+arcadeshopper Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Check out the mouse in this photo. This person actually might be on these forums? I found this on the FTP site. Anyway, I can add another piece of hardware to my want list. Does anyone have any idea how rare this item is? I couldn't find any on eBay. EDIT: Arcadeshopper? Probably my mechatronic mouse since the picture doesn't come up.. previous message in this thread i noted it stopped working a while back.. also on my geneve I have a logitech bus mouse which is handwired into a adapter to work with the geneve mouse plug.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mizapf Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 The link is broken; it looks like http://ftp//ftp.whtech.com/... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 (edited) The link is broken; it looks like http://ftp//ftp.whtech.com/... oh yes that pic ftp://ftp.whtech.com/user%20photos/GregoryMcGillandhis994a.jpg yes that's me and that's my mechatronic mouse Edited April 13, 2015 by arcadeshopper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budz2355 Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 yes that's me What is that thing to the right of your monitor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 That is the hard disk that goes with the Myarc Personality Card. The case holds a 5, 10, or 15 MB MFM Hard drive with a SASI controller bolted onto it. SASI was the standard that predated SCSI (and was the standard from which it grew). These are very rare objects now. I know of less than 10 of them still in circulation--one of which is mine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 What he said I have a 15 mb rodime mfm drive in there 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I prefer "sexy" over "scuzzy." Fits better with "sassy." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkdrummer Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Looks like a corcomp sidecar clock hanging on the system as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Looks like a corcomp sidecar clock hanging on the system as well? yep.. here's the specs: TI console, Gram Kracker, Speech Synthesizer, Peripheral Expansion Box, Foundation 128k ram card w/myarc XBII rom, Corcomp DS/DD floppy controller, Myarc Personality Card, Corcomp RS232 Card (Millers Graphics ROMS), Mechatronic Mouse, TI 10" color monitor, Myarc WDS/100 Hard Disk System containing a Rodime 15meg MFM hard disk drive, Wico bat-handle joystick w/TI adaptor box later i replaced the corcomp rs232 with a TI rs232 with HDX daughterboard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkdrummer Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Methinks you be a hardware junkie like me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Methinks you be a hardware junkie like me. nods.. check out the aboutme on my profile (click arcadeshopper on the left) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) Methinks you be a hardware junkie like me. I resemble that remark. Edited April 16, 2015 by Ksarul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 There are a lot of programs already written to support the joystick like TI-Artist, Missile Command, etc... If a device could be manufactured to go between a mouse, or wireless USB receiver and the joystick port, that would ensure compatibility with 100% of pre-existing programs that are already written to accept a joystick. I figure constant movement in one direction would be translated into the continuous direction the joystick would normally be pressed, no movement, no travel. Decoding the requirements of the USB device seems like the hardest part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budz2355 Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 So does the wico trackball work like a mouse? What are the best/some of the programs that work with it? Would this be a worthwhile upgrade to my system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 Your computer sees the Wico Trackball as a joystick, so it can be used with any joystick games or applications. That said, it is definitely the best controller out there when playing Barrage or Centipede. . .and it gives really fine-grained control in graphics programs that accept joystick input for drawing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 I used to use the Wico trackball for both gaming and TI Artist - I was surprised how well it worked even if the software was just written for joystick. Definitely the one piece of hardware I wish I'd kept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 I just picked one up for about half of what they normally sell on eBay. Now working on the game routines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted May 18, 2015 Author Share Posted May 18, 2015 I used to use the Wico trackball for both gaming and TI Artist - I was surprised how well it worked even if the software was just written for joystick. Definitely the one piece of hardware I wish I'd kept. I've toyed with getting one of those for a while now, as there are a number of them on eBait right now too, even NEW ones. << HERE >> The only thing(s) keeping me from getting one are: 1) The physical size these things... they're massive! 2) The red color, I'd probably paint the read silver to match the two tone combination of the TI. 3) Then there are the aesthetics of multiple cords. Too bad they did not duplex the power & control lines in the same cord. I'd really like to see a schematic on one of these, because I'm betting that someone could design a circuit that would be able to interface a PS/2 touchpad to translate and work with the joystick port. It's the same principle involved, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 I'm assuming the non-/4A Wico trackball can be used with a joystick adapter? Amazon has them too, but not with the TI pinouts... If I am reading the listing correctly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 I like this joystick alot... Maybe you could add the trackball to this box and have an A/B switch to go from stick to ball? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 As far as I know, it just pulses the joystick lines - it certainly works with any joystick software just fine. I never took mine apart back in the day. A touchpad may not work the same way - I think they are positional point rather than relative movement devices - but a mouse would in theory be possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 I have a wico one, works as a joystick.. with anything a joystick worked with.. i preferred the mechatronic mouse but that required a driver for xbasic or tiartist..but much more control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ti99iuc Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 (edited) I'm assuming the non-/4A Wico trackball can be used with a joystick adapter? Amazon has them too, but not with the TI pinouts... If I am reading the listing correctly... the non-/4A Wico Trackball will not work with a joystick adapter, i tried... the one specific for TI-99/4A has an AC power adapter added that in the other version is not present. Edited May 18, 2015 by ti99iuc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 That is good to know... Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I'm assuming the non-/4A Wico trackball can be used with a joystick adapter? Amazon has them too, but not with the TI pinouts... If I am reading the listing correctly... Need external power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.