N4 Controller Suggestion

I asked for this during the N3 patching sessions...and we got support for more buttons added, so that people with more exotic controllers can shift using their shifters, etc. But could we please allow the function key pop-up screens to be mapped to controller buttons...please!! It is so much more convenient and safe to flick a little button without having to look or remove ones hands from the wheel to get all that vital info. Thanks, Marc. -- **************************************************************************** Marc Collins [email hidden] Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change to take effect. Reboot now? ****************************************************************************

I guess it would depend on what type of controller you have. In N3, I was able to have the function keys on the steering wheel, which is a MSFF wheel...just had to set it up in the MS profile.... Dave "Marc Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:5PJh6.227406$[email hidden]...

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> I asked for this during the N3 patching sessions...and we got support for > more buttons added, so that people with more exotic controllers can shift > using their shifters, etc. But could we please allow the function key > pop-up screens to be mapped to controller buttons...please!! > > It is so much more convenient and safe to flick a little button without > having to look or remove ones hands from the wheel to get all that vital > info. > > Thanks, > > Marc. > > -- >

**************************************************************************** > Marc Collins > [email hidden] > > Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change > to take effect. Reboot now? >**************************************************************************** > > >

I guess it would depend on what type of controller you have. In N3, I was able to have the function keys on the steering wheel, which is a MSFF wheel...just had to set it up in the MS profile.... Dave "Marc Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:5PJh6.227406$[email hidden]...

Quoted text (15 lines)

> I asked for this during the N3 patching sessions...and we got support for > more buttons added, so that people with more exotic controllers can shift > using their shifters, etc. But could we please allow the function key > pop-up screens to be mapped to controller buttons...please!! > > It is so much more convenient and safe to flick a little button without > having to look or remove ones hands from the wheel to get all that vital > info. > > Thanks, > > Marc. > > -- >

**************************************************************************** > Marc Collins > [email hidden] > > Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change > to take effect. Reboot now? >**************************************************************************** > > >

Hi Marc. Have you ever tried a neat little utility called Game Commander? It uses voice commands to controll all of your function keys and quite a few other things. I've been using it for well over a year now and have to say that it works very well.The nice thing is that it's compatible with just about any game out there. Here's a link to their website. Check 'em out. http://www.gamecommander.com/ -- See ya in the pits, Dean I have a terrible memory. In fact my memory's so bad I can't remember how long it's been since I've forgotten anything. "Marc Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:5PJh6.227406$[email hidden]... > I asked for this during the N3 patching sessions...and we got support for > more buttons added, so that people with more exotic controllers can shift > using their shifters, etc. But could we please allow the function key > pop-up screens to be mapped to controller buttons...please!! > > It is so much more convenient and safe to flick a little button without > having to look or remove ones hands from the wheel to get all that vital > info. > > Thanks, > > Marc. > > -- > **************************************************************************** > Marc Collins > [email hidden] > > Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change > to take effect. Reboot now? > **************************************************************************** > > > >

How would the computer hear the commands over top of the excessive noise blasting at me through high-end Boston Acoustics "real" speakers? :) Anyone nearby when I am using a racing sim. could describe the likely problems...if you could hear them. But thanks for the suggestion! Marc. "DTP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:HOQh6.780$[email hidden]... > Hi Marc. Have you ever tried a neat little utility called Game Commander?It

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> uses voice commands to controll all of your function keys and quite a few > other things. I've been using it for well over a year now and have to say > that it works very well.The nice thing is that it's compatible with just > about any game out there. Here's a link to their website. Check 'em out. > http://www.gamecommander.com/ > > -- > See ya in the pits, > Dean > > I have a terrible memory. In fact my memory's so bad I can't remember how > long it's been since I've forgotten anything. > > "Marc Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:5PJh6.227406$[email hidden]... > > I asked for this during the N3 patching sessions...and we got support

for > > more buttons added, so that people with more exotic controllers canshift

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> > using their shifters, etc. But could we please allow the function key > > pop-up screens to be mapped to controller buttons...please!! > > > > It is so much more convenient and safe to flick a little button without > > having to look or remove ones hands from the wheel to get all that vital > > info. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Marc. > > > > -- > > >

****************************************************************************

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> > Marc Collins > > [email hidden] > > > > Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change > > to take effect. Reboot now? > > >

**************************************************************************** > > > > > > > > > >

I have the Ferrari wheel--the profiler software that comes with that wheel crashes every known racing game. You can use CTFJ--I just keep forgetting to run it before I use N3/N4. And I can't leave the CTFJ set-up running for other games, or I lose their wheel button functionality. Marc "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:qSTh6.123$[email hidden]...

