#9-pin joystick

[hananoami]

📌Server Maintenance Notice on Jan. 22

The game will undergo maintenance. During this period, access to Linkon City will be temporarily unavailable. Please note that the server opening time may be adjusted according to the actual situation. Thank you for your understanding.

Maintenance Period:

American Server: 10:50 to 20:10 on Jan. 22 (UTC+8)

European Server: 10:50 to 14:00 on Jan. 22 (UTC+8)

Asian Server: 04:50 to 12:00 on Jan. 22 (UTC+8)

Update Details

After the update on Jan. 22, Love and Deepspace Version 3.0 [Cosmic Encounter Pt.2] will be available. In this update, Caleb will be officially introduced, along with Main Story updates and multiple feature improvements. There will also be generous rewards including free 5-Star and 4-Star Memories, Outfits, Diamonds, and more!

💫After the update, the [Pile it Up] series 4-Star Memories [Xavier: Planned Crush], [Zayne: Stacked Pulses], [Rafayel: Hearty Knock] and [Sylus: Greedy Heart] will enter Galaxy Explorer. You may obtain them by exploring Silver Galaxy or Radiant Galaxy.

💫New Satisfaction Survey

After the update on Jan. 22, the Satisfaction Survey is updated. Hunters who complete Main Story [Under Deepspace] 2-15 can fill out the Satisfaction Survey via the access on the home screen. From 5:00 AM on Jan. 24 to 4:59 AM on Feb. 8 (server time), Hunters who complete Main Story [Under Deepspace] 6-14 will receive a satisfaction survey on the home screen. After completing a survey, you will receive [Empyrean Wish*1] in your in-game mailbox. In the future, we will continue to listen to your valuable feedback and suggestions through in-game surveys, and we are committed to delivering a higher-quality, more enjoyable, and more heartwarming gaming experience for all hunters.

💫Bounty Hunt Double Drops

From 5:00 AM on Jan. 27 to 4:59 AM on Feb. 3 (server time), the drop rewards from Bounty Hunt stages double. During the event, the first 30 Bounty Hunts each day will grant double rewards. *The double reward count resets daily at 5:00 AM. The 30 double reward attempts are valid for all stages. Hunters can freely choose which materials to double-acquire.

Bug Fixes and Optimizations

💫Added Collage Feature in the [Album] Tap the [Collage] button in the bottom right corner of the Album to select 4 photos for the puzzle. You can also adjust frames, filters, stickers, etc. A [Filter] option has also been added to photo editing in the album.

💫Added [Filter Intensity] Setting When editing photos, you can adjust the intensity of the selected Filter for the best effect. Six new Filters have been added, which will be unlocked by default after the update.

💫Optimized the Categorization Feature in [Photo Studio] A [Favorite] button has been added under the frame and stickers tabs. Items marked as favorites will be pinned to the top of the category tabs for easier editing.

💫Added a new feature that [allows skipping the animation of Protective Skills and Ardent Oaths] during battles. You can set this option in the settings after entering the battle.

💫Added a joystick pre-input feature to improve the responsiveness of movement controls during combat.

💫Optimized the speed of displaying text during storyline reading in Abyssal Chaos. It significantly reduces waiting times for a smoother reading experience.

💫Fixed some display and audio issues.

Maintenance Compensation

After the maintenance, you can claim compensation rewards of [💫Diamond200, Empyrean Wish1] in your mailbox. The compensation mail expires at 4:59 AM on Jan. 25 (server time). Mail system will be unlocked once Main Story 1-9 is completed.

Special Note

If you previously customized your login background to Memory, the background may be reset after this update. You can manually reset it after the update. Please take note.

[nhaneh]

tbh one of the things I really like about the PC platform is that it's still - despite all the attempts to make it less so - a relatively open and flexible platform in a way that few others really are, especially these days. You can mix and match hardware from all over the place, sometimes even surprisingly old hardware with the right conversion bits, and several interfacing standards are open and documented to the point where you could literally make your own USB devices or ISA/PCI/PCIe expansion cards given the proper hardware and know-how.

And sure, most of us are never going to have either the tools or technical expertise necessary to make our own PC components or peripherals, but the platform is still open enough to have the kind of wide cross-compatibility where at least in theory any peripheral or piece of hardware could in theory be adapted to work with it - it's simply a matter of someone figuring out a way to make it work and giving others the means to replicate what they did.

I could take literally any kind of input peripheral, be it a joystick, keyboard, gamepad, mouse, or whatever, and chances are someone out there will already have made some kind of adapter to let me hook it up to my PC if I wanted - and in the rare case that none exists to buy, there's still likely to be enough information around that I could use a cheap USB microcontroller as a go-between to make it work.

also look you basically have no idea how excited I am to have discovered that the mainboard I'm looking to get for a much needed PC rebuild somehow has an old 9-pin header for a serial COM port

[part-smith]

Top 10 Most JCB Spare Parts You Should Know About

JCB machines are known for their strength, durability, and reliability in construction, agriculture, mining, and industrial applications. Whether you're using a backhoe loader like the JCB 3DX or a telescopic handler like the Loadall 540-170, keeping your machine in top condition depends on the quality of the spare parts you use.

In this guide, we cover the top 10 most essential JCB spare parts used across various JCB models and explain why they matter. If you're looking to buy genuine or high-quality aftermarket JCB Spare Parts, explore the full range at partsmith.ae.

1. JCB Hydraulic Pump

The hydraulic pump is a key component that powers essential functions like lifting, loading, and digging. Any drop in hydraulic pressure affects the overall performance of the machine.

✅ Regular inspection and replacement can prevent unexpected failures. ✅ Available in gear, piston, and vane types for different JCB models.

Popular Models: JCB 3DX, 4DX, JS130, JS205, 220X, 3DX EcoXpert

2. JCB Tooth & Bucket Teeth

Bucket teeth face continuous wear from tough digging conditions. Sharp, strong, and durable teeth improve penetration and reduce fuel consumption.

✅ Hardened steel teeth offer longer life. ✅ Choose bolt-on or weld-on types based on your bucket.

Used In: 3CX, 3DX, 4CX Backhoe Loaders, Mini Excavators, Skid Steers

3. JCB Filters (Fuel, Oil, Air, Hydraulic)

Filters keep critical systems clean and efficient. Contaminated filters reduce engine life, lower fuel economy, and affect hydraulic operations.

✅ Replace every 250–500 hours for best results. ✅ Use high-efficiency filters for dusty environments.

Compatible With: All models – from 3DX to Loadall and JS Excavators

4. JCB Hydraulic Cylinder Kits

Hydraulic cylinders control the arm, boom, and bucket. Seals, rings, and gland kits should be replaced regularly to prevent oil leakage and ensure smooth motion.

✅ Leak-proof kits prevent downtime. ✅ Essential for machines working in extreme climates.

Used In: Backhoe Loaders, Telehandlers, Excavators, and Dumpers

5. JCB Control Valves

Hydraulic control valves direct fluid flow to various parts of the machine. A worn-out valve can lead to jerky movements or complete loss of function.

✅ Precision-machined for smooth control. ✅ Replacement restores machine responsiveness.

Found In: 3DX, 4DX, 155 Skid Steer, 530-110 Loadall, JCB Wheeled Loaders

6. JCB Transmission Parts

The transmission system includes gearboxes, torque converters, and shafts that deliver power from the engine to the wheels or tracks.

✅ Transmission failure leads to costly repairs—regular maintenance is key. ✅ Choose heat-treated gears for durability.

Models Covered: JCB 3CX, 4CX, 540-140, 3DX Xtra, 403 Smart Loader

7. JCB Electrical Components

From simple switches to advanced ECU modules, the electrical system controls safety, lighting, engine signals, and dashboard functions.

✅ High-quality components resist vibration and dust. ✅ Regular diagnostics prevent sudden failures.

