11/15/2012:
Leaving the entirety of the original post after this message I have neglected to update anything in this post for a while. Mostly because I found my answer:
The mod RedPower for Minecraft. This mod hands down adds everything to the game I ever wanted and more. Some stuff like the computers for example are a stretch for the minecraft universe, but once you start experimenting with frames you'll want one. What's more is that everything for this mod looks like it should belong in the game. Kudos to the author for keeping an authentic feel to it. I suggest this to anyone who loves redstone and wants to use it more. If anything just the way the wiring is changed makes it worth it. You'll never want to wire oldschool again once you build your circuits on walls and ceilings. At this point Mojang should buy this and put it into the game. Im all for it.
Original Message:
Okay it's been a while but it's time for an update to this. I kind of let it die. The original post came out about a month before we received the Redstone Repeater. Now we have the piston and let me just say, both of them are so useful, thank you Notch. Now for the improvised, expanded, and detailed Redstone Expansions thread!
Thanks to ImageShack.us for the free hosting for the pics.
[color=#408040]Redstone Repeater Inverter[/color]
This is a change to the current repeater. I want to remove the delay function from it and add it to a different block. This one instead works like the current repeater only as a torch. When it receives no power it sends no power, when it receives power it sends power. Right clicking this piece will invert it's function allowing us to condense an inverter down to one block. Power flow through this piece is 2 way but can be switched to 1 way. The default position will be 2 way repeat which will continue power both ways if supplied from either way. One right click makes it the 2 way inverter, one more is the 1 way repeater, then the last is the 1 way inverter. Some Uses for the RRI: Extend a circuit, invert a circuit, one way flow a circuit.
[color=#408040]Redstone Timing Switch[/color]
There are four modes to this piece, Delay, Pulser, Duration, and Counter. Right-clicking this piece will pull up a window where you can select the mode and value. Power flow through this piece is one way.
Delay Function-
Since I removed it from the repeater I'll take the time to mention it here. This is a component meant specifically for delaying a signal along redstone wire. Currently I believe a redstone torch is equal to .05ms delay, while the repeater, in it's default state, is equal to .1 then .2-.4 in its three switchable modes. This delay switch will give us more delay options. Currently to add a one second delay you need 3 repeaters, 2 set at .4 and one set at .2 (You basically have to put more down and add up.) So creating a retractable piston bridge which extends and retracts at nearly the same pace you can walk, you need delays of .3 between pistons and cramping them that tightly together eats up a ton of repeaters.
My original suggestion was to make a delay switch whose times were 1/8 through 10 second(s) per selection. I'd generally like to keep that. For this suggestion the delay choices are:
.1(D)then .2 - 60
Where one tenth a second is the default. When you place the Delay Switch it will delay any input by one tenth a second before sending it out. Right clicking the piece will allow you to change the default value to two tenths of a second up to sixty seconds. Some Uses: Time to get away or get to a location when activating a circuit.
Pulser Function-
This function replaces timing circuits, like a one clock or six clock, or even a circle of repeaters. When the piece receives power it begins to pulse it's output at intervals of the selection. The values are the same as the delay. So at default when this piece receives power it will pulse ten times a second. Bear in mind though that ten times a second is too fast for a redstone torch to keep up or even a dispenser to fire. To prevent SMP lag I would suggest a function being given to the server admin to make this piece burn out if it goes for longer than one minute. Players using this function should have a reset on it to prevent it from running constantly. Some Uses: Cram a timing circuit into a small location, or fire a dispenser at max speed.
Duration Function-
This mode simply changes the signal input to a predetermined length. A button powers a wire for about a second (not sure never counted) and a lever leaves it on. If you put a Timing Switch on a wire and set it on Duration then regardless of the length of time it's input lasts it will only output for the length of time that it is set at. So you can use this function to increase the amount of time a button opens a door to up to 60 seconds even. It's values are also the same as the delayer. If a lever runs through this piece, even though the lever's output remains on, the duration will only stay on until it reaches its time. To reactivate it you have to flip the lever off then back on. Some Uses: Increase or decrease a pulse length. Leave a door open longer or reduce a buttons output time.
