On Wed, 16 Jan 2002, Phoebus R. Dokos wrote:
> Just one thing, the IDE (w/ CF on) is already designed and practically
> ready (as released sometime ago by Nasta) (called the QubIDE II).... Maybe
> you should work with him on the subject.... ;-)
Maybe I am? ;P
> How about a Sound card instead of the IDE (I like the EtherQL idea a lot...
> go on with it)?
Well, I'd like to do lots of things, but... I have to prioritise. The QL
really needs ethernet, for a lot of reasons... QubIDE 2 is almost ready,
and may come in different forms and packages with different names. It's a
really small community - there are only a handful of people capable of
designing quality boards, and luckily, they're happy to share their work
for the benefit of the community. It makes sense to capitalise on that
work, with permission, to make a card that has a similar basic cost and
added functionality for the cost of two extra devices...
There are so many options. Nasta has clear views about the direction he'd
like to take. I have less clear views, and a different direction. With a
bit of co-operation all round, and careful planning, you could see
separate, compatible products emerging.
For example... (And I'm going to sound a lot like Nasta here ;)
Soon, out of necessity but also because of developments, we'll have to
move away from the original QL format and expansion methods. The expansion
port. Backplanes. Yuuuuck. (Ok, I don't sound like Nasta. He wouldn't say
"Yuck" when 500 words would do ;) These expansion cards must be useful, of
interest to the few dedicated dealers, and add something that's wanted.
Sound doesn't rate too highly on that list, imvvvho.
What we do need is new IDE interfaces out there. With support, and
features people want, like CF adaptors and ethernet. What's cool about
ethernet is it doesn't just have to be used as ethernet. Use the native
networking protocol... How fast would that be? Now think Real Time
Operating System. One of many options to increase volumes and reduce
prices for everyone.
Remember, I work at an ISP, and am surrounded by machines connected by
ethernet. A 10baseT connection is more important than a power supply!
That's the way the world is going. Sure, it's a 1984 machine, but if you
want to use it in 2004, you better have ethernet.
I am learning it's a complex market. I like the Q60. I like the idea of
the Goldfire, and I like the work I've seen so far. It's far better than
most of us could manage (myself included) and we need to make it happen,
not slip through our fingers due to lack of interest, or "market forces"
*smiles* I'm not going to deliberately make and sell something that will
make another project suffer. Instead, I'm working closely with Nasta and
others (since Nasta is truly the centre of development atm) to make
*compatible* products that have a market (QL add-ons) that doesn't compete
with the Goldfire or Q60, but enhances both.
Remember, after Goldfire, Aurora II (crosses fingers) could make all
existing QLs, SQBs, Auroras, QubIDEs etc redundant. A thriving 2nd hand
market overnight. This could (probably will) take years... Should the QL
be devoid of ethernet and fast IDE (a la QubIDE2) in the meantime?
> Even better how about designing an Q40/60 ISA to GF bus adapter?
Noted. I'll do a feasability study (a.k.a. ask Nasta ;) Actually, I
imagine it would be very simple...
What else, besides a sound card? (I don't use sound, and the beep was
quaint, ok? ;)
Dave
ql.spodmail.com
(Look in your closets and cupboards, find some QL items you want to sell,
and post them on the For Sale/Wanted list at ql.spodmail.com - hardware
*wants* to be used! ;)
