Jocman

Ok, guys. I'm online again. Thank to all of you for the suggestions about using 32 bit compatibility mode in win7 64. Some good news: 1) Finally I started use the new laptop, now I'm back online (I was getting crazy with the netbook) 2) This Laptop rocks.... (let me have some autocelebrations....) 3) Today I finished modding the push button, and here you find a goodie (from the left to the right: the original one, and the goal - with 1 led on, with both led on, without power) What you think about? BTW, it was really a fight (about 15 days to make them.....) Work in progress...... Jocman

Damn, you're right...:( I forgot those freaking laptops are all-in-one craps.... That's why I always build my desktops on my own. Well, I'm afraid I've to keep the 64 bit OS. I don't need to fight with the laptop. I'll try with compatibility mode, hoping that BS won't give me any problem with 64 bit on the laptop. Jocman

Well, CyBercut, you're right and I'm not lucky: it's Home premium. Honestly, I'm trying to make the OS image, so to keep a copy of the original OS, then I'm seriously thinking about format all and install the 32 bit version. I hope it is possible to make a boot CD 64 bit using a 32 bit OS, as I wouldn't install anything on the laptop. Do you know if is it possible to install the win7 32 desktop version on the notebook? I don't know about that, cause I never made it before on the laptop (every laptop I bought kept the original OS, but this time it's so problematic) Well, congratulation for latin citation. I was thinking to something like Finger in Axx, but the old time citation is nice. About the back illumination:the plexy is transparent. I got the decals to put on it to make all the labels, and this kind of backlighting will be made by LED on the back of the panel (this for the panel's labels). Those button-switches have the labels on it, so this is a way to backlight them. BTW, I'm going on with the modding, and I realized I need 10 minutes to mod 1 switch (better than initial 1 hour, don't you?), even tough some of them are faulty, but I hope to fix it. The result is almost fine. As I'll start using the new laptop, I'll post some images (currently I'm using the netbook, as the desktop monster isn't connected to the net) Jocman

Well, did you see (in my previous post) the pics with the green square switches? Ok, as I want to backlight the green square, and keep the red led built in, I had to find the way to put a white led. Believe me, it's a mess. I think I found the way, even if is a very FIA.... and I0ve to modify about 60 of them....no, wait, 34 (with both led) I'll describe all in the next future, on my website... Now I'm goig to inizialize the new laptop, but this is also a FIA: the OS is win 7 64.....and I'm starting having trouble with the 32bit software.... I hope I can make a backup of the original system, then I'll evaluate to format everything and install the 32bit version.... Jocman

Update: I ordered the new laptop yesterday at 13.00, and TODAY at 12.00 I got it at home.... I can't believe it, less than 24 hours...almost incredible here in Italy... Btw, now I've to make all the usual craps when you buy a new one (ar at least I use to do it so): inizialize it, backup of the original OS, partitioning the HHD....holy craps, it's so boring..... Then I disassembled the old HDD, mounted in the external dock, and it works, so I can recover all the plans and the other datas.... I'm going ahead with the electronic works: modify the push-switches... Well, isn't a game... so frustating...modify just one took about 1 hour...too much, but maybe it's just 'cause is the first, or I hope so...I've to modify about 50 of them.... Jocman

Hey, why you apologize yourself? You are just trying to help me :thumbup:. Btw, your was an excellent suggestion: a friend of my just few hours ago provided me a device like your. I didn't have jet the time to test it, I think I'll do it on friday (due my job - too much work tonight and tomorrow). Anyway, I bought the new laptop (HP DV7 3170EL), and now I'm waiting to get it at home. I'll keep informed about the news. Jocman

Well, guys, what's life without "good" news? yesterday night my laptop is definitively DEAD, and with him the BS plans inside the HD. Rotten luck never ends....... Today I'll buy a new laptop, then when I'll get it, I'll try to recover the data from the old HDD (it's a EIDE drive....). Then people say you don't have to swear.... Jocman