Counter Function-
This mode is a data storage unit basically. It's times are 1 - 60. Using this piece with a Pulser would allow you to create a timing circuit with varying outputs. For example. A Pulser is outputting 10 times a second, and you wire it's output to 3 counters. One set at 2, one set at 5, and one set at 10. As the pulser blinks, the first counter will give an output 5 times a second, the next twice a second, and the last once a second. This could be used to create an elaborate beat machine with note blocks, or you could wire a pressure plate to a trap mechanism which would only go off on a second activation. So if you are being followed, your pursuer will activate it and not you. Some Uses: Activate a trap after a number of people pass. Create an elaborate beat box with one timer.
This piece is made to condense the size of current logic gate designs of AND, OR and NOT. We don't really need one but might as well have it if we're doing all this just to compact circuit size anyways and this one will be more functional. This block places like a piston and it's output will be in the direction facing away from you. Inputs can come in from all the opposing faces but the output will only be in the one direction that faces away from you when placed. This block allows you to have up to 5 inputs. By default this block is in AND mode. So when you place it, if every input is sending power it will output. In OR mode if any one or more of the wires but not all of them are on then it will output. In NOT mode if no inputs are providing power then it will output. This block will also cycle 3 additional modes nAND nOR and nNOT which is just the inverted options of the prior 3. AND gives no power if all 3 are active etc... This will actually give us a true OR switch. The current one tying together two inverters works as both an OR switch and an AND switch.
[color=#408040]Redstone Switch[/color]
This piece is a multiple output selection piece. It's made for a single input and can provide up to 3 outputs. Because of the complexity of it I'm not going to suggest making it possible to change redstone current above and below the block. Instead this one will flip between up to three choices. It places like the repeater. The direction towards you will be the expected input and the other 3 are the outputs. When you place this block it will give priority in a clockwise direction, so either the wire exiting the left side of the block to the direction you placed, or in front if no wire is placed on the left. When it receives an inputs it outputs on that wire. When the input ends it switches to the next wire and the next input passes through there. If there is no third wire it will then repeat through the first and continue through each additional wire. If you only place one wire as an output on this block it will work like a T flip flop. An input will activate it and leave it on, but it will require another output to shut it off. Now we can make very small flip flops. Uses: I see this being conveinent for create a complex maze, where buttons or pressure plates open doors and the next person to press that button will have a different door open then the last player.
[color=#408040]Redstone Movement Sensor[/color]
This piece is a new way to provide input other than with torch, button, plate, or lever. This block places like a dispenser. It's designed to be facing a block of air. When something occupies that block of air (water/lava flow, player, monster, item, or another block) it produces an output. This block can be placed with a rail piece in the space in front of it and it will read it as empty unless a cart passes through. Now you might say, "Wait we already have detector rails." Well yes we do, but place a RMS on the same level of track and you will detect the presence of carts; place it on the space above the rail, and you will detect loaded carts. Something the detector rail cannot do at this time.
[color=#408040]Redstone Bar[/color]
Created by placing 2 redstone vertical in the crafting bench, Redstone Bar works like redstone wire but with some advantages. It will produce nearly as much light as a redstone torch and will glow for 31 lengths from a source of power, twice as far as redstone wire. It's primary uses are for transmitting power vertical and preventing power cross over. Placing RB works like placing rails. They only connect in two directions, and once their directions are placed they will not change to another direction unless you break them. After watching people create displays with redstone I envison this redstone bar being used to activate pistons one at a time as one pixel each on a display and the bars being used to spread out their inputs from behind so that they don't activate each other. Since power can travel through a redstone bar without crossing over to other circuits you can compact a display down to a small size, although the rest of the circuit will still be quite large. It is not only useful for that however, being able to move a current directly up or down without having to stack redstone torches or create a lengthy stair will be useful. Plus it would make a neat decoration.
[color=#408040]Expanded Note Blocks
This is a simple request to have a larger note range and more instruments added for note blocks. What I would like to see is instead of the block under the note block setting the tone, the tone is set in the setup box. Perhaps also include some sound setup with the note blocks. Like if you block all sides of the note block except one, then only people in that direction of the note block will hear it and the sound will travel further. Like if I plug a note block in a wall of cobble only exposing one side and powering it from underneath with a redstone torch, it will work like an amplifier and transmit it's sound much further in that direction and hardly at all in any of the other directions.
Request at least however:
More instruments, larger range. (We definitly need more percussion instruments)
Also any instrument that can have a sustained note, make it so that if the input to the block remains on the note will sustain. A flute for example can hold a very long note but if the input is just a pulse then all we will get is a tweet. However tie in a Duration Piece as I suggested above and you can have a note hold for 10 seconds. Now that would make some interesting music in minecraft.
