On 3/23/11 10:46 PM, John Gilmore wrote:
Consumer electronics maker Iomega is shipping an "iConnect" box with
similar electronics to the ShevaPlug. But unlike the GlobalScale
team, they seem to have done some marketing. We can learn from
them:
http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/network-storage-desktop/wireless-data-station/network-hard-drive-iconnect/
+1 to all your points.
Also, FWIW, if we're comparing existing consumer hardware - which I
think we should - I'd submit my Synology DS210j NAS for lessons to learn:
http://www.amazon.com/Synology-DiskStation-Diskless-Attached-DS211J/dp/B0049MPQGI/
In every other product, NAS (network addressable storage) always
seems to cost a minimum of $1000 more than the disk drives;
Here's this year's model, the DS211j, US$200 without disks:
http://www.synology.com/us/products/DS211j/index.php
Much pricier than the iConnect, but lots cheaper than a Drobo. There's
also the DS111j, US$150 and less 1 drive bay. I think the hardware in
these boxes are equivalent or worse than the SheevaPlug, at least on the
low-end of the Synology line up.
The reason I mention this NAS is that I think it does pretty well on all
the dimensions you mentioned as lessons for the FreedomBox, in
particular in the area of user interface and support:
http://www.synology.com/us/products/features/index.php
I have to say, the ExtJS-based DSM3.1 is one of the most usable and
solid web UI's I've seen for this kind of consumer device. It also
tolerates a pretty high degree of hacking / tweaking without running
afoul of manufacturer support policies. (eg. I just compiled node.js on
it last night using optware packages)
I'd hope we could at least match this kind of experience, eventually, on
a FreedomBox.
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