Joystick Ports as Duplex Data Port

[zachriggle]

Has anyone written any software that converts the dashboard to a terminal (even if readonly)? There are 7 (8?) user-settable bits. 8 bits in an ASCII character (you can get by with 6, using a modified character table)... how fast is the refresh rate? Assuming it's faster than 26ms (ms = thousandths... so 40 chars\s max if limited to 26ms), you could have a relatively simple readonly text print-out of whatever you wanted.

Writing the software wouldn't be hard, especially if you used Linux (Serial port access is simpler).

@Edit
Where is the code that controls the joystick wheels? I can't seem to locate that little bit, and it's driving me INSANE. I want to use it as a toggle switch... I figure you could get 3-4 states out of it with relative precision... 2 at least (top and bottom). Also, will we have to use FIRST-provided joysticks, or will we be able to use our own (assuming I do a mod to said wheels to make them click into place).