First of all, I'd like to thank Michael, John, and Brian for your feedback. It's been really helpful in making a decision. When I first started looking, it was going to be a decision between the Wiimote and an Xbox 360 wireless controller (w/PC adapter). Then I discovered the PS3 remote was Bluetooth, like the Wiimote, and that changed things a lot, because it didn't have to be a "platform choice". The Xbox wireless controller, being a proprietary radio, was then ruled out. By going with open standards like Bluetooth, it makes it an easier choice since I can try one, and if it doesn't work out, try a different one. It also opens up the possibilities of other types of controllers in the future.
I've decided to try the Wiimote first, as the drivers appear a bit more mature than the PS3 ones, and they're available for my current Feisty kernel (the PS3 ones require patching kernel and bluez drivers, and compiling the sixpair.c utility, or waiting for Ubuntu Gutsy). Also, the Wiimotes simpler control layout and movement oriented focus seems more "kid friendly" for the kind of educational games we've got set up. I won't know if I need to set-up mouse emulation for some of them, so I'll be covered with the Wiimotes drivers in that case. In the event we need something more sophisticated, the PS3 controller then makes more sense than the Wii Classic controller hooked into the Wiimote. By using Bluetooth based products with Linux/Freevo/Emulators/LinuxGames, I really get a lot of freedom of choice. Brian, I'll answer you inline... -----Original Message----- From: "Brian McKee" >"Darn you Mike! I had no idea there were Wiimote drivers for linux. We have a Wii, and a Freevo box in the same room - and the Freevo box has no remote...." http://www.wiili.org/ Has information on drivers and all things Wii & Linux. That project hopes to port Linux to the Wii console. Click on Drivers to find ones for Linux, Windows and OS-X. I'll be trying the Cwiid ones first, since they seem to be the most flexible, and are in Ubuntu's repositories. >"Now you've gone an added another Gotta Try It project to my list...." Oh, Darn! Gotta hate it when someone teases you with ideas you're itching to try... ;-) Just remember, it's not allways the destination that's important... With Linux, the journey is more than half the entertainment! >"If anyone has any Wiimote-Freevo experience I'd love to hear it." I'll be sharing mine as it goes... May take a while, with youngins', my time isn't usually free or my own! ;-) >"FWIW the Wiimotes seem to be pretty well built items that fit fine in my (3 + 5 year old) kids hands. I especially like the real springs holding the batteries in so they don't get disconnected with all the flinging them around. I'm not sure what they'd be like to play 'normal' games with though - they work great with the Wii concept, but I don't think it'd translate too well for many games." Well, from what I've read, the Wiimote drivers are fairly configurable for joystick or mouse input, People are using them for flight sims, games, and as a mouse, not to mention stuff like MIDI controllers and robot/RC car controls. I'm going to build a USB powered sensor bar sometime in the future (google "Wii USB sensor bar", you'll get a few projects); that will allow for mouse pointer type usage. Thanks for your comments on the Wiimotes, that clinched it for me. Nothing like being "kid tested"! >"I bet there will be cheaper third party controllers for the other platforms, the motion sensors in the Wiimotes are likely not cheap to reproduce. And with young kids, you're best getting ones that are cheap to replace :-)" The really cheap ones are wired, and my toddler will have a field day with those! Wireless is essential, especially if I don't want her chewing the cables or ripping the USB ports out of the PC. The cheap wireless ones use dedicated receivers, meaning one USB port per, and a shelf full of receivers if there's more than 1 controller. The cheap wireless ones are about $40 CDN, the Wiimote is $45, the PS3 controller is $60, and the Xbox 360 wireless w/receiver is $75 CDN. BT dongle is $10, and supports 7 active devices. Looking at it that way, the Wiimote doesn't seem that expensive. >"Brian" Thanks for your help! Hope this returns the favour :-) /Mike ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ _______________________________________________ Freevo-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freevo-users