I would also like to see the addition of redstone blocks. They would have a similar function as iron, gold, and diamond blocks, allowing for better storage. Maybe redstone blocks would also be able to carry a current on all six sides of the block simultaneously? This would not only allow for circuits to be layed out horizontally, but they would also be able to be set up in a vertical arrangement as well.
I'm expecting to make it so we can run Redstone vertically as well as across ceilings. It was probably easier to do it the way it is now and in a later update we'll be able to do that. I'm also going to modify the OP after this one and add some more stuff I thought of.
I would also like to see the addition of redstone blocks. They would have a similar function as iron, gold, and diamond blocks, allowing for better storage. Maybe redstone blocks would also be able to carry a current on all six sides of the block simultaneously? This would not only allow for circuits to be layed out horizontally, but they would also be able to be set up in a vertical arrangement as well.
Perhaps this Redstone Block will provide power for double the distance a Redstone Torch? Just a thought. I haven't had storage issues with redstone yet I can always build more chests, but I haven't gotten into complicated builds yet.
Looks good, i guess I can put it in the OP. I see where your going with the redstone block. Perhaps much like the prox switch and trip beam you can combine one redstone ore with any other block which will create that block with redstone wire built in and will function as transmission while looking like all the surrounding blocks.
I like the first ideas, I think a diode/repeater/delayer block is going to be added to the game soon IIRC. Here's some possible notes for that drum block you mentioned btw:
Lowest Range - Bass Drum Lower Range - Toms, Timbals Middle Range - Snare High Range - Cymbals, Hi-Hat, maybe Cowbell for the lulz
Redstone blocks DEFINITELY need to be added. Fill the crafting grid with 9 redstone, that only takes 2-3 redstone ores to make one block, pretty fair. They would carry a current the exact same way redstone does, and would allow for vertical circuitry. Plus, they'd make a fine decoration or storage, much like diamond/gold/iron blocks.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say that there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe." -Frank Zappa
Redstone blocks DEFINITELY need to be added. Fill the crafting grid with 9 redstone, that only takes 2-3 redstone ores to make one block, pretty fair. They would carry a current the exact same way redstone does, and would allow for vertical circuitry. Plus, they'd make a fine decoration or storage, much like diamond/gold/iron blocks.
Sounds good, but I'd still like to see wires. Redstone columns would work too.
I like that idea. A one way circuit. The direction could be set by the position you are in when you place it. Works kind of like a resistor, Ill add it.
I agree that redstone needs some more features. What if you could lay down a wire and then right click it and it wont connect to any wires that it hasn't already connected to so you wouldnt need a gap between all of your wires. That would make it a lot easier to make everything smaller.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Quote from Kyudos »
Try this:
[*:18un7027]Go to a real farm
[*:18un7027]Find a pig
[*:18un7027]Punch it in the face
Put up as request? Sorry this is my first popular suggestion thread what do you mean?
Also I assume your talking about a T intersection. That's doable. Except that I think it should work with the redstone block someone suggested. A wire would divide it's current's up, as would a block, but if you place it you can cross two redstone circuits. The block would become a mediator between the currents.
[] [] 1
2, 3, 4
[] [] 5
If the chest were the Redstone block and you changed it's status to isolated then if one redstone wire brought power to it, instead of continuing power to the other three it would only power the line opposite the incoming current. (I think it would complicate things to make it work diagonal so i think having it work on opposing sides would be best.) Ex. Block 1 is activated. Block 3 powers wire 5. Block 2 becomes powered, so block 3 powers block 4. Block 2 loses it's current, block 3 stops current on block 4. Block 1 and 5 continue to operate without interruption.
I'm not familiar with Notch's code. From a programming perspective I see this being the easiest way to get it to work.
Ah i see. Yeah others have suggested that too but it complicates the code. They want something like data cables when what we're currently using works more like power lines. Unless you could rig up Pulser's and Delay's to work in unison. Have the Delay reset so if four pulses go out on the line the delay set at 4 actiavates and if there's one with 5 then it won't. However the way I currently have Delayers explained you can't reset their input value. I expect a lot of what I suggested to not be usable at the moment because of coding limitations. But I have heard about the varying currents.