Includes: Alternators, Sensors, Relays, Wiring Harnesses Compatible Models: All new-generation JCB equipment

8. JCB Axles and Differential Parts

Robust axles and differentials are crucial for heavy loads and stability. Worn-out bearings or gear sets can result in uneven movement and excessive noise.

✅ Replace when gear grinding or fluid leaks appear. ✅ Ensure compatibility with front and rear axles.

Used In: 3DX, 4CX, 530-70, 540-170, 3DX Super

9. JCB Seals, Bushes & Pins

These wear parts support joint movement and reduce friction between metal components. Ignoring them can lead to play in the boom or bucket.

✅ Affordable but essential. ✅ Easy to replace and prevent long-term wear.

Common Across: All JCB machines and attachment joints

10. JCB Cabin and Operator Controls

A comfortable, responsive cabin improves operator efficiency. Replacing worn-out joysticks, levers, seat components, and displays is key to long working hours.

✅ Enhances machine control and safety. ✅ Improves resale value of used machines.

Relevant For: 3DX, 4DX, JS Excavators, Loadall Telehandlers, Skid Steers

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Whether you're looking for a quick replacement or stocking up for your fleet, Partsmith is your trusted partner for all things JCB.

Need help finding the right JCB Spare Parts? Chat with our experts at partsmith.ae or call our support line for fast assistance.

[mrmixelplik]

I'm also in the second generation.

My first console was a ColecoVision. Additionally, I had the very innocuously named "ColecoVision Expansion Module №1." Gather round, children, and let me tell you about this interesting little bit of kit.

ColecoVision Expansion Module №1 was a small black box about the size of a hotel bible, constructed of the same black faux-leather plastic as the ColecoVision, with a slight downward slope to it. It slotted into the front of the ColecoVision, giving the entire console this awkward L shape when fully connected. On the top were a couple of switches and a cartridge port, and it had two standard 9-pin joystick ports on the front. ColecoVision Expansion Module №1 had but one purpose: it allowed you to plug in and play Atari 2600 cartridges.

Can you imagine it, young person of today? Can you imagine if there was a little dongle that you could plug into your PlayStation 5 that would let you play Nintendo Switch games?

So how did they get away with it? It's not like Coleco was quiet about it: they even blatantly advertised that "you can play all Atari 2600 games on a ColecoVision, but you can't play ColecoVision games on Atari!" Well, the fact is that the Atari 2600, also known as the VCS, was built entirely with off-the-shelf parts; there was nothing custom but the wood paneling. There was no proprietary operating system, either: a VCS just hard-booted to whatever software instructions were on the cartridge chip. As such, a company with the right resources could easily construct their own VCS clones, with their own components... and a few did, including major retailers of the time like Sears and Radio Shack. ColecoVision Expansion Module №1 was, in essence, an entire Atari 2600 clone in a tiny package, with the power supply and TV connection hardware removed and provided by the ColecoVision host (they would eventually release a full VCS "twin" called the Gemini). Oh, sure, there was a lawsuit, and a counter-suit on anti-trust claims, and it was all settled for royalties... in fact, the two companies eventually settled into a quiet partnership and released some of their own exclusives on each others' systems.

So when people ask me if I ever owned an Atari 2600, I have to be honest that I did own and play many Atari 2600 games, but I never had an Atari myself. I had this little marvel of a device, impossible today, a throwback to the wild times before the crash of '83 when there were no patents, no operating systems, no standards (technologically or artistically), when forgiveness was asked instead of permission, and when a rival could take your entire console, shrink it down, and glom it onto their own.

This Wikipedia article has a more comprehensive list

[heavydutymachinerepairguide]

Doosan DX340LC hydraulic Excavator Anti-swing Gear Disassembly Instructions

 This article describes the Doosan DX340LC hydraulic excavator anti-sway gear removal instructions Doosan Diagnostic Tool UVIM Support Doosan Excavators High Quality

REMOVAL 1. Park on firm and level ground. 2. Lower front attachment (bucket) to ground. 3. Shut down engine. 4. Set safety lever on "RELEASED" position. 5. Turn starter switch to "I" (ON) position. 2023.07 Doosan DMS-5 Data Monitoring System Diagnostic Software

WARNING! If engine must be running while performing maintenance, always use extreme caution. Always have one person in cab at all times. Never leave cab with engine running. 6. Fully stroke work levers (joysticks) in all directions to relieve any pressure from accumulators. 7. Set safety lever on "LOCK" position. 8. Turn key to "O" (OFF) position and remove from starter switch. 9. Hang a maintenance warning tag on controls. 10. Disconnect negative (-) battery cable leading to frame from battery. 11. Tag and disconnect hoses from swing motor (1, Figure 3). Plug and cap hoses and ports to prevent contamination from entering hydraulic system or component. 12. Disconnect tube (2) from drain cock (3) and hose fitting (7) from fill hole. 13. Remove twelve bolts and washers (4, Figure 3) holding swing reduction gearbox (5) to frame. 14. Using a suitable lifting device, slingswing motor (1, Figure3) and remove swing motor and reduction gearbox (5) as  an assembly from unit.

 2020 Doosan Daewoo Excavator Operation and Repair Manual PDF

  NOTE: A drain cock (3, Figure 3) and tube are on side of gearbox. Be careful not to damage valve or tube.

NOTE: There are two alignment pins (6, Figure 3), one on each side of reduction gearbox flange

[retrogamingloft]

New bad boy on the block!

[genshin-impact-updates]

"Beneath the Light of Jadeite" Version 1.5 Update Details (II)

IX. Optimizations

● System

1. Three opportunities will arise every week to halve the Original Resin cost of revitalizing the Trounce Blossoms at the Trounce Domains and Dominator of Wolves challenges.

2. In Co-Op Mode, when there are two or less characters in the team that can be controlled per player, the Companionship EXP obtained is doubled.

3. New Voice-Over Files Management function added to PC and mobile: You can uninstall voice-over files by going to Settings > Language > Manage Voice-Over Files. (In Version 1.5, you must first update the voice-over files under Settings > Language > Voice-Over Language before you can uninstall them.)

4. Optimizations to some controls when using a controller:

• When moving the left joystick up and down to select who you want to chat with, the right side of the screen will switch to the corresponding chat information without needing to first press the Confirm button.

• Move the left joystick to the right to enter the selected chat.

• The Sort Rule button on the Weapons screen (in Inventory), Artifacts screen (in Inventory), and Character Selection screen (in the Character Menu) has been changed from the up button to the down button.

• The left joystick can now be used to switch between sections of the interface in Settings and Achievements.

• Optimizes the display design of the Controller screen: When a button status changes from usable to unusable, the button icon will be hidden.

• On the Report screen, the default button for text editing has been made consistent with the controls of other in-game interface: for PlayStation controllers, this has been changed from the circle button to the square button; for Xbox controllers, this has been changed from the B button to the X button.

• The controls to skip the Battle Pass animation, Wish animation, and animation of claiming rewards in Domains has been changed for controller users: now, hold the circle/B button to skip; the confirmation pop-up window has been removed.

• The button layout display of different controllers has been made consistent.

• The controls for closing the pop-up menus for Artifact Enhancement, Weapon Enhancement, Artifact Filter, and Character Selection has been changed: the Back button previously closed the entire screen, but it now only closes the pop-up menu.

5. Optimizes the default text and display status in the text entry box:

• Unsent text in the text entry box will be saved as a draft in the current chat's text entry box.

• When the text entry box in the current chat is empty, the draft (if any have been saved) will be displayed.

• The text entry box will be cleared after a draft is completed and sent if the chat is deleted from the chat list, or after exiting the game.

6. Optimizes some displays of chat boxes on PC and PlayStation®4:

• After deleting the other player in the chat, the chat content on the main chat screen will be deleted.

• After going offline, chat content on the main chat screen will be cleared. It will only display new messages received after the last time you went offline (including messages received while offline).

