Anyone seen RandyT?

[stace]

Guys,

I'm not though most patient guy but emailed GroovyGameGear & pm'd Randy here a couple of days ago to ask a couple of questions before I place an order.

He's usually really quick to respond so was just asking if anyone know if he's away at the moment?

Thanks
Stace 

[RandyT]

I'm here.  More scatterbrained than usual because I have another project drawing to a close, so I must have missed your email. I'll find it

RandyT

[JMB]

I have another project drawing to a close

RandyT

Any hints?

[shardian]

Might you be implying THAT project. You know which one I mean.

[stace]

Thanks

[RandyT]

Might you be implying THAT project. You know which one I mean.

Unfortunately, no.  But I do believe that some may find it quite interesting.  It's been on my drawing board for a long time and I've mentioned it in the past.  But no hints until I am holding something other than the prototype in my hand

RandyT

[ahofle]

I'm sure you're sick of hearing this, but what ever happened to the new 49-ways that you've been hinting about for quite a while?  Is that project on the back burner?

[fjl]

Might you be implying THAT project. You know which one I mean.

Unfortunately, no.  But I do believe that some may find it quite interesting.  It's been on my drawing board for a long time and I've mentioned it in the past.  But no hints until I am holding something other than the prototype in my hand

RandyT

Hamburger Earmuffs!

I hope you figured the whole pickle matrix.

[brandon]

Might you be implying THAT project. You know which one I mean.

Unfortunately, no.  But I do believe that some may find it quite interesting.  It's been on my drawing board for a long time and I've mentioned it in the past.  But no hints until I am holding something other than the prototype in my hand

RandyT

Its not the new GP-Wiz49 is it?  You site says that a new one is coming put... or did I misunderstand?

[shardian]

Okay people, THAT project is the new 49-way joystick that will take full advantage of the new gpwiz 49 and have built in rotary function.

[brandon]

so when is the new wiz49 coming and what are the "new frills" he hinted about?


"PLEASE NOTE!  A NEW VERSION OF THIS PRODUCT IS NEARING COMPLETION.  THIS VERSION IS STILL FULLY FUNCTIONAL, BUT LACKS SEVERAL FRILLS OF THE NEXT VERSION.  THIS VERSION IS CONTNUING TO BE OFFERED ONLY AS A CONVENIENCE TO THOSE WHO HAVE TIME CONSTRAINTS THAT WILL NOT ALLOW THE DELAYS ASSOCIATED WITH WAITING FOR THE NEXT VERSION."

oh and btw, Im about to order the parts to build my panel so I wish I at least had a clue...  Dont tell us what it is Randy.. just tell us what its NOT 

[RandyT]

Ok, I'll use this thread to give everyone a little insight as to some of the goings on at GGG and to give an idea as to why it's NOT the new GP-Wiz49 (sorry)

Sometimes external events dictate how I am allowed to prioritize development.  The thing that has really been hammering on me lately is the fact that the main processor we use is no longer available in the nice, large, easy-to-handle through-hole package.  We had a huge inventory of the larger parts, but they are going very quickly, and whatever we have left are allocated for any boards we already have in stock.  But as we were almost out of the KeyWiz ST / Eco and GP-Wiz boards, it was turning into a crisis.

Fortunately, the exact same processor is still available, just in the much smaller 48-pin SSOP surface mount package.  So everything will still be exactly the same as far as the product line-up and functionality, but in order to keep from having an interruption in availability, I had to retool the programmer, completely re-design the boards and learn to solder these tiny devices.  Fortunately, only one heroic KeyWIz had to give it's life for me to figure out the trick in doing it.  As it turns out, once I got the hang of it, they are actually no more difficult to use than the bigger chips.  The gods have smiled on me for a change  

So just after getting out of the proverbial "woods", my machinist called to inform me that he had a clear schedule (which isn't good with Christmas looming) and was chomping at the bit for a project we had discussed in the past. So, I dropped everything, solved the last of my remaining concerns with the design, and cleared it for a prototype.  That has been done and truthfully, it surpassed my expectations.  One small adjustment to the design later, it was cleared for production.