One of the coolest I heard was yellow wires that are affected by light level so when it's bright the wires activate. This would allow you to create lights that turn on when it gets dark and shut off during the day.
ok... not sure if any one has sugested this but:
[]
[] [] []
in the 3x3 crafting grid would give you a "not" circit
where: is redstone torch and is redstone dust
That's why I suggested one block. To reduce the number of recipes. In fact the easiest thing would be to have all the blocks just one recipe and you right click to choose their function. Your suggestion is part of my Redstone Logic Switch, just the third mode.
I can't believe no one commented on my rail track upgrades. I think I enjoy making tracks more than I do anything else in the game. I just completed a cross map rail that takes me to a second base I created in a mountain. It's really fun to ride. Freaked me out too. Most of it is unlit and I didn't know monsters could spawn on a 1xN space. Plowed into a creeper twice already. Might have to walk the distance again and torch it up.
I can't believe no one commented on my rail track upgrades. I think I enjoy making tracks more than I do anything else in the game. I just completed a cross map rail that takes me to a second base I created in a mountain. It's really fun to ride. Freaked me out too. Most of it is unlit and I didn't know monsters could spawn on a 1xN space. Plowed into a creeper twice already. Might have to walk the distance again and torch it up.
If you're interested in minecart upgrades, you should check out my Minecarts Mk.II suggestion topic. Just click on my signature. I've kinda already covered all the ideas you mentioned here. :-)
:smile.gif: Yeah you went into a lot more detail than I did. I kinda like how your suggestions work. Although I'm sure Notch will fix the "boost glitch" I still wouldn't mind a system to propel my mine-carts at full speed to cover great distances in a short amount of time.
I linked your thread for minecart stuff in the description.
Btw, I just came across this article by Mojang in PC Gamer. It's official, apparently we will be getting a new block that will add more functionality to redstone! (Scroll down to "Minecraft: whats in the pipeline?"
Leaving the entirety of the original post after this message I have neglected to update anything in this post for a while. Mostly because I found my answer:
http://www.eloraam.com/
The mod RedPower for Minecraft. This mod hands down adds everything to the game I ever wanted and more. Some stuff like the computers for example are a stretch for the minecraft universe, but once you start experimenting with frames you'll want one. What's more is that everything for this mod looks like it should belong in the game. Kudos to the author for keeping an authentic feel to it. I suggest this to anyone who loves redstone and wants to use it more. If anything just the way the wiring is changed makes it worth it. You'll never want to wire oldschool again once you build your circuits on walls and ceilings. At this point Mojang should buy this and put it into the game. Im all for it.
Original Message:
Okay it's been a while but it's time for an update to this. I kind of let it die. The original post came out about a month before we received the Redstone Repeater. Now we have the piston and let me just say, both of them are so useful, thank you Notch. Now for the improvised, expanded, and detailed Redstone Expansions thread!
Thanks to ImageShack.us for the free hosting for the pics.
[color=#408040]Redstone Repeater Inverter[/color]
This is a change to the current repeater. I want to remove the delay function from it and add it to a different block. This one instead works like the current repeater only as a torch. When it receives no power it sends no power, when it receives power it sends power. Right clicking this piece will invert it's function allowing us to condense an inverter down to one block. Power flow through this piece is 2 way but can be switched to 1 way. The default position will be 2 way repeat which will continue power both ways if supplied from either way. One right click makes it the 2 way inverter, one more is the 1 way repeater, then the last is the 1 way inverter.
Some Uses for the RRI: Extend a circuit, invert a circuit, one way flow a circuit.
[color=#408040]Redstone Timing Switch[/color]
There are four modes to this piece, Delay, Pulser, Duration, and Counter. Right-clicking this piece will pull up a window where you can select the mode and value. Power flow through this piece is one way.
Delay Function-
Since I removed it from the repeater I'll take the time to mention it here. This is a component meant specifically for delaying a signal along redstone wire. Currently I believe a redstone torch is equal to .05ms delay, while the repeater, in it's default state, is equal to .1 then .2-.4 in its three switchable modes. This delay switch will give us more delay options. Currently to add a one second delay you need 3 repeaters, 2 set at .4 and one set at .2 (You basically have to put more down and add up.) So creating a retractable piston bridge which extends and retracts at nearly the same pace you can walk, you need delays of .3 between pistons and cramping them that tightly together eats up a ton of repeaters.