7. Optimizes aiming on mobile:

• On mobile, three additional adjustment levels have been added under Settings > Camera Sensitivity (Aimed Shot Mode). It has been increased from the original levels 1 to 5 (which now correspond with the new levels 4 to 8) to the new adjustment levels 1 to 8.

• On mobile, the Acceleration Slider (Aimed Mode) setting has been added. With this setting enabled, the camera movement speed will change dynamically with the speed of your finger. Sliding faster causes the camera angle to rotate more.

8. The amount of Condensed Resin has been added above the button to claim rewards for Domains and Ley Line Blossoms (if you have no Condensed Resin, it will not be displayed).

9. Optimizes the anti-aliasing effect on the avatar in one's profile.

10. Optimizes the animation performance of Zhongli's Plunging Attack.

● Co-Op

1. Optimizes the animation performance of nearby monsters and objects in Co-Op Mode when the visiting player is far from the host player.

● Other

1. Optimizes the aesthetics of lighting effects of certain weapons after ascension.

2. Adjusts some missions in Battle Pass > Weekly Missions (the total BEP that can be earned remains unchanged by the adjustment).

Deleted BP Missions:

• Collect 100 Mondstadt local specialties

• Collect 100 Liyue local specialties

• Complete the Wolf of the North Challenge

• Complete the Stormterror Domain Challenge

• Complete the Golden House Challenge

New BP Missions:

• Complete Trounce Domains or the Dominator of Wolves challenge 3 times

• Obtain a total of 1,000 Realm Currency

• Create a total of 10 furnishings

• Purchase 2 items from the Teapot Traveling Salesman in another player's Serenitea Pot

3. The Stellar Reunion event is amended as follows:

a. Deletes the following quests:

• Forge 3 items

• Defeat boss enemy 1 time

b. Adds the following quests:

• Level up a character once using any quantity of Character EXP Materials

• Enhance a weapon once

• Enhance an artifact once

c. For the Original Resin consumption quests, decreases the quantity of Original Resin that Travelers at Adventure Rank 10–50 are required to consume

No change has been made to the total points that can be obtained in one day.

Applies to: Travelers who activate the Stellar Reunion event after the V1.5 update

〓Bug Fixes〓

● Domains

1. Fixes an issue in the Domain "Midsummer Courtyard" whereby the Mutant Electro Slime may incorrectly remain in place.

● Monsters

1. Fixes an issue with the Cryo Regisvine and Pyro Regisvine bosses whereby when they fall, Xiao may get stuck inside them when using his Elemental Skill "Lemniscatic Wind Cycling."

2. Fixes an issue with the Cryo Regisvine and Pyro Regisvine bosses whereby they are raised into the air by Geo constructs created before they refresh.

3. Fixes an issue whereby monsters' Mist Bubble skill may incorrectly trap characters or monsters.

4. Fixes an issue whereby Abyss Mages lack a shield for a short time when they appear.

5. Fixes an issue with the monster Abyss Herald: Wicked Torrents whereby there is a small chance that its Elemental Shield cannot be triggered and it cannot be defeated.

6. Fixes an issue with the Pyro Abyss Mage in Domains whereby it may not move when its target is far away.

● Co-Op

1. Fixes an issue whereby certain characters' skills are unable to trigger elemental reactions in Co-Op Mode.

● Weapons

1. Fixes an issue whereby immediately switching characters after a character equipped with Prototype Amber casts an Elemental Burst may cause the character to miss an opportunity to regenerate Elemental Energy.

2. Fixes an issue with some non-slime monsters whereby the weapon Black Tassel's effect "Bane of the Soft" is incorrectly triggered.

● Characters

1. Fixes an issue whereby when certain characters are standing on a slope, the position of their weapon will be incorrect in idle animations.

2. Fixes an issue whereby when bow-wielding characters are standing in Aiming Mode on top of the Solar Isotoma, the Solar Isotoma is unable to generate a crystallized platform.

3. Fixes an issue whereby the Phoenix summoned by Diluc's Elemental Burst and certain monster skill effects, such as Rumbling Stone, are affected by some skills (such as the Anemo Traveler's "Gust Surge").

4. Fixes an issue with Fischl's Lv. 1 Constellation "Gaze of the Deep" whereby Oz's joint attacks may not deal damage.

5. Fixes an issue with Fischl's Elemental Burst "Midnight Phantasmagoria" whereby she will incorrectly pass through some large monsters.

6. Fixes an issue whereby when Fischl summons Oz, he incorrectly targets the burning area generated by the Pyro Regisvine's seeds.

7. Fixes an issue whereby when Oz, summoned by Fischl, triggers certain elemental reactions that attack multiple opponents, an incorrect quantity of Elemental Particles is generated.

8. Fixes an issue whereby when Xiao defeats certain opponents with his Elemental Skill "Lemniscatic Wind Cycling," he is unable to gain the Elemental Particles generated by "Lemniscatic Wind Cycling."

9. Fixes an issue with the shield generated by Diona whereby when terminating the game client process while the shield is active, the effect duration of the Passive Talent "Cat's Tail Secret Menu" may not be as expected.

10. Fixes an issue whereby the orientation of the Vision on the character models of Bennett, Xinyan, Hu Tao, Zhongli, and Xingqiu is incorrect.

11. Fixes an issue with Keqing whereby after unleashing her Elemental Burst "Starward Sword," the afterimage effects do not disappear correctly.

12. Fixes an issue with Beidou whereby pressing the Attack button consecutive times when beginning a Charged Attack causes the Charged Attack duration to function abnormally.

13. Fixes an issue with the Ice Lotus created by Ganyu's Elemental Skill and the Baron Bunny created by Amber's Elemental Skill whereby if they are destroyed just as their duration is about to end, they may generate two Elemental Particles in quick succession.

14. Fixes an issue whereby in certain situations, Elemental Energy is not consumed when characters unleash their Elemental Burst.

● System

1. Fixes an issue in languages other than Simplified Chinese whereby the description for the Ruin Hunter entry in the Archive is missing.

2. Fixes an issue whereby characters may display abnormal colors when changing characters multiple times after activating Elemental Sight.

3. Fixes an issue whereby the charge status of the Wind Catcher gadget is displayed incorrectly after switching accounts.

4. Fixes an issue whereby the background of the Archive is abnormally transparent when opening the Living Beings section of the Archive after opening the Character Menu.

5. Fixes an issue whereby you are unable to set pins on the edges of the map when using a controller.

6. Fixes an issue on mobile whereby you are unable to scroll through the list in the Statue's Blessing screen when using a controller.

7. Fixes an issue on PC whereby Esc cannot be used to return to the previous menu when viewing the Hangout Memories of a Hangout Event.

● Audio

1. Fixes some voice-over issues, out-of-sync voice-over and animation, and missing voice-over files.

2. Fixes distorted audio affecting the Windsong Lyre gadget.

3. Fixes the issue of incorrect character voice positioning when using surround sound devices.

● Other

1. Fixes an issue with the Books section of the Archive whereby the descriptions of Vol. 6, 7, and 8 of "Hex & Hound" are the same when they are not yet unlocked.

2. Fixes an issue whereby the cleaning animation doesn't adapt correctly to the display size under certain circumstances.

3. Fixes an issue whereby if one is switching characters when entering a room in a building, the original character will still be switched back out onto the field.

4. Fixes an issue whereby the Restorative Power of the Statues of the Seven may be cleared after going offline or after returning to your own world from a Co-Op session.

5. Fixes an issue in languages other than Simplified Chinese and Japanese whereby the description for the Domain "Temple of the Lion" is missing.

6. Fixes textual errors and display issues in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, and Japanese and optimizes the localization of the text. (Note: Related in-game functions have not changed. Travelers can view the changes in different languages by going to the Paimon Menu > Settings > Language and changing the Game Language.)

