Hardware / Other hardware

Microsoft SideWinder gamepad

discussed in 105 posts, 1997-2004 · overall tone mixed

Posts per month

Key threads

Papyrus posts the NR2003 patch readme 2003-06-28 · 106 posts
Tim relayed Papyrus developer Steve Myers's readme for the upcoming NR2003 patch, which was in QA and included bug fixes and mod-friendly features such as a track directory option. Reaction was positive, but posters demanded a race-list filter and debated whether the ideal racing line and other aids should be controllable by league hosts. Larry noted no mention of random damage changes.
Frustrated GPL driver announces he is quitting 2001-07-09 · 46 posts
Jeffrey Rowe said he had boxed up his wheels and was quitting GPL and the group because his GPL Rank handicap was not falling fast enough, despite reaching about +10 in three months. Others urged him to race online for fun, and one poster said switching to a cheap joystick had dropped his handicap dramatically. This led to a discussion of joysticks versus wheels in GPL and Superbike 2001.
Impressions of Microprose's GP500 motorcycle sim 2000-08-07 · 22 posts
After someone tried the GP500 demo, members called it the most realistic bike sim available, a sort of GPL on two wheels, with Superbike 2000 ahead only on graphics. A side discussion confirmed bike sims are on-topic for the group. Later posts covered controllers, recommending gamepads like the Gravis Xterminator or higher wheel sensitivity, and learning tips.
Motocross Madness 2 released to enthusiastic reviews 2000-05-27 · 24 posts
Players praised the newly released Motocross Madness 2 for its mix of realism and fun, more realistic Supercross tracks and online play. Discussion centred on the best controllers, with the Microsoft Freestyle Pro tilt pad widely recommended.
Survey: NASCAR 2 controllers fail under Windows 95 OSR2 1997-02-22 · 25 posts
A user surveyed the group about NASCAR Racing 2 refusing to calibrate any game-port controller when launched from Windows 95. Many reports pointed to the OEM Service Release 2 (Win95 'B') build, though Eric Busch and others had it working, so a second factor was suspected; DirectX 3, FAT32 and Sidewinder drivers were all tested without a clear fix. Papyrus's Jim Sokoloff and Charlie Heath acknowledged the reports and said they were trying to work out the cause.

Busiest threads

Doesn't Anyone Have A MS Sidewinder Pad & A Wheel??? (10 posts about it)
Joystick switchboxes or 3-way cables don't work! (3 posts about it)
Anyone know how to install more than 1 game controller? (3 posts about it)
Nascar 4 and MS Gamepad (USB) (2 posts about it)
GP3 and Gamepads (2 posts about it)
Gp3 Warez questions??? (2 posts about it)
Re: F12000 using gamepad .. is it playable & enjoyable? (2 posts about it)
Sidewinder Gamepad Works In Screamer Rally? (2 posts about it)
Sidewinder Pad for Nascar 2? (2 posts about it)
Nascar2 Question (2 posts about it)
RBR: Digital Gamepad settings (MS Sidewinder) (1 posts about it)
Papyrus posts the NR2003 patch readme (1 posts about it)
What is the best gamepad to use for racing games on PC ?? (1 posts about it)
Logitech Formula Force (older one) on WinXP (1 posts about it)
F1 2001 crashing back to desktop after race (1 posts about it)

Sentiment by year

Each post that discussed it was rated from −2 (very negative) to +2 (very positive).

Year	Posts	Positive	Negative	Tone
1997	10	1	1	mixed (+0.00)
1998	38	4	8	mixed (-0.11)
1999	19	4	1	positive (+0.21)
2000	27	6	4	mixed (+0.11)
2001	6	0	3	negative (-0.50)
2002	2	0	1	negative (-0.50)
2003	2	1	0	positive (+0.50)
2004	1	0	0	mixed (+0.00)