Will Oscar's USB Mouse Interface work for a church project?

[Silly Burrito]

I was flipping through my copy of Project Arcade (cool book so far!) when I came across Oscar's USB mouse interface, and I think it might be the perfect idea for my project for our church.

You see, our pastor has started to use Powerpoint in his sermons, and we have an ATI remote wonder. Well, sometimes he presses too hard on the keys and it zips two or three slides. However, holding down the mouse key on a normal mouse only advances it one slide. The problem is having a mouse on the pulpit is not exactly easy with the notes, Bible, and other items.

So, what I'm thinking of doing is to wire an arcade button to Oscar's interface, install the button in the pulpit (either in a pinball fashion or underneath the main shelf), hook a USB extension cable to the end of the mouse, and hook it to the computer. That way he will just have to press the button and it'll advance to the next slide. I know it won't help him back the slides up if he ever needs to, but I'm trying to make it simple as possible.

Does this sound like the long way around to a simple problem? All I really need is a button that creates a left click (but only one), and I figure an arcade button is just the right size to do it.

Thanks!
Keith

[paigeoliver]

Probably the wrong solution.

Two alternatives.

#1.
What my Pastor does. Has someone else run the powerpoint remotely and simply gestures when he wants to change slides.

#2. Get a USB "Powerpoint Remote". I have one, it LOOKS like a remote control, but it is a mouse to the computer.

[Silly Burrito]

Thanks. We've thought about #1, but he'd rather do it on his own.

For #2, are you talking about something like this: http://www.zyonshop.com/product/beamplus.htm

[paigeoliver]

Mine is similar to that, but was cheaper ($50) and also has mouse capabilities. It is grey, Compusa carries them.

[RacerX]

I just had a vision of my pastor standing behind the pulpit with one hand on each side pressing one button to advance and one button to go back and every now and then "tilting" the pulpit during his sermon.  

[paigeoliver]

Here is mine, this pic is pretty much actual size.

[Silly Burrito]

I'm guessing this is it, right? It looks like a cool product, but pretty close to the ATI remote wonder (as far as the keypad) When you press down on the left mouse button in Powerpoint, does it advance quickly or stay put until you click again?

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=302205

Just in case they consider $60 too much just for this (we are a small church), would my original idea work? I figure the costs for my idea would run around $20-$25 or so in supplies and never need batteries.

Anyone else have any suggestions? I do like the remote idea, but I guess I was hoping for something that would be stationary as we could always use the remote wonder if necessary.

[paigeoliver]

Ok, if money is an issue, then what you want to do can be done basically for free. Just get a spare mouse, crack it open and solder up a button to the button. It doesn't have to be an arcade button, just get a button from radio shack.

Windows see the one I have as a normal mouse (and also as a USB keyboard). If a normal mouse advances one slide, then this will also.

[Silly Burrito]

Not a bad idea. Thanks, Paige!

[bdsjake]

not sure what an ATI wonder is, but if this invovles the keyboard, couldn't you go into control panel/keyboard settings, and turn down the key repeat?

[Silly Burrito]

The ATI remote wonder is something that you can use as a mouse, but it can also do other things such as control Winamp, use as a TV remote, etc.

http://www.ati.com/products/remotewonder/

Thanks for the suggestion, though. I had already looked at the remote wonder software to see if I could disable dual clicks. In fact, I even went into the handicapped control panel icon to see if there was an equivalent of stickykeys for the mouse. I don't believe there was.

[Rocky]

Thanks. We've thought about #1, but he'd rather do it on his own.

Tell your pastor to not be such a control freak  

Sure, the guy in the back won't do it perfect, but it's still the best solution.  That's what I do.


Pastor Rocky

[Silly Burrito]

He's not a control freak. He just doesn't want to bother someone with the job.

[paigeoliver]

Thanks. We've thought about #1, but he'd rather do it on his own.

Tell your pastor to not be such a control freak  

Sure, the guy in the back won't do it perfect, but it's still the best solution.  That's what I do.


Pastor Rocky

Wow, I know a Pastor Rocky. He isn't you though. =)