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Another small update (V0.965b).
Some of the changes in this release:

• Fixed: Skin change issue, where number of lines per sub-display wasn't reset reliably.
• Fixed: Skin change issue, where maximum skin number was off-by-one (so highest number skin would be skipped when changing skins).
• Fixed: Bundled skin 'Stereo-Touch' name typo in jukebox.ini.
• Fixed: Alpha-numeric search function now works correctly (if key pressed is not a selector key).
• Fixed: Sometimes screensaver would be closed if a snackbar was dismissed at the wrong time.
• Fixed: Master Volume value now logged correctly.
• Added: Direct skin change keys (ie BTN_SKIN_1..BTN_SKIN_20) to jump straight to the numbered skin.
• Added: Conway's 'Game Of Life' simulation (life) screensaver (because, why not? It's only a couple hundred lines of code).
• Refactored startup sequence to improve performance.
• Refactored Player Event handler to improve performance.
• Optimized media metadata retrieval (on average, about 25% faster when indexing).
• Tidied up skins to optimize strip grid usage.
• Bug Hunt: The very first track played at startup sometimes causes track information snackbar to appear twice (if snackbar is enabled and Radio Mode is enabled).
• Bug Hunt: When resizing screen of changing skins, if track title is long, scrolling functionality gets messed up.
• Bug Hunt: When changing skins, Mouse-over Tooltips are not updating correctly.

Link here:

VideoJuke - 0.965b

I gave up long ago on "planning to my vision" and have adopted the much more realistic "temper my expectations to my skillset" approach.
 

You are smarter than I am - and get a lot more done.

I had stumbled onto RGBcommander as potential fix for this but haven't had time to take a shot at it.
I really suck at software configuration anyway.
I think it may have been mahuti who was the reigning master of RGBcommander configuration around here?

Even getting the Servostiks to act on their own doesn't mean the same operation/configuration will get a Pi to recognize an auto-switched joystick map for a U360 though, and for me the critical metric is that the U360 is recognized and utilized as an analog unit- which nobody seems to ever talk about.

I gave up long ago on "planning to my vision" and have adopted the much more realistic "temper my expectations to my skillset" approach.
 

I like it!
Looking forward to seeing which parts you leave at this point.

You and me both! I'm sort of making things up as I go but I have an image in my head that I'm working towards.

I'm loving the shape of this cabinet - really looking forward to how it turns out.

Will you be painting it?

Thanks - yes, unfortunately! As much as I hate painting, I really want to test myself with this one. I would like this to look very weathered when it is all said and done. I'm picturing some color or colors (leaning towards either dark red or black) with scratches in spots and along sharp edges where a layer of metallic paint will show through making it look like the top layer has been chipped or worn off over time. Once that is done. I am going to give it a "wash" with brown paint so it will hopefully look like dirt/grime has built up over the years as well. I have a loose theme in mind but the goal is to make it look "used".

Painting is the bane of my existence but that's because I try to get it "perfect" and it frustrates me but in this case, the more blemishes the better it will look!

I have a set of those Servosticks too and I have never been able to make up my mind about which machine to put them in. Don't mind using a toggle switch if I need to with those myself really but the U360s natively as analog sticks would be like magic at this point.

I hear you! I ordered these back in 2019, and only just installed them.

I sold my second-last arcade machine, and got the bug immediately once it left - so I've been completing my last machine ever with these. I will say they are a huge step up from the joys I had in my other cab - I sprung (heh) for super-tight springs and longer shafts, and they are a dream.

I don't want to have to select using a button, although that is a possible solution. I've read too many notes where people have the joys automagically switch from 4-8 way based on the game, and selfishly, I want that.

As I noted, if and when I have 'the' solution for me, I'll post up here with any help I can provide.

EDIT: OMG SUCCESS!!! While I am only partially done, I found a Wayback Machine link to RGBCommander Beta 0.4, downloaded and installed it onto my Pi, and tried their Dev Tool "rgbcmdcon" to run commands. Running "set,stick,4", I heard the motors engage, and the joysticks both automatically switched! Running "set,stick,8" switched them back.

Now, I have a lot more learning to do to try and determine how to make each game automatically trigger the switch between 4 and 8 way, but I am super happy with the current progress! (I will definitely be writing up some instructions on the site for anyone interested as well.)

SECOND EDIT: After reading some config files that came with the app, it said that it "listens" for the configuration and sets the joys accordingly. As that is, I tried it after installation and OMG it's already configured and works without any additional config from me!

I selected and started Pac Man, and the motors engaged and set the joys to 4-way. I exited, and the motors engaged and reset the joys back to 8-way. I tried Double Dragon, and they remained at 8-way. I tried Galaga, and they switched to 4-way.

You cannot believe how happy I am with this. Hope this works out for others as well!

I'm loving the shape of this cabinet - really looking forward to how it turns out.

Will you be painting it?

Almost certainly Arnold either flat out said no, or asked too much. His prerogative.

I'm guessing option B. I bet he would've been up for it, but I can imagine the cash he would've wanted to do it was astronomical.

If you're after a decent Terminator game in the meantime, Terminator Resistance is pretty good fun. It flew entirely under my radar on its initial release, but I picked it up for the PS4 last year (or maybe the year before? Can't remember) and had a good time with it.

What I'm interested in with Terminator 2D is that it's, well, 2D!

Appreciate that Rick!
I have a set of those Servosticks too and I have never been able to make up my mind about which machine to put them in.
Don't mind using a toggle switch if I need to with those myself really but the U360s natively as analog sticks would be like magic at this point.

I like it!
Looking forward to seeing which parts you leave at this point.