New mouse project!

[ggn]

Hello,

 

Me and a few friends are thinking about initiating a project to make a batch of mice for the ST, Amiga and Jaguar.

 

But instead of making an adapter and selling it, we thought we'd simplify things a bit: What we are planning to do is to buy a batch of PS/2 optical mice, removing the PS/2 cord, inserting the adapter logic inside the mouse, and installing a standard 9-pin cord. In our opinion, this makes for a neater solution than having 2-3 adapters in order to get to the computer's port.

 

The mice we're thinking of using are Logitech optical PS/2 like these:

 

(image disabled - I'm not allowed to use pics on this board, from what it tells me! Just see http://www.cafegadgets.com/crazy-images/enlarge/logitech_ps2mouse.jpg )

 

(the actual model is subject to change, it will depend on the actual quantity we will want to buy and also the source).

 

The design we're going to use is this, but with the difference of using a better firmware, which gives smoother movement. If you're aware of this design, you'll know that there is a way to have a selector switch for ST/Amiga, but we decided that in order to keep things as simple as possible, we'll hardwire either one or the other. Also, since an ST mouse can be wired to be used for the Jaguar, we can also make mice with a 15 D-SUB end, ready to be plugged in.

 

What we'd like from people would be initially to see if there's interest in this. We'd like you to just express your interest and how many devices you would like. This is because we cannot estimate the price (it will depend on a few factors). But we would like to gauge interest in this.

 

After a couple of weeks, we'll count the number of devices people would be willing to buy and announce the price (we hope to keep it low, we're not in it for the money).

 

So that's what this is all about. Any people interested? Please reply below stating how many devices you would like and of what type (ST/Amiga/Jaguar). Also, feel free to ask questions, we'll be more than happy to reply!

Edited August 8, 2010 by ggn

[+orpheuswaking]

Dependant on price probably Two ST and one Jaguar (I'm assuming the ST mouse will work just as normal and can be used on my a8 to play The brundles)

[Curt Vendel]

Why not just use ST Mice, they are plentiful.

[sh3-rg]

Why not just use ST Mice, they are plentiful.

 

Looks like New York is the place to go if you want an ST mouse!

 

They've not been plentiful here since 1992.

[ggn]

Why not just use ST Mice, they are plentiful.

 

Looks like New York is the place to go if you want an ST mouse!

 

They've not been plentiful here since 1992.

 

Plus, 800DPI>>>>150DPI

[ggn]

Dependant on price probably Two ST and one Jaguar (I'm assuming the ST mouse will work just as normal and can be used on my a8 to play The brundles)

 

I have an a8 right here, once we make a couple of test units I'll test it! BTW, does the mouse need any adapter or does it go straight to the a8 joystick port?

[doctorclu]

I think this would be interesting. Any idea for a price?

[ggn]

Hi doc,

 

I think this would be interesting. Any idea for a price?

 

as this will depend on a whole lot of factors that are unpredictable atm (including interested people), I'm afraid I cannot answer this yet :/. We'll try to keep the price as low as possible though.

[CD-i]

maybe im interested in 1 or 2 ST mice

[+orpheuswaking]

Dependant on price probably Two ST and one Jaguar (I'm assuming the ST mouse will work just as normal and can be used on my a8 to play The brundles)

 

I have an a8 right here, once we make a couple of test units I'll test it! BTW, does the mouse need any adapter or does it go straight to the a8 joystick port?

 

A regular ST mouse plugs right on and works as is (download a copy of The Brundles if you have APE/SIO2PC and play that, Failing that Missile Command set to Trackball mode will let you know if it works)

 

Curt, ST mice are not that plentiful around here and stupid prices on Ebay, and they like to fail fairly often (I have 5, 4 of which don't work right)

[PeterG]

I think this would be interesting. Any idea for a price?

 

There might even be more people interested in a mouse for Jaguar once Matthias releases Impulse X

[Fres]

I'm with Orpheus. I'd buy one or two if they'd work with my Atari 8-bit. I can always play more Brundles.

[sh3-rg]

I think this would be interesting. Any idea for a price?

 

There might even be more people interested in a mouse for Jaguar once Matthias releases Impulse X

 

Yea, that would play really nicely with either a mouse, trackball or rotary - I'm going to give all 3 a go

[PeterG]

I think this would be interesting. Any idea for a price?

 

There might even be more people interested in a mouse for Jaguar once Matthias releases Impulse X

 

Yea, that would play really nicely with either a mouse, trackball or rotary - I'm going to give all 3 a go

 

It does indeed although I haven't tried a trackball.

I might consider a mouse but then again I could make use of a rotary for tempest aswell so I don't know...

[mimo]

depending on price I am interested in an ST mouse , any chance of them being switchable so I can use it on an Amiga too?

Oh and a Jaguar rotary controller

[the.golden.ax]

I hate ball mice. Laser is a vast upgrade that is sorely needed.

 

AX

[Tyrant]

Sounds like a brilliant idea. I'd be interested in one for the Jaguar, but why not simply make them all with 9 pin ends and make a 9-15 way adaptor. I suppose it would increase the cost slightly, but it adds flexibility.

 

Also, one thing to note: On the ST, mice are read by a dedicated processor on the keyboard. On the Jaguar, polling for changes is entirely up to the programmer. I hope an 800dpi mouse doesn't lead to pulses being transmitted too fast to be recognised.

[Gaztee]

I'd be interested for a jag one to use with impluse X ;0)

[the.golden.ax]

Would this be a good enough excuse to port a Mah-Jong to Jaguar? It would be awesome to take an ST game and then make a few special tile sets like the Jaguar Library box art (does this need it's own thread?)

 

AX

[+CyranoJ]

Would this be a good enough excuse to port a Mah-Jong to Jaguar? It would be awesome to take an ST game and then make a few special tile sets like the Jaguar Library box art (does this need it's own thread?)

 

AX

 

Thats a great idea! Mahjong on the Lynx is one of my favourite games for that machine.

[CD-i]

you mean shanghai mahjong. mahjong is a different game. but most people in the west call shanghai mahjong falsely mahjong

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong_solitaire

 

okok, i admit, its a bit confusing

I Like shanghai too!

[Tyrant]

you mean shanghai mahjong. mahjong is a different game. but most people in the west call shanghai mahjong falsely mahjong

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong_solitaire

 

okok, i admit, its a bit confusing

I Like shanghai too!

Don't forget Shisen-Sho, another popular computer game with Mahjong tiles.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shisen-Sho

[the.golden.ax]

I meant Shanghai style. Little animations when you make a match (like an animation of the main game sprites for each jag game) and a clip of the audio from each game title.

 

AX

[sh3-rg]

you mean shanghai mahjong. mahjong is a different game. but most people in the west call shanghai mahjong falsely mahjong

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong

 

http://en.wikipedia....hjong_solitaire

 

okok, i admit, its a bit confusing

I Like shanghai too!

Don't forget Shisen-Sho, another popular computer game with Mahjong tiles.

 

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Shisen-Sho

 

I worked on some shisen-sho games in the past & a shanghai game would be nice for the Jaguar (I've played a PS3 one (not even a very good one) for hours upon hours). I suppose we got one more for the list... we're going to need a bigger boat

[S1500]

Okay, while it may be possible to make a mouse for the Jaguar, one would also need to make software to utilize said mouse. Heck, that applies to ANY new hardware made for a video game console.