Getting the SpaceOrb code and installing

Download the tar achive below, and unpack with the command :
% tar xvf spaceorb.tar
An executable built on a DEC alpha running OSF1 v4.0 is included, so in principle all you need to do is make this accesible to users by moving it to an appropriate directory. The code has only been tested on alphas, so if you want to run it elsewhere you are on your own, but a makefile is included to help you on your way.

The SpaceOrb should be plugged into a serial port which may be called /dev/tty00 or /dev/tty01, and ideally the user should have an environment variable called JOYSTICK_PORT pointing to this port. Otherwise the program will guess at /dev/tty00.

Then the program should be run from any window on the machine bearing the SpaceOrb port, and it will send appropriate X-events to any O window in which the mouse finds itself. It can for example, be started within O with the command "$ spaceorb &".

If you have trouble, try running the diagnostic program 'job'. This is a little O-emulator that draws two circles in a window, which move according to the translational and rotational forces on the Orb. If you still get nothing, check the port, check you are running O v6.2.1 or above, then mail me.

For user instructions, or technical information, see the links below.

MRH 19-Oct-98