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  The Edge  -Mar 8, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Just saw a new webpage with a coolio hack for the old atari 2600 wico trackball.  It might be an economical solution for some of you out there, hell I have one sitting in the closet too!  Check it out.

New Mame -Mar 07, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Mame ver .80 released...most notable is the inclusion of sound in armor attack!  That's good news, I've been waiting for that for a while!

Much appreciated -Mar 06, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Thank you very much for all the e-mails!  Very much appreciated!  Little Zakk is in intensive care, so it's been taking all our time and thought...I'll try and get back to everyone personally soon.

It's a boy!! -Mar 04, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Thanks for the e-mails and well wishes!  Zakk jr was born at 2 am-ish on Mar 4. I almost couldn't ask for a better day.  Yeah, I know it's not mame related, but I'm going to blather on about it anyway. He's a bit premature and not breathing well, so he might end up in intensive care, instead of coming home tomorrow, so we could use all the prayers you guys can give.

New Project Extreme! -Mar 02, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Looks like they're going to induce my wife tomorrow, so hopefully by this time tomorrow evening, I'll be a proud dad (again!).  If all goes well Zakk Michael  (just call him junior!) will be standing at the ole mame cab going "I can't believe you used to play these lousy games!"  Or maybe he'll have some appreciation for the old classics...we'll see. 

  Definitely Dat  -Feb 29, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

February draws to a close with a new Mamey winner!  Check out this killer cocktail! We're also coming up on 100,000 visitors here!  I checked my e-mail stats and I am averaging 18 e-mails a day from you crazy mamers!!!  I'm actually getting more real e-mail to the mameworld account than I'm getting spammed in my hotmail account, and that's pretty impressive!  I'm glad so many of you find the site useful, and hopefully it will be around for a few years yet for those that have yet to find mame! (Is there anyone left that hasn't??) Greets go out to Damian, Brent, Craig and Steve, oh and of course Dean. 

One last thing, if you're looking for a chuckle, check out this new spiffy mame cab you can buy.

 Oh and did I mention that it's only $650 plus shipping without the computer and that the guy selling them will tell you to go f*ck yourself if you tell him it's silly?  Enjoy! (Edit: oh it looks like he's brought the price down to only $500!!  Reminds me of the good ole days of the Romboxx! ...and no, I'm not the one who told him it's silly)

  Dis and Dat  -Feb 26, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Progress has been made on the cocktail cab, I'm still working out the dimensions for the thing, but the control panel is planned out and cut to shape.  Oh, and I found the keys that got sucked into the snowblower a couple of months ago, so today has been a good day!  I sold the stern warning cab to a new cabber, just to make some room in the garage.  Too bad, I liked the look of that cab.

  Ultimarc  -Feb 24, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

I think I ordered these parts about 4 days ago, and here they are!  My fist look at the mini-pac-opti.  First impressions: "Holy sh*t, this thing is the size of a soda cracker, I paid HOW much for it???"  Lasting impressions:  "Man, this thing could be the greatest godsend to us repetitive-cab builders".  I like it quite a bit, It comes with the wiring and everything....plus everything on one tiny little board!  Oh and I got one of their trackballs while I was at it, since I'm trying to make the panel on the cocktail as compact as possible.  Here are pics of the items, yet to say just how easy it is to figure out WHERE all the wires go to!

  Road trip! -Feb 22, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Got myself a nice Golden Axe cabinet yesterday, thanks to edgedamage and his buddy.  His buddy is a mame converter hater, but a really good guy and we were able to put our differences aside long enough to check out his collection of cabs and boards and parts.  Overall an excellent roadtrip!  Zelda is in the hands of her happy owner, and I have a new cab to play with.  Now to get it out of the truck! (grumble grumble).

   New Project! -Feb 14, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Just got an order in for a new project, it'll be a cocktail cabinet (finally!).  A side by side model based loosely on Midway cab dimensions.  Check it out here.

Vortex be back! -Feb 10, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Vortex spinners are back in stock here.  These have been selling out faster than we can get them in so get your order in now!  In other news, I swung a deal for a new Golden Axe cabinet that I should be getting soon.  Lots and lots of e-mail coming in...I can hardly tell that everyone is stuck indoors making cabinets!!!  Added: Here is a pic of the new vortex with the new machined aluminum flywheel, shown with three of the optional spinner knobs.

