Hi all,
due to the sudden interest in the USB Mouse adapter, I will make a small batch of them over Christmas. If anyone else, (who hasn't already said so) wants one, then say it now. I need to order the parts today, otherwise I won't be building them till after Christmas.
Bryce.
This is the version I will be building. It can be used internally or externally.
Oh, nice!
Please, count me in :)
Hi Bryce
I'd be interested in getting one - but what price were you offering to sell them for?
thanks
Pretty sure I'm interested though I'm not quite sure what I'd use it for but since when has that mattered,
but would be helpful to know the price and it is powered by the monitor normally right?
I'm still waiting in hope for the Bryce ram expansion though.
To answer some of the frequently asked questions so far:
1 - It's tiny. 33mm x 48mm x 14mm (H). So it can easily fit inside any CPC.
2 - It's plug and play with auto recognition of mouse type / amount of buttons / scroll-wheel.
3 - Yes, it needs the 5V connection. Amstrad in their infinite wisdom, decided that their Joystick port wouldn't supply 5V unlike every other computer in the universe!
4 - The 5V lead has no connector, due to everyone having different CPCs with different sized sockets and different power supplies etc. So you'll have to look after this connection yourself.
5 - Almost any standard USB mouse will work, but fancy mice with additional features will only offer the standard 3 buttons and a scroll wheel at most.
6 - No, Bluetooth mice probably won't work, but most standard RF wireless mice will.
7 - The scroll wheel is not standard AMX, because AMX didn't have a scroll wheel. The scroll wheel acts as the up/down of Joy2, so FutureOS and other AMX programs could be patched to make use of it (Hint, hint... TFM) :)
8 - The DIP switches aren't required any more since the firmware was upgraded to plug and play so they were removed, but there is still a jumper which can be removed to disable the scroll wheel.
9 - No, other USB devices can't be connected to it. (Well physically they can, but they won't work)
10 - The LED blinks once for one second to confirm mouse recognition, blinks permanently if the mouse is not compatible or broken and flickers each time the mouse sends a data packet.
11 - You can connect / disconnect / reconnect / swap the mouse at any time without needing a reset.
I hope this has answered most questions and relieved my inbox a little too :)
Bryce.
I'd like to have one as well.
This way I have one to be built into the case, and the second one for an external box.
...I'm interested too.
Well there goes my Christmas then :D The batch is growing to more than I expected.
@awergh: Still working hard on my RAM expansion. I want to get it to a good price / size / features before I decide on the final design. Stay tuned...
Bryce.
put me down for one.
Id definately buy one as well ;)
Quote from: Bryce on 14:40, 16 December 11
Well there goes my Christmas then :D The batch is growing to more than I expected.
Sorry Bryce, I think I am the one who originally enquired. Shall I send over a photo of myself so you can throw darts at it Christmas day? ;D
Like I said before, on the other topic.
I like one for me.
Thanks.
Sorry for the temporary hijack.... but I have to ask.... which Amstrad stuff will you be using this mouse with? I'm curious.
Because while it does sound neat to have a mouse, I just can't think of anywhere I would use it. FutureOS? SymbOS? What else?
I would buy one, too :-)
Quote from: mr_lou on 08:13, 17 December 11
Sorry for the temporary hijack.... but I have to ask.... which Amstrad stuff will you be using this mouse with? I'm curious.
Because while it does sound neat to have a mouse, I just can't think of anywhere I would use it. FutureOS? SymbOS? What else?
Art packages, DES and the likes... maybe Op. Wolf/Thunderbolt would work, too?
OK, internal USB mouse conector for CPC sounds great for me... [external too]
Please add me to the list, man. Thanks!! for your work.
I am interested in one of these as well
12 so far? There goes New Year's eve as well :D
Poor Bryce, he is too good person ;D
It's a lot more than 12 at this stage (lots were ordered over PMs) so I will have to re-think my strategy :D I only ordered parts for 15, so I will have to make them in two batches, but everyone who asked will get one.
Bryce.
P.S. The best software use of the mouse is OCP Studio and AMX Paint, which were specifically made to use an AMX mouse. FutureOS and SymbOS also support the mouse, and any other software which used the Joystick as a pointing device will work too.
This AMX Mouse format is different to the Ps/2 at Symbiface II, isn't it? If it is, I want one too :)
Quote from: Bryce on 13:19, 17 December 11
...any other software which used the Joystick as a pointing device will work too.
Does that mean it'll help me kill off the bad guys in games like Prohibitition and Operation Wolf a lot faster?
QuoteIt's a lot more than 12 at this stage (lots were ordered over PMs) so I will have to re-think my strategy (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/../../../Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/cheesy.gif) I only ordered parts for 15, so I will have to make them in two batches, but everyone who asked will get one.
if I notify other Greek people (in other forum) you might have to consider of three batches!!
what do you think? :laugh:
(I hope you will ship at chronological order -I believe I was the second who asked!)
@Miguelsky: I'm not sure how the Symbiface PS/2 mouse works, but if it's not AMX compatible (ie: doesn't connect to the Joystick port) then yes, it's different.
@Mr_Lou: I doubt it. It still steps at the same speed as using a joystick, so if you were crap at those games before, then you won't be any better with a mouse :D
@fgbrain: Thanks, but let's just stick with two batches for now :)
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 17:57, 17 December 11@Miguelsky: I'm not sure how the Symbiface PS/2 mouse works, but if it's not AMX compatible (ie: doesn't connect to the Joystick port) then yes, it's different.
