New mouse project! Interest?

[sh3-rg]

I'm cross-posting this from the D-Bug forum, dunno if anyone here is interested, I've asked for both a Jaguar & ST one (I love these mice, I use them on my PCs & it'll be nic eto do a bit of Degas with one - I hope!)

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:



(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!

[MRAtari]

can you give a very rough idea of price each for these if you went ahead? i'd be interested but would like to know how much it would be...

[sh3-rg]

I'll get back to you as soon as I know more, hope that's OK

[wthorbjo]

I just registered over there, and signed up for two. It's great to see another hardware project for the ST!

[wongck]

Neat idea, putting that adapter inside sure will save some space.

[wongck]

I just registered over there, and signed up for two. It's great to see another hardware project for the ST!

Is there already a place to sign this up? I don't see it.

[AtariSince1989]

I'm in (1 for Atari), if price isn't crazy.

[alexh]

If the price wasn't too high and the firmware could be changed then I'd be up for three.

Atari & Amiga.

[1024MAK]

Yes, I'm interested in the ST version. The quantity that I would buy depends on both the price and the actual mouse used
I do prefer Logitech mice over micro$oft mice.

I just registered over there, and signed up for two. It's great to see another hardware project for the ST!

Is there already a place to sign this up? I don't see it.

After some effort, I found the D-Bug site http://dbug.kicks-ass.net/dbugforums/cg ... 1281275443
Have not yet tried registering, as it took quite some time finding and I have to go now

[ralcool]

Somebody should give them this circuit I used for my ST.... works nice and easily made smaller. (And fits their desire for Amiga or ST functionality)

ps2mous.zip

Simple. And much credit to Tom Kirk.

Should work on most modern 'USB' mice, since most seem to be PS2 compatible..... fit this extra board inside and off ya go!

[AtariSince1989]

Somebody should give them this circuit I used for my ST.... works nice and easily made smaller. (And fits their desire for Amiga or ST functionality)

ps2mous.zip

Simple. And much credit to Tom Kirk.

Should work on most modern 'USB' mice, since most seem to be PS2 compatible..... fit this extra board inside and off ya go!

I believe this is the one sh3-rg is going to base the work on. At least the link sh3-rg published is to Tom Kirk's page

[ralcool]

Actually, If they slightly modify the code, they could use the otherwise pin compatible latest 16F628, and has an internal 4mhz oscillator..... even less components.

[spiny]

isn't this what Alison does with her 'pest' converted mice ?

[wongck]

Actually, If they slightly modify the code, they could use the otherwise pin compatible latest 16F628, and has an internal 4mhz oscillator..... even less components.

may be you can also do some of this internal adapters.

[wongck]

I just registered over there, and signed up for two. It's great to see another hardware project for the ST!

Is there already a place to sign this up? I don't see it.

oh now I see it.... you just have to reply to the OP with the numbers you want.

[wongck]

isn't this what Alison does with her 'pest' converted mice ?

probably all based on the same. just where they are now putting the converter.

[ralcool]

Actually, If they slightly modify the code, they could use the otherwise pin compatible latest 16F628, and has an internal 4mhz oscillator..... even less components.

may be you can also do some of this internal adapters.

Don't want to rain on their parade.

Easy enough tho.

Honestly, Buy a PeST from Ali... available, cheap and basicaly the same/similar circuit. (Actaully hers is a little more advanced! Accelerator built in)

http://pest.atari.org/

[wongck]

Honestly, Buy a PeST from Ali... available, cheap and basicaly the same/similar circuit. (Actaully hers is a little more advanced! Accelerator built in)

yeap, but I think she's a bit busy nowadays.

[Chandler]

found this quite nice looking mouse on ebay, seems it only works with Atari's so not switchable for Amiga but hey...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :MESELX:IT

[simbo]

its a fact most ps2 mouse need a pest
even usb mouse can also work easy as ps2

its a good idea if someone reworked a direct plug in solution for the st series keyboard chip
using a pic or other micro

the problem just is most keyboards have a socketed chip and
removal of the socket to place a riser to another chip is needed
to make space for the chip and its pcb and connection {about 10mm}

this would make the serial ports addin and also ttl ports
as the micro can recognise whats plugged in

if its a serial mouse it sends a string on power up or query
before it reverts to a ttl port and query's the devices

a simple chip relacement is needed maybe most often remove the socket

i think atari mostly put sockets on keyboard chips to space them from the metal
to avoid many colapse on type issues

not sure

any input too this idea is needed

especialy from the guys who made
the retro atari pc in an atari box keyboard layout and chips on pic micros