My original suggestion was to make a delay switch whose times were 1/8 through 10 second(s) per selection. I'd generally like to keep that. For this suggestion the delay choices are:
.1(D)then .2 - 60
Where one tenth a second is the default. When you place the Delay Switch it will delay any input by one tenth a second before sending it out. Right clicking the piece will allow you to change the default value to two tenths of a second up to sixty seconds.
Some Uses: Time to get away or get to a location when activating a circuit.
Pulser Function-
This function replaces timing circuits, like a one clock or six clock, or even a circle of repeaters. When the piece receives power it begins to pulse it's output at intervals of the selection. The values are the same as the delay. So at default when this piece receives power it will pulse ten times a second. Bear in mind though that ten times a second is too fast for a redstone torch to keep up or even a dispenser to fire. To prevent SMP lag I would suggest a function being given to the server admin to make this piece burn out if it goes for longer than one minute. Players using this function should have a reset on it to prevent it from running constantly.
Some Uses: Cram a timing circuit into a small location, or fire a dispenser at max speed.
Duration Function-
This mode simply changes the signal input to a predetermined length. A button powers a wire for about a second (not sure never counted) and a lever leaves it on. If you put a Timing Switch on a wire and set it on Duration then regardless of the length of time it's input lasts it will only output for the length of time that it is set at. So you can use this function to increase the amount of time a button opens a door to up to 60 seconds even. It's values are also the same as the delayer. If a lever runs through this piece, even though the lever's output remains on, the duration will only stay on until it reaches its time. To reactivate it you have to flip the lever off then back on.
Some Uses: Increase or decrease a pulse length. Leave a door open longer or reduce a buttons output time.
Counter Function-
This mode is a data storage unit basically. It's times are 1 - 60. Using this piece with a Pulser would allow you to create a timing circuit with varying outputs. For example. A Pulser is outputting 10 times a second, and you wire it's output to 3 counters. One set at 2, one set at 5, and one set at 10. As the pulser blinks, the first counter will give an output 5 times a second, the next twice a second, and the last once a second. This could be used to create an elaborate beat machine with note blocks, or you could wire a pressure plate to a trap mechanism which would only go off on a second activation. So if you are being followed, your pursuer will activate it and not you.
Some Uses: Activate a trap after a number of people pass. Create an elaborate beat box with one timer.
[color=#408040]Redstone Logic Switch[/color[/color]
This piece is made to condense the size of current logic gate designs of AND, OR and NOT. We don't really need one but might as well have it if we're doing all this just to compact circuit size anyways and this one will be more functional. This block places like a piston and it's output will be in the direction facing away from you. Inputs can come in from all the opposing faces but the output will only be in the one direction that faces away from you when placed. This block allows you to have up to 5 inputs. By default this block is in AND mode. So when you place it, if every input is sending power it will output. In OR mode if any one or more of the wires but not all of them are on then it will output. In NOT mode if no inputs are providing power then it will output. This block will also cycle 3 additional modes nAND nOR and nNOT which is just the inverted options of the prior 3. AND gives no power if all 3 are active etc... This will actually give us a true OR switch. The current one tying together two inverters works as both an OR switch and an AND switch.
[color=#408040]Redstone Switch[/color]
This piece is a multiple output selection piece. It's made for a single input and can provide up to 3 outputs. Because of the complexity of it I'm not going to suggest making it possible to change redstone current above and below the block. Instead this one will flip between up to three choices. It places like the repeater. The direction towards you will be the expected input and the other 3 are the outputs. When you place this block it will give priority in a clockwise direction, so either the wire exiting the left side of the block to the direction you placed, or in front if no wire is placed on the left. When it receives an inputs it outputs on that wire. When the input ends it switches to the next wire and the next input passes through there. If there is no third wire it will then repeat through the first and continue through each additional wire. If you only place one wire as an output on this block it will work like a T flip flop. An input will activate it and leave it on, but it will require another output to shut it off. Now we can make very small flip flops.
Uses: I see this being conveinent for create a complex maze, where buttons or pressure plates open doors and the next person to press that button will have a different door open then the last player.
[color=#408040]Redstone Movement Sensor[/color]
This piece is a new way to provide input other than with torch, button, plate, or lever. This block places like a dispenser. It's designed to be facing a block of air. When something occupies that block of air (water/lava flow, player, monster, item, or another block) it produces an output. This block can be placed with a rail piece in the space in front of it and it will read it as empty unless a cart passes through. Now you might say, "Wait we already have detector rails." Well yes we do, but place a RMS on the same level of track and you will detect the presence of carts; place it on the space above the rail, and you will detect loaded carts. Something the detector rail cannot do at this time.