Well, thank you for the appreciation; but, honestly, if you check the pic, you'll note that the outlines are not so....precise. Btw, just to have an example of my tools just have a look to.....your hands. I can't get a CNC automatic machine :cry:, too expensive..... But the works are going on, and my dream is evry day one step forward. By now, I stopped cutting, as my jigsaw is dead....I'm waiting for some components to build a new speed controller (external), as the build in is fried.... Jocman

Check it out....... Jocman

Ok, here comes a goodie for all my beloved pics-addicteds ;) Someone could be a little bit baffled looking at the EKRAN's hausing, but I designed an alternative solution for it (hoping it will work), maybe not so reality friendly, but I think it will be practical In the forthcoming days (allegedly at weekend) I'll cut out the panels details, then I'll start with the assembly of the various modules (may the force be with me once again......) Jocman

Well, short update. Today I finished to cut ALL the panels's shapes (panels, and panels's box components): about 94 pieces (but I think more, this is just a quick estimate). Now I have to work on the details (i.e. cut out the inner shapes for buttons, switches, etc). And I dealed with the typographer for the panels decals..... Stay tuned....... Jocman

Well, as Deadman said: "they rock", and I fully agree with. I got the Simped Vario Pro in the far 2002 (or 2003 maybe), when the DHS Electronics was a small society. Then I got a small third part (don't remember the society) add on, the toe brakes. Ok, not so cool as the new simped brakes generation, but they work fine. Then again, I made a small modify to let it work with the "old" Microprose Falcon 4, as it didn't manage separate devices: as I own a Cougar System too, I simply interfaced the simped with the Cougar, so F4 could "see" an unique device. BTW, it's a great stuff, I strongly suggest it. Jocman

But as I love my pics-addicted, here you find another pic: That's how I'm working (from left to right) put the plan on a table, then put the plexiglas on it. Draw the main shape, then the details. Protect all the lines with paper-tape, then cut: voilà, your panel..... (this is the left side of the front panel) Jocman

Well, damn pics-addicted :), here come 2 pictures of my work: Let try to guess what they are referred to??? Btw, please don't blame me if I wont post so oft about my making of. I have very short time to work on my cockpit, 'cause I must (or I want to) finish it before august; in that month allegedly I'll leave for job abroad, so I wont have time to work on it. My wish is to finish it (taking pictures) then, during the abroad employment, update my website with all the info abpout the cockpit. BTW, I'll keep postng short news about the work in progress. About CoNa and Maximus G suggestion, unfortunately, as I planned all the cockpit only on scale draws, I'm afraid the front panel is almost bigger than usual; well, little pbit bigge, but enough to represent an obstacle. And unfortunately, I can't (I wont) change the plans, it means redraw ALL.... I'll find some good compromise.... Jocman

Ok, as I wrote in the previous post:"hopefully tomorrow I'll start cutting".... I didn't.....SHXXT, everytime, sometime happens...In the meanwhile, I spent some evenings by soldering the displays and some rotary encoder Btw, this afternoon I really started with cutting the panels, and I made my first 3 panel. Well, not the full panel, just the shapes, but at least I started.... Honestly, cutting the plexiglas is easier than I was afraid of, so I think I could speed up the making and recover the lost time. The next days I'll make some pictures about the works. When all the shapes will be made, I'll start with the drilling, then all the rest. Jocman

Update: Friday I got the new adapter, so yesterday I printed out by plotter all my plans, then set the hardware (saws and various) I need to start working on panels. Hopefully tomorrow I'll start the first cut: May the force be with me..... Jocman

Ok, my eyes are getting better, at least i can see from the very near (from the distance I can see only foggy) so I can write. My friend (and workmate) Alex just today provided me an old CH F16 flightstick (game port version): really a treasure to me IOT vivisect to get 2 coolie hat to use with my cyclic and collective stick, then some excellent starting material for the moulding (epoxy resin) of other coolie hat and, why not, some F16 grips for various test (now I can save my Cougar stick to be vivisected.....). Well, building a 4 way switch isn't so complicated, but get the coolie hat is hard, so I think to try to make them with the resin. But still waiting for the new ACDC adapter, so to start design the wood support structure for my panels and to print out the plans for the panels (I think it should be time to start building the panels) Day by day, I'm always more that my mad project can LIVE!!!! Jocman