It's one of those classic, but rare items that has already been attempted but, IMHO, really needed to be "groovyized".  I'm guessing that some will regard it as nothing short of spectacular and absolutely need to have one, while others will be ambivalent about it at best.  It's just one of those kinds of things.

But that's all I'm saying for now.  
RandyT

[ahofle]

But that's all I'm saying for now.  
RandyT

Thanks alot LOL.
I'll guess either a push/pull spinner or some kind of actual leaf switch replacement like the ones Ponyboy was selling? 

[zaphod]

Mmmm, push-pull spinner... in a TurboTwist profile...

[RandyT]

Was real happy with the KeyWhiz's, though I was disappointed when you changed the PCB layout on the cheap version.  You've sold literal box loads of those things because of my recommendations.  'less expensive' and 'works better' are hard to argue with!

And every recommendation is much appreciated 

The small Eco version will most likely be re-visited very soon.  For novice solderers, however, the larger board is much easier to use.  Now that I am comfortable with the new, smaller chip, I should be able to make a unit no wider than an IDE connector.  Something for the list.

RandyT

[saint]

I predict a Star-Wars yoke.

[FrizzleFried]

I predict a Star-Wars yoke.

Wrong thread Saint...

 

[stace]

  16 responses after Randy immediately replied, and nothing to do with my question 

Absolute quality, glad I asked, I'm a newb and proper intrigued !!!  The way I'm getting pulled into this hobby, whatever it is, I'll buy one !!

Stace 

[markrvp]

Is it a flying car?  For heaven's sake, it's 2007.  Where are the flying cars?

[Kaytrim]

I'll throw in a wild guess that it is a 4-way leaf switch style joystick with a light up ball top.  Whatever it is I am sure that this place will be jumping once you make the announcement.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Havok]

You guys have got it all wrong: since the machinist is involved, it's obviously stainless steel helmets designed to block alien mind control!

[mrclean]

Not sure what the new "Toy" is going to be, but im currently interested in adding a TT2 spinner from GGG is that being replaced with a TT3? ;-) please let me know !

[brandon]

Is it a flying car?  For heaven's sake, it's 2007.  Where are the flying cars?

oh you mean these:




been around forever...

 "As of late 2002, MI's approximately 40 years' of development has resulted in a prototype Skycar capable of hovering about fifteen feet above the ground."

[Warborg]

Ok, I'll use this thread to give everyone a little insight as to some of the goings on at GGG and to give an idea as to why it's NOT the new GP-Wiz49 (sorry)

Sometimes external events dictate how I am allowed to prioritize development.  The thing that has really been hammering on me lately is the fact that the main processor we use is no longer available in the nice, large, easy-to-handle through-hole package.  We had a huge inventory of the larger parts, but they are going very quickly, and whatever we have left are allocated for any boards we already have in stock.  But as we were almost out of the KeyWiz ST / Eco and GP-Wiz boards, it was turning into a crisis.

Fortunately, the exact same processor is still available, just in the much smaller 48-pin SSOP surface mount package.  So everything will still be exactly the same as far as the product line-up and functionality, but in order to keep from having an interruption in availability, I had to retool the programmer, completely re-design the boards and learn to solder these tiny devices.  Fortunately, only one heroic KeyWIz had to give it's life for me to figure out the trick in doing it.  As it turns out, once I got the hang of it, they are actually no more difficult to use than the bigger chips.  The gods have smiled on me for a change  

So just after getting out of the proverbial "woods", my machinist called to inform me that he had a clear schedule (which isn't good with Christmas looming) and was chomping at the bit for a project we had discussed in the past. So, I dropped everything, solved the last of my remaining concerns with the design, and cleared it for a prototype.  That has been done and truthfully, it surpassed my expectations.  One small adjustment to the design later, it was cleared for production.