Yes, it is different. I tried Arnold emulation of AMX mouse and the arrows are drawn when moving mouse y Ready prompt (same as joystick do). The Symbiface II one types nothing. I want one of yours !! ;)
You're added to the list...
Bryce.
Is, the mouse move enough fast using the joystick port?
(instead of the printer port or may be the expansion port as a MegaFlash expansion)
The mouse port gets scanned 300 times a second as far as I know. That's fast enough to give smooth movement. The reason why I stuck to the Joystick port is because it keeps the mouse compatible with any AMX compatible software from the 80's. That's more important than having a slightly faster mouse that would need drivers and new or patched software.
The end speed depends on how and how often the software reads the port, so in theory it's probably even slower, but still seems to be smooth enough. Also, remember we're talking about a screen width of maximum 640 pixels, at 300 times a second you can travel pixel for pixel from left to right in under 2.2 Seconds.
Bryce.
OK. Thank you. :)
Had some time, made some boards :)
Bryce.
They look absolutely great! 8)
Tomorrow I'll polish and drill them, the components don't arrive till Wednesday. Batch 2 will happen after Christmas. Now I've time to build a Lower ROM prototype :)
Bryce.
What's the price ?
I would like one please.
Do you think I could connect a graphictab/pen on it ?
QuoteThe reason why I stuck to the Joystick port is because it keeps the mouse compatible with any AMX compatible software from the 80's. That's more important than having a slightly faster mouse that would need drivers and new or patched software.
clever choice... as it was the cmosest thing we have of a standard mouse.
Does it works well on PLUS ?
I mean the joystick port is slightly different as it is already splitted, are there some issues with the "3 buttons" or not ?
QuoteYes, it needs the 5V connection. Amstrad in their infinite wisdom, decided that their Joystick port wouldn't supply 5V unlike every other computer in the universe!
Is there a +5V on the analog PLUS port ?
or else the extension plug from the CPC olds ?
Also, perhaps the modern "point and click" puzzle games such as ColorLines could be patched to support this mouse at last...
What about patching discology too ?
Hahaha... indeed, what's the price? I would guess not the prime concern of all of us who jumped right in!
Ok, second set of FAQs:
Generally the mouse will work on a CPC+, but because the plus didn't have the "hidden" Fire 3 on pin 5 the mouse will only have two working buttons. This might be an issue for certain software.
A graphpad / pen might work depending on what protocol it uses. If it strictly adheres to the PS/2 standard, then it will work, but I don't have such a device and I've never tested it.
Due to the CPC+ having split joystick ports, the "bonus" scroll wheel won't work on a plus either, without making an adapter to the second port.
The CPC+ analogue joystick port has 5V on pin 5 and 0V on pins 1, 8, 9 and 15. These could be used to power the mouse adapter.
The mouse adapter cost €40 plus €5 postage.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 16:52, 19 December 11
Generally the mouse will work on a CPC+, but because the plus didn't have the "hidden" Fire 3 on pin 5 the mouse will only have two working buttons. This might be an issue for certain software.
Well, my Plus has also Fire 3. Now I remember why, it's easy to solder it in :-)
Quote from: Bryce on 16:52, 19 December 11
Due to the CPC+ having split joystick ports, the "bonus" scroll wheel won't work on a plus either, without making an adapter to the second port.
And such an adapter is no problem for everybody who is able to hold a soldering iron ;-)
Resumee: If you have a Plus, a soldering iron and some minutes, then you'll be fine :)
Quote from: TFM/FS on 20:52, 19 December 11
Well, my Plus has also Fire 3. Now I remember why, it's easy to solder it in :-)
Do you have any details on how to do this?
Quote from: TFM/FS on 20:52, 19 December 11
Resumee: If you have a Plus, a soldering iron and some minutes, then you'll be fine :)
Don't forgot the cold beer ;D
Quote from: beaker on 22:29, 19 December 11
Do you have any details on how to do this?
Don't forgot the cold beer ;D
Uuummmm. I did that '92, so I don't remember exactly, but I guess you just pick up the signal from the PCB and connect it to the Joy-port by using a Diode.
Yes, the beer must be cold!
Quote from: Bryce on 18:36, 18 December 11
Now I've time to build a Lower ROM prototype :)
Yoo-Hoo!!!!! :)
Well, perhaps then a clever way on plus would be to get the thing connected both to the Joystick1 port AND the Analog port...
This Analog port being quite notoriously unused, it may give a fire3 perhaps (or even more stuffs), alongside the 5Volts power..?
(would this still be AMX compatible?)
I mean, while I'm at it doing a proper connector...
Graphic tablet :
Basically it can work like some "regular mouse" but can also be far more complicated indeed.
QuoteThe mouse adapter cost €40 plus €5 postage.
Count me in !
I mean, I do have some USB mouses (and even PS/2 mouses...) from various era... and those are easier to find than an original AMX mouse anyway, and fare cheaper too.
Those cards look cute.
What are the modalities to get one of those sweet badies ?
Also, When will you do some series of "4-games compilations on an ACIDless cartridge board" ?
I mean even case-less and with a crude socket for ROMs and basic jumpers to switch games... I would like some too...
QuoteYes, the beer must be cold!
and Belges...
Quote from: MacDeath on 12:04, 20 December 11
and Belges...
Is that chocolate?
Or maybe some Scrumpy and Pork Scratchings? :P
Quote from: MacDeath on 12:04, 20 December 11
Also, When will you do some series of "4-games compilations on an ACIDless cartridge board" ?