In English, the fixes and optimizations to textual errors, display issues, and localization of the text include:

◆ Optimizes the wording on the Crystal Top-Up screen. The original description reads: “First-time buyer bonus available only once”. The revised description reads: “Double Crystal bonus valid for first purchase of each value only”.

[chilling-seavey]

Passchendaele WW2 Extension - The Battle of Britain

Charlie,

I’m sure your father will write you soon; I’ve been reminding him. He’s just making himself sick with worry over you even though he and I both know perfectly well that you’re being as cautious as possible. Don’t be upset with him…you know how he is. But he loves you so, so much. As do Evelyn and I. We say a prayer for you every night! Focus your worries on keeping England safe and not how we are doing at home; I have everything under control. Corbyn and Christine come over often so we’re not much alone, just like you and Richard. Keep each other close!

Oh, Evelyn wants me to add that she and I made a cake the other day and it was terrible. Her words. Hoping your treats are a bit better than these rations we’re stuck with using. It will be over with soon, I’m sure.

All my love,

Mum

November 9, 1940

Charlie kept glancing at the clock on the wall of the garage as a group of them ate their lunch together, his leg bouncing anxiously under the metal table – a habit he inherited from his father and supposedly from his late uncle too. He had a good reason to be anxious because at the next spot of German air forces, their squadron would be going up to fight for the first time. It was more of an anxious excitement with a dash of simply fear of not knowing when they would be called. At barely twenty-two, Charles and Richard were naïve to the world and the fact that they were truly looking death in the face didn’t seem to have settled in their minds.

The plotters were on site nearly 24/7, tracking the skies with radar and plotting the locations of enemy planes on a large map with moveable pins and once they were close enough, a runner would ring the large brass bell outside the main building to alert the pilots to the planes. Charlie had just lifted his fork again when the familiar sound of the bell clanging had most of the men in the garage sprinting towards the tarmac.

“19th! Let’s move!” their officer shouted and the young group of them jumped up from the table and ran out into the sunny afternoon.

Each pair had an assigned plane and Charlie and Richard found theirs easily, meeting the ground crew who helped them into their parachutes and helmets. The officer was walking quickly down the tarmac, shouting last reminders to the newest addition of RAF fighter pilots,

“You don’t want to get shot down? Don’t make yourselves easy targets! Never fly straight or level for more than ten seconds and work together! It’s always the German you did not see that shoots you down!”

Charlie climbed up on the wing of the plane and stepped into the seat in the front, Richie close behind him and dropped down into the seat behind him. Their smiles were hidden behind their helmets and they were shut into the narrow cockpit by one of the ground crew. Charlie started the engine and smoke poured from the front of the plane as it sputtered and the propellor spun to life. The ground crew gave them a thumbs up and they joined the rest of their squadron taxying for the runway.

One after another, each Royal Air Force Spitfire took off into the sunny skies, headed right for the incoming German Luftwaffe ahead.

Charlie and Richie got their plane flying steady, flipping a few controls to stabilize themselves and adjusted their radio mics over their ears and in front of their mouths.

“Control to 19th.” the speaker crackled into each pilot’s headsets in their squadron. “Directly ahead, keep it steep and steady.”

Charlie flicked a control on the dash and pulled at the joystick to lift them steeper into the air. Richard kept look out, eyes constantly scanning their surroundings as they cut through the clouds and reached empty airspace where it felt like there was nothing above them and nothing but clouds below them. The rest of their squadron flew at their sides, surrounded like birds in a flock.

“Charlie.” Richard breathed. “Due east, Charlie. Look at that.”

Charles followed his best friend’s instruction and turned slightly east – not much farther off their original course – as a swarm of dark coloured dots were appearing through the clouds ahead of them.

“Here we go, Richie.” Charlie said, sliding his thumbs over the trigger buttons. “Let’s show ‘em who really rules the skies.”

“Alrighty, Charlie. Ready and set.” Richard added, prepping their ammunition with a flick of a switch.

As the two opposing air forces approached each other, Charlie felt his heart hammering harder and harder in his chest; there was something so surreal about finally seeing the enemy up close – so close that they could make out the black crosses on the side of their planes. Any second now the quiet skies would turn into a battlefield of its own.

The first rapid fire of machine gun type weaponry had both Richard and Charles startling a moment and one of the RAF planes at the front of their group raised in smoke and took a nose dive right back into the clouds that they had emerged from.

“Bleeding Christ!” Charles shouted as the blue sky broke out in warfare. “Now, Richie!”

The two best friends both pressed on their triggers, shooting a few seconds worth of ammunition into the incoming enemy – Richard closed his eyes as he pressed his buttons – and mere seconds later, they were safely on the other side of the formation of Luftwaffe planes.

“Holy shit!” Richard laughed lightly, adrenaline coursing through him. “That was incredible.”

“Glad you think so because they’re coming back.” Charlie said loudly, pushing them into a sharp right turn and out of line of a possible direct hit. Richard kept an eye out as Charlie turned them back around with the rest of their squadron around them and they tore quickly through the air right back towards the German forces before they could be reached first.

“Aim it.” Richard called.

“Landed.” Charlie confirmed, focusing on one German plane coming right at them.

“And fire!” Richard shouted, both of them laying on the weaponry and the second the dark aircraft in front of them burst into flames and dropped towards the earth, Charlie spun them down and out of their straight path.

The boys laughed energetically together as they regained another position, the once orderly lines of aircraft now a mess of random paths through the sky, just trying to hit whoever they could. It was hard to tell who was British and who was German at speeds and altitudes like that.

A sudden loud clang had the boys startling and they looked behind them to see a German 109 right behind them.

“Dammit, Richie, you’re supposed to watch!” Charlie shouted, pulling up on the joystick to propel them steeply into the air and they pulled over to get out of the German’s sight lines.

“Sorry!” Richard said quickly, glancing back over his shoulder as they looped back around to find the enemy plane gone but they seemed to have had the same idea as mere seconds later, they were headed straight on to the same German pilot.

They both slammed down on their ammunition, firing right at each other until the German’s wing caught fire.

“Pull up!” Richard shouted, and the boys got out of the way just before the 109 exploded into flames and plummeted towards the earth.

The fact that it could have been them exploding in flames didn’t seem to phase the two young friends as they cheered again at their next successful hit. It was simply machinery that they were shooting down – at least it’s what it felt like – and all that mattered was trying to get a decent shot before the enemy did.

The remainder of the Luftwaffe soon dipped under the clouds and back towards France, leaving the RAF and the 19th squadron to return to their base after a successful battle. Richie and Charlie climbed out of their plane together and nearly jumped into each other’s arms in eager congratulations on their brave teamwork. They were buzzing off adrenaline so much so that their handwriting was shaky on the parchment when they wrote home to share the news of their first successful in air battle.

Taglist: @randomlimelightxxx​ @hopinglimelight​ @jonahlovescoffee​ @hiya-its-amber​ @chanelwonders​

[kurtbastian-land]

Hi! I'm currently on Kurtbastian fics binge read, so I was wondering if you could share your 10 favourites?

Wow, my top 10 favorites. That’s going to a tough one. I’m obviously going to skip the major well-known ones that this fandom knows - A Change In The Weather - cacophony, Don’t You Remember -  discordandrhythm and Glad You Came - daftydraw and JWMelmoth. With that being said, any other stories from that authors are bangers as well! But off to the actual list (in no particular order)

TOP 10 KURTBASTIAN FICS (MULTI-CHAPTERED, COMPLETED)

1. Europe Is Our Playground [Explicit] - GlassParade

Summary: Eight years and half the world away from home, a chance encounter in a Paris club leads Kurt and Sebastian - each running from the ghosts of their pasts - into the diversion of chasing each other across Europe.