Galaga Lives! -Feb 3, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Finished the Galaga mini.  Went very well, check it out in the cabinet section to see how it turned out.  Also, anyone in the San Francisco Bay area that has built a cab and wants to maybe be on tv, drop me an e-mail in the next day or so and we'll see about making you famous! :)  Also, the Oscar replenishment order is on the way, so we'll have stock for you crazy Canuk mamers.  Thanks to everyone who has e-mailed lately, I'm trying to get back to everyone, but it must be that time of year when everyone gets locked in and starts on that project, so I haven't forgotten about you, I'm just working my way though them!

  Special Request -Jan 26, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Got a request to save the life of an ailing Galaga cabaret machine today.  Looks like we'll be putting a supercharged engine in this non working husk.  I might be picking it up tomorrow, since it's a rush job, so this one might be a quick one!

  Still Tickin -Jan 22, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Okay, bathroom project is almost done, at least for now.  Sold an empty cab to a friend this evening, so it looks like I am next going to start either the stern warning cab or some work on the space invaders.  Stay tuned!

  :Pause: -Jan 16, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

I'm itching to start the next project, however I just picked up a pile of parts to re-do my bathroom, so there prolly won't be any new developments for a week or so while I install the new tub and tile.  Plus it gives me time to figure out which cab I want to do next out of the bunch in the garage. Ah, decisions decisions...maybe  should leave it to a vote ;)

  Zelda mame Finished!! -Jan 9 , 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Well, it was a long haul, but I can honestly say the new owner will not be disappointed with his new cab.  Check out how it turned out here.  Now when am I going to become the Jesse James of radical cab building?  Hey Discovery Channel guys!  I'm ready for my audition!

  Jukebox 8 finally! -Jan 5 , 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

've been waiting for this puppy for a while, and here it is!  Check it out here.

  New Stuff -Jan 2, 2004   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Happy New Year to everyone!  Lots of mail happening right now for some reason, and as usual I'm taking forever getting back to everyone.  I'm funny that way.  We DO have a new Mamey winner, so be sure to cruise over there, and if you check out the special winter edition of Maximum PC, there is an article about building mame cabs...here's a snippet about our Oscar Vortex spinners!

Also, Ultimarc has a killer new product on the shelves...an all in one card!  Spinner, trackball, joysticks and buttons on one board, and it's reasonably priced!  Check out the mini-pac! Looks like there is much to come this year!

  Progress -Dec 30, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Zelda mame is turning out to be a real challenge!  I've never wired so many controls on one board before.  Should give me something to work on for New Year's Eve :) 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!   -Dec 24, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Merry Christmas to everyone!  As soon as Christmas is over, you've had the turkey dinner, and you're hopped up on rum, you'd better be hard at work making that Mamey-worthy cabinet!  Check out those boxing day sales and get those last parts you need!

  Spinner Shortage! -Dec 22, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

A huge rush of orders for Christmas has left the shelves bare!  I'll be restocking shortly, but not before the new year.  Hope everyone has fun with the spinners they get, it's just such a perfect way to enjoy a quiet winter evening, with a nasty game of Arkanoid!

  Let there be light! -Dec 16, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

I received a few few "Laser LED" lights in the mail today...these things are awesome.  They are superbright LED cannons.  They come on a little plastic swivel mount, with double sided tape and they plug right into the HD plugs on your PC.  Used mostly for case modding, they just happen to work perfectly for lighting up a trackball!  Watch the Zelda cab section for details on the install of these puppies.  I "pulled a Zakk" on the control panel, and yet again cracked my plexi on the very last hole.  If you have seen it, you can figure out why it's got me fuming.  So at least one thing worked out well today, since these little lights save me a fair bit of work when it comes to lighting the translucent ball! Here's a pic of the unit:

  Slave Labor -Dec 14, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Getting closer to Christmas, and I find myself working constantly on Zeldamame.  Turning out to be a very challenging project. The phrase "Most holes ever drilled in plexi" keeps coming to mind.  The wiring will be a job in itself, and it will be a miracle if the config works first time out, considering there will be 7 joysticks and 4 rotary devices on this one panel(!).  Ah well, maybe I'll be surprised and it will come together perfectly first time. Check out the progress here.  