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> I guess it would depend on what type of controller you have. In N3, I was > able to have the function keys on the steering wheel, which is a MSFF > wheel...just had to set it up in the MS profile.... > > Dave > > "Marc Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:5PJh6.227406$[email hidden]... > > I asked for this during the N3 patching sessions...and we got support

for > > more buttons added, so that people with more exotic controllers canshift

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> > using their shifters, etc. But could we please allow the function key > > pop-up screens to be mapped to controller buttons...please!! > > > > It is so much more convenient and safe to flick a little button without > > having to look or remove ones hands from the wheel to get all that vital > > info. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Marc. > > > > -- > > >

****************************************************************************

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> > Marc Collins > > [email hidden] > > > > Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change > > to take effect. Reboot now? > > >

**************************************************************************** > > > > > > > >

I'm always amazed every time I see a "recommendation" for Game Commander....or any other "voice activated" keyboard controller....that those individuals who use them assume everyone uses "headsets" for sim racing! The only reason to use headsets for sim racing are: 1. You have crappy speakers to start with. 2. You don't use an SB Live sound card (and number 1 applies too.....lol). 3. You have a wife, children, neighbors.....who hate you. Otherwise....crank your sound system......to-the-max......and velcro down anything in your sim racing room that is not already bolted down......or weighs over 500 lbs......and "map" your function keys to the wheel buttons with your game controller "custom" set up software. If it doesn't have this option....get a new controller, duh! Unless you have your keyboard mounted on your race controller...with all necessary "keys" within a few inches of your fingers ....and you can activate them "by touch" without looking at your hand, or the keyboard.....or, they are mapped to your wheel buttons....then you are going to wreck a lot....and "wreck" the rest of us along with you. Please don't race online, please! You could get away with "hunt and peck" for the "display commands"......in N3......but that will never be the case in N4. *****Did anybody pick up on Darrel Waltrip's "story" during the FOX Sports broadcast of the Goody Dash yesterday at Daytona? He was kidding about his crew chief having to get into the back seat of his race car......run laps at Tally at 220 mph.....so his crew chief could record the "readings" on the dash instruments. Darrel said, "Hell, I can't take my eyes of the road at those speeds long enough to look at the tach even.....except maybe to tell you what general direction its pointing....like "up" or "down".......no way I can give you the readings of all the dash instruments.....have you tried to drive this sucker and do it?" Another comment was made about trying to see how far the rpm's fall off when in the turns at Daytona........nobody says they can take their eyes off the track....especially when drafting....long enough to look at the tach! ******************So My Fellow Sim Racers********************** If the best stock car drivers in the world can't even look at the tach.....what the heck makes you think you can search around for your keyboard's F1 key.......and not crash........taking a few of us with you? If your keyboard isn't mounted within 3 to 4 incheds of your fingers....or you've not mapped your "often-used" function keys to your race controller buttons......please don't race online in Multiplayer.....PLEASE< PLEASE>PLEASE! Tom Pabst

