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From: blgardne@javelin.es.com@bambam.UUCP (Blaine Gardner)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Replacing the mouse
Message-ID: <2686@bambam.UUCP>
Date: 10 Oct 90 14:49:43 GMT
References: <6045@plains.NoDak.edu> <6003@eklektik.UUCP>
Sender: news@bambam.UUCP
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah
Lines: 33

eric@eklektik.UUCP (/dev/ph1) writes:

>In article <6045@plains.NoDak.edu> person@plains.NoDak.edu (Brett G. Person) writes:
>>I am currently working with a person who has cerebral palsey and needs a 
>...
>>non-technical (no big surpreise..) and what I want to do is build a joystick
>>that will send the same signals as the mouse sends. 

>Or...Make the joystick emulate the mouse in software.

The easiest way is to buy the Gravis Mousestick. It looks like the other
Gravis joysticks (foam covered grip, fire button on the grip, and two on
the base, tension adjustment in the base) but it includes an interface
box that goes between the stick and the computer. The Mousestick is
switchable between mouse and digital joystick modes, with lots of
options in either mode. And you can save 4 different configurations. 
The Mousestick costs about $60-100 depending on where you buy it.

Personally I've found that the stick is a bit cumbersome for Workbench
use, as I tend to overshoot. But it is fantastic with mouse-based games.

Also, I've had a MicroSpeed AmTrac trackball for a couple of days, and
I'm very happy with it so far. I've hacked Wico and Atari trackballs for
the Amiga before, but their button layout was pretty cumbersome for
anything but games. The AmTrac has large buttons surrounding the ball,
so it's very easy to use. And there's a center click-and-hold button
that can be toggled between the left or right button. It runs about
$70-110.
-- 
Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland  580 Arapeen Drive, SLC, Utah 84108
blgardne@esunix.UUCP                       BIX: blaine_g
{decwrl, utah-cs}!esunix!blgardne        
DoD #0046                               The Borg killed Laura Palmer!