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Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!cbatt!ihnp4!ptsfa!lll-lcc!ames!sri-spam!sri-unix!hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrb!ucla-an!remsit!stb!michael
From: michael@stb.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: gameport.device
Message-ID: <1504@stb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 27-Feb-87 01:51:40 EST
Article-I.D.: stb.1504
Posted: Fri Feb 27 01:51:40 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 3-Mar-87 20:29:06 EST
References: <292@umbc3.UMD.EDU> <3757@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU>
Reply-To: michael@stb.UUCP (Michael)
Organization: STB BBS, La, Ca, USA, 90402
Lines: 35
Keywords: gameport joystick cleanup arrrrgggg

There is a major problem with grabbing the joystick replies straight from
the hardware, and its a shame that EA does it this way. The reason?
 
How do you know what hardware I have?
 
The amiga supports mice and sticks. Trackballs that look like sticks are
available. Proportional sticks and real balls will be soon. Who know what
else will come later.
 
YOU CAN ALWAYS GRAB THE INTUITION INPUT STREAM.
 
The benefit of this method is:
 
A. The user can install filters and drivers for special hardware or
auto-fire mods, in software
B. Compatible with any hardware that will come out (it may be slower, but
it will work)

Remember, intuition grabs stuff at position 50 in the chain, so if you
plug in at 51, you get both joysticks (front and rear). The only thing
else you need is a short (5 line) program to set the front port to stick
and back to mouse. Then you write a 3 line script file that
set-stick
my_game
set-mouse
and the user modifies it if his hardware puts out proportional joystick
signals by putting in a peice of software that filters the proportional
into directional.

If I'm missing something here (some incorrect assumption or something),
let me know and I'll fix it. School prevents me from testing it (but
just wait() a month...)
-- 
: Michael Gersten		ihnp4!ucla-cs!cepu!ucla-an!remsit!stb!michael
: Remember, its not paranoia if the governemt really is out to get you.