pymissile package is outdated, maybe obsolete

Binary package hint: pymissile

The package's short description is: "Control Marks and Spencer USB Missile Launcher"

The software author has a video of the particular device in action (http://scott.weston.id.au/software/pymissile/). The problem is, there are two hardware versions of this device -- the original, unbranded (see http://www.cosky.com/usb_missile_launcher_of_the_year_award_2006) model shown in the video, and a new model with a built-in laser, branded as "Striker II". These two models apparently have the same USB Vendor/Product ID's, because I have the new version, and it is detected when I run pymissile. When no "compatible" devices are detected, the program outputs "No WMDs found." and exits. However, I am not able to control my Striker II device with the program. The videos clearly show the program worked at one time, but since then either the supporting libraries included in Ubuntu have changed to render it nonfunctional, or the communication protocol has changed with the new hardware model.

Marks and Spencer doesn't appear to sell the original toy anymore. Their only items related to USB are here: http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/search/202-8710768-0860637?ie=UTF8&flatten=1&rs=42966030&node=42966030&search-alias=MandS&keywords=USB&mnSBrand=core&field-merchant-id=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&rh=n%3A42966030%2Ck%3AUSB&field-keywords=USB&page=1

I've found one place in the UK that apparently still sells it (http://www.usbnow.co.uk/Gifts_&_Gadgets-Novelty/c65_78/p322/USB_Missile_Launcher/product_info.html), although details are scant enough that they may actually be selling the new model; everywhere else (e.g. http://www.kleargear.com/5004.html) is out of stock (likely permanently).

It is somewhat of a mystery who made the original model, but the most relevant Google hit seems to indicate that a company called "Ninja Gizmos" is the manufacturer of the improved, Striker II launcher, since they provide an API as a download:
http://www.ninjagizmos.com/images/Cubicle/Striker_II_USB_Laser_Guided_Missile_Launcher

There's reason enough to keep the pymissile package around, if it actually still works on the original launcher, as there are undoubtedly many of the original toys floating around (e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV6573UjSpc&NR=1). The real question is what to call the launcher (to disambiguate it with other rocket launchers), since it is certainly *not* "Marks and Spencer" any longer.

I propose changing the short description to "Control original Striker USB Missile Launcher".

Disclosure: I have written a program to control all the other models of USB missile launchers (http://pyrocket.googlecode.com/), and am looking for advocates to get the package (http://revu.ubuntuwire.com/details.py?upid=3406) into Ubuntu.