Question for Fireworks experts (hardware)

[anya.sparrow]

I have a couple of questions for you fireworks experts, if you don't mind.

I have managed to get to 240,000 a couple of times, but lately it seems that my mouse and keyboard do not want to keep up with me.

1) Do you guys have a favorite mouse? I am using a Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0. It's OK, but is it worth upgrading in order to do better on Fireworks? (Note: I am trying to stick with wireless because I share the computer with a lefty and I am a righty... wireless helps...)

2) Has anyone ever "killed" their left/right arrow keys? I am finding that my keyboard will sometimes not change the type of firework for me and it is really killing my game...

Sorry for these lame questions. Ah, the obsession that is earning credits / magic.

Thanks for any help!

 

[bevgray]

Hi, back in beta, I used a wireless optical mouse. I switched to a wired mouse and my score went up around 10,000 points. Since the wireless sends signals in bursts, it is not going to give you maximum advantage in the game. Same thing with a wireless keyboard so if you can get wired components, it may help your game.

 

[SilentPedro]

It may also help if you exit any other applications (AIM, Chat, Media Player, Other Interenet Windows) as these have been known to slow down VMK and cause lag bursts in games.

 

[AmberDaze]

When I started playing and managed to get scores below 240,000, I used a regular Microsoft Optical USB mouse. After months of practice, I managed to get over 280,000. But then...my mouse stopped responding and I had to get a new one. I tried a wireless mouse (which didn't work for me), and also a gaming mouse (I found these to be way too heavy). I even tried different mousepads (I liked the metal mousepad by Allsop, but it ended up scratching the pads on my mouse. I ended up going back to a plain Microsoft Optical USB mouse. This one works best for me.

 

[Sparkle_Cherry]

It may also help if you exit any other applications (AIM, Chat, Media Player, Other Interenet Windows) as these have been known to slow down VMK and cause lag bursts in games.

I normally close down all of my other programs and windows when I'm playing fireworks. However, you might be surprised to know that my last two fireworks high scores I achieved while listening to that old Ashanti (feat. Ja Rule) MEZMERIZED song on my media player I find fireworks music is junk, silent is junk, and any other songs I listen to mess me up. Its only this one song that works for me.

~C.B.

 

[anya.sparrow]

Hi, back in beta, I used a wireless optical mouse. I switched to a wired mouse and my score went up around 10,000 points. Since the wireless sends signals in bursts, it is not going to give you maximum advantage in the game. Same thing with a wireless keyboard so if you can get wired components, it may help your game.

ty for the advice. Kind of what I was worried everyone would say. I may have to consider getting the wired stuff just for fireworks time.

 

[anya.sparrow]

It may also help if you exit any other applications (AIM, Chat, Media Player, Other Interenet Windows) as these have been known to slow down VMK and cause lag bursts in games.

I have a pretty slick PC, but I will definitely try that before I switch to wired or spend actual $$

 

[anya.sparrow]

When I started playing and managed to get scores below 240,000, I used a regular Microsoft Optical USB mouse. After months of practice, I managed to get over 280,000. But then...my mouse stopped responding and I had to get a new one. I tried a wireless mouse (which didn't work for me), and also a gaming mouse (I found these to be way too heavy). I even tried different mousepads (I liked the metal mousepad by Allsop, but it ended up scratching the pads on my mouse. I ended up going back to a plain Microsoft Optical USB mouse. This one works best for me.

Totally helpful! And by the way, I *run* when you are in the fireworks lobby!

(P.S.... this is not to hurt anyone else's feelings in this *helpful* thread. A Days is the only one I have seen in game )

 

[anya.sparrow]

I normally close down all of my other programs and windows when I'm playing fireworks. However, you might be surprised to know that my last two fireworks high scores I achieved while listening to that old Ashanti (feat. Ja Rule) MEZMERIZED song on my media player I find fireworks music is junk, silent is junk, and any other songs I listen to mess me up. Its only this one song that works for me.

~C.B.

I am pretty used to the fireworks music now. I saw a (new?) Lassie trailer on TV recently and shouted out "omg that's the fireworks soundtrack!!!!"

 

[PurpleDucky]

I use a logitech mediaplay wireless mouse and is works flawlessly

 

[AmberDaze]

Totally helpful! And by the way, I *run* when you are in the fireworks lobby!

(P.S.... this is not to hurt anyone else's feelings in this *helpful* thread. A Days is the only one I have seen in game )

He he...aww, don't run away! Play a game with me! BTW...what is your current title now? I've lost track...

 

[Tampa]

In my left hand I use a belkin FPS shooter pad, and in the right a marble mouse:

 

[Sparkle_Cherry]

In my left hand I use a belkin FPS shooter pad, and in the right a marble mouse:

That looks expensive! If I showed you a picture of my mouse, you would probably cringe.

~C.B.

 

[anya.sparrow]

He he...aww, don't run away! Play a game with me! BTW...what is your current title now? I've lost track...

VMK made my change my name sooooooo many times, but "PirateAnya" has stuck for just over a week now. Hopefully those evil name checkers will leave me alone for a while

OK, AmberDaze, I won't shy away next time. I'll come up to you and say "Hey, it's me... the girl with all the titles!!!"

P.S. New batteries in the keyboard have seemed to help the "arrow" problem I was having. I could have sworn I just changed those like a month ago so I didn't think that would be it! A couple of AA's cost me a bunch of credits, lol.

 

[birdmom]

good advice from all thanks!

 

[AmberDaze]

VMK made my change my name sooooooo many times, but "PirateAnya" has stuck for just over a week now. Hopefully those evil name checkers will leave me alone for a while

OK, AmberDaze, I won't shy away next time. I'll come up to you and say "Hey, it's me... the girl with all the titles!!!"

P.S. New batteries in the keyboard have seemed to help the "arrow" problem I was having. I could have sworn I just changed those like a month ago so I didn't think that would be it! A couple of AA's cost me a bunch of credits, lol.

I will be looking for you!

 

[Beherenow]

I use a Razer Diamondback gamer mouse. It did improve my game ever so slightly when I changed to it, but most likely because my previous mouse was terrible. The things that made the most difference in my game was processor speed and practice.

 

[Peacefully]

If it helps any, my best score ever (around 272,000) was done on my laptop computer, with nothing else running, with a plain cheap microsoft USB mouse (I hook a mouse into my laptop cause I hate the touchpad mouse that's on it) and the keyboard already on the computer. The mouse was actually on my bed, since that's where I usually use my laptop. Of course I don't play fireworks much anymore so I'm really out of practice. *shrug*

 

[bopper]

I found that a wired mouse gave a better response than a wireless mouse for fireworks. There was too much of a lag with the wireless mouse.

 

[Momie]

I am pretty used to the fireworks music now. I saw a (new?) Lassie trailer on TV recently and shouted out "omg that's the fireworks soundtrack!!!!"[/QUOTE


I heard the fireworks music on that also, and don't forget the music for Small World Imports on that cracker commercial.

I also know I am not winning if Amberdaze is playing. Good work Amberdaze! You have us all running.

Robin
(LucyBell)