Editing Microsoft SideWinder (section)

=== Force Feedback Pro ===
[[File:Force Feedback Pro.jpg|thumb|upright|Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro Joystick]]From technology acquired from EXOS, Inc,<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Acquires EXOS Inc|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/1996/apr96/exospr.aspx|publisher=Microsoft.com|access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> Microsoft then released a [[Haptic technology|force feedback]] product called the Force Feedback Pro. Built on the design of the Precision Pro, the Force Feedback Pro differed only in the inclusion of motors for the force feedback effects, and the lack of USB compatibility. (A [https://github.com/tloimu/adapt-ffb-joy DIY converter project] exists.) Due to the inclusion of the motors, the Force Feedback Pro was significantly larger and heavier than the Precision Pro, making it easy to differentiate between the two.[[File:FFB-Vert v2.0.jpg|thumb|User-made game port to USB adapter supporting FFB on the Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro only. Simple joystick support on 3D Pro, Precision Pro, Precision Pro Plus, and Wheel.<ref>{{cite web |title=User-made adapter FFB-Vert |url=http://ffb-vert.iowajohnsons.com |access-date=2018-12-26 |publisher=Scott Johnson}}</ref>|190x190px]]

As the PC joystick port is input-only, the only way for data to be sent to the joystick (to trigger force feedback events) is to use the [[MIDI]] capabilities of the port.<ref>[https://github.com/tloimu/adapt-ffb-joy/blob/wiki/SidewinderFFBMIDI.md Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro MIDI protocol]</ref> This extension to the original gameport, first popularised by [[Creative Labs]] in their early sound cards, was intended to allow MIDI instruments to be connected to the joystick port but is used here to provide bidirectional communication with the joystick instead. Force feedback events are triggered by messages on MIDI channel 6, with effect data uploaded via [[SysEx]] messages. This means that force feedback would be unavailable on the earliest of PCs, where the gameports lack MIDI functionality.