2. A Shot In the Arm [Explicit] - somebetterwords

Summary: Kurt Hummel was a catch. Kurt was a catch, and Santana didn’t know what she was talking about. That’s what he’d tell himself until he believed it. But actually, talk was cheap. Kurt was going to go out and dangle himself at the gayest nightclub in the tri-county area and watch the men clamour to catch him. He wasn’t having a slutty meltdown or anything. His self esteem was not dependent on the attentions and opinions of strangers. He just needed an ego boost, one single night of his life for recalibration and encouragement from unbiased observers and also drinks. He just needed… a shot in the arm.(Though it wasn’t exactly a needle he was looking to stick in himself, and he didn’t want it going in his arm either.)

3. Live Without Shame / Call Me Anything You Want [Teen and Up Audiences] - Walden_pond313

Summary: Kurt is fed up with being heartbroken or disappointed when it comes to guys. Maybe it's time for some fun... / Sequel to Live Without Shame. Basically, season 2 if Kurt/Blaine never happened

4. Barista Confessions [Explicit] - TheFirstMrsHummel 

Summary: Unsure of his future following graduation, Kurt finds the status quo impossible to maintain. And when Sebastian Smythe comes crashing back into his life, it gets even more complicated. PLEASE NOTE NOT KLAINE/BLAINE FRIENDLY

5. The Boys of Summer [Mature] - MoreThanTonight

Summary: A camera. A jacket pin. A phone. Lemon balm leaves. A bottle cap. A box of condoms. A bottle of sleeping pills. On the last days of summer before college, Sebastian remembers the most eventful summer of his life and the items related to it. Kurtbastian.

6. Before You Met Me [General Audiences] - ellodoctor

Summary: When Kurt goes to Dalton to spy, he meets Sebastian Smythe who then points out lead singer Blaine Anderson, his latest “goal.” After Kurt runs into him again at sectionals (and actually meeting Blaine), he suddenly finds himself to be a fast and slightly coerced friend to them both. He’s thrown right into figuring out how much Sebastian cares about Blaine, how Blaine feels about Sebastian, confessing his bullying problems and dealing with Sebastian’s ego. And it actually seems to be worth it. But will that last?

7. give your heart (a break) [Mature] - drunkonwriting 

Summary: Post-TBU AU. Life moves on after heartbreak: Kurt knows that more than most. As he tries to put his life back together after Blaine, he finds an unexpected ally in his new coworker and Isabelle's nephew: Sebastian Smythe. As Kurt goes through his new life as a single man, he finds an unexpected depth to Sebastian and realizes that losing the first love of his life doesn't mean he'll never love again.

8. (Let’s give them) Something to talk - MemeKonGlee (MemeKonYA)

Summary: “I need you to—”“I heard you the first time,” Kurt interrupts, putting his fork and knife down on his plate and pushing his half-finished pancakes aside. “What I meant was: what the hell?”He points towards the neglected pancakes, trying to stall in the face of Kurt’s reaction.“Are you sure you don’t wanna finish that first?”The look in Kurt's eyes tells him in no uncertain terms that no, he doesn't want to finish his pancakes, Jesus.And so Sebastian has no option but to take a deep breath in, exhale slowly through his mouth and just… get on with it, internally cringing at how unbelievably ridiculous it all sounds when he puts it in words, all out there for the world (and more importantly, Kurt fucking Hummel) to judge. It all boils down to: I fucked up and I'm too proud to deal with it the mature way.

9. Twitch Verse [Teen and Up Audience] - sincerelyjessy*

*A series of oneshots that explores Kurt Hummel and Sebastian Smythe’s relationship

10. Would You Hold It Against Me [Mature] - deliriumbubbles 

Summary: The Warblers discover that they and McKinley will be doing the same musical during the fall semester. After a spot of espionage against their rival school McKinley, new Warbler Sebastian finds himself fascinated by one of the young auditioners… and unintentionally becoming the Warblers’ nefarious leader.

TOP 10 KURTBASTIAN FICS (ONESHOTS)

1. The Daily Grind - orphan_account

Summary: Kurt Hummel is a bored barista, and Sebastian never gets off his phone.

2. The One with the Amusement Park [Teen and Up Audiences] - a_storm_of_frustration

Summary: “It was the only place I could think of where we could have 'fun’”, he grits his teeth.Snorting indelicately, Kurt rolls his eyes as he fixes the lapel of his sky blue pea coat. “And by 'fun’ you mean snark at each other and insult each other’s weak points until we feel like murdering the other? And whoever gets to do it first wins?”Sebastian immediately grins. And he had to bite down that grin the minute that he sees Kurt grinning at him. “Well, I did pick a public place. Full of people. Potential witnesses.”“There are rides that provide some sort of privacy. I’ll take the chance, however brief it is.”“There’s always the Tunnel of Love.”Kurt gives him a look. Sebastian bites his tongue so hard he could taste blood.--In which Sam thinks that his best friend and his boyfriend should get to know each other better and…Well, bond.

3. Weather With You [Teen Audience and Up] - chocoholicannanymous

Summary: Kurt Hummel might not exactly be the last person Wes expects to see at the club, but not far from. Who he's with, and what he's doing however... Yeah, that might the last thing he expects.This is a fic-of-a-fic, showing a scene from "A Change In the Weather" from another point of view.

4. The Truth About Sebastian Smythe [Mature] - DasWarSchonKaputt

Summary: Sebastian Smythe does what he wants. Fuck the world. Now, if only the world would quit fucking him back. AKA: Sebastian Smythe's therapy journal, ages 17 to 18.

5. Misery Loves Company [Teen and Up Audiences] - prettypurpleflower

Summary: Kurt and Sebastian keep getting ill and it messes everything up. Especially their feelings.

6. One Shots, Drabbles and Prompts (Oh My!) [General Audiences] - bastiankurts (orphan_accounts)

Summary: A collection of various pieces of written work for Kurtbastian that are either too short to upload individually or that I just felt worked better archived in this bundle. The majority of these have been shared on my own tumblr in the past and are labelled with their titles and the blurb they originally were given when first uploaded, and they include different scenarios for Kurt & Sebastian as well as a few familiar faces along for the ride!

7. Joysticks and Glitter [General Audiences] - supercanaries

Summary: Series of daddies!Kurtbastian drabbles and oneshots going through Kurt and Sebastian's path as parents and their choices that drove them towards this direction.

8. First Brick [Teen And Up Audiences] - supercanaries

Summary: It’s only when he has almost managed to suppress any thought about his boyfriend’s unusual silence that Sebastian speaks, his breath heavy and preceding a revelation Kurt has been aware of for a long while now."I’m gay."

9. Let Them Look [Not Rated] - AnarchyWretch

Summary: Sebastian observes his boyfriend in his element, surrounded by adoring NYADA boys. It's kind of an inflation to his ego, really.

10. The Textactive Stalker [Teen And Up Audiences] - Wednesday Thunder (wednesdaythunder)

Summary: Sebastian: Ever since he started getting text messages from an unknown number, it becomes evident with every new text that the other person knows exactly who he was. Yet, even the creepy stalker factor wasn't enough to stop Sebastian from forming a real connection with a friend he only knows by written words. Or does he? Kurt: Never the one to go down without a challenge, he anonymously starts texting to Sebastian Smythe, trying to find any weakness in his armour. But never was he prepared for the boy he got to know, or the feelings to grow stronger with each unopened message...

Honorable Mention (if you truly want a binge)

1. Lady Divine (fhartz91)

[justforbooks]

The trackball, a related pointing device, was invented in 1946 by Ralph Benjamin as part of a post-World War II-era fire-control radar plotting system called Comprehensive Display System (CDS). Benjamin was then working for the British Royal Navy Scientific Service. Benjamin's project used analog computers to calculate the future position of target aircraft based on several initial input points provided by a user with a joystick. Benjamin felt that a more elegant input device was needed and invented what they called a "roller ball" for this purpose.

The device was patented in 1947, but only a prototype using a metal ball rolling on two rubber-coated wheels was ever built, and the device was kept as a military secret.

