Hello boys! I'm baaaack!

[tthurman]

Not that you ever knew I was gone, or here for that matter. I've been in a long, very long process of planning a hybrid type arcade pedestal, five years at least, I'm embarrassed to say. I got the fever way back in 2001, when a friend introduced me to MAME, but more recently along the way I have been playing with GUI's trying to figure out what's best for me. After numerous tests ranging on everything from a P4 3.06 with 4 GB RAM up to my current build, a Q9550, 8GB, HD5770 (for now) in a Silverstone full ATX HTPC case, I'm finally back to that GUI decision. I first tried GameEX several years ago, and liked how straight forward and easy to configure it was, but honestly, the media center appeareance just didn't do it for me. From the looks of it, much has changed since then, or perhaps I just didn't dig deep enough back when I tried it.

Regardless, I moved on to try other things, Mala being one of them, and of course I've followed HS quite a bit. I belive HS is a sharp GUI, but I question my resolve to stick to it in order to come up wtih a polished installation, as spare time is something I don't have a lot of. Although I've not actively particiaped in these forums, it's obvoius the passion runs deep here as it does in the others I've been following. My goal is to build a pedetal to house my system and control panels, but it will be used just as much for a HTPC as a emulator. Work on the pedestal is currently delayed while I plan a way to intergrate a Star Wars yoke controller. My hope is that I can have my two player CP removable, and swap out the yoke CP as needed. Restoring the yoke has been a bigger project than I anticipated, but it is moving along.

At some point in the not to distant future (I hope) I will finally start loading up the software on the newest rig. I hope to have an nvida card by then, as I would like to run Sega Model 3 as well as Pinball. Still not to sure how well pinball will work on a 16 X 9 upright style playing field, but I'm hoping something out there will serve as a work around, sort of like Pinball FX2.

Given all of this, it seems GameEX was the most suited for me to begin with, so my intention is to go back where I started, only this time try a little harder. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions, so you might actaully get tired of seeing me around.

Sorry for the long winded post, thanks for reading!

Todd

[Adultery]

Well welcome back my friend!

Glad to see you have decided to give GameEx another go, hopefully our knowledgeable user base can help you in all aspects of your build. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions, we don't mind!

Again, welcome back!

[Tempest]

I always enjoy stories about a user who tries other FEs, and then comes back to GameEX. Thanks for sharing yours.

[rtkiii]

I looked at a lot as well and just felt GameEx was the best fitted for me. Welcome, Back!

[Draco1962]

Welcome home!

[stigzler]

Love seeing others' builds. You keeping a log anywhere?

I'm sure youve read, but you rejoin at an exciting time with the new game ex coming out this year. In terms of FE tinkering (themes etc) id be inclined to get on with my build first and then come to the FE last. By that time GE2 will be out. Depending on how quickly you solder and route, of course!

[tthurman]

So far I've not done much in the way of documenting, but then again most of the work I've been currently doing was stripping down the decals etc. off of the Star Wars control panel. What a mess! I finished that up, and managed to get most of the painting done before cold weather set in. I puchased the yoke, and the steel panel the yoke mounts to with the idea of creating a full size panel that will be interchangable. I purchased my two player panel quite a few years back from Arcades R Fun, back when they sold panels. Seems lately theyve moved to selling only completed machines these days. I am very interested in Evolution for sure, and my plan is to concentrate on the physical build just as you have suggested. I can guarantee my construction phase will move slowly, so the timing may be ideal on completion and the launch of the new FE. It will be interesting to see how many people move to Evolution, and judging from some of the great looking builds here, I have to think quite a few will stick to the current build. I plan to document the pedestal construction, and will gladly share it, assuming it doesn't look terrible.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

[Adultery]

Once you see what we have in store for the rebirth, you're gonna want to evolve I bet. There's just so many reasons why this will be the next big thing in front end software, it'll make the original look like child's play.

When it drops, hopefully the upgrade will be painless for existing users... Trust me, you'll want to take the jump, especially if you're using a cabinet. :-)

[tthurman]

I was excited to hear a new version was on the way when I just happenend to check in here right after the holidays. I can't wait to see what you guys have been up to!