  Tip -Dec 08, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Hey, if you're having trouble getting that marquee light going in that classic cab, just consider junking it (not the cab) and buying a new unit from Home Depot.  This actually came up twice lately, where it just never occurred to people to just replace the light with a new self-contained piece.  They are $9.99 here, and can simply plug into the power bar that you have your computer running from, and makes it easy to get bulbs and whatnot. 

  Zakk be back -Dec 07, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Okay, made a bit of cashola lately, so I can kinda relax a bit.  I bought a Space Invaders cab off of my good friend Geoff today, and in a related article, here, Taito has announced plans to re-release space invaders.  Cool!  Greets to all my dedicated fans (?) and sorry I don't write here enough.  If you want the latest, always check out the cab section, I tend to post there with whatever updates I have.  Zelda mame is the latest flavour of the month, so that's where I am.  I'm far from gone, and while I've got a few mails from you guys worried I'm leaving the biz, I think I was a bit misunderstood:  I want to slow the output of Zakk cabs, not get out of the business.  No worries, I'm here till I get tired of video games, and I think that could be a while yet to come. Greets out to Jerry, Mike, Christine, Geoff, Chris, Dean and of course Jay. Yeah, you guys make it worth keeping this page updated. 

  Go look -Nov 22, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Here's a project by a new Mame fan.  Check out his new creation here! I'm trying to wind down my cab creating pursuits, as I find I'm taking too long getting cabinets ready for clients.  I plan to finish up Zelda mame, then build one for myself, then one last one to sell off when it's done, however long that takes.  Everyone has been very understanding, but I used to have plenty of free time in the evening to work on these, but lately the pager goes off right when I get started into something, and ruins my concentration.  Lets see if my no more tours tour lasts :)

  Oh so Much of an Update be Due -Nov 13, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Okay, I have a bunch of submissions to add to the examples page, as soon as I get the correct web software installed.  I suppose I should get out of lazy mode and do that right now.  I did manage to get Virtua delivered and running.  Looked good in its new home.  Zelda Arcade is coming along, and I even started a bit on Tack cab.  Check it all out in the Cab section!  Also bought a new Ford Escape SUV to help me move these thingies around.  Doesn't fit the damn things very well, but I sure love being one of those asshole SUV drivers.  It's great, I don't have to signal when I change lanes, I can slam on the brake every time I see a coffee shop, and I can park taking up 5 spaces...awesome! :)  Oh, and as a followup to my posting of mid summer, I DID get my mustang painted and, well, sold off...here's a couple of before and after pics:

  Quote from the King -Oct 29, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Submitted Virtua Mame cab to the blessed archives over at build your own arcade controls, and got a bit of kudos, which of course I will shamelessly repost here:

saint's note: I believe this officially, if there was ever any doubt, puts Zakk over the top for the most cabinets of all . . .Though MrArcade might have a thing or two to say about that :)

That does it, the gloves are off, and MrArcade and I are in the ring!  In the meantime go check out how the cab turned out here.  Thanks saint!

  25 Signs You've "grown up" -Oct 28, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

1. Your potted plants are alive. And you can't smoke a one of them.

2. Having sex in a twin-sized bed is absurd.

3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.

4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to sleep.

5. You hear your favorite song on an elevator.

6. You carry an umbrella. You watch the Weather Channel.

7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of hookup and breakup.

8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 7.

9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as 'dressed up.'

10. You're the one calling the police because those darn kids next door don't know how to turn down the stereo.

11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.

12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.

13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.

14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's.

15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.

16. You no longer take naps from noon to 6 p.m.

17. Dinner and a movie = The whole date instead of the beginning of one.

18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 a.m. would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.

19. You go to the drugstore for Ibuprofen and antacids, not condoms and pregnancy test kits.

20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer 'pretty good stuff.'

21. You actually eat breakfast foods at breakfast time.

22. "I just can't drink the way I used to," replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."

23. Over 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.

24. You don't drink at home to save money before going to a bar.

25. You read this entire list looking for one sign that doesn't apply to you!

  Whew! -Oct 20, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Thanks to everyone who has been writing asking questions about the screen setup.  Is it better than mame on a dedicated cab though?  Sorry to say, no.  Best way to watch movies? F/N A!

And just a reminder, we're still your Canadian stop for  Oscar supplies!