Another early trackball was built by Kenyon Taylor, a British electrical engineer working in collaboration with Tom Cranston and Fred Longstaff. Taylor was part of the original Ferranti Canada, working on the Royal Canadian Navy's DATAR (Digital Automated Tracking and Resolving) system in 1952.

DATAR was similar in concept to Benjamin's display. The trackball used four disks to pick up motion, two each for the X and Y directions. Several rollers provided mechanical support. When the ball was rolled, the pickup discs spun and contacts on their outer rim made periodic contact with wires, producing pulses of output with each movement of the ball. By counting the pulses, the physical movement of the ball could be determined. A digital computer calculated the tracks and sent the resulting data to other ships in a task force using pulse-code modulation radio signals. This trackball used a standard Canadian five-pin bowling ball. It was not patented, since it was a secret military project.

Douglas Engelbart of the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) has been credited in published books by Thierry Bardini, Paul Ceruzzi, Howard Rheingold, and several others as the inventor of the computer mouse. Engelbart was also recognized as such in various obituary titles after his death in July 2013.

By 1963, Engelbart had already established a research lab at SRI, the Augmentation Research Center (ARC), to pursue his objective of developing both hardware and software computer technology to "augment" human intelligence. That November, while attending a conference on computer graphics in Reno, Nevada, Engelbart began to ponder how to adapt the underlying principles of the planimeter to inputting X- and Y-coordinate data. On November 14, 1963, he first recorded his thoughts in his personal notebook about something he initially called a "bug," which in a "3-point" form could have a "drop point and 2 orthogonal wheels." He wrote that the "bug" would be "easier" and "more natural" to use, and unlike a stylus, it would stay still when let go, which meant it would be "much better for coordination with the keyboard."

In 1964, Bill English joined ARC, where he helped Engelbart build the first mouse prototype. They christened the device the mouse as early models had a cord attached to the rear part of the device which looked like a tail, and in turn resembled the common mouse. As noted above, this "mouse" was first mentioned in print in a July 1965 report, on which English was the lead author. On 9 December 1968, Engelbart publicly demonstrated the mouse at what would come to be known as The Mother of All Demos. Engelbart never received any royalties for it, as his employer SRI held the patent, which expired before the mouse became widely used in personal computers. In any event, the invention of the mouse was just a small part of Engelbart's much larger project of augmenting human intellect.

Several other experimental pointing-devices developed for Engelbart's oN-Line System (NLS) exploited different body movements – for example, head-mounted devices attached to the chin or nose – but ultimately the mouse won out because of its speed and convenience. The first mouse, a bulky device (pictured) used two potentiometers perpendicular to each other and connected to wheels: the rotation of each wheel translated into motion along one axis. At the time of the "Mother of All Demos", Engelbart's group had been using their second generation, 3-button mouse for about a year.

On October 2, 1968, a mouse device named Rollkugel (German for "rolling ball") was described as an optional device for its SIG-100 terminal was developed by the German company Telefunken. As the name suggests and unlike Engelbart's mouse, the Telefunken model already had a ball. It was based on an earlier trackball-like device (also named Rollkugel) that was embedded into radar flight control desks. This trackball had been developed by a team led by Rainer Mallebrein at Telefunken Konstanz for the German Bundesanstalt für Flugsicherung (Federal Air Traffic Control) as part of their TR 86 process computer system with its SIG 100-86 vector graphics terminal.

When the development for the Telefunken main frame TR 440 [de] began in 1965, Mallebrein and his team came up with the idea of "reversing" the existing Rollkugel into a moveable mouse-like device, so that customers did not have to be bothered with mounting holes for the earlier trackball device. Together with light pens and trackballs, it was offered as an optional input device for their system since 1968. Some Rollkugel mouses installed at the Leibniz-Rechenzentrum in Munich in 1972 are well preserved in a museum. Telefunken considered the invention too unimportant to apply for a patent on it.

The Xerox Alto was one of the first computers designed for individual use in 1973 and is regarded as the first modern computer to utilize a mouse. Inspired by PARC's Alto, the Lilith, a computer which had been developed by a team around Niklaus Wirth at ETH Zürich between 1978 and 1980, provided a mouse as well. The third marketed version of an integrated mouse shipped as a part of a computer and intended for personal computer navigation came with the Xerox 8010 Star in 1981.

By 1982, the Xerox 8010 was probably the best-known computer with a mouse. The Sun-1 also came with a mouse, and the forthcoming Apple Lisa was rumored to use one, but the peripheral remained obscure; Jack Hawley of The Mouse House reported that one buyer for a large organization believed at first that his company sold lab mice. Hawley, who manufactured mice for Xerox, stated that "Practically, I have the market all to myself right now"; a Hawley mouse cost $415. In 1982, Logitech introduced the P4 Mouse at the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, its first hardware mouse. That same year Microsoft made the decision to make the MS-DOS program Microsoft Word mouse-compatible, and developed the first PC-compatible mouse. Microsoft's mouse shipped in 1983, thus beginning the Microsoft Hardware division of the company. However, the mouse remained relatively obscure until the appearance of the Macintosh 128K (which included an updated version of the single-button Lisa Mouse) in 1984, and of the Amiga 1000 and the Atari ST in 1985.

* (Photo)  Apple Macintosh Plus mouse

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[dailydb]

Don't forget to come and Join the subreddit and have your content hosted on my videos, https://ift.tt/3izvslE Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoxpFCr8delnLSBhGwI27PQ/join #dailydb #RetroGamersDiscussion #RetroGaming #ClassicGaming #Atari2600 #Atari5200 #atari7800 #AtariVCS My Specs Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 - 3900x Graphics: Asus ROG Strix RTX2080 Mobo: MSI Prestige x570 Creation Ram: 32 gb Teamskill DDR 4 3200mhz Mic: Blue Yeti Headphones: JBL LIVE 650BTNC Cam: Logitech c922 Pro Atari 2600/Atari VCS - Technical specifications • CPU: 1.19 MHz MOS Technology 6507 • Audio + Video processor: Television Interface Adapter (TIA) • Playfield resolution: 40 x 192 pixels (NTSC). Uses a 20-pixel register that is mirrored or copied, left side to right side, to achieve the width of 40 pixels. • Player sprites: 8 x 192 pixels (NTSC). Player, ball, and missile sprites use pixels that are 1/4 the width of playfield pixels (unless stretched). • Ball and missile sprites: 1 x 192 pixels (NTSC). • Maximum resolution: 160 x 192 pixels (NTSC). Max resolution is only somewhat achievable with programming tricks that combine sprite pixels with playfield pixels. • 128 colors (NTSC). 128 possible on screen. Max of 4 per line: background, playfield, player0 sprite, and player1 sprite. Palette switching between lines is common. Palette switching mid line is possible but not common due to resource limitations. • 2 channels of 1-bit monaural sound with 4-bit volume control. • RAM (within a MOS Technology RIOT chip): 128 bytes (additional RAM may be included in the game cartridges) • ROM (game cartridges): 4 kB maximum capacity (64 kB with bank switching) • Input (controlled by MOS RIOT): • Two screwless DE-9[a] controller ports, for single-button joysticks, paddles, "trackballs", "driving controllers", 12-key "keyboard controllers" (0–9, #, and *), and third party controllers with additional functions • Six switches (original version): Power on/off, TV signal (B/W or Color), Difficulty for each player (called A and B), Select, and Reset. Except for the power switch, games could (and did) assign other meanings to the switches. On later models, the difficulty switches were miniaturized and moved to the back of the unit. • Output: B/W or Color TV picture and sound signal through RF modulator (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM, depending on region; game cartridges are exchangeable between NTSC and PAL/SECAM machines, but this will result in wrong or missing colors and often a rolling picture.) The Atari 2600's CPU is the MOS Technology 6507, a version of the 6502, running at 1.19 MHz in the 2600. Though their internal silicon was identical, the 6507 was cheaper than the 6502 because its package included fewer memory-address pins—13 instead of 16. The designers of the Atari 2600 selected an inexpensive cartridge interface that has one fewer address than the 13 allowed by the 6507, further reducing the already limited addressable memory to 4 kiB (212 = 4096). This was believed to be sufficient as Combat is itself only 2 kiB. Later games circumvented this limitation with bank switching. The console has 128 bytes of RAM for scratch space, the call stack, and the state of the game environment. The top bezel of the console originally included six switches: power, TV type selection (color or black-and-white), game selection, player difficulty, and game reset. The difficulty switches were later moved to the back of the top bezel. The back bezel also included the controller ports, television output, and power adapter outlets.

