So, can't you scan it like a keyboard, i.e. output one of the 8 bits at a
time and check if it appears on the input pin?

What am I missing?

m

On Tue, Sep 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM Kenneth Pettit <[email protected]> wrote:

> The printer port is output only except for 2 inputs: BUSY and /BUSY
>
> Ken
>
> On 9/23/25 7:59 PM, Mike Stein wrote:
>
> Couldn't you just scan the printer port looking for 1 out of 8 switch
> closures?.
>
> m
>
> On Tue, Sep 23, 2025 at 9:42 PM Scott McDonnell <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> I am back to thinking about a joystick for the Model 100. I have a
>> specific reason in mind and even a specific joystick.
>>
>> My intent is to target the Atari/Commodore 64 digital joystick interface
>> mainly because my inspiration is the Suncom Icontroller which mounts to
>> the side of the machine.
>>
>> This interface is a series of 5 discrete switches to control direction
>> and a fire button. Very basic.
>>
>> While the parallel port would have been ideal for something like this,
>> it is not bidirectional and offers only two inputs.
>>
>> The serial port provides 3 inputs; still not enough
>>
>> While some multiplexing strategies might allow this to work, both of
>> those ports are also often used for other important purposes.
>>
>> So I started thinking about the barcode port. It only has one input, but
>> the joystick could be encoded into a serial stream. Maybe even using the
>> original barcode drivers. I don't know the specifics of the BCR
>> implementation  here, but often they are just keyboard wedges.
>>
>> Any thoughts on this or a better solution?
>>
>>
>>
>

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