DirectX SDK samples : The samples from the SDK provide to be more useful (so far) than ones I'm finding online. The problem with sources elsewhere is that they may not be written using DirectX. The drawback of the SDK samples is that they are not the 'easiest' thing in the world to understand. But as they say "learn from examples". Dave gave a good suggestion too : "Understand the concept!"
- Ethan 4/16

Reading "3D Game programming" by Peter Walsh : This book goes into various DirectX components in a good way. I've found it very useful to understand how DirectX and Windows calls works together. It also goes into COM, which seems to be how DirectX works. I'm glad I understand COM's O.O. design from compilers...
- Ethan 4/17

Attempt to integrate with a simple base program : I'm in the process to actually use the DirectInput calls to interact with a base graphics program that Dave has provided. This is great, as I don't have to worry about the graphics at all. The plan is to have both keyboard and mouse input. Plans for the future input devices will be easy to implement with DirectInput. A possibility of using 2 mouse devices may aid game play for 2 players on a single computer. This is something on the 'wish list'...but the thought is in the air.
- Ethan 4/17

90% completed
1. Original DirectInput code grabbed from DirectX SDK
2. Dave provided a simple program that had simple graphic object. Added gluLookat for rotating the object with Windows API keyboard call. Replaced Windows API calls with DirectInput including keyboard and mouse button calls.
3. Further simplified and cleaned the code for easier integration later on.
4. Successfully able to move a rectangle and view around in octtree world with keyboard input.
5. To further make all DirectInput calls, I'm attempting to remove Window's mouse x,y,z location calls. Having a small issue on the mouse location.
6. For next week, finish porting mouse x,y,z over to DirectInput format.
- Ethan 4/25

Have not had time to update this. Next week, will really finish porting mouse x,y,z over to DirectInput format.
- Ethan 5/1