UKVAC FAQ v0.1

[John Bennett]

[ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
> the UKVAC FAQ is only 50% written, i wish some other bugger would help me
> out here

Why not post it to the list then? (Rather than IRC.. ) Even at 50% at least
then eveyone can see where you're at with it (and add, delete where
neccessary) So, (not wanting to step on your toes but) let's try and get
some momentum going about what a UKVAQ should contain then...

UKVAC FAQ 0.1
Permission is given to distribute this file for any non-profit purpose.

CONTENTS

0 FAQ
- 0.1 FAQ History
- 0.2 Changes to this version

1 Introduction
- 1.1 UKVAC
- 1.2 The Mailing List
- 1.3 Discussion Content
- 1.4 Binary Content
- 1.5 This FAQ

2 Pricing

3 Buying An Arcade Machine
- 3.1 Compatibilty
- 3.2 Size
- 3.2 Original/Pirate/Repro
- 3.3 Where To Buy/Sell
- 3.4 Condition

4 Superguns
- 4.1 What Is A Supergun
- 4.2 Where Can I Buy A Supergun
- 4.3 Can I Build A Supergun

5 UKVAC Meets

6 Web Resources
- 6.1 Official UKVAC home page
- 6.2 IRC
- 6.3 Usenet

7 Contributors

0 FAQ

- 0.1 FAQ History
19-07-01 Initial FAQ design proposed to list

- 0.2 Changes to this version
Initial FAQ draft design

1 Introduction

- 1.1 UKVAC
UKVAC is an acronym for UK video-arcade collecting. It is not a formal club
but more an umbrella term to cover anyone and everyone within the UK that
enjoys playing, restoring and collecting video-arcade machines.

- 1.2 The Mailing List
The UKVAC mailing list was set up in (insert date here) as a forum for
like-minded individuals to share information and buy/sell machines.
Initially set up by XY-Man the job of maintaining the list was then handed
to John Cassells. As the list grew however, it became impractical to run
from a private home machine and it was moved to egroups and subsequently
yahoogroups, where it now sits.

To subscribe to the UKVAC mailing list, send an empty message to
ukvac-subscribe@egroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to ukvac-unsubscribe@egroups.com

- 1.3 Discussion Content
What to post
* requests for help/identifying boards
* for sale/want ads
Before posting anything it is always advisable to lurk for a week or two.
UKVAC is a fairly high traffic mailing list and this should give you enough
time to see the sort of things that are discussed. Please also note that as
an unmoderated list postings may contain expletives/profanities etc, if you
are likely to be offended this then perhaps this is not the list for you.

What NOT to post
* binaries (they are stripped automatically)
* flames
Off-topic posts should be kept to a minimum. UKVACers tend to have similar
tastes outwith this hobby so some off-topic discussion is allowable but
please try to name the subject starting with OT so those that do not wish to
read the thread can delete it. Flames (in particular towards newbies) are
also to be kept to a minimum. Unfortunately flames tend to spread and can
generate more noise than the post they originally flamed.

- 1.4 Binary Content
As most people now have their own web space for showing pictures of their
cabs or unidentified boards or the like, in general simply post the URL.
However, if you wish to post a binary then ONLY post to the UKVAC-binaries
mailing list

To subscribe to the UKVAC-binaries mailing list, send an empty message to
ukvac-binaries-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to ukvac-binaries-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

- 1.5 This FAQ
This FAQ contains both information about collecting arcade/videomachines
within the UK and about the UKVAC mailing list. It will be posted monthly to
the UKVAC mailing list and a copy can also be found at...
(insert link here)

2 Pricing
Although how much something is worth to you is subjective there are general
market values. A machine's price can be dependent on condition,
desirability, rarity and whether there is any sort of warranty with it. Just
because a machine is rare does not automatically make it desirable and vice
versa. Pricing is also dependent on where you buy your machine, from an
arcade, private collector etc (see later)

Generic JAMMA cabinet 50-150 UKP - things to look for are rotatable monitor,
number of joysticks/buttons, interchangeable control panel, monitor size

