On Fri, 2003-02-21 at 17:17, Andrew Jorgensen wrote: > Bryan, you've used VHDL. It's a little different, but IMHO it really > is a lot like programming, you just have to think in parrallel instead > of strict serial.
It's true that hardware design is looking more and more like software design, but it's still not as simple as just compile and run. You can get free VHDL simulators, but synthesis (turning vhdl in to actual hardware netlists) and layout (turning netlists into a silicon layout) are still difficult tasks that are only automated by vendors who don't give there services out for free. And then you have to manufacture it. > > Also, I think there's a big difference between HP or Intel and IEEE. > HP and Intel are members of IEEE. IEEE is a non-profit standards body > (amongst other things), HP and Intel are for-profit corporations. This is true, but as far as setting standards, the industry usually doesn't base decisions on "standards" solely on which organization came up with it, or the "purity" of that organization, however unfortunate that may be. > > > many open source hardware projects, or even open source hardware design > > software out there. Sure, any college kid can write a kernel in his > > bedroom... I can see why most just buy from Intel. > > You're right that it's harder to fiddle with hardware than with > software, but not much harder than it was to fiddle with software back > when RMS started the GNU project. I'm thinking it still takes a lot more capital to build hardware than software ever took. Do have a fab available to you for free? Bryan > > > > > Bryan > > > > > > ____________________ > > BYU Unix Users Group > > http://uug.byu.edu/ > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > List Info: http://phantom.byu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uug-list > > > ____________________ > BYU Unix Users Group > http://uug.byu.edu/ > ___________________________________________________________________ > List Info: http://phantom.byu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uug-list > ____________________ BYU Unix Users Group http://uug.byu.edu/ ___________________________________________________________________ List Info: http://phantom.byu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uug-list
