Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!ncrlnk!ncr-mpd!FtCollins.NCR.com!chipb
From: chipb@FtCollins.NCR.com (Chip.Brewster)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Replacing the mouse (and adapting Amy for handicapped persons)
Summary: Get StickMouse
Message-ID: <539@ncr-mpd.FtCollins>
Date: 15 Oct 90 14:36:19 GMT
References: <2686@bambam.UUCP> <6045@plains.NoDak.edu> <6003@eklektik.UUCP>
Sender: uucp@ncr-mpd.FtCollins
Reply-To: chipb@FtCollins.NCR.com (Chip.Brewster)
Organization: NCR Microelectronics, Ft. Collins, CO
Lines: 47

In article <2686@bambam.UUCP>, blgardne@javelin.es.com@bambam.UUCP
(Blaine Gardner) writes:
> 
> 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

Sorry if this is old information, but I missed the original posting.
The easiest (and cheapest) thing to do is get StickMouse posted to c.s.a.
It will allow you to use a joystick as a mouse without any hardware mods
(I just love the Amy).  If you missed it, let me know and I'll send a copy.

I'm also working with someone with CP and have found a trackball to be
pretty helpful.  I forget which one I have, but it isn't one of the more
expensive ones with conveniently placed buttons, smooth action, etc..
I don't think you need that for persons with limited motor control.
The most important thing is BIG buttons.  I have yet to compare the trackball
with a joystick and StickMouse.

I'm working on a project to interface a Prentke Romiche (sp?) Touch Talker
as a keyboard.  I also plan to try a Muppets Learning Keyboard from an
Apple.  They both have large pressure sensitive keys and work pretty well
for persons who have difficulty with the small keys of a regular keyboard.
The Touch Talker is a rather expensive device, but I have found that many
CP patients already have/need them.  The Muppets Keyboard is an inexpensive
device (less than $100) that you can get from many software distributors.
It works like an analog joystick, but because of port differences, will
require a simple hardware interface adapter.

I mentioned this to see if there is sufficient interest to help motivate me
to get it done.

Chip Brewster
UUCP: {ncr-sd,uunet}!ncrlnk!ncr-mpd!bach!chipb
ARPA: Chip.Brewster@FtCollins.NCR.com
USPS: NCR Microelectronics, 2001 Danfield Ct MS470A, Ft Collins, CO, 80525
BELL: (303) 223-5100 ext. 423