[deathspeed]

I think I have seen this suggested before, but wouldn't it be desirable to have a board dedicated to joysticks?  There are several threads scattered around different boards with joystick issues, questions, recommendations, setups, etc.  It would be much easier to find these if they were all in their own dedicated board, maybe under "off-topic discussions". 

Or maybe even an entire new section labelled "hardware", with a board for joysticks/controllers, and other board(s) for general hardware discussions, such as showing off rigs, general PC discussions, build/component suggestions, etc.

Anyway, just a thought I have had for some time.  I don't know what is involved with creating a new board, or if other think this would be worth the effort, but I wanted to present it for discussion. 

Thank you for your consideration!

Edit: strikethrough

[z64555]

I don't think hardware is really this community's forte, outside of GPU's, CPU's, joysticks, and controllers.

We do get a lot of questions regarding joysticks, controllers, and recommended button configuration, so I could definitely see a board for those.

It would probably be a subboard of FreeSpace & FreeSpace Open Support, and any joystick/controls issues specific to a mod would be posted in that mod's respective tech support subboard (if they have one).

[deathspeed]

I don't think hardware is really this community's forte, outside of GPU's, CPU's, joysticks, and controllers.

We do get a lot of questions regarding joysticks, controllers, and recommended button configuration, so I could definitely see a board for those.

Thanks for the response!  I agree about the general hardware suggestion.  I was overthinking and added that as an afterthought, and I should have just left it off. 

[Axem]

A board dedicated to joysticks is awfully specific and niche in this already specific and niche board already. While I see the points you make, I just don't know what sort of regular activity a joystick board would have to justify it. Perhaps a wiki page or a stickied thread would be a better idea at the moment?

Now I would be fine with a general PC hardware forum (where we could stick a joystick stickied thread). I have seen, every so often, people posting, "hey I'm building a new computer, is this a good build?" or, "check out my leet setup" threads in Gen Disc or Gaming Disc, so its not exactly a completely foreign idea around here. But is there enough interest for that? I'm not sure.

[deathspeed]

Thanks for the feedback!

Hmm, I had not considered a wiki page.  I usually frequent the forums here, but I rarely look at the wiki unless someone links to something in a thread I am reading or I am looking for a walk-thru.

I had thought about a stickied thread, but mentally rejected that as the joystick/controller posts generally do not all fall under the same topic.  Most seem to fall into one of these four general areas -
 1. How do I get my controller of choice to work?
 2. Controllers recommendations/what does the community recommend?
 3. What are some suggested button configurations?
 4. Check out my rig!  (Seriously, check out OverDhill's setup!)

I am planning on composing a thread with links to controller topics.   I had hoped to use it as a sticky under a new joystick/hardware board where people could post their own topics, but I realize there are many considerations and possible alternatives to a dedicated board and that it may not be the best overall solution.  I hope the thread will be useful for some people, whether or not a new board is created. 

[eisberg]

I really like this idea.  Forum dedicated to Joystick recommendations, experiences, and button setup would be a fantastic addition to the forums.

[Axem]

I had thought about a stickied thread, but mentally rejected that as the joystick/controller posts generally do not all fall under the same topic.  Most seem to fall into one of these four general areas -
 1. How do I get my controller of choice to work?
 2. Controllers recommendations/what does the community recommend?
 3. What are some suggested button configurations?
 4. Check out my rig!  (Seriously, check out OverDhill's setup!)

The first three I think could be all taken care of in something like a "FreeSpace Joystick FAQ and Recommendations" thread (or split them into 3 stickies if warranted). The information related to those three isn't going to change too often, and it might save people from having to repeatedly answer the same three questions over and over.

[deathspeed]

I created a new topic under FreeSpace & FreeSpace Open Support.  I don't know what criteria merits a sticky or who makes that decision, but could this new topic be considered for that by the Stickiers-That-Be?

I personally still think a separate board  for controllers would be easier for new users to find than a topic under support, but I won't keep pushing it, especially if this seems to fit the need. 

Thanks, everyone!

edit: link corrected

[OverDhill]

I would also like a separate board for controllers. I have answered questions on joysticks more then one time and the information gets lost in some old thread. There are a number of posts that could be made sticky.

I would also share my knowledge I gained while creating my simpit (again I have made posts that seem to get lost in old threads).

Topics on PPJoy, TrackIR, Voiceattack, Vjoy, Helios, Joystick Cards and Tactile transducers could all have one place.

[Jeff Vader]

I created a new topic under FreeSpace & FreeSpace Open Support.  I don't know what criteria merits a sticky or who makes that decision, but could this new topic be considered for that by the Stickiers-That-Be?

Probably whatever the moderators feel like stickying for the most part. So, stickied. I see that thread as good joystick support material.

[deathspeed]

Thanks, Jeff Vader!!