  Stop Yer Whinin -Oct 16, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Well I suppose the "get over it" e-mails were right on the money :)  Yeah, yeah, feeling a bit down the other night it seems, but back in the swing of it today...Can't be in a bad mood when you play Metal Slug on an 8 foot screen!!!  Check out some of the snaps!  (Any blurriness was from taking pictures in a dark room...

The Asteroids Deluxe was definitely the best.  The berzerk was a close second.  I think I would have liked the tempest a bit more if I had a spinner control and not a keyboard for this test.  Ah well, can't have everything.  Am I spoiled or what? :)

  Boo Hoo  sucks to be me -Oct 14, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

I haven't taken a vacation in over 10 years.  I mean taking a break from work for like one or two weeks.  Just can't do it.  My choice I suppose...but lately, I've been feeling a bit of the real life pushing on me (thanks to jackoffs like Brian Wilson...fuck you brian).  Er, hem, anyways...anybody have a good vacation spot?  I mean, a kick your ass gonna blow your mind good place to vacation?  Visitors from all over the world (literally) view this site for whatever reason, and I'm sure at least one or two of you look out your window daily and see paradise...tell me about it!  Oh and of course I'm partial to coconuts and sandy beaches, so let me know the place to go, even if you don't live there. Hell, I've never even been on an airplane, not once!  I just slave away making sure the family is secure and well off.  Tell me where to go (heh and not the usual way I'm told where to go!).  Anyway, that's a bit of booze talking, but damn I need to get away.  Ah well off to bed with me, day 100 without a break tomorrow.  Gotta give up one of these jobs sooner or later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Stuff and That stuff..too -Oct 2, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Good Progress on Virtua Cab, but no current pictures.  I lucked out yesterday and picked up an AMD barton 2500+ what was actually a downgraded 3200+ with a 400 FSB.  Cranked up the voltage on it a smidge and whoo hoo!  A $700 processor for $100!!!  Still running fine, temps all good, and I didn't even need to upgrade the ram.  Damn that's too cool.  I thought it was a pretty good deal when I picked up the chip, but then I looked at the price of the 3200's.  I mean, it's fast, but not $700 fast!  Built the new comp for my office with that cold cathode tube.  I'll have some pics when and if I ever get my new furniture delivered.  How interesting is an office?  Not.  What does it have to do with mame? Nothing.  What's that, shut up then?  Okay!

I will have pics of Virtua once the artwork gets printed. Back to your regularly scheduled program.

  Greets -Sept 25, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Greets go out to Chris, who bought an empty cab off me today, and is trying his hand at building his own.  I'll have pics of the completed cab if he gets it done.  Also, picked up a cold cathode light today, I'm thinking of putting it into either my cocktail cab, or the new computer for my office.  I'm kinda in awe of the light this puppy puts out...lookit that sweet glow:

Also got word that my trackball will be shipped tomorrow for Virtua...good news!

  Lookit -Sept 21, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

It's my girl's birthday today, so everyone wish Lindsay a happy Birthday!  It was the oldest one's Bday the other day, but I didn't grab a snap of her, so I'll have to add it in here later.  My wife is on our fourth (!!) child right now, and she's having a lot of problems, in and out of the hospital with this one, so it makes you sit back and appreciate the frailty of life a bit more...well anyway, it makes a Birthday just that much more special around here:

Happy birthday Lindsay and Amanda! (oh yeah, you can tell she loved this gift).

  Heylo -Sept 20, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

I really don't update this page enough, as I was just told in e-mail.  Can't argue with that, but as always, look for current changes in the cabinet section, as that's where I spend the free time I have.   There has also been a new Mamey category added, and a new Mamey winner!  Also, stay tuned for a pic of Mame playing on my 8' screen! I'm serious about these damn things.  If I can convince just one person that it is the best way to watch a movie, well then I've done a good job.  Here is a pic of my viewing room with the new 8 footer installed.  Compare it to the pic of the 5' screen a few posts down.  Nothing better than watching a concert like this!!!

