Keyboard and Mouse hack on one USB cable?

[gndprx]

I don't have one handy to open up at the moment, but has anyone hacked a keyboard similar to the microsoft natural with the onboard USB ports?  

I would think this would allow you to do a mouse hack and plug into the keyboard's USB port and then the keyboard hack and just use a single USB out from the keyboard for both devices...

Anyone tried this yet?

I'm trying to put together a stand alone cp for someone for christmas, but want it to be as simple as plugging in one USB cable and off they go.

[tmasman]

unfortunately USB keyboards are limited to 6 simultanious keystrokes...
I guess if it's for a 1 player set-up it would hurt though...

I would probably suggest using a USB gamepad (like the sidewinder) and a USB mouse with a USB hub...

That should probably tide you over for a decent 1 player set-up...
Just be aware that some USB divices need more power than a hub can pass out (with multiple devices attached)... You may end up needing a powered USB hub. (If you do that, you could easily do a 2 player set-up!)

[grafixmonkey]

There's no reason to use a special keyboard to get only one cable going out of your control box.  You can just use a cheap USB hub inside.