I can't believe 1997 was 10 years ago!
I started out with Mame version 2 on DOS..it only could do a couple games, but I remember how fun it was to watch the WIP to see what games would be added to the list.
My first MacMAME was v25 and the ROMS were in a super-ROM package. I had the whole set on 12 floppy discs.
I was a lucky enough to have a PowerMac 7500 back then because I was a drinking-buddy with the I.T. guys at work ; ) I've gotten a lot of free stuff from work...