[color=#408040]Redstone Bar[/color]
Created by placing 2 redstone vertical in the crafting bench, Redstone Bar works like redstone wire but with some advantages. It will produce nearly as much light as a redstone torch and will glow for 31 lengths from a source of power, twice as far as redstone wire. It's primary uses are for transmitting power vertical and preventing power cross over. Placing RB works like placing rails. They only connect in two directions, and once their directions are placed they will not change to another direction unless you break them. After watching people create displays with redstone I envison this redstone bar being used to activate pistons one at a time as one pixel each on a display and the bars being used to spread out their inputs from behind so that they don't activate each other. Since power can travel through a redstone bar without crossing over to other circuits you can compact a display down to a small size, although the rest of the circuit will still be quite large. It is not only useful for that however, being able to move a current directly up or down without having to stack redstone torches or create a lengthy stair will be useful. Plus it would make a neat decoration.
[color=#408040]Expanded Note Blocks
This is a simple request to have a larger note range and more instruments added for note blocks. What I would like to see is instead of the block under the note block setting the tone, the tone is set in the setup box. Perhaps also include some sound setup with the note blocks. Like if you block all sides of the note block except one, then only people in that direction of the note block will hear it and the sound will travel further. Like if I plug a note block in a wall of cobble only exposing one side and powering it from underneath with a redstone torch, it will work like an amplifier and transmit it's sound much further in that direction and hardly at all in any of the other directions.
Request at least however:
More instruments, larger range. (We definitly need more percussion instruments)
Also any instrument that can have a sustained note, make it so that if the input to the block remains on the note will sustain. A flute for example can hold a very long note but if the input is just a pulse then all we will get is a tweet. However tie in a Duration Piece as I suggested above and you can have a note hold for 10 seconds. Now that would make some interesting music in minecraft.
I would also like to see the addition of redstone blocks. They would have a similar function as iron, gold, and diamond blocks, allowing for better storage. Maybe redstone blocks would also be able to carry a current on all six sides of the block simultaneously? This would not only allow for circuits to be layed out horizontally, but they would also be able to be set up in a vertical arrangement as well.
Perhaps this Redstone Block will provide power for double the distance a Redstone Torch? Just a thought. I haven't had storage issues with redstone yet I can always build more chests, but I haven't gotten into complicated builds yet.
Sounds good, but I'd still like to see wires. Redstone columns would work too.
Due to a planned future update my idea no longer valid.
I support:
Also I assume your talking about a T intersection. That's doable. Except that I think it should work with the redstone block someone suggested. A wire would divide it's current's up, as would a block, but if you place it you can cross two redstone circuits. The block would become a mediator between the currents.
[] [] 1
2, 3, 4
[] [] 5
If the chest were the Redstone block and you changed it's status to isolated then if one redstone wire brought power to it, instead of continuing power to the other three it would only power the line opposite the incoming current. (I think it would complicate things to make it work diagonal so i think having it work on opposing sides would be best.) Ex. Block 1 is activated. Block 3 powers wire 5. Block 2 becomes powered, so block 3 powers block 4. Block 2 loses it's current, block 3 stops current on block 4. Block 1 and 5 continue to operate without interruption.
I'm not familiar with Notch's code. From a programming perspective I see this being the easiest way to get it to work.
One of the coolest I heard was yellow wires that are affected by light level so when it's bright the wires activate. This would allow you to create lights that turn on when it gets dark and shut off during the day.
[]
[] [] []
in the 3x3 crafting grid would give you a "not" circit
where: is redstone torch and is redstone dust
That's why I suggested one block. To reduce the number of recipes. In fact the easiest thing would be to have all the blocks just one recipe and you right click to choose their function. Your suggestion is part of my Redstone Logic Switch, just the third mode.
If you're interested in minecart upgrades, you should check out my Minecarts Mk.II suggestion topic. Just click on my signature. I've kinda already covered all the ideas you mentioned here. :-)
EDIT: Oh, you already found it. Nevermind.
I linked your thread for minecart stuff in the description.
I dunno about you, but I'm excited! :biggrin.gif: