Get your game on with SideWinder!
So this is a new one for me, writing on one blog about another blog. Normally I would think something like this is shameless self promotion, and maybe it is… Nah, just kidding, I have the privilege of writing for two of our blogs. Our new baby here, the Microsoft Hardware Blog, as well as the SideWinder Blog. Though both sites have a bit of a different focus, Hardware vs. Gaming, they do share much common ground. For the PC gamer, the only thing that comes close to being as important as the games themselves, is the hardware that you use to play them. So really, these two sites are like peanut butter and chocolate. Two great tastes that… well, you know the rest.
The SideWinder team refers to me as the SideWinder Insider. I don’t work directly as part of their team, but due to my passion for gaming and Microsoft Hardware, they have made me a virtual member of the team. As for my normal “day job” here at Microsoft, I am a Senior Premier Field Engineer on the Dedicated Support Engineering team. I have been a gamer since I was old enough to reach the keyboard on the computer, and tend to be pretty demanding on my mice and keyboards. I have used just about every SideWinder product ever made; in fact, I still have a mint condition SideWinder Strategic Commander in my office. And can remember vividly the days of using the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro playing PC games like Mechwarrior 2 and Starsiege. Now I run the SideWinder Blog, interact with the community via gaming events and Twitter, as well as assisting with the SideWinder Facebook pages.
Over the last few years I have gotten to know the folks on the SideWinder Hardware team very well. It is a privilege to have input on the design process for new products as well as having the chance to test them before they are finalized. I am always looking for feedback from the community on what you do or don’t like when it comes to gaming hardware. The more information I have from you, the better I can assist in providing feedback to the group and the better our products can help meet your needs.
So my point today is to let those of you who are not only fans of our hardware, but who are also gamers, know that we have a nice community over on the SideWinder Blog. Most of the time you will find tips and tricks on whatever the current flavor of the month is on the gaming front, as well as HD video captures of gameplay footage taken by myself. If you are lucky, you may get to see yourself in my videos as I tend to spend a lot of time playing with the folks who frequent the blog as well as those who follow us on twitter (@SideWinder_24x7). Between the two blogs, I also get the opportunity here and there to give away some nice SideWinder gear, like the new SideWinder X4 Keyboard or X8 Mouse. Also feel free to check out the new SideWinder Channel on Youtube, to see what we are playing now.
Over here on the Hardware Blog I will mostly be posting hardware information that relates to gaming, Tips and Tricks, Macros, etc… For those of you who are looking to jump online and get your game on, I will have plenty of content over on the SideWinder Blog for you as well. Between the two we should have plenty of fun on the way. If you are interested in hooking up with SideWinder for some gaming, you can always find me using the following:
Games for Windows/Xbox LIVE Gamertag: SideWinder 24×7
Steam: BluePhaze_v2
Steam Community ID: SideWinder 24×7 (http://Steamcommunity.com/id/SideWinder_24x7)
Raptr: SideWinder
I am always looking for some more friendly faces on the battlefield, so stop by, have some fun, and let me know what you think of our products.
Whoa. Sidewinder Mouses are pretty awesome. Mouses with more than a scroll wheel and two buttons are great in my eyes.
When it comes round to getting a new mouse, I will most likely get one of these beasts!
3:10 pm KrazyXP
You may have a chance to win one pretty soon. I will be doing some giveaways coming up, more details soon.
4:09 pm James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
Nice Blog, good read, definitely bookmarked your page. looking forward to more articles from you. nothing like the words from a gamers mouth, instead of those paid for articles on other sites. and always keep gaming!
4:40 pm w33z
Thanks w33z, I will keep it up, and look forward to bringing you more goodies in the future
5:16 pm James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
I’ll tell you, I’ve never been happier with a keyboard than I have been with my X6, and I suppose the only thing that I love more is my Sidewinder mouse.
What’s next for me? An X8, hands down a must have, as the only thing I really have come to be annoyed with on my Sidewinders (yes I have more than one) is the wire (even with the AWESOME wire management system it comes with) still can get in my way if I’m over-zealously over-compensating for my poor aiming skills
And James, great blog post my friend. Keep up the good work
5:22 pm ICptJackSparrow
@ICptJackSparrow I knew it! It was the wire affecting your aiming in Battlefield Bad Company 2! Next week you may get a chance to score an X8 over on the SideWinder Blog, so keep your fingers crossed, I will too
5:46 pm James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
please install a detent on the mouse scroll wheel. the free spinning wheel is a pain to use.
7:53 pm gary
@gary What mouse are you using?
8:33 pm James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
I won this great X4 keyboard from you. I think the keyboard feels lonely
Let’s see if I can win an X8 mouse.
Great write-up!
7:07 am Scott Ellison II
@James Waymire
i have 3 wireless 8000′s and an explorer bluetrack mouse. the explorer mouse is the worst, as it takes very little pressure to move the wheel, causing inadvertant scrolling.
also, while i’m at it, while changing the battery, the laser blinds you while you’re trying to open the cover. i know, you’re not supposed to do that, but even when the mouse is turned upside down, it blinds you. really something that should be looked at.
7:43 am gary
@Gary Thanks for the input, I will be sure to pass it along to the relevant parties. I mainly stick to gaming mice, so SideWinder for the most part, nice thing is they all have detents
not that it helps in your particular situation, but I too appreciate a good detent to my scroll.
9:44 am James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
I’ve had a Sidewinder mouse for years, with the eventual Gaming Rig in mind.
9:50 am Chad Bonin
@Chad Bonin Well if you want a chance to win another, or even one of our nice SideWinder X4 keyboards, feel free to check out the details of my upcoming giveaway over on the SideWinder Blog: http://SideWinderBlog.com we will have some nice prizes available.
10:21 am James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
@James
sure, we’ll call the cable the root of my deficient aiming
… and of course, I’ve been pining for an X8 since they came out, but hard to just buy another mouse when I have plenty that still work (including my two Sidewinders), but yes I’ll keep my fingers tightly crossed…
10:56 am ICptJackSparrow
@ICptJackSparrow Your gun could have been jammed
5:35 pm James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
Surgery went well, I have the details for our sidewinder giveaways up on the sidewinder blog, I will be posting more on Thursday this week. Keep checking back so you don’t miss you chance.
9:45 am James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
I will have a new post up this week for those interested in the SideWinder Giveaway happening later this week over on the sidewinder blog. Stay tuned, participate, win!
1:39 am James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
Ah, my new gaming machine will arrive tomorrow. My Dell XPS has had some issues, so they are replacing it with an Alienware Area 51, for more details check it out over on the SideWinder Blog: http://www.SideWinderBlog.com
2:03 am James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
I do believe your blog has been spam-botted
Oh, and if you get to keep your old Dell, I’ll take it off your hands for some, ummm, experimenting, ya that’s the ticket, experimenting…
8:53 pm ICptJackSparrow
Part 2 of the SideWinder Giveaway is now live on the SideWinder Blog, you have till Saturday to participate!
1:48 pm James Waymire (SideWinder 24×7)
Boom shkalakaa boom boom, problem solved.
9:36 pm Brandi
Great stuff, you hleped me out so much!
4:58 am Marden
I’m a fan of X8 (it’s the best mouse ever use), but I want to know if the mouse is compatible with one of Microsoft nano receiver. Mine is broken. I bought a other mouse and I want to connect my old one with my laptop. Thank for your answer
1:52 pm Reny