[dailytechnologynews]

The many names for USB connectors/cables/protocols

It can be hard to keep track of what the various USB names mean so I thought it might be useful to have a summary of the whole lot in one place.

Nominal bandwidth Debut version Cable data rate Lane count USB 3.x offical names 1.5Mb/s 1 Low Speed 1 12Mb/s 1 Full Speed 1 480Mb/s 2 High Speed 1 5Gb/s 3 SuperSpeed 2 (TX + RX) USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 10Gb/s 3.1 SuperSpeed+ 2 (TX + RX) USB 3.1, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 10Gb/s 3.2 SuperSpeed 4 (2 TX + 2 RX) USB 3.2 Gen 1x2 20Gb/s 3.2 SuperSpeed+ 4 (2 TX + 2 RX) USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

USB 2 had an issue that the leap in bandwidth was well known to consumers but the data rate names weren't. Backward compatibility meant that a Low Speed device could be advertised as USB 2, and a Full Speed device as USB 2 Full Speed, but neither would have anything close to the performance expected by most people.

Hubs, whether stand-alone or built into a device such as a PC they might have multiple transaction translators to allow a mix of connected devices to each run at their maximum speed or might just have a single transaction translator and force all connected devices to operate at the speed of the slowest.

I don’t think it is reasonable for consumers to keep track of all the USB 3 naming schemes. At least the separate wires for USB 2 and 3 has helped with hubs (I think).

Physical Layer

Data rates (including overhead, ie available bandwidth is lower):

Low Speed (1.5Mb/s), Full Speed (12Mb/s): Differential signal without line termination carried over (typically) unshielded twisted pair.

High Speed (480Mb/s): Similar to the above but lower voltage and terminated lines.

SuperSpeed (5Gb/s), SuperSpeed+ (10Gb/s): Differential signals over shielded pairs.

Connectors:

USB 1.x-2.0 A/B/Mini-A/Mini-B/Mini-AB/Micro-A/Micro-B/Micro-AB: One Low/Full/High Speed lane. A is master, B is slave, AB is either.

USB 3.0 A/B/Micro-B: A and B look similar to previous versions but have extra pins to add two SuperSpeed lanes, spec suggests they be blue. Micro-B is wider than previous version. High Speed lane is still around on original pins and used for configuration. USB 3 protocol uses one lane for transmit and the other for receive.

USB-C: Four lanes for SuperSpeed+, one lane for High Speed using four pins with those diagonally opposite connected on the devices to make one reversible pair.

USB-C Alternate Modes

New versions of USB have made it explicit that the connector and protocol are separate, and the USB-C connector can be used with a variety of protocols:

USB 2: Not really a mode, carried over separate wires.

USB 3: Originally used one SuperSpeed+ lane at half or full speed for transmit and another for receive; another USB 3 could be used to connect to eg a hub which split them but they couldn't be bonded. USB 3.2 added ability to use two lanes in each direction for a single connection.

DisplayPort: DP 1.4 over 1, 2, or 4 SuperSpeed+ lanes.

MHL: Uses 1, 2, or 4 SuperSpeed+ lanes.

Thunderbolt 3: Uses all 4 SuperSpeed+ lanes, for two 20Gb/s signals. It needs an active cable if more than 0.5m long.

HDMI

VirtualLink: Uses DisplayPort 1.4 over the four SuperSpeed+ lanes usually provided by USB-C. The four wires normally used for High Speed are instead used for SuperSpeed+ to allow the USB 3.0 (or whatever your preferred name is for this at 10Gb/s) rather than USB 2 , ie shielding is added for these and pairs aren't tied together on the devices. For direct connection between PC and VR headset, can't use hubs.

Audio Adapter Accessory: This isn't really an Alternate Mode - it uses a different mechanism, holding the Configuration Channel to ground rather than sending a code. Analog with all digital signals disabled. Distinct from the Audio Device Class for external DACs. Left and Right channels are doubled up on the pins normally used for High Speed (USB 2) so the connector is reversible. Microphone and Audio Ground need to be swappable, similar to TRRS where there is no agreement on which way around these go.

Power

5V:

Originally a "Low-power device" could get 0.5W and a "High-power device" 2.5W.

USB 3 increased those to 0.75W and 4.5W respectively.

USB-C allows 15W.

USB Battery Charging 1.x allows 7.5W.

USB Battery Charging 2.3 allows 25W.

Apple does their own thing at up to 10W.

Audio Adapter Accessory Mode only allows 2.5W as the Configuration Channel pins are grounded so negotiating higher current or voltage isn't possible.

USB Power Delivery:

Version 1 allowed 5V at 2A (10W). Micro connectors could have 12V at 1.5 or 3A, or 20V at 3A. Full size connectors could do the same, and also 12 or 20V at 5A. Maximum power transfer was therefore 60W for micro connectors or 100W for full size.

Version 2 was introduced alongside USB 3 and USB C, for 5/9/15/20V with more flexibility of the current up to the same maximums.

Version 3 is for programmable power supplies with 20mV steps and the same maximums.

Other

USB devices can send a code to identify their class so that the host can use a generic driver. Well known ones include Human Interface Device (keyboard/mouse/joystick) and Mass Storage but there are many other USB device classes.

USB 4 is expected soon, mid 2019, and to include Thunderbolt.

[gabrielyao]

Types Of computer Ports and their Functions

PS/2 PORT

• PS/2 ports are 6-pin connectors that were used to connect legacy keyboards and mice. This port was invented by IBM. You usually see two of these ports in older computers, one for a keyboard and mouse each.

Illustration:

Serial Port

• Also known as COM port, these are communication ports that are used to connect devices such as mice, keyboards, and modems. These ports had either a 9-pin or a 25-pin configuration. These ports support hardware compliant with the RS-232 standard.

Illustration:

Parallel Port

• Also known as LPT port, these ports were designed for the parallel communication interface. These ports had a 25-pin configuration. In contrast to serial communication, parallel ports allow the transmission of multiple bits of data simultaneously. These are also commonly identified as printer ports.

Illustration:

Game Port

• The game port, as the name suggests, was developed as a connector for joystick input for IBM-compatible PCs in the 1980s and 1990s. Like many other legacy ports, these have now been largely deprecated by the use of USB ports.

Illustration:

VGA Port

• Video Graphics Array (VGA) is an analog video interface that uses a D-sub connector with 15 pins. It was first introduced in 1987 with IBM PS/2 computers. It is used to send video signals between the computer and a monitor or external display.

Illustration:

A video about different types of ports

[animeengineer]

Apple was one of the first drivers of USB adoption with the first iMacs around 1997. The PC side of the market derided the hell out of them for using “a connector nobody else uses” and “you have to buy a bunch of dongles to get the connectors you really want” or “you have to throw out all the cables and peripherals you already have.”

Before then, on the PC side you might see a couple USB ports on an ATX motherboard, usually using an expansion card or a filler plate. The ATX form factor and power supply technology just started becoming readily available around 1997, and most motherboards still used the large 5-pin DIN connector for keyboards that he original IBM PC used. You usually had to buy a “super IO” card that provided a 9-pin serial port and a 25 pin parallel (“printer”) port (which usually cabled to a printer with a 36-pin Centronics connector), and a Soundblaster-compatible sound card that also had a 15-pin “game” (joystick) port.

