How wrong was I?

[Silas (son of Silas)]

I've been an arcade gamer for about 25 years and I have dithered over building my own cab for about 10 of those. I have owned a Hotrod SE for years (and hated the joystick throw but done nothing about it), but now my daughter (13) has acquired her father's addiction for gaming I figured given that she loves arcade games but has NEVER played on a real arcade machine (and tbh I doubt she will anytime soon) I have decided to finally bite the bullet and build a full size cab.

For a while now I have seen the Saints book online and didn't buy it. I figured 2 things; firstly its American therefore their  will be loads of references to products I wouldn't be able to buy in the UK and secondly I have already researched this subject to death for YEARS so what on earth is buying a book going to teach me?

Well... I was so wrong. All the products discussed in the book are available here in the UK and secondly, holy cow did id make me stop and think. I was just on the verge of splashing cash and starting my build and the book has thrown my build in a whole new (and better direction)

Thanks Saint for taking the time to write this. I'm pretty sure that there will be loads of lurkers on this site thinking about building an arcade machine of there own. All I can say is buy this book. I am damn sure you'll not regret it. If you build a can then get hold of a copy you'll be kicking yourself every time you fire up the cab.

The only point in the book that I didn't whole heatedly agree with was the line on page 11 that said "...running a Microsoft operating system will be your best (easiest) choice"

I have worked in IT for many years and Microsoft is my 'day job.' The second I walk through my front door at home, the last thing I want is anything that reminds me of work, so I'm a linux user. My Hotrod SE is currently hooked up to a dedicated puppy box running Wah!cade as a front to SDLMAME and it suits me just fine.

*Edited because I can't spell for toffee

[saint]

I've been an arcade gamer for about 25 years and I have dithered over building my own cab for about 10 of those. I have owned a Hotrod SE for years (and hated the joystick throw but done nothing about it), but now my daughter (13) has acquired her father's addiction for gaming I figured given that she loves arcade games but has NEVER played on a real arcade machine (and tbh I doubt she will anytime soon) I have decided to finally bite the bullet and build a full size cab.

For a while now I have seen the Saints book online and didn't buy it. I figured 2 things; firstly its American therefore their  will be loads of references to products I wouldn't be able to buy in the UK and secondly I have already researched this subject to death for YEARS so what on earth is buying a book going to teach me?

Well... I was so wrong. All the products discussed in the book are available here in the UK and secondly, holy cow did id make me stop and think. I was just on the verge of splashing cash and starting my build and the book has thrown my build in a whole new (and better direction)

Thanks Saint for taking the time to write this. I'm pretty sure that there will be loads of lurkers on this site thinking about building an arcade machine of there own. All I can say is buy this book. I am damn sure you'll not regret it. If you build a can then get hold of a copy you'll be kicking yourself every time you fire up the cab.

The only point in the book that I didn't whole heatedly agree with was the line on page 11 that said "...running a Microsoft operating system will be your best (easiest) choice"

I have worked in IT for many years and Microsoft is my 'day job.' The second I walk through my front door at home, the last thing I want is anything that reminds me of work, so I'm a linux user. My Hotrod SE is currently hooked up to a dedicated puppy box running Wah!cade as a front to SDLMAME and it suits me just fine.

*Edited because I can't spell for toffee

Cool beans, glad to hear you're liking it  

[Haterot]

Have to agree. I just received my book on Monday and I'm just about through the first reading. A lot of information I have picked up just from the website and users here but the book is proving to be a great reference  and makes it easier to look something up while Im in the garage than running back to the office to so a forum search. Thanks again for the book and the site Saint.