[Paul Victorey]

I can't email at all at the moment -- stupid university outbound mail server has been "blacklisted" as a spamming relay, and most of my mail is forbidden if I try to email non-campus addresses. Hope it gets fixed soon.

Actually, I just realized that, at the moment, a computer simulated hand would probably be ideal for testing. Being as the control mechanism is only loosely tied in with the actual mechanical interface, and being as the mechanical interface could be tweaked afterwards, I think I will begin building a simulation program. The real trick is going to be getting inputs from a multitude of sensors into the computer, but I'm an ECE type so I think it's very doable.

The simulation also would make it easier to test, as it would simplify the needed logic. Yet at the same time a simulation would be an excellent first test of the theory, as it tests all of the uncertain elements of the design.

Once I get a control system that is successful I could probably get the aid of our local robotics organization to help with the mechanical design.