When ATX came out, all these specialized connectors moved to the new “IO panel”, which rarely had more than 4 USB connectors until most of the way through the 00s. Keyboards migrated to PS2 mini-DIN connectors around that time, though there were some AT motherboards with the old connectors. Lots of us had adapters that converted one to the other. Mice were slowly shifting from serial ports to PS2 as well. And even though it’s trivial to make the PS2 connector support hot swap (don’t @ me, I did it for a project 15 years ago) and recognize if a mouse or keyboard is plugged in automatically, almost all ATX motherboards had dedicated keyboard and mouse ports (don’t get them backwards), they had to be plugged in during power on, and if you unplugged them and replugged them, they would be ignored.

The AT power supplies of the time used a power switch that directly switched the 120V mains, delivered power to motherboards via two identical (but not identically wired) 6-pin single-row connectors that was exactly the same as the original IBM PC. Floppy drives had different power connectors from hard drives, you had to watch the LED to see when it was safe to eject a floppy, and Windows 95 had to tell you when it was safe to turn off your computer. And in general, PC users didn’t use external hard drives, and it took them forever to get off the cylinder-head-sector configuration nonsense.

In the end, the biggest driver of adoption of USB on PCs was, frankly, Intel building lots of USB ports right into their chipsets, so you just had to hook up the connectors.

So it’s ironic that you say “shit companies like Apple” when Apple was the biggest initial proponent of USB, for years before the PC market really caught up, and was derided for it, much like years later when it promoted HTML5 over “proven, working, and not Apple-only” Shockwave and Flash.

And USB isn’t 100% open and royalty free. If you want to sell USB devices, you must pay $4000 per year to get a vendor ID, and your device must be submitted for testing by USB-IF before you’re allowed to use USB logos or icons (the trident shapes you’re used to seeing on the plug end of the cable), either in advertising, marketing, press releases, or on the product itself or its packaging.

And many PC standards like ATX haven’t changed in 20 years. It’s about time.

I think what most ppl don't understand also abt chargers & cords is that USB isn't like. A brand. There's no Personal Stake in this, its a series of protocols so that shit companies like Apple don't have us reverting to the 90s / late 2000s where every company insisted on having their own proprietary connection type. Like, intel created it but they made it 100% open and royalty free for anyone to produce, and its stayed that way.

[retrogamingloft]

Another bad boy from the 9-pin era: The Suncom Tac-2 Joystick!

[draegerit]

Joystick Modul - fünf Richtungen Taster Modul

In diesem Beitrag möchte ich das Modul mit einem fünf Richtungen Taster am Arduino Nano vorstellen.

Joystick Modul - fünf Richtungen Taster Modul

Bezug

Den hier vorgestellten fünf Richtungen Taster für den Arduino / Raspberry Pi habe ich recht günstig auf aliexpress.com erstanden. Du bekommst diesen aber auch auf ebay.de für bereits 2,92 € zzgl. Versandkosten.

Aufbau des fünf Richtungen Tasters

Das mir vorliegende Modul verfügt auf der Platine über einen Tastknopf, welcher in fünf Richtungen bewegt werden kann. Die Richtungen sind links, rechts, hoch, runter und unten. Auf der Platine selber sind noch zwei kleine Taster verbaut, welche mit "SET" & "RST" beschriftet sind.

Technische Daten des Moduls Hier die technischen Daten des fünf Richtungen Taster Moduls: - Betriebsspannung: 2 V bis 9 V - Umgebungstemperatur: -40 °C bis 85 °C - Abmaße (L x B x H): 40 mm x 20 mm x 10 mm Unterschied zum analogen Joystick Ein Joystick Modul für den analogen Anschluss habe ich dir bereits für den Arduino / Raspberry Pi im Beitrag Arduino Lektion 38: Joystick vorgestellt.

Analoger Joystick Im Beitrag Arduino Leonardo & Joystick als Mausersatz habe ich dir gezeigt, wie einfach du diesen analogen Joystick als Mausersatz am PC programmieren kannst. Der analoge Joystick fährt automatisch in die Mittelposition zurück, wenn du diesen loslässt. Dieses Feature ist bei jedem Joystick gleich. Das hier gezeigte fünf Richtungen Modul arbeitet mit einem Taster und dieser führt beim Drücken in die Richtung einen Tastvorgang aus und gibt somit ein Signal ab. Pinout des fünf Richtungen Tasters Das Modul verfügt über sieben Pins, welche auf der Vorderseite der Platine beschriftet sind. Pin BeschriftungBezeichnungCOM"Common end" für VCC oder GNDUPHoch DWNRunterLFTLinksRHTRechtsMIDUntenSETTaster SETRSTTaster RST

Anschluss an den Arduino Nano V3

Das Taster Modul wird wie folgt an den Arduino Nano V3 angeschlossen. In diesem Beispiel verwende ich keine PullUp Widerstände, dieses löse ich im Quellcode mit einer entsprechenden Konstante beim Initialisieren des digitalen Pins.

Schaltung - fünf Richtungen Taster am Arduino Nano V3

Programmieren des Moduls am Arduino Nano V3

Im nachfolgenden kleinen Beispiel habe ich das Modul mit sieben Breadboardkabel an einen Arduino Nano V3 angeschlossen. Zunächst gebe ich nur die Werte wie diese auf der Platine aufgedruckt sind auf dem seriellen Monitor aus. https://youtu.be/l3HYZSxrRdE //Bibliothek um einen Taster zu entprellen #include // Die Taster sind an den // digitalen Pins 2 .. 8 angeschlossen #define up 8 #define dwn 7 #define lft 6 #define rht 5 #define mid 4 #define set 3 #define rst 2 //Konstante für die Pause um den Taster zu entprellen const int DELAY = 50; //Definieren der Bounce2 Button Objekte Bounce btnUp = Bounce(up, DELAY); Bounce btnDown = Bounce(dwn, DELAY); Bounce btnLeft = Bounce(lft, DELAY); Bounce btnRight = Bounce(rht, DELAY); Bounce btnMiddle = Bounce(mid, DELAY); Bounce btnSet = Bounce(set, DELAY); Bounce btnReset = Bounce(rst, DELAY); void setup() { //begin der seriellen Kommunikation mit 9600 baud Serial.begin(9600); //die Taster sind über einen internen 10 kOhm Widerstand //an den digitalen Pin angeschlossen pinMode(up, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(dwn, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(lft, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(rht, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(mid, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(set, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(rst, INPUT_PULLUP); } /** Funktion zum aktualisieren der Taster */ void updateButtons() { btnUp.update(); btnDown.update(); btnLeft.update(); btnRight.update(); btnMiddle.update(); btnSet.update(); btnReset.update(); } /** Funktion zum prüfen ob ein Taster gedrückt ist. @param btn - der Taster welcher geprüft werden soll @param btnText - der Text welcher den Taster repraesentiert */ void checkButtonPressed(Bounce btn, String btnText) { if (btn.fell()) { pressBtn(btnText); } } void loop() { //aktualisieren der Taster updateButtons(); //prüfen ob ein Taster gedrückt wurde checkButtonPressed(btnUp, "UP"); checkButtonPressed(btnDown, "Down"); checkButtonPressed(btnLeft, "Left"); checkButtonPressed(btnRight, "Right"); checkButtonPressed(btnMiddle, "Middle"); checkButtonPressed(btnSet, "Set"); checkButtonPressed(btnReset, "Reset"); } /** Funktion zum ausgeben einer Textzeile auf der seriellen Schnittstelle. @param button - der Text welcher einen gedrückten Taster repraesentiert */ void pressBtn(String button) { Serial.println("Taster " + button + " wurde gedrückt!"); } Read the full article