I just wanted to let you know that these days I'm finishing the new version of the LPT-switch software called "Reloaded" ( cuz it IS a matrix ;p ).This time the software is written in VB.Net which is the programming language I can do most with. Last time around I had to use VB6 because the dll file wouldn't work in .NetTherefore the user interface and the capability of the program will be much more advanced and user friendly.Also there are a list of new features added.1-Possible to use up to 3 LPT ports, bringing the total up to 120 possible switches/buttons2-Still freeware !!3-Still no PCB's needed & very cheep interface and easy to build4-Two different modes to run the program: Normal mode which will run in background with a systray icon and Test mode which will keep the program visible5-No more confusing checkboxes but little pictures that change color when a switch is changed or a button is pressed6-Posibility added to make the program go whenever it is started so it can be started when booting your PC and thus if it is pre configured, it can run without the use of keyboard or mouse7-Will need the .Net framework which is freely downloadable from the Microsoft website8-Optimised code9-No more need to "load settings" every time around, the program will be able to check if there is an ini file and will load it when the program is started initially10-Possible to just copy paste your 40 lines out of the previous ini file into the new ini file to re-use your setup for the output11-New user interface to change output settings12-all ini files in the same folder as the main program unlike previous version13-Most probably no more runtime errors ;o) (though this only happened when you used the previous version without doing exactly as I said in the readme.txt file :( )That should about cover it.I'll release the software via flightsim.com so that I can keep track of how many people use or download my software.

PhilippeThis is great news, I have been a long time user of this excellent software/hardware! Please post this on AVSIM as well, as it is extremely difficult for us in South Africa to log-in on Flightsim.Keep up the good work.Johan

finally a response :)I started to think that no one cared :(If you want I can upload it only on avsim. They got download counters here too, right ?In fact, that's all I care about. I wanna know how much download this thing gets.

Hi PhilippeI have been using LPT1 for some time and its great, look forward to your new version, happy to download from the moon if necessery but I presume it will be on your home page?Great workSteve

Hmm, its quite hard to get into flightsim.comHavent found it on avsim, where do I find it?If i can get it, i will certanly give it a try/ Olle

lolhold yer horses knightit's not even past beta stage ;o)just a few more days.

.NET? :-(Can't run .NET on a Windows 98 machine, and can't upgrade because my video editing hardware can't run under anything newer.Rick

Rick,I guess you'll have to set up a dual-boot config. "Resistance is futile!" :-lolI triple-boot Win 98, Win 2000 and RedHat. Two versions of Windows takes care of most games (a few still prefer 95) while RedHat does the heavy lifting (i.e. work stuff, not games).Peter http://bfu.avsim.net/sigpics/PeterR.gifBFU Forums ModeratorRenegade/Seawolf Design Group (RSDG)[table border=2 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=1][tr][td][table border=0 cellpadding=8 cellspacing=0][tr][td bgcolor=#6f0000]http://bfu.avsim.net/sigpics/logo75t.gif[/td][td align="center" bgcolor=#FFFFF6]Bush Flying Unlimited"At home in the wild"Looking for adventure? Come join us! * [link:bfu.avsim.net|Web Site] * [link:www.cafepress.com/bfu,bfu2,bfu3,bfu4|BFU Store] * [link:bfu.avsim.net/join.htm]Join!][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table

it should soon be out there on the avsim file librarycheck it out !& hope you'll enjoy too.

hi philippeI was looking on the forum for inspiration on how to build a cheap and easy to buil mcp panel for fs2002 (only switches and rotary encoders) and I've just discovered your great lpt-switch!I'm wondering if you ever tried to use those special rotary switches (those from alps or knitter) with your lpt switch. As you can read here: http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...g_id=6068&page= I'm looking at hacking a keyboard to make a simple mcp panel but they told me this kind of rotary switch don't perform very well with keyboards as many input from the switch are lost. I'm wondering if your lpt switch may have the required scanning speed to get the 24 input / 360

Great stuff! Any chance of getting a copy of the source code that works with the LPT port itself? As an amateur programmer myself (It helps with my work, amongst other things!) I'd be very interested in getting an idea of how it works. If you could I'd be very grateful, if not I'll just go find a manual or something :(

Hello, and thank you for all your hard work. I followed the readme and use the first version, so my hardware is good. I run reload and start flightsim, amd all the switches and pushbuttons cycle on and off continously. I am running windows wp. Am I the only one?thank you.

hmmmz .. i'm not sure how fast my program will recognise input changes.the program works on a timer. each timer tick it will send/read.you make me realise now that i planned on making the speed of the timer editable by the user. a fast timer would maybe allow such rotarys but would run harder on your computer.i'll check for an update which i'll put on my site then.if i forget, remind me via email ;)

hmmz i typed it all out here but it didn't want to send and now it's gone :(anyway you got 5 input pins and 8 out pinsfirst i set 1 of the 8 pins high, the others low.since all of the 8 pins are connected to each of the 5 input pins, i read the input pins and check what i get back. if one of the pins is high, then the switch/button between the high outpin and the high inpin is closed.then i set the next out pin high and read againetc etc.that's the general idea. it's questioning a matrix that i do.

yap indeed you are the only one. (for now)hmmz .. sounds like something wrong with the wyring..or maybe you got different port settings ... maybe the port the program wirtes to is the same that the program reads from ?dunno, sounds strange