YEP, that's right. I'm currently using my laptop as "dayly" PC, as th desktop is JUST to run my sims. I was thinking that use the adapter so long time could be "dangerous", but I don't understand why: desktop PCs use also an adapter. Ok maybe bigger,but always an adapter. BTW, I'm thinking about build (or buy) a standing alone stabilized adapter, so to use it firstly with my laptop (this one, or the next one); hopefully, I should bypass the "too much use" problem. Actually, I'm using my netbook to kepp in touch with the world, but it's not so powerfull to let me work.... Taking some rest (anyway, I've been eye lasered 3 days ago - both eyes, so I cannot really see anything - well, I DON'T see anything, at least for the next 2 days - It's very hard to write on the net....) Jocman

Well, no wife, girlfriend neither (I'm an happy (?) single). Someone else hates me....but who??? About getting the plans, is not a problem (today i disassembled my laptop and connected the HD to my desktop monster. The problem is the softwares I use to work on the plans. I'll wait...I ordered the adapter from UK, as my laptop use a not convencional plug to work (HP pavillion Z8000 series). I'll take some rest.. Jocman

Today Update: Ok, this is really rotten luck!!! Today my laptop AC/DC adapters got fried!!!! And the battery is empty.... And all the plans for my cockpit are in the HD.... Now I must wait at least 15 days to get a new adapter.... SHXXXT !!!!! :chair::cry_2::furious::evil::badmood: Jocman

Well, Scud, I think I have a looot of latencies....About new inspirations, unfortunately I get new ones evry damn day; if I don't start building I'll die flooded by inspirations ;) Ok, hertzlich frohe ostern (entschuldige mein schlecht deutsch, ich bin italianich mutter sprache, nicht deutsch mutter sprache, auch wenn lebe ich in meran - sudtirol) Jocman

Easter update. Well, as I have to work this Easter, I decided to begin assemblying some electronics components.... Waiting for the electronics components, I bought a soldering station. Now, as I must wait bout 2 weeks to begin building the panels, and I got the electronics parts, I decided to start with the electronics. I got my I/O cards, wires, displays, PCBs, LEDs, tin wire ond so on, and, of course, my soldering station. Plugged in the station's plung and...... FXXK, IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL!!!!!!! And it's Easter time!!! Shops closed !!!!. Ok....So, at least, let me starting with the modification of some switches. Let disassembly the switch, put a LED inside, now weld..... Weld???? But this freacking soldering station DOESN'T WORK!!!! Good start, isn't it? HAPPY EASTER TO ALL, GUYS !!!!

Of course, I'll inform the forum about the making of. Well, maybe not very daily, but I'll post the news evry time I'll make some relevant step (I think not many people are interesting in: "Well, today I cut the radio panel...." or "today I soldered 50 LEDs"). In my sick mind, I wish to publish a detailed description of the build (pics and docs) on my website; but for that I think I'll wait to full finish the cockpit. BTW, tomorrow I'll go buying some build material, so hopefully I should have at least the 80% of the build material I need. Stay tuned, as I think for the middle of april I should start officially the build. Scud, don't think I'm so far from you: I'm closer than you can think (Südtirol)... Jocman PS: Breacking news: just this early morning, while I was shaving, I realized I forgot to design a panel. Well, it's funny to design with all the shave foam on your face (inspiration is inspiration....), dont'you?

Update: Today I got the electronic components.... And I had to modify some details in my plans (i wrote I was sure to forget something...) Jocman

Ok guys. Today I got my OC cards. Just waiting for the electronic components. I can also officially declare the end of the design phase (but I'm sure I forgot something, but no matter....) Now I can start with the "making of" phase, hopefully in the next 15 days, just the time to provide the material. Stay tuned (if you're interesting in my tales....) :pilotfly: Jocman