Encoder..EEPROM..Passthru...WHAT????

[jtheod]

I've been reading about this MAME thing for about 2 months now.  Thought I was ready to go, and found a thread that threw me away.  Can  someone expain what EEPROM, Passthru etc are.  I want to build a control panel for 4 players, with a tracball and spinner.  I also want the coin buttons, and menu etc.  Can someone advise me what kind of Encoder I will need, how many, and the best type.  I've read about  I-Pac, Keywiz, Tokn, with all kinds of letters and numbers that follow.  I'm trying to get started in about a week, and would like to order my parts.  Also from my reading is the PS/2 preferred over the USB connection?   

[Malenko]

the best 2 encoders out there in my opinion are eithe rthe GGG KeyWiz or the IPAC2.
You can use the USB or the PS2 with the IPAC, the cord is different. I only have an IPAC not a KeyWiz so I cant tell you what features it has, but the IPAC has shift function which is awesome. I got mine from Dive Master

[Spaz Monkey]

EEPROM:  Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory.  It's the memory that stores the program that makes the hardware "work".

Passthru:  You're able to still use a keyboard and have the info "pass through".  The IPAC gets connected to the back of the computer.  If I wanted to use a keyboard to update scripts/music, I would need to unplug the ipac (at the computer), work, then replug in the Ipac.  With the passthru, I just hook the keyboard to the i-pac and go.

I have a PS/2 I-PAC, and i had to get a m/m PS/2 cord.  Still need to install the computer.