I mean even case-less and with a crude socket for ROMs and basic jumpers to switch games... I would like some too...
Ditto, especially if I solder and ACID chip in the machine ;D
I've no idea where you'd find the Fire 3 signal in a Plus, I didn't think it existed at all. Generally the AMX Mouse wasn't Plus compatible. But I'll look into whether Fire 3 can be re-instated in a plus and make a How-to on the Wiki.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 15:20, 21 December 11
I've no idea where you'd find the Fire 3 signal in a Plus, I didn't think it existed at all. Generally the AMX Mouse wasn't Plus compatible. But I'll look into whether Fire 3 can be re-instated in a plus and make a How-to on the Wiki.
Bryce.
Looking from the CPC+ schematic and doing the parallel with the 6128 schematic, the FIRE 3 (spare) came from the AY-3-8912 GPIO (pin 8 : X7) and got to the Joystick connector (pin 5), who is not connected on the CPC+.
So, you can try to make a strap to enable it. May be funny for games supporting 3 buttons... ;)
If OK, the folowing great 1 line testing program will return the "64" value when pressed. ;D
10 PRINT JOY(0) : GOTO 10
Quote from: TotO on 16:34, 21 December 11
Looking from the CPC+ schematic and doing the parallel with the 6128 schematic, the FIRE 3 (spare) came from the AY-3-8912 GPIO (pin 8 : X7) and got to the Joystick connector (pin 5), who is not connected on the CPC+.
Ok, let's get closer to the point step by step. That much for now (since I'm still at work).
Quote from: TFM/FS on 21:23, 21 December 11And don't forget the diode 8)
Look to be only on directions, not fires.
The best was to do like each PCB does with other fires lines.
The diode isn't really required, it doesn't really fulfil any useful function, except the extremely unlikely situation of a voltage being applied to the pin. But it doesn't hurt either, so I would probably install it.
What about the firmware? Does the plus firmware even scan this pin? Somebody who knows more about the CPC firmware as me (ie: Probably everyone reading this) should take a look at the routines and compare them to the classic CPC routines. Maybe it needs to be patched?
Bryce.
Quote from: TotO on 21:32, 21 December 11
Look to be only on directions, not fires.
The best was to do like each PCB does with other fires lines.
That's wrong! Only Pins 6 and 7 - which are Fire 1 and Fire 2 - are connected using a diode.
Quote from: Bryce on 22:44, 21 December 11
The diode isn't really required, it doesn't really fulfil any useful function, except the extremely unlikely situation of a voltage being applied to the pin. But it doesn't hurt either, so I would probably install it.
Right!
Quote from: Bryce on 22:44, 21 December 11
What about the firmware? Does the plus firmware even scan this pin?
Neither Plus nor CPCoG (= CPC old generation) do directly check this signal. Fire 1, 2 and 3 are treated like keys. You can scan for them if you like using the firmware. f.e. PRINT JOY(0),JOY(1). The complete keyboard matrix (80 keys) is scanned by the firmware via interrupt periodically. The Pin 5(Spare) is just one signal of them. But it's not treated in a special way.
So, in short:
- forget the firmware here
- no software differences between Plus and CPCoG here
QuoteI've no idea where you'd find the Fire 3 signal in a Plus, I didn't think it existed at all. Generally the AMX Mouse wasn't Plus compatible. But I'll look into whether Fire 3 can be re-instated in a plus and make a How-to on the Wiki.
Well, if you want to slip a little bit aside the standard AMX, a mouse/controller that would be connected to 2 joystick ports (be it the analog or the second digital port) can actually get something like a total of 10 buttons (expect a few keyboard/joystick clashes ?)
2x4 direction and 2 buttons at worse...
You could even get a modern controller (those with 2x4 directions and some analog sticks and a few trigger buttons, like Playstation's or Hugebox') to be almost fully supported by a PLUS provided your thing is connected on all the 3 Joystick/controlers ports...
Such thing (PS or Xbox controller adapter) could be done with an Arduino perhaps ?
Quote from: TFM/FS on 23:28, 21 December 11That's wrong! Only Pins 6 and 7 - which are Fire 1 and Fire 2 - are connected using a diode.
I'm speaking about CPC+ official schematics... So, please argument with an alternative picture instead of saying "wrong!".
@Bryce
While adding a 3rd button line on CPC+, we can add a +5V line to the pin 9 of the second joystick port for the USB adapter.
So, we can plug the mouse on it without using external cable. (and continue to use 1 or 2 joysticks on the first port, like the CPC do)
Pin 9 is used for the scroll function on the Mouse Adapter, so you would have to make more changes to the Mouse PCB to use this as the 5V supply. You also still need a GND pin.
@MacDeath: Yes, you could add many additional features using the other Plus inputs, but my goal for this project was to produce a 100% AMX compatible interface for a modern mouse. Mainly so that it works with all original AMX software with no need for it to be patched. But I might consider a Game controller PCB later when I have time.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 11:57, 22 December 11
Pin 9 is used for the scroll function on the Mouse Adapter, so you would have to make more changes to the Mouse PCB to use this as the 5V supply. You also still need a GND pin.
OK, so the scrolls functions only work on the first joystick connector.
The Scroll function is Joy2 Up and Down, so the Joy2 Common is needed.
Bryce.
It's what I understand.
Witch programs use this feature today?
Quote from: TotO on 09:41, 22 December 11
I'm speaking about CPC+ official schematics...
Are you sure? :laugh:
Quote from: TotO on 09:41, 22 December 11
So, please argument with an alternative picture instead of saying "wrong!".
