FAQ / Summary of best bets for Input (In this Thread)

[boris_tubak]

i use my cars stock headunit to control a computer, using one of these:

http://www.k9spud.com/vwcdpic/

it will only work on late model VWs but it's very slick.

[ELEmental59437]

I found this keyboard in my local computer store for 14.99. It was cheaper than my mouse and looks really nice. Works well in the car with its small size.

[Machs_FueL]

i've used a joypad and it sucked, maybe it was just the plug-in but the buttons seemed to stick

i've also used comctrl to wire the buttons on my LCD and it was pretty, but i understand that is could be done with girder too.

[psuter]

when i had troubles with my touchscreen i used a 20 CHF (about $15) wireless gamepad from a electronics supermarket called media markt . it attaches to the usb port and has a range of about 10m around my car. it's got 12buttons which can be easily programmed with all different kinds of joystick-2-mouse software. great thing.
very ergonomic, uses 2 regular AAA battaries thtat last forever (i used it almost daily and never had to change them for the last 6 months.. i now got my touchscreen to work again and don't need it at the moment, but the battaries are still ok...

Brand: X-Tensions
Model: XG-210

only downside: the joystick is only digital, but it's still got 8 directions.



what i am looking at right now (but have not gotten or tested it):
palm V keyboard to ps2 adaptor to use palm V keyboards on your pc (especially nice in combination with the tiny targus keyboard. (never got a reply from the producer of the adapter to my question if it also works with other keyboards than the one shown on the picture, but i'd guess so)


last hint:
the sony remote control for car radios RM-X4S and RM-X2S actually works similar to a joystick. every button pressed represents a certain x-coordinate of your joystick: right now a friend of mine is trying to write a program to convert these positions into keystrokes to windws applications, so i can use it on my computer. very good for blind-control your unit (change volume while still having your eyes on the road)

find the wiring for the adaptor here

here's a XMMS plugin for this device (never tested it, just found it on google)

will post my friends software as soon as it works on the board here.. (if he allowes me to :-) )

cheers
pascal

[MP3DUB]

It seems that the only thing that's been overlooked are touchpad's (Cirque/Fellows make a few good ones).

[Cordell]

don't these things work like when you move your finger across the red thing it moves the mouse in that direction? That could be handy... wonder if it could be put into a shifter... hmmmm http://www.meci.com/default.asp?part...n=&mode=Search

..

[Laptopras]

I don't know if anyone will even get this far in reading but I have a little info on the state of Voice Control. I was using it to control my own program (Flash 5 interface with Microsoft Voice SDK 4.0 (and briefly 5.0)). My experience was that with the old 4.0 SDK, the recognition was fairly good with only a few failed recognitions and a few false ones. This was pretty consistant even with the A/C on and the windows open at low speeds (up to 45 mph ish). Though I had to speak loudly to be recognized over the other noise (not quite yelling, but loud speaking like an actor would in a theatre) .However this luck with voice control only lasted so long and for seemingly no reason (though i'm sure there was one somewhere ;-)) it stoped working that well. I have yet to be able to fix the problem and am currently rewriteing my interface to work with a On1 Remote (do a search they are cool!). As a last bit of info, I tried Microsoft Voice SDK 5.0 briefly. It was had to get started with and thats why I quit, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY more powerful and has better recognition as well as being more suited to control application with lone statements ("Computer, Turn on, Mp3 Player, Play Track, By, Nelly"). If you have the time and are working on your own program I do recommend you go to Microsoft's webpage and download the SDK to atleast check it out. (included is a help file that will explain EVERY detail as well as pretty much teaching you how to program).

Hope this info helps someone :-)

Rick...

[gork]

Integrating a pointing stick or trackball into the shift knob would be a good idea. The pointing stick would probably be best/easiest. The OEM pointing stick linked to in a post above could probably be modified for this purpose.

The best approach, IMO is to put an RF keyboard that has an integrated pointing stick under your seat and also have a touchscreen. Then, if you want, integrate some custom dash buttons with one of the various interfaces there are. Here, I have seen links to various schematics for serial or parallel interfaces, but the method I think would be best is to get a controller made for arcade-pc's.. They hook to any kind of control you want and then emulate keyboard/mouse/joystick via USB or other appropriate ports. They are a little bit more expensive, but they will make integrating random buttons and other controls easier.

[gork]

BTW Re: the i-drive controller.. It is kind of like a jog dial that you can press down. It's a piece of !$)!@*# to use and it really sucks. IMO if you want that kind of controller in your car go for the griffin powermate. It's cooler and smoother. It doesnt have jogging though so it probably would rotate while you drive around.. They ought to make one with jog.

Anyway, the i-drive.. If you get ahold of one, you can integrate it pretty easily. It breaks out into basically 3 buttons exatly like a mouse wheel - jogged left, jogged right, pushed. Any of the button interfaces should work with it. It also has a connection for an internal light.

[DodgeCummins]

I have tried using my Laptop touchpad in the vehicle...too sensitive...while driving that is...

I like big buttons...like what the auto makers are now including with their onboard navigation systems.

(I also like big butts...but that is a different story)