Jeez, I go away for a day...
Damn if I'm gonna go back through this whole thread to dig up all the quotes from stuff I'd like to reply to, but:
re: Andy's original question:
As I said in
This Post,
"Of course, there's the question of whether or not it's worth doing anyway. ... plus the fact that they (edit: analog sticks) feel NOTHING like a regular digital joystick, more like flopping a wet noodle around. Even with the software restriction, the long throw and lack of resistance would probably make 2,4, & 8 way games unplayable on an analog stick."
So, since your stick design will have physical restriction, all you have to overcome is the long throw (could be handled by the physical restriction as well), and the lack of restistance. Current arcade analogs are way too loose for digital joystick games. Fix those problems, and you've got a candidate for electronic restriction.
re: 49-way testing & DRS
tm:
Yup, it makes a difference. Play is improved by DRS
tm. Any stick with resolution greater than the stick the game was originally programmed for should play better with electronic restriction. I still like the feel of physical restriction, but that's because I'm an authenticity nut. Still, I found 4 and 8-way games to play just fine with the DRS
tm system.
re: Custom grid mappings (what you think works, doesn't; and what you think wouldn't, does)
I believe that what Randy found was that the mechanics of the 49-way sticks were such that pushing the stick exactly 1/3 of the way left and 1/3 of the way up didn't necessarily register electronically as the diagonal in the first circle of grid squares, and the same for pushing the stick exactly 2/3 of the way. In other words, the electronic grids didn't match up exactly with the position of the stick handle, and this is why his grid mappings aren't divided up exactly the way one would cut them up if they only had a picture of the grid in front of them, and no access to the actual stick for testing. So, since his custom grid mappings were determined by the mechanical properties of the two 49-way sticks, it follows that grid mappings for an electronic restriction system for an analog stick would have no connection to the ones used by the GP-49. (Randy- feel free to correct me if I've botched this part- and thanks for taking the time to get the grids
right, for both varieties of the stick. )
re: Intellectual Property theft:
Andy asked aboud implementing electronic restriction as part of an ANALOG joystick. Randy has electronic restriction implemented as part of a 49-WAY INTERFACE. One product is a
stick, the other is an
interface. One product is for
49-way sticks, one product is for
analog sticks. The only thing they have in common is the use of electronic restriction. Furthermore, since one product would be implementing electronic restriction on a 256x256 grid, and one would be implementing it on a 7x7 grid, there's no chance that the top-secret grid mappings are being stolen. Unless Randy wants to claim the very
concept of electronic restriction is his IP (and I can't imagine he does), then there's no theft of IP possible here. Including an electronic restriction mode that forces the analog stick to work in a "49-way mode". That MIGHT make the GP-49 obsolete (might, might, MIGHT!), but it's definately not a function the GP-49, or any other product I know of currently has, so again, no IP theft.
re: copycat products
Omni-Stick Prodigy vs. T-Stick+
One switchable with visable mechanism, for instant visual feedback and ease-of use. One switchable with invisible mechanism, for a cleaner appearance.
Different products.Omni-Stick Prodigy vs. Euro-Stick
Above panel switching vs. underpanel switching.
Different products.Keywiz vs. I-Pac2
One PS/2 only, one USB + PS/2. One with constant-on keyboard pass-thru, one with switched pass-thru. 28 inputs, 32 inputs. Etc.
Different products.Keywiz Eco vs. I-Pac VE
USB vs. PS/2, 32 inputs vs. 28. Etc.
Different products.GP-Wiz vs. A-Pac
Digital only gamepad encoder vs. Analog capable gamepad encoder.
Different products.GP-Wiz49 vs. A-Pac
49-way capable gamepad encoder vs. Analog capable gamepad encoder.
Different products.GP-Wiz49 vs. Andy's proposed new analog stick
Encoder vs. stick.
Different products.Shucks, the meat of all those old threads that've been dug up is largely about why one product or the other is superior to the competing one; hence, they're different, by the manufacturers' own arguements. Nobody's copying anybody. If everybody's making these products, there's gonna be some cross-over, but they've all got their own special niche. Nobody's selling anything that's technically or functionally identical to their competitors' products. (including Dave's products, which I haven't mentioned, since he's not here.)
re: Kremmit loves everybody.
Randy and Andy (hey, never noticed that before

), I hope neither of you feels like I'm picking on you or taking sides here. I've got two Ultimarc encoders, two Ultimarc sticks, to GGG encoders, one GGG stick, and two Druin's, to boot. My current shopping list includes products from both vendors, as well. I'll use anything that works, and every product I've used from either of you has worked well.
re: sitting back and watching the fur fly:
Can I get a Pepsi and some popcorn too? No, wait, I want a beer with my popcorn. Two beers. Hell, beers for everybody!