  Sh*t -Sept 7, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

Complete and disastrous Hard drive crash last Friday, I'm just now getting back up and kinda running. Still no graphic proggies installed, guess that should be next.    Man, it's when you have not backed up for the longest time that you lose a hard drive.  I lost e-mail and a lot of web page updates, and addys and stuff like that, so if you are waiting for a reply from me, send me another note, as I might just have lost your msg.  In the meantime, Massive cab got delivered, Deano is done and awaiting delivery, and Virtua and Zelda mame have been started.  My Mustang came back from the body shop and looks like a million bucks, too bad I'm going to sell her.  I managed to get an 8 foot screen for my dvd projector, and if you missed the posts below, be sure to consider one if you are thinking about a large screen tv.

  I've gone insane -Aug 25, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

I went in to get a few computer parts for Deano mame, and ended up buying a $200 case for my own pc.  Whooo she is purty though!  Check out the Thermaltake Xaser III:

The case is almost all metal (mostly aluminum I would guess), there's 7 fans with speed controls, top mounted firewire and usb inputs, dual panel front acess, glowing E-LED front light, side window,  etc etc etc.  Oh and it's BIG, REAL BIG. I'd nominate it for one of the best looking cases out there today.  I love it.  

  Oscar Parts and E-mail -Aug 25, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

All of the backordered parts are now in stock, and all standing orders are now cleared and being sent out today.  Sorry for the short delay.

E-mail has been working intermittently at best, I think I'm getting all the mail, but sending is taking up to 2 days to allow.  Hopefully this is just a server problem and will be worked out soon.  Thanks for the patience! (Now go buy a spinner! :) ) 

  Dis Dat and da Udder -Aug 20, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

 I actually got a fair bit of mail on the projector screen news, and I've moved up from projecting on a wall to a 5' screen.  I'm still trying to work the deal for an 8' screen, but for now the 5 footer works.  Here's some pics of the screen pulled down in front of my 'real' tube tv:

Now for everyone that I haven't returned e-mail to, again it's just my lack of free time.  It's 12 midnight, and I still have 'real' work to do, along with trying to cut a keyboard drawer and get some wiring done.  Then some sleep and up at 8 again to start all over, and tomorrow looks like a BUSY day! :)  Still greets go out to Greg Dean and Jimmy, my loyal groupies that (almost) never yell at me for not returning their e-mails in good time, but still send me good e-mail tidbits on a regular basis...cheers guys!!!

Now for some real news, I am getting a fair bit of e-mail about the Oscar products.  Would it be easier if I just have the products listed in US funds?? There seems to be a bit of confusion about the whole thing, with people thinking I'm charging US on those prices as opposed to CAN funds.  Seems silly to post Canadian parts in US funds, but would that be a better idea?  If you have an opinion on it, let me know, as it doesn't really make a difference to me, in fact it's easier to just copy the prices from the main Oscar site, instead of using a currency converter....let's hear what you have to say on the matter!!

  Baby! -Aug 17, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

 Congratulations to my cousin who just had his first baby girl, Lily-ann.  She was born during the blackout in New York, so it was an interesting experience to hear about, but they're all doing fine!  Cigars for everyone, so smoke em if you got em!

 The shop is starting to look pretty busy.  Dammit don't you people know this is just a hobby? Sheesh :)  Here's a shot of some of the work going on:

   and one of the 20" monitors waiting to be installed:

AND one shot of the new Vortex spinner next to my real Tempest spinner:

Deano cab is nearing completion, so on to the next ones soon!

  Too much! -Aug 11, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

 The new cabs arrived, and one of them is another painted over Defender!  Also the first shipment from Oscar Controls showed up, so the Oscar Store is officially online.  Busy busy day!

  Unrecommended, (is that a word?)-April 20, 2003   EMAIL A NEWS ITEM
 

mamemarquees.com has swiped most of the art off this site and started selling it. Tsk Tsk.    Save yourself some money and have a marquee printed by a local print shop.  Much easier to ensure that what you get is what you want.   Check out the showcase section for examples of great marquees people have done themselves.

The movie is over for god's sake!! 

Old old old (as far back as 2001) news deleted.  If you read all the way to this point, well hell I'm impressed beyond words.  Hope that after all that reading you found something useful!  Cheers to you fellow mame fanatic, know that as I type this I am having a glass out of a $250 bottle of Johnny Walker Blue in your honor (really!)  Hope you didn't want to read more, because the last couple of years worth or drunken ramblings are gondo.  Eh, you're not missing anything.  Go have a drink.