Maybe the picture that I ALREADY posted it not enought for you? It's obvious! BOTH fire buttons (1 & 2) are connected using a diode.
::) But ok, patience is a virtue, so just for you... :)
Take a look at the Wiki:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Connector:Digital_joystick (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Connector:Digital_joystick)
I hope it's clear enough now: They are fire buttons. :)
At some time in the past, sometime between last year when I designed the Mouse Adapter, and yesterday when I started building some, I seem to have inadvertently deleted from my mind, the fact that these little adapters are an absolute royal pain in the arse to build! An entire day of etching, cutting, drilling, soldering and programming only produces a measly 6 devices. Because of this, I would like to ask you to be patient with the batch. It's going to take a little longer than expected.
Bryce.
Here's a picture of todays production, to keep you occupied in the meantime.
how cute. :o
Please don't ruin your holidays doing this. Personally I'd be just as happy receiving mine at Easter.
What you've done looks awsome though ;D
Making Hardware IS my idea of enjoying my time off :) I only make them when I have the time though, I have many other things planned over Christmas too.
Bryce.
I love the Bryce's Seal of Quality :D They look as sexy as the MegaFlash ;D
Quote from: TFM/FS on 18:59, 22 December 11Are you sure? :laugh:
You mean I'm lying and done a fake picture...
Quote from: TFM/FS on 18:59, 22 December 11Maybe the picture that I ALREADY posted it not enought for you?
You have edited your post on a previous page to add it, so I can't view. And you don't explained why diodes are hand soldered.
So yes, after checking boards pictures, a third line need a diode too. But... finally, "we are wrong!"
Not only fire lines 6&7 or directions get diodes, but all. (on parts side of the PCB, as shown on schematics)
:-*
Quote from: TotO on 23:06, 22 December 11
You mean I'm lying and done a fake picture...
You have edited your post on a previous page to add it, so I can't view. And you don't explained why diodes are hand soldered.
So yes, after checking boards pictures, a third line need a diode too. But... finally, "we are wrong!"
Not only fire lines 6&7 or directions get diodes, but all. (on parts side of the PCB, as shown on schematics)
:-*
Ok, this is my last post about this, because it's getting really stupid. I did not change a picture in my posts, it's still there unchanged as it was.
And what you call hand soldered are the pictures from the PCBs of the Plus that you can find STRAIGHT IN THE CPC-WIKI. If you want to know why they are soldered that way: GO AND ASK AMSTRAD!!! No, I don't think that they are hand soldered!
I got two Plus at home, they looked like the pictures from the Plus in the CPC-Wiki when I got them! Now, they look even better. ;D
From the beginning I talked about the Fire buttons (directions don't matter here), and I'm fecking right with that 8) Merry Christmas and...
- END OF LINE -
Quote from: TFM/FS on 23:32, 22 December 11Ok, this is my last post about this, because it's getting really stupid. I did not change a picture in my posts, it's still there unchanged as it was.
I have never said you change the picture, but that you add it later...
After all, don't be annoyed, I'm just playing "your game". Cheers.
Firstly, you're ALL correct: Yes, the diodes aren't in the Schematic. But, yes they are in every CPC+ (as far as I know). But yes, they ARE hand-soldered, but in the factory. Back then late changes were done by hand, rather than scraping and making new units, as would be the case today. Due to the fact that placement robots can't handle these situations (components on the back of the board with no defined thru-holes), they really were hand soldered. The designers were obviously forced to make this change, because the re-work would have been seriously expensive, so there must have been a really good reason, like some device that came on the market with the same plug that really would damage the CPC if connected (without the diodes). No idea what though? Maybe an Auto-fire Joystick of some sort?
Bryce.
Quote from: TotO on 23:40, 22 December 11
I have never said you change the picture, but that you add it later...
After all, don't be annoyed, I'm just playing "your game". Cheers.
No games man. Let's help create somethig good for CPC.
It wouldn't be Christmas without a few misunderstandings.... ;D
Excuse my stupidity and hopefully I don't start it all off again but was a concensus reached :-[ ; was activating fire 3 just a case of soldering a wire from the pin of the aforementioned chip to pin 5 of the first joystick port?
Beaker
Indeed ;)
Bryce, mine can wait, don't lose any sleep over it mate...
As for production methods, back in 2002 when I was working in the Matsushita factory outside Cardiff (the factory producing Panasonic's high-end TVs and laptops) there was still lots of manual soldering work involved. Huge, ultra-modern robotic production lines too, but also U-cells of 16-yo girls soldering in stuff :)
Quote from: robcfg on 09:32, 23 December 11
Indeed ;)
But don't forget the diode ;-) Amstrad had reasons to use diodes for Fire 1 + 2.
@Gryzor: It still happens on really rare occassions, but it's so expensive these days, it's only done in very extreme circumstances.
Bryce.
Quotebut also U-cells of 16-yo girls soldering in stuff
Yeah, those electronical factories are full of sweet young girls... a hunter's paradise.
I visited quite a few electronic-cards factories (french sub-contractor) as I used to work in a small company doing VaporPhase soldering machines/ovens (my father's company actually).
Well as many Electronical boards could simply be hybrid between Surface mounted and traditionnal components, you have to mix "IR/vapor" soldering with "leadwave" (is this the english term ?) and even manual Iron-soldering for some specific components.
The English names are "Wave Soldering" for thru-pin stuff, "Re-flow soldering" usually for SMD and "LASER soldering" used for specific difficult situations. The problem with the diodes on the Plus is that none of these methods would work, so an army of young girls is usually the only solution (not just for this problem ;) but that's another story). Oh how I miss visiting those Hungarian/Romanian/Czech factories :(
Bryce.