3 Buying An Arcade Machine

- 3.1 Compatibilty
In general, most non-dedicated cabinets from about (insert date here) use
the JAMMA standard. This means any board using this standard can be plugged
into the machine. As well as individual boards using the standard, some
manufacturers own systems also used a JAMMA connector... Capcom
CPS/CPS2/CPS3, Taito F3, Sega STV, SNK NeoGeo/Hyper NeoGeo 64

Non-JAMMA boards can usually be used in a JAMMA cabinet by using a JAMMA
loom. This is a handwired connector which swaps the board pinout to a
standard JAMMA pinout. Board pinouts for non-JAMMA PCBs can be found on
Spies (see later)

Older machines are almost always one game one machine

 

[P-Man]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
i have taken your points into consideration John, but you must understand
posting an incomplete faq to the list is a futile attempt.. people will
start adding their own sections, re-editing old sections,
_simulataneously_..

it not too structured right now as new ideas come in and there's no point in
someone wanting to help, writing a big chunk of it then realiseing someone
else on the list has done just that.. what a waste of peoples time and
effort

If a FAQ was such a ground-breaking idea, why havn't we had one from the
list moderator ages ago? Only decide to pop up now and say so...

also, i COULD just re-edit another related FAQ and just change the text
where appropriate but .... whoops.. looks like you beat me to it

when we have decided it is sufficiently complete it will be posted to the
list for suggestions/improvements, but right now, it will mean virtually
nothing to most people.

i'm not confining it to IRC, but the only people that seem to want to help
or take an active part in UKVAC are in there.. i have had email
contributions too.

lets get some momentum going? excuse me? what have i been trying to do the
past few days?

please, let me finish this one first. If it displeases the list
moderator/general public then it can be binned.

right now, it has contributions from the self-professed main hardcore
element of UKVAC, if that's not good enough for the rest of you then fine
hehe

please, its stressful enough trying to get ANYBODY to do ANYTHING in this
group (ever been to a meeting and had to try rally a bunch of undecisive
gits into ordering food/moving from location to location??) hehe its in our
nature... can't be helped.

Now i finally grab the bull by the horns and try get the FAQ written and you
suddenly decide to pipe up and tell me how to do it?.. what gives?

not a flame as such, just a general observation.

Andy

 

[John Bennett]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
> <post snipped so I don't quote loads of needless shite>
> posting an incomplete faq to the list is a futile attempt.. people will
> start adding their own sections, re-editing old sections,
> _simulataneously_..

FAQa are by there very nature incomplete, so NO, it's NOT a futile
attempt... people say what they think should be added, what should be
deleted and the FAQ maintainer takes that on board and on the next release
makes any changes. That way EVERYONE on the list that wants to get involved
gets involved.

> <snip>
> else on the list has done just that.. what a waste of peoples time and
effort
> If a FAQ was such a ground-breaking idea, why havn't we had one from the
> list moderator ages ago? Only decide to pop up now and say so...
> also, i COULD just re-edit another related FAQ and just change the text
> where appropriate but .... whoops.. looks like you beat me to it

Oooh, cut to the quick <handbags anyone, sigh> How much time and effort? It
took less than half an hour to whack v0.1 together but now everyone can get
stuck in (actually it's taking longer to write this reply as I don't want to
use the word fuck anywhere.. oh fuck!)... There's always talk of a FAQ but
nothing comes of it (a quick search shows Adam Rose said his was taking
shape back in March 2000 and Rav posted a meet FAQ in September (which
should be included under the Meets section)) I'm off work today so spent
half an hour putting the basics together. (BTW let me know which other
related FAQ I changed the text on.. that way it would have cut the time I
took even further )

> when we have decided it is sufficiently complete it will be posted to the
> list for suggestions/improvements, but right now, it will mean virtually
> nothing to most people.

"when we have decided it is sufficiently complete"? Just out of interest but
who's "we"? And why would it "mean virtually nothing to most people"? Have
you decided to write the draft version in Aramaic? (or Gorfian?) Are the
rest of us too stupid that we wouldn't understand a draft document?

> i'm not confining it to IRC, but the only people that seem to want to help
> or take an active part in UKVAC are in there.. i have had email
> contributions too.
> lets get some momentum going? excuse me? what have i been trying to do the
> past few days?

