David's Opinions

USB Missile Launcher – 1.4f Release 13 March 2007

Very Important.
Please read the ReadMe file that accompanies this release for known issues.
Joystick support exists and is likely to work with most modern joysticks, older ones may have issues.
For setup and configuration of the StrikerII please below (known issues).

What’s new in this release?

• Added joystick detection
• Added preference pane for joystick support, ability to control sensitivity and reversal of X and Y axies
• Added preference pane for launcher support. This allows users to change the USB Product ID and USB Vendor ID and Launcher type. Provides support for 3 Launcher products/vendors.
• Fixed potential memory leak in my USB code
• Application icon is changed to a DreamCheeky Rocket if it is the first or only launcher connected
• Added support for the Striker II Launcher – the Laser checkbox will only work on the Striker II

Note 1: This release will reset existing user preferences on first application launch.
Note 2: Tested joysticks include: Logitech Attack 3, Saitek Cyborg Evo Wireless.
Note 3: The introduction of the launcher preference pane is a potential foundation for allowing users to enter launcher control codes thus eliminating the requirement for a software release when new launchers are made available.

Known Issues
Striker II
WARNING – You cannot have the the Original Missile Launcher and the Striker II connected to the Missile Launcher NZ software at the same time.

For Those wishing to use the Striker II, you need to go to the preferences (launcher panel) and change the drop down menu from OrigLauncher to StrikerII, click the Apply button. Then quit and restart the application.

Some problems were experienced during the testing process that have not yet been completely resolved. To setup your Striker II access the Launcher preference pane. Make sure that the Vendor ID = 4400 and the Product ID = 514 and set the Launcher Type to StrikerII. You then must click the Apply button and quit and restart the launcher program. The unresolved issue is that the Striker II may have to be in the Launcher 1 slot in the preferences or that the Origional Launcher is left undefined.

Program output can be found in the console.log (run the console program in the utilities folder to see the messages emitted by the program).

Joysticks
A new feature in version 1.4f I have been able to test the software with only a limited number of joysticks. So far my testing has met with a 75% success. The joystick that did not work as rather old. I have not been able to undertake more testing with this particular device. Your milage may vary.

Please click in the download link in the sidebar.

Good luck with your office warfare!
Happy hunting!

USB Missile Launcher NZ – Development Update 6 March 2007

Progress has been slow but steady. I managed to get the required documentation for the Striker II Missile Launcher and make the appropriate coding changes. There was of course some issues as the Striker II uses the same USB Vendor ID and USB Product ID as the origional launcher.

Testing of the new software release has gone global, no really it has! And I need to thank those who have contributed to the development and testing cycle. It’s been extremely hard to test without a launcher sitting next to me. What we found is that the manufacturers documentation didn’t work and the implementation needed some educated guess work.

I’m holding off on a release at the moment as one of the last reports still had issues with the Laser on the Striker II and an application crash as well, unfortunately I have no further details to go on. If there are any Striker II users closer to New Zealand, I wouldn’t mind hearing from you if you’d like to do a bit of testing for me.

The joystick integration has gone well. Everything works on 3 of the joysticks that I have tested. A 4th much older joystick didn’t work at all, it was purchased abck in the Mac OS 9 days.

– David