Hi All,
I managed to get around to completing and testing the first devices this morning and fgbrain asked me if I could upload a short video of it being used. So the attached zip file shows the mouse being used in AMX Paint. The mouse used is an MS optical mouse, unfortunately it doesn't work great on a wooden surface, so the jumps you see are due to that (and my alcohol induced shaky hands :) ).
Bryce.
I always follow the tips of the wise Stevie Wonder "If you drink, you "mouse" not drive" ;D (only for spanish sorry XDDD)Si bebes no conduzcas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5h7dqwnmuM#)
Ahhh, Isn't Christmas wonderful! The warm glow of a soldering iron, the soothing hiss of Copper reacting in a Sodium Sulfate tank, the smell of freshly cut FR4 PCBs, and the taste of molten lead in the air, that's what it's all about :) Who says I don't enjoy the spirit of Christmas? I even put up a Christmas tree....
Bryce.
I opened a topic at CPCrulez... to promote your wonderfull product.
Because the guys there don't come here often (Engrish is not quite French-friendly language to them...)
http://cpcrulez.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4697&p=18454#p18454 (http://cpcrulez.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4697&p=18454#p18454)
Very nice thanks. I knew the first question would be "Can I connect a USB stick to it?" had to laugh when I read that :)
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 20:39, 29 December 11
Very nice thanks. I knew the first question would be "Can I connect a USB stick to it?" had to laugh when I read that :)
Well, you can.... if you want to.... just won't do you much good.
Well it will probably make the LED show the error flash message :) But that's about it.
Bryce.
QuoteI knew the first question would be "Can I connect a USB stick to it?"
Your french must be rusty because he actually told :
"can you ask Bryce for the same kind of stuff but which would do with USB Memory stick instead of mouse and would be used to get some MassData storage function instead of controller/pointing device...?"
sort of. ;D
I opened another topic though.
Funny thing, i was casualy talking about your Mouseadapter batch and Hermol sent me a PM because he wasn't even aware of such batch.
English is not French friendly, obviously...
Quote from: MacDeath on 00:40, 30 December 11
English is not French friendly, obviously...
Never mind, the USamericans also just speak one language. Anything else is dangerous and bears the risk to be burnt on the stage.
Is there a French word for Redneck? I mean... the French Rednecks. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate if people do have a deep connection to the place where they have been born and raised, and never left ;-)
Quote from: TFM/FS on 01:56, 30 December 11
Is there a French word for Redneck? I mean... the French Rednecks. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate if people do have a deep connection to the place where they have been born and raised, and never left ;-)
Let's see ... though the french people in this forum have to decide which word is best, my knowledge of french only goes so far:
péquenaud
beauf
blaireau
colon (in Canada)
My guess is beauf.
Well Northern Rednecks in France are known as Ch'ti, but other regions have other names.
@MacDeath: I fully understood his comment, I was just referring to the general direction of his question :)
Bryce.
QuoteIs there a French word for Redneck? I mean... the French Rednecks.
too many words for too many peoples... :D
Quotepéquenaud
beauf
blaireau
colon (in Canada)
pouilleux (someone with fleas), paysoux (peasantry), provincials (=not from Paris), des gens qui sentent le terroir (people who smell the earth), mimi-casse-croute, etc...
Bedau too.
But yeah, beauf is the most common (used to be in the recent past).
or Pequenaud too.
QuoteNorthern Rednecks in France are known as Ch'ti
well, redneck and cht'i are not meant to be specific to backwards people at first, but it became...
Cht'i are just peoples from Nord... but yeah, it sound backward and most of those are... ;D
But Chti is like the Lyon's people calling themselves the "gones"...
but to be a "gone" is not pejorative, I mean, Lyon is a great european city, used to be the capital city of Roman Gaule and so on... (and they often kick some Real de Madrid's asses.)
It's the same as a Parisian "Titi".
or "crétins de marseillais" too.
Well, if it ain't my favorite postman with an envelope from my favorite correspondent... :)
Top-notch quality, as always! Now I've got to take care of that power supply connector...
Thanks, mate! We love you =)
How far from the original topic you are ;D ; but it was worth it; I have been laughing alone in front of my desk at work.... :laugh:
Well, this *is* the thread about the adaptor, isn't it? :)
ooh, can't wait for mine...but it does have a bit further to come...hopefully this week sometime along with the MegaFlash I also ordered. ;D
Cheers,
Shane
Cool, I'm working on the second batch now, so I will be sending out PMs later this week to those who haven't got one yet.
Bryce.
Thanks' for that wonderful piece of hardware. It arrived savely!
Now it's time to care about some corresponding software for it. Somebody told me that SyX already made a very well driver for it. Also I intend to support it in my upcoming game (more about this soon).
Syx also did some research on other software that used the AMX Mouse, so here's a short list of known software:
OS /Desktop:
DES
FutureOS
Max Desktop
SymbOS
Art Packages:
AMX Art
OCP Art Studio
DTP:
Page Publisher
Stop Press
AMX PageMaker
Have fun testing.
Bryce.
I have made a little program to test the mouse quickly... only move, buttons and the wheel; the laser-sharks are for the 2.0 ;D
While i'm waiting mine, i'm taking notes, excited, about possible ideas for new projects. What new programs would you like to have with mouse support??? ;)
Stunt Car Racer supports AMX mouse controls - wanna give it a try and report back?
thanks
Question: are there any pass-through plugs for the 5V? HxC uses it as well, so it'd be a shame if I had to choose between them...
Quote from: SyX on 01:16, 04 January 12
I have made a little program to test the mouse quickly... only move, buttons and the wheel; the laser-sharks are for the 2.0 ;D
While i'm waiting mine, i'm taking notes, excited, about possible ideas for new projects. What new programs would you like to have with mouse support??? ;)
arkanoid with mouse support like on atari st?
Quote from: arnoldemu on 10:06, 04 January 12
arkanoid with mouse support like on atari st?
That would be
superb!!! But you couldn't detect speed changes...
I just tested SyXs Mouse Test program and it's pretty cool. Slight bug though - The scroll wheel up/down are reversed (at least for my way of thinking). Scrolling the wheel towards you should flash the down arrow, but the up arrow flashes instead.
@Gryzor: I just daisy chain the 5V with a plug/socket in the middle and connect all expansions parallel to the wires in between. Regarding the Speed detection - No, the joystick port only has digital inputs, so it only reports single steps, not how many steps since last poll. Other 8-bit / 16-bit computers have analogue inputs on the joystick port so the mouse speed (distance moved) is recorded as an analogue value.
Bryce.
Quote from: TFM/FS on 21:59, 03 January 12Somebody told me that SyX already made a very well driver for it. Also I intend to support it in my upcoming game (more about this soon).
It's nothing more than joysticks moves and fires... Why a driver? Why a game support?
Quote from: TotO on 14:05, 04 January 12
It's nothing more than joysticks moves and fires... Why a driver? Why a game support?
Heyyy!!! man... I have a dream....
the future great new R-Type with mouse support 8) :P ;D ;)
Quote from: Bryce on 12:05, 04 January 12
I just tested SyXs Mouse Test program and it's pretty cool. Slight bug though - The scroll wheel up/down are reversed (at least for my way of thinking). Scrolling the wheel towards you should flash the down arrow, but the up arrow flashes instead.
Ups or as i say these days, my nephew :P ... Fixed!!! ;)
With respect to the speed detection, there is another mouse interfaces for CPC with that feature, but there is not software for them, except the horrendous paint program that came with it. Even for new interfaces, as the included in the Symbiface, in all those years only one program exist, a "hack" of Arkanoid :P
Quote from: TotO on 14:05, 04 January 12
It's nothing more than joysticks moves and fires... Why a driver? Why a game support?
That's true, it doesn't exactly need drivers, but in some circumstances, scanning the Joystick more often or in more regular intervals will improve the feeling of the mouse movement. So a slight tweak to certain games might make them easier to play with the mouse. SyXs program isn't a driver, it's a test program to read the mouse and position a pointer on the screen. It also shows you when a button has been pressed or the scroll wheel has turned.
Bryce.
OK, thank you.
Hi Bryce, after some vacation I had the possibility to test the mouse adapter (arrived a couple of days ago). It works pretty cool and it's fun to use. I tested it at the moment with OCP Art Studio. (You have to get a little bit used with that application but than it's ok).
Thank you also for another piece of great hardware.
Glad you like it. I find some old software (AMX Art especially) really made a mess of reading the mouse. I hope some new software will do it better.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 12:05, 04 January 12
@Gryzor: I just daisy chain the 5V with a plug/socket in the middle and connect all expansions parallel to the wires in between.
Bryce.
Maybe it's the fever I'm running, but I have trouble focusing on this sentence. Would you happen to have a photo?
Ok, here's a picture. The right socket is the input from my power supply, the left plug goes to the CPC, the wires leaving to the left go to the next plug, then the next plug and so on...
Bryce.
Ahhhh I see. So it's soldering all the way, but I doubt there could be a better solution. Thanks so much!
Everybody knows that Yaiba love new High Quality CPC hardware ;D
PD:Sorry for the low quality photo, only have a netbook.
Cool, it all seems to have arrived in one piece :)
Bryce.
Yes!!! Great package and hardware as always :D
Got mine with the sweet MegaFlash...
As told, sweet package and a future(OS) full of promises for my Amstrad collection.
So what now ?
an Internet/Ethernet card ?
I crave for a CPCMMORPG.
Hello MacDeath,
I have developed the ethernet card and yes I am working on the CPC web browser, so soon the dream will come true!
rpalmer
Nice, hope a proper MMORPG will follow then.
Quote from: MacDeath on 15:06, 15 January 12
Nice, hope a proper MMORPG will follow then.
I hope not...
Already have enough peoples doing nothing on CPC. :laugh:
Quote from: MacDeath on 14:19, 13 January 12
Got mine with the sweet MegaFlash...
As told, sweet package and a future(OS) full of promises for my Amstrad collection.
Mine also arrived with the famous MegaFlash today...very nice. Thanks Bryce.
My old Schneider won't know what's hit it...VGA LCD adapter, Megaflash & USB mouse all within a week... ;D
Cheers,
Shane
and a good old speed king by Könix... :P
Quote from: MacDeath on 11:54, 16 January 12
and a good old speed king by Könix... :P
Yes, that's my orginal from 1986/7...you should see how many times that thing has been repaired inside...and not the switches either, but the plastic mounts that hold the switches...must be a whole tube of super glue and various other bits of plastic stuck in there. ???
Cheers,
Shane
That's what happens when you play too much Daley Thompson Decathalon :)
Bryce.
Hi Bryce,
Just for interest...how many USB adapters did you end up building ?
And what countries did they find their way too ?
Same question for the megaflash and any other hardware you care to mention if it's not too much trouble.
I personally find this interesting, and it must be pretty cool & satisfying for you to have hardware you have developed sitting on desk's around the world and from what I hear, the CPC is only part of the story (although the questions above were with regard to the CPC).
Cheers,
Shane
Also, what is the device in the photo that Syx posted ?
Left is USB adapter, right is ?
I think there are about 30 USB mouse adapters, not really sure, because I made a few PS/2 versions for other people and didn't keep count. I built 56 MegaFlash in total, but I still have a few of those. They went to everywhere from Canada to Australia and almost every European country. But mostly to the main CPC-Countries: UK, Germany, France, Spain and Greece, but also to Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Norway and a few others. There are also a few more of the USB adapter and my other hardware out there, because I know of several other users who built their own from the plans on the Wiki page.
The Hardware in SyXs picture is the edge connector version of the DigiBlaster v3. My version of an old passive Digital to Analogue converter for making music. You can read more about it here: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Digiblaster#DigiBlaster_V3 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Digiblaster#DigiBlaster_V3)
Bryce.
Thanks Bryce...very cool.
Cheers,
Shane
Quote from: Bryce on 20:04, 04 January 12
Ok, here's a picture. The right socket is the input from my power supply, the left plug goes to the CPC, the wires leaving to the left go to the next plug, then the next plug and so on...
Bryce.
Hi Bryce,
Which size jack did you use and how did you wire them in regards to the positive and ground wires? Just looking at these on ebay and wondering if they're suitable?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10PC-2-5x5-5mm-AC-DC-Power-Cable-Plug-Jack-Socket-Adapter-CCTV-Connector-PP25-/300612582316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fde7fbac (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10PC-2-5x5-5mm-AC-DC-Power-Cable-Plug-Jack-Socket-Adapter-CCTV-Connector-PP25-/300612582316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fde7fbac)
Thanks in advance,
Beaker
Yup, they seem to be the right ones. For the 5V connection GND is outside, 5V inside. But just so that you know, the 12V connection is the other way around, 12V is on the outside, GND inside. For the Mouse you're connecting to the 5V anyway.
Bryce.
Hi! mates. Finally I have free time to connect and check my new USB mouse adaptor :) EDIT:with cheep optical mouse
I checked it in a CPC+ mouse port1 without fire modifications with the partnership of SymbiFaceII:
- SymbOS: OK
- DES (on ROM): OK but with high-speed arrow movement?. EDIT: No! really without accuracy. Why? :( [symbiface's PS/2 mouse cannot work with DES. But Bryce's one -pseudoAMX- can do it] EDIT: the problem wasn't with DES or USB adaptor. The problem is with bad & cheeper optical mice. These have bad resolution of the movement and you cannot fit arrow with precision. I just tried with an old USB ball mouse and all is OK.
- Gunfright (ultimate): nice to play the initial shot mini-game ;)
My intention was to use a GUI with standard CPC *.BAS or *.BIN software with direct RUN" option. Because SymbOS doesn't have this. DES allows it. Do you know another OS that can do that? Thanks CPCers for this page: http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Category:CPC_GUI (http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Category:CPC_GUI)
I will try these GUIs... and will tell you
If you want to check if your scroll wheel works, then you can use FutureOS. The scroll wheel is supposed to move the mouse arrow up and down. Or in an application (like the FlashROManager) the selector shall be moved up or down. :)
You can download an autoinstaller for FutureOS on my homepage (see below). :o
I'm looking forward to do this kind of tests by myself, but this will take some month. :(
I finally got around to re-arranging the "8-bit room" 8) ... and have just plugged the usb mouse adaptor in to a CPC6128. I had a couple of DELL usb mice that powered up (red light worked) but failed to get any arrows displayed to the screen. I plugged in my wife's cheapo (£5) 3 button mini mobile bluetrace mouse and arrows went all over the place! The good news is that the device works fine. I just have to find a mouse that is not as sensitive and that works. I'll keep you posted on what I end up with..... am still very impressed though ;D
I find that optical mice are just way too sensitive. A tiny movement sends the pointer flying across the screen, because they were designed for screens that have a much higher resolution. But don't judge the mouse by the arrows appearing on the screen, each arrow is in reality just one pixel in a decent mouse enabled program. Load up AMX Art or even better SyXs mouse testing software and see how smoothly it works with that. My hardware forces the mouse to go to its least sensitive setting, but even then, some mice just seem to be hypersensitive.
Regarding the scroll-wheel. This function won't work on a CPC+ because the joystick ports have been split (it uses JOY2 inputs). SyXs software can also show whether this works on a classic CPC.
Bryce.
hi bryce
after discussing with you about your mouse adapter working with the amstrad autofire interface and combined mouse interface
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_Autofire_Interface_and_Combined_Mouse_Interface (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_Autofire_Interface_and_Combined_Mouse_Interface) and after further testing this works great both with your mouse adapter and a joystick both plugged in at the same time. i have found this to be a great benefit so you dont after keep unplugging various items
Hi Buzby,
good to know, I might add that information to the Wiki page when I have time. Was this device popular or well known back then? I didn't know about these or ever have one, but then again I never owned an AMX mouse either.
The device also has a 5V supply, so it would be possible to take the 5V for the Mouse Adapter directly from the splitter PCB too if you wanted.
