u/Real_Experience_5676

Hello all! I'm new to arcade emulation! I've been doing some reading on it, and it seems a good basic starting point is using an old PC (Optiplex) and Batocera. So far, I think I understand the process. Batocera is the operating system, and you can add games via USB. The controllers and screen are peripherals. Dumb question time:

1. Can I install Batocera onto a blank PC without an existing OS, or does it need a basic OS first before I install Batocera?
2. Does Batocera use only the controller for interface, or can it also use a keyboard and mouse?
3. How much RAM is sufficient for up to PS2 games? My Optiplex has 8 gb Ram DDR3. Is that sufficient?
4. Where do most folks go to find ROMs of old arcade games?

I recently got to look in my house’s attic, and it’s a big pile of loose fluff distributed around the attic. In contrast, my unfinished basement has fibrous wool-like stuffing held behind plastic sheets. In some areas it’s spray foam. Why is the attic different? Wouldn’t it make more space if the insulation was lining the inside of the roof/walls, and I could have an extra attic space?

Small background: I'm trying to do my first build, and am thinking of going the Optiplex PC route with Baterco and RGS. My friend is disabled, so can't stand at a cabinet, but can use a arcade stick on his lap. I'm looking to buy some pre-built Arcade sticks. Some of the prebuilt ones are quiet narrow, and hard to use if you can't get your hands close to each other.

I notice the Pandora box arcade sticks are a tiny bit wider which would be good. Can anyone recommend a good prebuild arcade stick setup where the buttons and joystick are a little farther apart for ease of use? Thank you!

I loved the old ship-shooters, the one where you you pick a pilot/ship/weapon and try to get through as many levels before you run out of quarters lives. I can't for the life of me remember the names of any of them. Do you fine folk have any favorites?