I dunno what have you been doing? I don't use IRC for chatting... I usually
pick up the list emails when I finish work and read through them, I don't
have time to sit on IRC. Should that exclude me from adding to the FAQ, I
would have said not. If you don't post to the list then the majority of list
members won't get a chance to add anything.

> please, let me finish this one first. If it displeases the list
> moderator/general public then it can be binned.

But then "what a waste of peoples time and effort " Better I would have
thought to get everyone involved as soon as possible rather than some UKVAC
cabal laying things down in stone.

> right now, it has contributions from the self-professed main hardcore
> element of UKVAC, if that's not good enough for the rest of you then fine

> hehe

Not good enough!

> Now i finally grab the bull by the horns and try get the FAQ written and
you
> suddenly decide to pipe up and tell me how to do it?.. what gives?

I haven't "piped up" and told anyone anything...just proposed a draft
document so people can get involved rather than deliver a fait-a-complit.
FUCKS SAKE... it was a draft proposal.. simply add YOUR stuff to MY stuff
(or MY ideas to YOUR ideas).. better still add EVERYONE's ideas to the UKVAC
LISTs document!!

> not a flame as such, just a general observation.

It's a flame... its what you do best and I'm no newbie! (although
technically you're also pretty good at helping people ) Tell you what,
next time you don't flame someone don't use sarcasm, be elitist or use the
terms "pipe up" and "pop up" OK

Not a flame just a reply...



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DATA Imported from archives: originally posted by John Cassells (john.cassells@iomartdsl.com)

 

[MarbleMad]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
oh screw this. Only on ukvac can we argue about something as straight
forward as this.

Andy's started a FAQ with contrabutions from a load of people (on AND
OFF of irc).

In the mean time John 's posted his contribution to the list. There's no
reason why it can't stand as the ukvac FAQ for the next few hours or
maybe a day.

I'm sure the comprehensive FAQ will be along to replace it shortly so
lets just hold out horses till then.
---
James G Watt
http://www.kinetic-arts.co.uk
Part of the Video Arcade Game Collectors WebRing.

You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.



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[P-Man]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
[needles bandwith wasting text removed]

OK..

so it takes me to start it, you to finish it i can live with that.
consider the UKVAC FAQ i was preparing dead in the water as its not being
carried out properly. John cass has got such a good idea about it.. good
luck. I'll join the list of people wanting to see the FAQ IMMIDIATELY. come
on, where is it? I don't think you're doing it right..

Andy



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[John Bennett]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
Cor, is it 2 for 1 day at the abuse club

From: Andy Welburn <warlords@ntlworld.com>
> so it takes me to start it, you to finish it i can live with that.
> consider the UKVAC FAQ i was preparing dead in the water as its not being
> carried out properly. John cass has got such a good idea about it.. good
> luck. I'll join the list of people wanting to see the FAQ IMMIDIATELY.
come
> on, where is it?

Oh god, its playground time again is it. Wait a minute, I'll check with my 2
year old son to find the correct way to phrase this... "please Andy, don't
do that, don't take your ball away. Please come and play with us" <sigh> As
you've pointed out previously the list is a nightmare to motivate which is
why I actually posted something. (I can check back to find how many times
people have said they are doing a FAQ if you want?) This way you can "see
the FAQ IMMIDIATELY", I posted a draft document earlier today. The list
wants you to help, please help us Andy...

> I don't think you're doing it right..

Then like I say, the list wants you to help, please help us Andy...

From: Puck <puckman71@mac.com>
> Could be me but why is it that I only see John post stuff when it is to
> confirm that he OWNS the ukvac mailing list?

Think its just you there then Puck... if you use Outllok Express then click
on the "from" tab to organise the posts so you can more easily see all the
posts from me, then read them and let me know how often I say I OWN the
list. Bizarre as it may seem sometimes when you read some of the elitist
shite on here, no-one OWNs the list! If however you mean I'm the maintainer
of the list then yes, that IS correct but I don't actually DO anything
<hangs head> About the only thing I've ever been asked to do is change the
reply field and rather than making a decision by myself I set up a poll for
the list to decide. Finally when I get my arse in gear and post a draft FAQ
rather than let the suggestion disappear into the 'net again I get berated
from you for apparently stating I OWN the list and Andy throws his toys out
of the pram



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[John Bennett]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
> oh screw this. Only on ukvac can we argue about something as straight
> forward as this.