It's one of those classic, but rare items that has already been attempted but, IMHO, really needed to be "groovyized".  I'm guessing that some will regard it as nothing short of spectacular and absolutely need to have one, while others will be ambivalent about it at best.  It's just one of those kinds of things.

But that's all I'm saying for now.  
RandyT

Personally, I think RandyT and Christian from SS are one in the same which is why he's gone silent, and he is just trying to distract us with this morsel while he continues to pilfer people's money, and will soon be fleeing to some non-extradition treaty country very very soon...  I'm on to you Randy... 

[squirrellydw]

Hovering about 15 feet, just high enough to hit all the electrical wires.

[brandon]

Hovering about 15 feet, just high enough to hit all the electrical wires.

it probably only hover that high because it runs out of gas 

[brandon]

Personally, I think RandyT and Christian from SS are one in the same which is why he's gone silent, and he is just trying to distract us with this morsel while he continues to pilfer people's money, and will soon be fleeing to some non-extradition treaty country very very soon...  I'm on to you Randy... 

nah.. he's just concentrating all his effort into making that dedicated Chicken Shift controller everyones been pestering him about.. that and a wimmy-diddle for grinding smoke

[Kremmit]

nah.. he's just concentrating all his effort into making that dedicated Chicken Shift controller everyones been pestering him about.. that and a wimmy-diddle for grinding smoke

Let me know the left-handed glass stretchers are ready.

[solderguy1]

I predict a Star-Wars yoke.

Mmmmm, that would be nice.  Or a GGG three-pack under the Xmas tree.  A SW Yoke with lighted balltop 49-ways on each side of it.

[solderguy1]

Fortunately, the exact same processor is still available, just in the much smaller 48-pin SSOP surface mount package.   .... I had to retool the programmer, completely re-design the boards and learn to solder these tiny devices.  Fortunately, only one heroic KeyWIz had to give it's life for me to figure out the trick in doing it.  As it turns out, once I got the hang of it, they are actually no more difficult to use than the bigger chips.  The gods have smiled on me for a change  

Learning how to solder surface-mount ICs is intimidating isn't it?  I avoided it for years.  The way I do it now (probably goofy) is to coat the pads with a little solder on just one side, then push the IC down with tweezers and reflow from one corner to another.  Then do the other side of the chip and finish by dragging the iron tip from the pad up the IC pin for a majorly solid connection.

[brandon]

Fortunately, the exact same processor is still available, just in the much smaller 48-pin SSOP surface mount package.   .... I had to retool the programmer, completely re-design the boards and learn to solder these tiny devices.  Fortunately, only one heroic KeyWIz had to give it's life for me to figure out the trick in doing it.  As it turns out, once I got the hang of it, they are actually no more difficult to use than the bigger chips.  The gods have smiled on me for a change  

Learning how to solder surface-mount ICs is intimidating isn't it?  I avoided it for years.  The way I do it now (probably goofy) is to coat the pads with a little solder on just one side, then push the IC down with tweezers and reflow from one corner to another.  Then do the other side of the chip and finish by dragging the iron tip from the pad up the IC pin for a majorly solid connection.

your name is solderguy for God's sake... lol  arent you a pro?

[Santoro]

I say it's volcano buttons.

[crzywolf]

Sorry  RandyT ! These kids already beat you to the punch. 
Rip Away 1000

[heffe2001]

I predict a Star-Wars yoke.

That'd be my guess, especially when he said machinist was involved...

[JMB]

Maybe a Novagem/Micro-Leaf version of

[Encryptor]

Maybe a Novagem/Micro-Leaf version of

That would be SWEET!

Encryptor

[mushmouth]

Maybe a Novagem/Micro-Leaf version of

That would be SWEET!

Encryptor

That would be a huge seller...

[RandyT]

Don't get your hopes up on that one.  At least not from this neck of the woods.

[NIVO]

a trackball that spins itself WOOT

[brandon]

a trackball that spins itself WOOT

btw, to take the topic literally.. Has anyone ever SEEN Randy?  Does he look like the GGG wizard mascot?

Personally I'm still waiting on these to come out...