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From: bart@speedy.UUCP
Newsgroups: alt.cyberpunk
Subject: Re: who does it... // State of the art today?
Message-ID: <4494@spool.wisc.edu>
Date: Sun, 18-Oct-87 14:22:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: spool.4494
Posted: Sun Oct 18 14:22:36 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Oct-87 04:41:24 EDT
References: <4319@spool.wisc.edu> <3048@hoptoad.uucp> <21130@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <977@infinet.UUCP>
Sender: news@spool.wisc.edu
Reply-To: bart@speedy.WISC.EDU (Bart Miller)
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept
Lines: 29

In article <977@infinet.UUCP> rhorn@infinet.UUCP (Rob Horn) writes:

    >                                           SQUID's would avoid
    >needing a trigger finger, but people are very comfortable with
    >triggers and finger control is a lot more reliable than SQUID
    >detection.

If you've ever examine the cyclic (control stick) or collective (RPM
control and throttle) of a helicopter, especially a gunship, you will
notice that it has more buttons than a frog has warts.  And if you have
to look at the labels to figure out which is which, it's probably too
late.

One rule in flying heli-choppers is NEVER take your hands off the
controls unnecesarily.  So, the pilot is given a large number of controls
at his/her finger tips.

Now weapons usually have trigger-like buttons and other devices are located
more for thumb control.  But hitting the wrong button does happen...
"damn, I just wanted to say `roger', but just launched an air-to-air
at the control tower.  I'm so embarrased".  

So, non-mechanical controls are much desired.  Though a good, passionate
daydream could have all sorts of interesting side effects.

						--bart miller
						  uw-madison cs dept
						  bart@cs.wisc.edu
						  ...!uwvax!bart