Jim Briggs

I am curious as to whether any of you more experienced types are aware

of a USB controller that has directional (up-down-left-right) keys (or

could be used in such fashion) and a clickable button.

I am setting up an installation for which i don't want the user to

really access anything else -- or be confused as to what to do -- so

setting up with a keyboard is out of the question. Four button

trackballs (or trackballs of any kind) won't work either, as I'm

worried someone will make off with the ball.

I've given thought to using a USB numerical keypad, modding it with

backlight and changing out keys to straight up arrows and blanks

instead of numbers, coupled with a regular mouse, but it would be

really nice to just have a single interface for the user (instead of

two). There are some reasonable VoIP devices that look sort of like

what I'm looking for, but I'm worried the phone-oriented icons on the

Bring on the recommendations. Thanks in advance!

Howdy --
I am curious as to whether any of you more experienced types are aware
of a USB controller that has directional (up-down-left-right) keys (or
could be used in such fashion) and a clickable button.

I am setting up an installation for which i don't want the user to
really access anything else -- or be confused as to what to do -- so
setting up with a keyboard is out of the question.  Four button
trackballs (or trackballs of any kind) won't work either, as I'm
worried someone will make off with the ball.

I've given thought to using a USB numerical keypad, modding it with
backlight and changing out keys to straight up arrows and blanks
instead of numbers, coupled with a regular mouse, but it would be
really nice to just have a single interface for the user (instead of
two).  There are some reasonable VoIP devices that look sort of like
what I'm looking for, but I'm worried the phone-oriented icons on the
controller will confuse any users.

Bring on the recommendations.  Thanks in advance!

usb-directional-controller

Well if you don't mind taking something to bits and making an enclosure for it a cheap usb playstation joypad type controller might do.

http://www.consoleplus.co.uk/product_info.php?pName=double-s

Well if you don't mind taking something to bits and making an enclosure for it a cheap usb playstation joypad type controller might do. 

 http://www.consoleplus.co.uk/product_info.php?pName=double-s hock-pc-usb-joypad

try looking at a Human Interface Device (HID) which uses the HI object.

this usually means game controllers, which really open up the 

possibilities to find what you want, and probably for relatively cheap.

I know that some old 8 bit Nintendo style controllers remade for USB 

(up down left right a,b start select style) work with the HI object 

I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I 

You will not be saved by the Holy Ghost. You will not be saved by the 

this usually means game controllers, which really open up the  
possibilities to find what you want, and probably for relatively cheap.

I know that some old 8 bit Nintendo style controllers remade for USB  
(up down left right a,b start select style) work with the HI object  
in Max. Perhaps thats a starting point?

I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I  
LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE! I LIVE!

You will not be saved by the Holy Ghost. You will not be saved by the  
God Plutonium.

Completely forgot about the NES style. Might work really well! 

Completely forgot about the NES style.  Might work really well! 
Thanks for the suggestion...


http://flickr.com/photos/danwinckler/sets/132194/

good ol', rugged, chuck 'em at the wall a thousand times NES

controllers. :) perfect for rough treatment in an installation.

modding NES controllers to USB:
http://www.retrousb.com/nintendo.html

what they look like inside:
http://flickr.com/photos/danwinckler/sets/132194/

good ol', rugged, chuck 'em at the wall a thousand times NES
controllers. :)  perfect for rough treatment in an installation.

--
***
http://danwinckler.com
http://share.dj
http://gunshowimprov.com


Nice. Anyone have experience with alternate skins for the NES

gamepads? I think I'd rather stay away from the classic look out of

2) avoidance of confusion with NES application

3) desire to maintain a look of my own for the installation

This is a great suggestion, though, and I will probably go for it.

Nice.  Anyone have experience with alternate skins for the NES
gamepads?  I think I'd rather stay away from the classic look out of
1) reverence for the past and my youth
2) avoidance of confusion with NES application
3) desire to maintain a look of my own for the installation

This is a great suggestion, though, and I will probably go for it.
J.


Nope, not familiar with re-skinning them. IMHO, unless you completely

change the form factor, i.e., make a new enclosure and buttons, no

amount of paint will change the instant impression of holding a

familiar game controller in your hand. :-/ It all depends on what

Nope, not familiar with re-skinning them.  IMHO, unless you completely
change the form factor, i.e., make a new enclosure and buttons, no
amount of paint will change the instant impression of holding a
familiar game controller in your hand.  :-/  It all depends on what
you're going for.

usb directional controller