From: khoh@chaph.usc.edu (Oliver Muoto)
Subject: Re: TECH INFO: Goldbrick info, anyone?
Date: 20 Feb 1993 15:21:50 -0800
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA


Here is a summary of the Goldbrick (from their literature I received):

GOLDBRICK: The Cyperspace Interface (tm)

Summary:
The Gold Brick (tm) is a device that connects the Apple Destop Buss (tm)
to most controllers compatible with and to the Nintendo Entertainment
System (tm).  It allows you input from Broderbund UFORCE (tm), floor pad
input from the Nintendo Power Pad(tm), tilt sensing with the Enteractive
(tm) Roll&Rocker(tm), and POSITION SENSING WITH THE MATTEL POWER GLOVE (tm).

With Macintosh support software (system 6.0.5 or later), Gold Brick can
translate controller input into 2 or 3 dimensional motion and/or 
keystores as specified by the user.

The controller and game deck interfaces are generally compatible with those
of the Motorola SPI, National Semiconductor Microwire (R), and Signetics
I2C type.

According to the manufacturer the Gold Brick is already being used in the
following systems:
  - controlling intractive multi-media
  - playing virtual instruments
  - giving audio feedback to speech-impaired infants
  - allowing viewers to walk through computer-deisgn structures
  - transforming inputs on a power pad to English sentences and music

There are a number of models available depending on your needs and budget.
They are summarized as follows:

THE GOLD BRICK COMPARISON CHART:

			MODEL 1				MODEL 2

		    | Release 1 (1) | Release 2     | Release 1    |
--------------------|---------------|---------------|--------------|
Part Number, Retail | GBC-1, $195   | GBC-2, $245   | GBN-1, $169  |
--------------------+---------------+---------------+--------------|
Controllers support |               |               |              |
 * Standard         | Yes	    | Yes           | Yes          |
 * Power Pad  	    | Yes           | Yes           | Yes          |
 * "Unknown" type   | Yes           | Yes           | Yes          |
 * UFORCE	    | Yes           | Yes           | Yes          |
 * POWER GLOVE      | No 	    | YES 	    | YES          |
--------------------+---------------+---------------+--------------|
Status Lights	    | Three         | Three         | None         |
--------------------+---------------+---------------+--------------|
ADB Through port (2)| Yes  	    | Yes	    | No	   |
--------------------+---------------+---------------+--------------|
Game Deck Cable     | Yes           | Yes           | No           |
--------------------+---------------+---------------+--------------|
Technical Manual (3)| Yes           | Yes           | No           |
--------------------+---------------+---------------+--------------|
Upgradeable (4)     | Yes           | Yes           | No           |
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Footnotes:
(1) No longer available
(2) Permits additional apple desktop bus devices to be attatched
(3) Limited tech. doc. was included in GBC-1. A software tech. manual
    (REF-1), available separately, is included in GBC-2
(4) Uses a socketed single chip microprocessor that can be replaced with
    later versions.

ORDERING INFORMATION:
Transfinite Systems Company, Inc.
PO BOX N, MIT Branch Post Office
Cambridge, MA  02139, USA
Tel: (617) 969-9570
Applelink: D2002

Disclaimer:
I have no relation with the company whatsoever, I am just posting a summary
of information they send to me.  I have not bought any of these devices 
(although I plan to) and make no claims regarding them.  I apologize for any
spelling mistakes, inaccuracies, etc. that are contained.  For more accurate
information contact the company.  All registered names are trademark property
of respective firm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oliver Muoto						Internet: khoh@usc.edu
Vetti MultiMedia					Compuserve: 72002,2330
                      "Too Many Secrets" - Sneakers
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