Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ucbvax!LSUVM.BITNET!$CSD211 From: $CSD211@LSUVM.BITNET (Mark Orr) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2 Subject: Re: ADB Joysticks (was:Re: Space Ace (was Re: soundsmith question)) Message-ID: <9010132252.AA02397@apple.com> Date: 13 Oct 90 22:29:22 GMT References: Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 31 The product you were thinking about was the MouseStick by Gravis (a Canadian company, I think). I've seen this and it's a neat product. It was originally intended for Macs, but it is ADB so it should operate on a GS. Unfortunately, it's intended to be a "high-precision" joystick and is pretty expensive (as joysticks go). It has it's own microprocessor and an lcd display to show what mode it's in (relative, absolute, etc.). You're touching on a long time problem for Apple II's. The II only has one joystick port. Yes I know, the game I/O port has inputs for 4 pots, but it only has three button inputs. Even game cards for the IBM PC have two game inputs. I can remember playing One-on-One: I was on joystick, the other sucker was on keyboard --- no contest :-) I also own an Apple ///. The joystick problem was "sort of" fixed on the /// (the /// has two joystick ports: Port A has paddle inputs 0 and 2, and buttons 0 and 2. Port B has paddle inputs 1 and 3, buttons 1 and 3. So the output is mixed...to get and Apple II joysticks you have to homebrew a connector to the joystick which attaches to both 9 output D-connectors. YUK!) Many innovations from the /// were carried over to the //e (like SOS->ProDOS) but the joystick interfaces didn't. The Apple II Game I/O port also has 3 (unused?) annunciators...if one or more of these were changed to button inputs, the next apple II (if any) could have two 2 button joysticks, or two 3 button joysticks (if all three annunciators were changed). ----------------------------- Mark Orr ! "Dont blame me... ($CSD211@LSUVM.SNCC.LSU.EDU ! I didn't do it" - Krusty the Clown -----------------------------