Well the catch is that using a gamepad *might* be considered a violation of
the TOS -- from all the "official" comments, it seems that VI views gamepads
as "macroing". Taking that into consideration, they also have backed off
that stance somewhat since using a gamepad to twist songs (and it is NOT
reliable in a battle due to missed notes, lag etc.) can offer relief to
someone who is suffering from a physical disability, a repetitive stress
condition etc.. I think the best guideline to go by is to NEVER leave your
gamepad alone with a repetive "macro" going when you are not at the
keyboard.

I personally use a Microsoft Sidewinder Pro, which has software that allows
you to program in extremely long series of keystrokes (my heal\mana sequence
lasts 10 minutes and my levitate\selos sequence lasts 20 minutes). Other
gamepads allow programming keystrokes and also have an auto-fire button,
which would be better suited to this application.

The big thing about using a gamepad to twist is you have to stop it from
twisting to say anything. Also if you are using it for travel, and you miss
a couple notes in a row trying to play levitation, well lets just say its
not the fall that kills you - its the sudden stop.

Lago Bardoon of Bertoxxulous, Bard of the 37th Composition, Defenders of
Aleria