[comp.sys.mac.programmer] ADB device hacking

pete@mck-csc.UUCP (Peter Gaston) (05/24/90)

I've built a software driver that intercepts all ADB device output, and
then either eats them or let's them pass through.  The theory is that
this can be used for a low-end mac based meeting room, i.e., hook
up 4 kbs/mouses to a mac, hook up a large screen or kodak datashow, and
you're cooking.

The ADB driver works fine.  no problems.  What I've been doing (with
little success) is building some hardware to fix some ADB features/bugs.

Problems:

1-When they work correctly, they randomly get a device number at power up.
  It would be nice if the number would always be the same.  Otherwise you
  always have to 'pair up' the keyboards and mouses.
2-The devices don't always do their address arbitration correctly.  Apple
  knows this, re: tech note 206.  My solution was to delay power up by
  some milliseconds for subsequent devices, but this didn't work.


So I'd like to talk with others who are interested in the ADB.  I'd
be willing to share my trials and tribulations getting my code to
work.  I can share my INIT/cdev that does the work, you can use it
right out of the box as you can plug two pairs of kb/mouses into a
standard Mac (you need hardware to go higher).

So e-mail me, and we can chat off-line.  I just think this is a little
off the wall for most people...

Peter Gaston

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Peter Gaston, mit-eddie!mck-csc!pete