Bryce.
hi bryce
didnt know much about these either until i came across it on the wiki then i bid on one on ebay and got it for a few pounds hoping one day i would own a amx mouse
buzby
First of all: many thanks, Bryce, for this device! :-)
I received mine from Robcfg some weeks ago; but it was yesterday when I finally made an enclosure and could test it:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6790132344_71946c1987.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426986@N03/6790132344/)
USB mouse adapter by Bryce (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426986@N03/6790132344/) by G.U.A. (http://www.flickr.com/people/12426986@N03/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6790133694_04f9b19d4e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426986@N03/6790133694/)
USB mouse adapter by Bryce (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426986@N03/6790133694/) by G.U.A. (http://www.flickr.com/people/12426986@N03/), on Flickr
Now I have to find a mouse with the proper sensitivity to play Stunt Car Racer. The one I have tried generates crazy driving :-)
Nice one deepfb.
Must admit I had a bit of a laugh when I noticed the case that you used.
I have exactly the same case sitting at home...it came from an "12V+5V AC Adapter Power Supply HDD HARD DISK DRIVE IDE" that I purchased off ebay for next to nothing, only a few dollars from Hong Kong delivered to Australia.
Approximately 30 seconds after plugging it in I heard a very loud pop and all the power in the house was cut due to the fuse being
tripped. So I opened it up a threw out what was left of the internals and kept the case for a project just like this :D .
Even for the price I paid, it was still a cheap case :)
Cheers,
Shane
QuoteI have exactly the same case sitting at home...it came from an "12V+5V AC Adapter Power Supply HDD HARD DISK DRIVE IDE" that I purchased off ebay for next to nothing, only a few dollars from Hong Kong delivered to Australia.
That's it :-) We bought twenty units, and almost half of them have "popped" :-)
It's not a good idea to power a PPC512/640 with this adapter -the fuse will explode within some seconds-, but it seems reliable enough to feed small boards, like the HxC or this new design of Jupiter Ace:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5220/5471957284_534e2d90d4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426986@N03/5471957284/)
Jupiter Ace (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426986@N03/5471957284/) by G.U.A. (http://www.flickr.com/people/12426986@N03/), on Flickr
Very neat, although it more than doubles the size of the device. I like the jupiter ace too, who designed it?
Bryce.
The new Jupiter Ace board was a small run from the people of the spanish forum Zona de Pruebas as Robcfg said here (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/general-discussion/i-want-to-make-my-own-cpc-8bit/msg19210/#msg19210). It was based in the info of this page (http://www.speccy.org/trastero/cosas/droy/jupiter/jupiter_s.htm), sorry is in spanish, but at least the schemes are in universal language and always is nice see so much yellow spaghetti ;D
QuoteVery neat, although it more than doubles the size of the device. I like the jupiter ace too, who designed it?
I bought some plastic cases for your device, but this was the one that fitted the best. Besides I wanted to power it with AAA batteries, and the case was perfect for it! Anyway, I don't have free time to modify it for the batteries.
Regarding Jupiter Ace, the former designer of this board was Droy (sorry, but his explanations are only in spanish (http://www.speccy.org/trastero/cosas/droy/jupiter/jupiter_s.htm)). Two years ago, Joseba Epalza reworked Droy's design to fit in a small board, and two batches of them were ordered by the users of this spanish forum (http://www.zonadepruebas.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?start=0&topic_id=11594&forum=2&viewmode=flat&order=ASC).
In the same website (zonadepruebas.com) you will find this thread (http://www.zonadepruebas.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=10917&forum=2#forumpost132194), where the users added some modifications to the second design (I linked the video signals to get RGB output, so I could connect it to a CTM644 monitor, and added an audio amplifier circuitry to load programs from a Nintendo DS; and, more important, McLeod designed a RAM expansion that boosts the computer to 32k! :-). You will find some pictures through the thread, but the text is, again, only in spanish.
Some users at zonadepruebas are still looking for other people to join in and order a third batch; you may contact them. Or if you want to build the board yourself, I can ask Joseba for the schematics -although I think they were uploaded somewhere.
Quote from: deepfb on 11:23, 28 February 12
Besides I wanted to power it with AAA batteries, and the case was perfect for it! Anyway, I don't have free time to modify it for the batteries.
Save yourself the bother. It wouldn't work with batteries. The GND of the CPC needs to be connected to the GND of the Mouse Adapter and this doesn't happen through the Joystick socket, so you have to use the same 5V supply for the mouse adapter as the CPC.
The Jupiter Ace project looks like fun, but I just don't have the time to do more 8-bit stuff. The CPC keeps me busy enough :D
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 10:22, 16 December 11
Hi all,
due to the sudden interest in the USB Mouse adapter, I will make a small batch of them over Christmas. If anyone else, (who hasn't already said so) wants one, then say it now. I need to order the parts today, otherwise I won't be building them till after Christmas.
Bryce.
This is the version I will be building. It can be used internally or externally.
Hi @Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225) and @talrek (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1195) I got one of these from Talrek's last batch (November last year or so), but I can't get it to work.
I used a Y-Splitter - from CPC Power Cable into Mouse Interface, and Mouse Interface Cable back into CPC. That powers the CPC successfully. I plugged it into the joystick port. I connected a optical USB cable mouse, and tried 2 wireless mice (dongle).
The LED never comes one, no matter what I do.
What kind of mouse is required? Should the LED come on when I push the buttons or move the mouse?
And, FOS also doesn't see a mouse. To me it looks "dead".
Thanks!
PS I think I just replied to the wrong thread... I meant to reply in the other thread.
Sorry, can be ignored.
PSPS - Problem solved. New PS/2 compatible Microsoft optical basic mouse works like a charm.