BTW black is white, JAMMA is crap, Gorf is boring and QIX is pronounced
kicks

> Andy's started a FAQ with contrabutions from a load of people (on AND
> OFF of irc).
> In the mean time John 's posted his contribution to the list. There's no
> reason why it can't stand as the ukvac FAQ for the next few hours or
> maybe a day.

</pout on> no,no,no.. <stamps feet> it's my list, no one else's </pout off>

> I'm sure the comprehensive FAQ will be along to replace it shortly so
> lets just hold out horses till then.

Hey, if it only serves for someone else to actually do something BTW I
pity the fool on 56k dial-up having to download all this shite

John (who's glad he'll be back in the office tomorrow and not posting FAQs
)



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[P-Man]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
[snip]
> Then like I say, the list wants you to help, please help us Andy...

this list wants me to help assemble a FAQ i've already nearly assembled?
where's the logic in that? I don't think you speak for the list.

> Finally when I get my arse in gear and post a draft FAQ
> rather than let the suggestion disappear into the 'net again

umm.. no, what you did was to say 'yes, a FAQ is now needed, andy has made
an excellent point, however, lets ignore what silly little faq he's writing
with other uninformed newbies and start my own.'

its not a question of who runs the faq/assembles the FAQ, gets credit for
the FAQ. who gives a flying fuck? not I sir... you do tho

its the way just cast aside any notion of the faq we've nearly completed on
our own as being a credible FAQ that passes your standards by pasting the
outline for a FAQ

> Andy throws his toys out
> of the pram

it got your attention?

some people do things just for the credit, i don't give a monkeys behind
whether my name is on some stupid little text file or not. i just want to
see the incessant basic newbie questions cease. A FAQ is the easiest way out
of it.

Andy



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[P-Man]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
[snip]
> Then like I say, the list wants you to help, please help us Andy...

this list wants me to help assemble a FAQ i've already nearly assembled?
where's the logic in that? I don't think you speak for the list.

> Finally when I get my arse in gear and post a draft FAQ
> rather than let the suggestion disappear into the 'net again

umm.. no, what you did was to say 'yes, a FAQ is now needed, andy has made
an excellent point, however, lets ignore what silly little faq he's writing
with other uninformed newbies and start my own.'

its not a question of who runs the faq/assembles the FAQ, gets credit for
the FAQ. who gives a flying fuck? not I sir... you do tho

its the way just cast aside any notion of the faq we've nearly completed on
our own as being a credible FAQ that passes your standards by pasting the
outline for a FAQ

> Andy throws his toys out
> of the pram

it got your attention?

some people do things just for the credit, i don't give a monkeys behind
whether my name is on some stupid little text file or not. i just want to
see the incessant basic newbie questions cease. A FAQ is the easiest way out
of it. you seem to think that the FAQ should go like this.... and that's the
final word...

Andy



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[guddler]

[ukvac] Re: UKVAC FAQ v0.1
> BTW I pity the fool on 56k dial-up having to download all this
shite

That'll be me then :O) (not that i really appreciate being called a
fool though!)

Come on guys and girls, PLEASE cut the crap and get on with the task
at hand.

I read John's FAQ, POST, call it what you will, and surely that has
some relevent stuff in it that can get merged into the other one (or
the other way round if it offends less - it makes no odds in the end)
and we can all be happy. Well, as happy as UKVAC gets these days...

Guddler.



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[John Bennett]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
Like you say, "so it takes me to start it, you to finish it "

> this list wants me to help assemble a FAQ i've already nearly assembled?
> where's the logic in that? I don't think you speak for the list.

You didn't say nearly, you said "i'm 50% way there", and you didn't say when
you'd started (If you started yesterday and its 50% complete already then
fair enough, maybe I jumped the gun but if you started 6 months ago and its
still only 50% then a post to the list was justified) In any case, if its
50% then post it...

