Some good news today I guess. Today I received my order from ebay finally after 2/3 weeks or so. Ordered those cheap usb joysticks from the last 2 posts below and have finally got them in my hands right now.
Now what I plan to do with these you might ask. Originally, my plans to make the control panel was to buy an i-PAC2 controller, then have all the buttons connected to the controller. What this does is when a button is pressed, the signal goes to the i-PAC controller, the controller is then connected to a usb or ps/2 keyboard which then tells the computer the input. What the controller does is makes the button pressed think a computer keyboard is being pressed. I hope this was easy to understand. If not just send an email and I will explain in full proper details. Email.
Now, my intentions with this usb joystick from ebay is quite simple. Considering its already a joystick, all it has to do is connect to a computer via usb. I'm going to be ripping these brand spanking new joysticks apart, and replacing the buttons already on it with my own buttons that I purchased from Austin Amusements a while back.
What makes this so much easier is that its all there for me. Pre made! All I'm doing is replacing their buttons with mine, and having the usb plugged straight into the MAME's computer. It'll require a bit of soldering as there were no cables when I opened up the joystick, its input is registered via touchpad from contact like your average playstation controller. So we will have to do some soldering and wiring to have the buttons reach the pcb then have the usb reach the computer. Of course, the i-PAC might be easier because of this. Both Corey and I have experience from electronics class in year 12 getting our cert etc.
What kind of post would this be without pictures? Here ya go!
Alright aligning these pictures was a pain... damn you blogger! This is the best I can do.
Pictures include comparison with an ipod touch, the package itself. The rear taken off from the back. PCB and the touchpad of the control panel, and a closeup of the pcb.
And yes, I also noticed that huge piece of stone right in the corner! Was shocked when I saw this. I'm guessing its to add weight or to prevent a gap between the back cover so it doesn't easily break. Damn chinese ebayers!!!
The development blog of a MAME created by Bono Savatdy and Corey Mudge. What is MAME? MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. It is a built machine designed to emulate games of previous or older gaming platforms such as Atari & SNES for example.
31/01/2011 to 03/02/2011
Well it's been a while since I've posted here. Today is actually February 9, however last week Corey and I have been working in the scorching heat of summer from January 31 Monday til February 3 Thursday.
On these 4 days of working we were somewhat productive. Of course, distractions were to blame with the lack of productivity - we found the culprit....minecraft.
Right now we're sitting at the cabinet build. All panels have been cut and are now sanded down smoothly. Next step is to make the cabinet stand!
First day, Monday 31st January, Corey and I started off very dedicated. This day simply led to inspecting the shed, looking for the right tools to use, and drawing up on the board where to cut.
Second day, Tuesday 1st February, Second board was drawn and we began cutting. The handyman work was all up to Corey not being scared of the power tools like I am :) Of course we ended up having the first piece being wonky which was the keyboard drawers. By the way, all plans of the drawings were provided by Elvis from his original mame cab. You can get a copy of it here and simply click on the DOWNLOAD in whichever format you'd prefer, PDF or DXF.
(Insert Picture Here) - Space reserved
Third day, Wednesday 2nd February, after successfully cutting up the first side panel of the cab, of course the second would be a breeze. To make things easy and obvious, we just used the first panel as a template for the second. Saved us a hell of a lot of time to draw to scale and we also got the piece cut out better than the first.
(Insert Picture Here) - Space reserved
Fourth day, Thursday 3rd February, Corey and I have sorted out all the panels. This includes the two side panels for the cabinet, the floor, the roof for it, keyboard drawers and all the bridging pieces between the sides. Sanding had been done by this date and we were ready for making this cabinet stand!
(Insert Picture Here) - Space reserved
Between the four days we also manged to test some drill holes for the buttons. Following Elvis' build log, we also noticed that he used a custom made control panel for his buttons/joysticks made from OzStick I think it was. This led to us having to design our own control panel, whether we want it flat or on an angle. This was for another day to decide on whilst our main priority was getting the cabinet to stand up and ready to move to my house. Also we are awaiting for my order from ebay for the cheap usb joysticks.
That's it for today.
Of course, 4 days doesn't seem very productive to get 2 panels cut up and all the other pieces of wood for the cab. Heck we haven't even got it standing. But of course, time is an issue and we led to problems occurring with heat from the great outdoors, dates, parties, work, and of course the biggest time waster of them all... MINECRAFT!!!
Corey spent the 4 days above with me after having leave his part time job at MacDonalds after years of service. His now working with ETSA utilities so hopefully we can get this project done asap before work starts getting in the way and preventing us from finishing. Right now Corey is still uncertain when we will even start with his cabinet, perhaps when he has a week off or something. Our main focus now is getting mine up and ready.
On these 4 days of working we were somewhat productive. Of course, distractions were to blame with the lack of productivity - we found the culprit....minecraft.
Right now we're sitting at the cabinet build. All panels have been cut and are now sanded down smoothly. Next step is to make the cabinet stand!
First day, Monday 31st January, Corey and I started off very dedicated. This day simply led to inspecting the shed, looking for the right tools to use, and drawing up on the board where to cut.
Second day, Tuesday 1st February, Second board was drawn and we began cutting. The handyman work was all up to Corey not being scared of the power tools like I am :) Of course we ended up having the first piece being wonky which was the keyboard drawers. By the way, all plans of the drawings were provided by Elvis from his original mame cab. You can get a copy of it here and simply click on the DOWNLOAD in whichever format you'd prefer, PDF or DXF.
(Insert Picture Here) - Space reserved
Third day, Wednesday 2nd February, after successfully cutting up the first side panel of the cab, of course the second would be a breeze. To make things easy and obvious, we just used the first panel as a template for the second. Saved us a hell of a lot of time to draw to scale and we also got the piece cut out better than the first.
(Insert Picture Here) - Space reserved
Fourth day, Thursday 3rd February, Corey and I have sorted out all the panels. This includes the two side panels for the cabinet, the floor, the roof for it, keyboard drawers and all the bridging pieces between the sides. Sanding had been done by this date and we were ready for making this cabinet stand!
(Insert Picture Here) - Space reserved
Between the four days we also manged to test some drill holes for the buttons. Following Elvis' build log, we also noticed that he used a custom made control panel for his buttons/joysticks made from OzStick I think it was. This led to us having to design our own control panel, whether we want it flat or on an angle. This was for another day to decide on whilst our main priority was getting the cabinet to stand up and ready to move to my house. Also we are awaiting for my order from ebay for the cheap usb joysticks.
That's it for today.
Of course, 4 days doesn't seem very productive to get 2 panels cut up and all the other pieces of wood for the cab. Heck we haven't even got it standing. But of course, time is an issue and we led to problems occurring with heat from the great outdoors, dates, parties, work, and of course the biggest time waster of them all... MINECRAFT!!!
Corey spent the 4 days above with me after having leave his part time job at MacDonalds after years of service. His now working with ETSA utilities so hopefully we can get this project done asap before work starts getting in the way and preventing us from finishing. Right now Corey is still uncertain when we will even start with his cabinet, perhaps when he has a week off or something. Our main focus now is getting mine up and ready.
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