Where does the Mac community stand on a front end?

**Bugbyte** · 08-02-2008, 11:28 AM

Yes it does. However, later versions of the Powermate driver have inexplicably left out the ability to use the esc key. As a result, if you upgrade to the newer drivers, you need Proxis, which is a Griffin product (free) that gives you wider abilities, including esc.

**aychamo** · 08-02-2008, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Yes it does. However, later versions of the Powermate driver have inexplicably left out the ability to use the esc key. As a result, if you upgrade to the newer drivers, you need Proxis, which is a Griffin product (free) that gives you wider abilities, including esc.

Could this be fixed by mapping the old escape key on the powermate, to, for example "$", and change the code in AMP2.0 to use "$" as the escape key?

**1999MockOne** · 08-02-2008, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Yes it does. However, later versions of the Powermate driver have inexplicably left out the ability to use the esc key. As a result, if you upgrade to the newer drivers, you need Proxis, which is a Griffin product (free) that gives you wider abilities, including esc.

So, the older versions do support ESC? Do you what the most recent version number that has ESC enabled?

The one thing I dislike about FrontRow (vs. iTunes full-screen Cover Flow) is the small artwork size. Us old folk need bigger art in order to see it! I really like FrontRow's menu system.

**Bugbyte** · 08-02-2008, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by aychamo

Could this be fixed by mapping the old escape key on the powermate, to, for example "$", and change the code in AMP2.0 to use "$" as the escape key?

Yes. That's what we've done in Amp 2.0. I thought you were asking about FrontRow.

**aychamo** · 08-03-2008, 09:30 PM

Sorry, I probably said the wrong thing. It took me like 2 days ot realize that FrontRow and AppleTV were two different things!

**1999MockOne** · 08-03-2008, 09:37 PM

Front Row … Back Row … six of one … half dozen of the other. The confusion is easy to understand … they're kissin' cousins!

**onepuff** · 08-07-2008, 12:38 AM

Good to see you back Aychemo. I just use remote buddy for the most part. Not a real front end, but it controls everything very easily when couple with a wii remote. No touchscreen functions even necessary.

**aychamo** · 08-10-2008, 10:33 AM

Hey thanks man!

I'm still trying to figure how to do the install in my vehicle. I love stealth, stock looking stuff, so I need to figure out where to put my screen. I was thinking of putting the screen in the passenger side sun visor. The only thing you'd see is maybe a wire running out of it, but that could be hidden pretty well too. But that would mean using AMP2 instead of AMP1.

--

I seem to have been mistaken when I was thinking of the griffen powermate. How many different buttons can that simulate? It seems like it just rotates left and right? Didn't Griffen have another (more expensive) input controller thing that was similar to the powermate?

**onepuff** · 08-11-2008, 12:33 AM

You're probably thinking of this.

http://www.3dconnexion.com/3dmouse/spacenavigator.php

The powermate can simulate 6 i think.

**Bugbyte** · 08-11-2008, 08:07 AM

Powermate gives you more than just left/right.

1. Turn left
2. Turn right
3. Hold down & turn right
4. Hold down & turn left
5. Click
6. Long click

You can program each of the six functions to work differently depending on which application is active.

Suprisingly, at least for me, less functions is better. I also have the spacenavigator but it isn't precise like the powermate. It is really designed for 3D navigation, so it is pressure sensing, which is something that is difficult to control in the car.

Also, I haven't found a way to map its functions to keys. Doesn't mean there isn't, but I haven't figured it out yet.