> > Finally when I get my arse in gear and post a draft FAQ
> > rather than let the suggestion disappear into the 'net again
> umm.. no, what you did was to say 'yes, a FAQ is now needed, andy has made
> an excellent point, however, lets ignore what silly little faq he's
writing
> with other uninformed newbies and start my own.'

No... that's not what I said or meant, but if that's the way you interpreted
that's up to you. I've pointed out already that a large number (and it looks
like I'll now have to trawl through and finds names and dates does it?) have
proposed FAQs and stated they were working on one only for nothing further
to happen. THAT's why I posted something, the ball is officially rolling
now... (hey if a complete FAQ does turn up now in the next few days like Jim
says, who cares... at least my post might have hurried things along)

> its not a question of who runs the faq/assembles the FAQ, gets credit for
> the FAQ. who gives a flying fuck? not I sir... you do tho

stop arguing then and POST THE FAQ <throws hands in air> (or at least every
time you go to flame a newbie on the list <bites tongue> instead simply
spend that time working on the FAQ.. hey it would be finished in an hour or
so (look a smiley!))

> its the way just cast aside any notion of the faq we've nearly completed
on
> our own as being a credible FAQ that passes your standards by pasting the
> outline for a FAQ

"nearly completed on our own"! then POST IT...

> > Andy throws his toys out
> > of the pram
> it got your attention?

No it got my back up and I thought made you look like a prick... there's a
difference

> some people do things just for the credit, i don't give a monkeys behind
> whether my name is on some stupid little text file or not. i just want to
> see the incessant basic newbie questions cease. A FAQ is the easiest way
out
> of it.

For a "stupid little text file" it would appear to be ruffling a fair few
feather and going against the list FAQ (no flames ) So post it... </mummy
voice on> then you won't have to talk to newbies ever, ever again.. I
promise.</mummy voice off>



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[gerardvschip]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
At 04:33 PM 7/19/2001 +0100, you wrote:
>For a "stupid little text file" it would appear to be ruffling a fair few
>feather and going against the list FAQ (no flames ) So post it... </mummy
>voice on> then you won't have to talk to newbies ever, ever again.. I
>promise.</mummy voice off>

Hmmm, should it not be <MUMMY VOICE ON>and then</MUMMY VOICE ON>

Who knows, maybe when all computers come with excellent speech these tags
will be implemented by W3.org.

Gerard aka puckster



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[John Bennett]

RE: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
Chaps,

Do we really have to argue over this? I am a newbie, I admit it, I've rebuilt a fair few cabs, but I still consider myself 'new' due to the vast amount of information there is to learn about arcade cabs/games etc...

I for one, really appreciate the efforts of the people who created the FAQ, whether it's finished or not, any information helps.

So please, I don't want to see my mailbox fill up with crap about who's right and who's wrong etc... Let's just drop it and move on.

Andy, great work with the FAQ, many thanks!

Regards
Chris



DATA Imported from archives: originally posted by Chris Priest (chris.priest@dreamstream.com)

 

[John Bennett]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
In article <5.1.0.14.0.20010719165119.022d4658@mail.mac.com>, Puck
<puckman71@mac.com> writes
>Hmmm, should it not be <MUMMY VOICE ON>and then</MUMMY VOICE ON>
>
>Who knows, maybe when all computers come with excellent speech these tags
>will be implemented by W3.org.

Or even better... <mummyvoice> blah, blah, blah, </mummyvoice>

Incidentally, can I propose that UKVAC refers to it's FAQ as a FACK
since it seems more appropriate. ('cos it appears to be facked)

--
Clive Mitchell



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[John Bennett]

Re: [ukvac] UKVAC FAQ v0.1
> Incidentally, can I propose that UKVAC refers to it's FAQ as a FACK
> since it seems more appropriate. ('cos it appears to be facked)

Actually, shouldn't it be referred to as the FAKWI (for those people that
insist on pronouncing Qix, Kwicks)



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DATA Imported from archives: originally posted by John Cassells (john.cassells@iomartdsl.com)