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Actually, I'm an engineer and I don't have anything sitting in a drawer that doesn't work. I fix most of my stuff when it croaks, and other people's stuff, too. When I buy something that doesn't work it goes back immediately. If something dies and is unrepairable, I throw usually it away, unless I can harvest some interesting parts before I throw it away. I make a lot of my own stuff. You can see some of it here: http://mark.rehorst.com
Cool stuff -- so okay, you don't have a junk drawer, but I still think that it's not that unusual :)
I had no trouble setting up my SB3 system, but I have maintained computers for other people for years, so I am familiar with "Joe Blow's" ability to deal with computer networks, software to rip, compress, and tag music files, and his ability to fix it when something goes wrong. I am also familiar with the effort he is willing to expend to get that cool sound system up and running. Most are not willing to do so.
Correct -- and that's okay. The same fellow doesn't have an RJ-45 crimper, either, and is more inclined to replace his wireless router than to change its default channel to one that doesn't conflict. He is not the target consumer for this product. If you want to make a product for him, fine, but changing this one into his product is a Bad Idea(TM).
Streaming video is obvious, making cake isn't.
Correct -- it's a "reductio ad absurdum" argument, used in order to point out that streaming video is outside of the functionality that the Slim Devices product line is currently targeted at. A video streaming product would be kinda cool, but it's not a Squeezebox+Slimserver, and I don't think it should be.
I think what is needed here is to separate the SB audio system from the home computer system. That means a box that works the minute you plug it in because that is all that Joe Blow can handle. That means plug in an internet connection, a CD player/ripper (or have one built in), all the software to rip, compress, and tag the music, a big HDD to store it on, and preconfigured wireless networking. Essentially a Sonos or similar competitive system without the amps built into the remote receivers and hopefully without the high prices, too.
There is only one reason to go into a market with a well-defined owner, and that is to trounce them by doing a better job. Sonos wins the turnkey solution folks, Slim wins the hackers. -- "I spent all me tin with the ladies drinking gin, So across the Western ocean I must wander" -- traditional _______________________________________________ discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