Hmmm... I guess I need to hang up my sim racing shoes =) A) I have a SB Live card and use a nice set of Kenwood headphones and tend to prefer them as I believe I get a better 3D positional sound reference from them. They are very light and do not make my ears sweat like some cheaper sets. Although my wife appreciates them <G>, I would wear them regardless just out of preference. B) I sit my keyboard off to the left, vertically aligned with my ACT-LABS Force RS (And soon TSW2 Modified) wheel and have never had a problem in GPL or N4 while racing online. Yes, I would prefer a more convenient system, but none the less, it works for me and although some would argue the point <VBG> ), I don't believe I am a danger on the track. -- Scott B. Husted PA-Scott The Pits: PowerSims Magazine (http://www.theuspits.com) Tom Pabst <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:pOWh6.86563$[email hidden]... > I'm always amazed every time I see a "recommendation" for Game > Commander....or any other "voice activated" keyboard controller....that > those individuals who use them assume everyone uses "headsets" for sim > racing! > > The only reason to use headsets for sim racing are: > > 1. You have crappy speakers to start with. > 2. You don't use an SB Live sound card (and number 1 applies > too.....lol). > 3. You have a wife, children, neighbors.....who hate you. > > Otherwise....crank your sound system......to-the-max......and velcro down > anything in your sim racing room that is not already bolted down......or > weighs over 500 lbs......and "map" your function keys to the wheel buttons > with your game controller "custom" set up software. If it doesn't have this > option....get a new controller, duh! > > Unless you have your keyboard mounted on your race controller...with all > necessary "keys" within a few inches of your fingers ....and you can > activate them "by touch" without looking at your hand, or the > keyboard.....or, they are mapped to your wheel buttons....then you are going > to wreck a lot....and "wreck" the rest of us along with you. Please don't > race online, please! You could get away with "hunt and peck" for the > "display commands"......in N3......but that will never be the case in N4. > > *****Did anybody pick up on Darrel Waltrip's "story" during the FOX Sports > broadcast of the Goody Dash yesterday at Daytona? He was kidding about his > crew chief having to get into the back seat of his race car......run laps at > Tally at 220 mph.....so his crew chief could record the "readings" on the > dash instruments. Darrel said, "Hell, I can't take my eyes of the road at > those speeds long enough to look at the tach even.....except maybe to tell > you what general direction its pointing....like "up" or "down".......no way > I can give you the readings of all the dash instruments.....have you tried > to drive this sucker and do it?" Another comment was made about trying to > see how far the rpm's fall off when in the turns at Daytona........nobody > says they can take their eyes off the track....especially when > drafting....long enough to look at the tach! > > ******************So My Fellow Sim Racers********************** > > If the best stock car drivers in the world can't even look at the > tach.....what the heck makes you think you can search around for your > keyboard's F1 key.......and not crash........taking a few of us with you? > > If your keyboard isn't mounted within 3 to 4 incheds of your fingers....or > you've not mapped your "often-used" function keys to your race controller > buttons......please don't race online in Multiplayer.....PLEASE< > PLEASE>PLEASE! > > Tom Pabst > >

Scott.... You are an experienced and competent sim driver....despite the "handicap" you've built in for yourself with the keyboard set up you described. Bet you can toggle the right function keys without looking/searching for them. Would I be right? That's not likely the case for "newbies"...which was the point of my post. Tom

It has become a normal and comfortable situation for me because the arrangement was born out of necessity due to the ergonomic situation of my computer desk and office. -- Scott B. Husted "PA-Scott" ICQ# 4395450 "Tom Pabst" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:FZZh6.88611$[email hidden]... > Scott.... > > You are an experienced and competent sim driver....despite the "handicap" > you've built in for yourself with the keyboard set up you described. Bet > you can toggle the right function keys without looking/searching for them. > Would I be right? > > That's not likely the case for "newbies"...which was the point of my post. > > Tom > >

Marc, try using RBJoys. It won't crash programs the way the Ferrari utility does. It takes a bit to figure it out, but it works very well. It's in the Utilities section of T&R. -- Slot Tweaks & Reviews www.slottweak.com "Marc Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:5PJh6.227406$[email hidden]... > I asked for this during the N3 patching sessions...and we got support for > more buttons added, so that people with more exotic controllers can shift > using their shifters, etc. But could we please allow the function key > pop-up screens to be mapped to controller buttons...please!! > > It is so much more convenient and safe to flick a little button without > having to look or remove ones hands from the wheel to get all that vital > info. > > Thanks, > > Marc. > > -- > **************************************************************************** > Marc Collins > [email hidden] > > Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change > to take effect. Reboot now? > **************************************************************************** > > >

In article <FZZh6.88611$[email hidden]>, "Tom Pabst" <[email hidden]> writes:

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>Scott.... > >You are an experienced and competent sim driver....despite the "handicap" >you've built in for yourself with the keyboard set up you described. Bet >you can toggle the right function keys without looking/searching for them. >Would I be right? > >That's not likely the case for "newbies"...which was the point of my post. >

We were ALL newbies at some point... Eldred -- Dale Earnhardt, Sr. 1951-2001 Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPL F1 hcp. +28.67...F2 +151.26...F3 hcp. +373.73 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.