Just got a stick today - it's got eight buttons, I'm trying to train myself to only use six (and keep the other two as taunts)  - is that what most do? I was wondering what the official, generally accepted button layout is for most people? I am not too familiar with arcade versions of Street Fighter so don't have any point of reference!

6 Buttons, punches on top, weak - medium - strong.  
 
EDIT: Default layout, basically.

Sweet! Thank ya! :)

I recommend using one of the ends as focus and one as taunt just so you can focus cancel into taunt and look awesome.

Just Options > Config > Set it to the first Arcade Stick layout, that's considered default. 
  
To spell it out though top three are punches, weakest to strongest left to right - same again for kicks.  
Also to taunt you just press both Strong / Hard / Fierce buttons, not all of them.
 
Mine just has 6 face buttons but two marked at LB / RB at the top for some menus and the like.

ive got 6 buttons as well, the other triggers are placed on the side of the case, so they are out of the way.

You're welcome to use the 3P or 3K button, but for the love of god don't map any button to focus or throw. Those are controversial mappings for one, as well as completely unnecessary. I recommend just the normal attacks.

" You're welcome to use the 3P or 3K button, but for the love of god don't map any button to focus or throw. Those are controversial mappings for one, as well as completely unnecessary. I recommend just the normal attacks. "

" @lordofultima said:

" You're welcome to use the 3P or 3K button, but for the love of god don't map any button to focus or throw. Those are controversial mappings for one, as well as completely unnecessary. I recommend just the normal attacks. "

I never understood mapping separate buttons for focus and throw. What's so difficult about pressing two buttons at the same time? "

" @lordofultima said:

" You're welcome to use the 3P or 3K button, but for the love of god don't map any button to focus or throw. Those are controversial mappings for one, as well as completely unnecessary. I recommend just the normal attacks. "

I never understood mapping separate buttons for focus and throw. What's so difficult about pressing two buttons at the same time? "

" @yates said:

" @lordofultima said:

" You're welcome to use the 3P or 3K button, but for the love of god don't map any button to focus or throw. Those are controversial mappings for one, as well as completely unnecessary. I recommend just the normal attacks. "

I never understood mapping separate buttons for focus and throw. What's so difficult about pressing two buttons at the same time? "

In the narrow-ass time window you have for FADC, pretty fucking difficult yeah imo. My hands don't move that fucking fast.  As for throws *shrug* should have remained one button imo anyway. "

" @lordofultima:  Well, coordination then?  Whatever the fuck, basically, I can't do FADCs and it makes me rage.  I <3 one button throws but, 2 are just as good. It's just having to press middle kick + middle punch in the middle of doing other shit that throws me off. I just need a fuckton more practice. "

Is it even allowed in tournament play to map combinations on a stick? I know it's banned in some games, wondering how it's in SF.