I've been around for a while, but never registered. I've just decided to participate more and, who knows, maybe start building a simpit when time permits.

I guess I should say something in the lines of "Hello There, I'm Tityus and I've officially delurked with this post". :-)

In order to make something useful of my post, I'd like to suggest to 531_Ghost the creation of a sticky post with I/O boards, emulators, test and support software. Something neat and organized, in the lines of these two, but with focus on interfacing / pit building:

Hardware and Software Useful Links
and
Cockpit Hotas/Control Systems/Input Devices

Would that be interesting?

té mais
tityus

Hello tityus! Thanks for the suggestion. I would like to be clear on what you are asking though. Are you looking for a thread dedicated to the "over the counter" type cockpit i.e.
Obutto,
Playseat
Hotseat
Dreamflyer...as well as Individuals offering plans etc for cockpits (Gene Buckle)... ?

Sounds like he's more interested in I/O cards and controller along with the associated switches and encoders that go along, but I'm just guessing. Does SimHQ have any articles on interfacing, I thought there were a few but its been a while.

And that's why I was asking, HHF. As his question as you (and I) understood it is addressed in his second link.

LOL But he's looking for a dedicated thread for just IO cards as in 'not off the shelf" similar to the dedicated threads he linked. Take it easy on me I switched to earlier work hours and may have been low on caffeine when I posted earlier LOL.

From his message, which seems to be unedited, it appears he'd like to have a general overview about self built I/O and ways to emulate or test it.
I've been reading through his links but I cannot find anything which adressed this in the second link (an the first one)? Also it's not about premade cockpit stands, even the opposite as far as I can tell: self built electronics is what he's looking for, no?

I guess it's reasonable but also a big project. But wouldn't it be cool to have a source for all that that can be relied upon? Another problem is that we're not all from the same country, so ordering the same parts can be a bit hard at times.


However

It certainly would be interesting to me.
An overview could be starting with simple buttons, switches, rotary encoders, pots and (hall)sensors along with controller boards, interfaces and lastly the software side of it.

If you leave out buttons etc. it'd probably not be such an overwhelming job I guess. There isn't that much software available or is there?

Maybe we'll see something like this. A rough draft should be doable relatively quick but refining it could be a huge amount of work. I'd still love to see this and maybe the makers of certain sim hardware (like leo bodnar boards) could chip in in their own interest? But then again, the more detailed you want to make it the more problems could surface :p

Reading my post again, I think I could have explained a little better.

From time to time, someone mentions a new board/card or builds a panel using some well known one. There are articles that explore some subjects a little deeper and many bits of info that float on the many posts we have. All distributed in several threads - not very easy to get the general picture.

However...

Take for example the thread about controllers. Right at the top, one finds compiled information about what's current, HOTAS, Racing Wheels/Gas Pedals/Shifters, Rudder Pedals, Flight Yokes, Joysticks, Throttle Quadrants, Multi Function Panels and etc... Right there in one post, you have an idea of what controllers are around and following the links you may find prices, availability and what not. (HW/SW link is a similar example)

I thought of a thread that would do the same for interfaces (I/O boards, emulators, hacked solutions), with compiled information. When someone floats a new bit of info, it is compiled and listed at the thread root (by the moderator) - in a way that someone, looking at the root of the thread, could have a general picture about controllers. From there, following links and searching other posts, further knowledge could be obtained.

I understand that we have articles and from time to time there are in deep discussions on the topic, but, in my opinion, compiled information can be retrieved easily.

An example of said thread :

I/O Boards:
Ulltimarc ipac Board USB PC interface for buttons and joystick ( 32 buttons).
Leo Bonar's BU0836 USB PC interface for buttons and joystick ( 8 analog + 32 buttons). <SimHQ article link> If any...
Hagstrom Electronics KE-USB36 USB Keyboard Encoder and Trackball Interface <SimHQ article link>
Epic, OpenCockpits, Phidgets etc...
Simulated Instruments:
COTS products:

Articles of Interest:
<SimHQ article link>
<SimHQ article link>
<article link>

By checking this thread one could get the pointer to easily access info on interfaces (for example - if it works same logic could be applied to Enclosures, Plans and Kits, Seats, etc...)

I understand it's not an easy task, but it can evolve gradually.

I hope I have clarified it a bit.
té mais
tityus

Here are some good existing resources:
http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/
http://www.simprojects.nl/
http://www.fscockpit.com/
http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/upcoming_book.htm

Added to the above list Mike, thanks!