- Joined
- Oct 4, 2004
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK
Well I was typing a big post, but IE sucks so it lost everything I was typing .
But to summarize I am working on another project for the carputer which some of you know about and have been following.
Now originally my plan was to get some steering wheel controls from the local salvage yard, but 3 weeks later I have no luck. So my next (unique) option is to use an old gamepad.
Victim: Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad (gameport plug)
I intend to wire each button through an old keyboard of mine (Logitech internet navigator)
I plan on using the following button config (unless anyone says it wouldnt be a good idea and has any other suggestions for configuration, but note it can be changed "on the fly" anyways, so its not really a big deal.)
Picture for reference of Sidewinder
Button config on the pad is like this, the MODE button will not function like it would with the gamepad, it will be a button like the rest of them (ish..)
My original config idea:
Left/right: Back/Next in playlist
Up/Down: master volume control
Start: Start winamp/bring it to front (you can bring winamp to the front by running its exe)
Mode: Toggle Shuffle
Select: Start visualization
L/R: Seek (5sec) back/forward
A: Play/pause
B: Stop
C: <spacebar>
X: Playlist 1 (which is all my music sorted by name)
Y: Playlist 2 (which is all my music sorted by folder/title, so each individual cd is in the order it would be if played off the cd)
Z: Esc button
Most importantly I should explain how I'm going to do this, and its rather simple but there are a few complications.
First off I will be taking the keyboard and gamepad apart. Since a button (on anything really) is just a bridge between 2 points (thus completing a circuit) will allow windows or whatever to detect a button has been pushed, and associate the proper key to it. I am just advancing on that idea. They keyboard will be all taken apart, but hidden somewhere. There will be wires leading up to it that basically go like this (sorry about the bad picture, it was quick).
(the attached file)
Remember though, the gamepad will not be actually connected to anything, well except the keyboard. The keyboard USB will be plugged into the motherboard, so therefore the buttons being pressed on the gamepad will trigger the buttons on the keyboard, and nothing else.
Now for the questions
Please note that I do know that I could find these solutions on my own, however I have limited stuff available to me right now. I do not have my car, or the required peripherals with me right now so all I can do is ask. If you know the answer, please let me know!
1) Will windows support (and work 100% properly) with 2 keyboards? 1 being a wireless logitech access keyboard and the other being a usb internet navigator keyboard, pictures for reference, first one being wireless but with no mouse.
2) Will my iTouch software work with both keyboards? The wireless one has an f-lock button which allows keys f1-f12 to have a different function, nulling the actual F function unless the lock is turned on. The internet navigator (bottom) does not have the f-lock (some do, but not this one. My one I'm typing with right now has the f-lock but this secondary one doesnt) and it has standalone media buttons. Will the play on the 2nd work with the software installed for the first? It is the same software regardless of which keyboard it is, both are the same download off of logitech.com
3) Is there a limit to the length of wire you can use when wiring up a keyboard button? Like my explanation above of what I'm doing, as long as its bridging a contact it can be meters away and still make contact right? After all it is electronics, and a bridge is a bridge.
But to summarize I am working on another project for the carputer which some of you know about and have been following.
Now originally my plan was to get some steering wheel controls from the local salvage yard, but 3 weeks later I have no luck. So my next (unique) option is to use an old gamepad.
Victim: Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad (gameport plug)
I intend to wire each button through an old keyboard of mine (Logitech internet navigator)
I plan on using the following button config (unless anyone says it wouldnt be a good idea and has any other suggestions for configuration, but note it can be changed "on the fly" anyways, so its not really a big deal.)
Picture for reference of Sidewinder
Button config on the pad is like this, the MODE button will not function like it would with the gamepad, it will be a button like the rest of them (ish..)
Code:
z c
y b
x a
My original config idea:
Left/right: Back/Next in playlist
Up/Down: master volume control
Start: Start winamp/bring it to front (you can bring winamp to the front by running its exe)
Mode: Toggle Shuffle
Select: Start visualization
L/R: Seek (5sec) back/forward
A: Play/pause
B: Stop
C: <spacebar>
X: Playlist 1 (which is all my music sorted by name)
Y: Playlist 2 (which is all my music sorted by folder/title, so each individual cd is in the order it would be if played off the cd)
Z: Esc button
Most importantly I should explain how I'm going to do this, and its rather simple but there are a few complications.
First off I will be taking the keyboard and gamepad apart. Since a button (on anything really) is just a bridge between 2 points (thus completing a circuit) will allow windows or whatever to detect a button has been pushed, and associate the proper key to it. I am just advancing on that idea. They keyboard will be all taken apart, but hidden somewhere. There will be wires leading up to it that basically go like this (sorry about the bad picture, it was quick).
Remember though, the gamepad will not be actually connected to anything, well except the keyboard. The keyboard USB will be plugged into the motherboard, so therefore the buttons being pressed on the gamepad will trigger the buttons on the keyboard, and nothing else.
Now for the questions
Please note that I do know that I could find these solutions on my own, however I have limited stuff available to me right now. I do not have my car, or the required peripherals with me right now so all I can do is ask. If you know the answer, please let me know!
1) Will windows support (and work 100% properly) with 2 keyboards? 1 being a wireless logitech access keyboard and the other being a usb internet navigator keyboard, pictures for reference, first one being wireless but with no mouse.
2) Will my iTouch software work with both keyboards? The wireless one has an f-lock button which allows keys f1-f12 to have a different function, nulling the actual F function unless the lock is turned on. The internet navigator (bottom) does not have the f-lock (some do, but not this one. My one I'm typing with right now has the f-lock but this secondary one doesnt) and it has standalone media buttons. Will the play on the 2nd work with the software installed for the first? It is the same software regardless of which keyboard it is, both are the same download off of logitech.com
3) Is there a limit to the length of wire you can use when wiring up a keyboard button? Like my explanation above of what I'm doing, as long as its bridging a contact it can be meters away and still make contact right? After all it is electronics, and a bridge is a bridge.