install (sarge) on it, but I have the original WinNT installation media, so I could go back to that pretty easily.

I have experience running MAME under windows, but not under Linux. I am going to be using a computer monitor for display, so arcane video drivers and such will not be an issue.

Any thoughts on the tradeoffs between sticking with the current OS or going back to Windows? Are the Linux versions of MAME comparable to the Windows ones feature-wise, maintenance-wise?

I couldn't find much about this on the site.

[Mr Ironpants]

Here is my opinion on the OS for a Mame cab.  It is a tool to get to the end result, not some life changing, mind altering, state of being.  As such I would go with the area of my expertise.  If you are comfortable running the box on Linux and you want to take the minimal extra time to learn Mame on it, great.  I think you will find that the functionality and maintenance for a cabinet are there in all the major versions.  I am sure there may be a difference between Advancemame on Linux and Windows but I have not found one.

If however, you are more comfortable with Windows and you don't want to experience a slight learning curve to get the cab running then reload windows.

Personally I have found that the installs I have done on Linux work great and I have only had to do some minor work on sound card issues and the like.  Currently, however I am using Windows XP because the computer I got (for free  ) had it pre-installed.  Usually if the box is older I use Linux because I don't have access to Win98 install.  If it is newer I am more likely to but XP on it.  But like I said for me it is a tool not a religion.

[Havok]

If you are talking Windows NT 4.0 - then use Linux! It has terrible hardware support, and if you even have USB, it won't work.

I would say just go with what you are comfortable with. However, you will have more choices if you go over to the dark side, especially when considering front ends...

[Balki]

I'd definitely recommend Linux (I use ubuntu - http://www.ubuntu.com/).  Mame-wise, functionality seems to be similar, and there are a fair number of frontends to try out - I'm going to be biased and recommend Wah!Cade (http://www.anti-particle.com/wahcade)   

Cheers,

Andy
http://www.anti-particle.com