(no subject)

[lbd_nytetrayn]

So, I've rented an XBox, and something has me curious.

The controller has two parts. The controller, which is connected to a cord that leads up just a few inches short of the console, where it plugs into another length of cord that plugs into the console itself.

But why?

My first encounter with this came the other day when someone STOLE THE PIECE from our demo unit at work.

Some people have no shame.

LBD "Nytetrayn"

Comments

[teriwyn.livejournal.com]

Ever had something happen.... either someone tripping on a controller cord, or someone trying to pull it further than it can pull... anything... These somethings usually end up with a console crashing down to the floor or a controller yanked uncerimoniously from the console (eventually to damage the wires, I'm sure).

These are "breakaway" cords, meant to prevent that. Pull on it a bit, it comes apart without hurting anything.

At least, that's what MS said.

[lbd-nytetrayn.livejournal.com]

Interesting idea. Though I'd think that just having the controller come out of the socket would work about as well...

LBD "Nytetrayn"

[revolver-knight.livejournal.com]

I always thought of it as more of a 'quick-swap' feature or something so you didn't have to pry and jimmy the plug itself so much.

Or they really are there to screw with you. Whichever explanation ya prefer.

[nova-eclipse.livejournal.com]

Interesting side note: the XBox's controller ports aren't really XBox proprietary beyond the connecter design. They're actually just USB ports. You can get an XBox controller, a USB cord, hack the end off the USB cord, wire up the wires inside with the wires in the XBox connecter and voila! Instant XBox gamepad for your PC. You'd need a driver for the PC to recognize it, but there's already drivers floating about on the internet for this sort of thing. What's interesting is that it's a straight wire job; no crossing or puzzling over pins like some of those parallel to PS hack jobs you sometimes run across. And since it works in Windows, you can use it for playing PC games or emulators. I had a page at one point that actually had a step-by-step on how to pull this off and where to get the drivers, but I can't find it at the moment. I'll look around and see if I can find it.

[storm-wolfe.livejournal.com]

I've found it useful on several occasions actually.