----- Original Message -----
From: "denon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 3:50 PM
Subject: RE: no floppies?
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> There are tons of flash solutions that would work for Gnatbox. GTA even
has
> developed support for one, which they use in the GB-100. Why don't they
> release it to non-GB100 users? Simple, why sell one product when you can
> sell two.
>
This seems a little inflammatory, but I'll respond anyway.
How many drivers do you think that you can fit on a single disk? Think
about it, many of these flash solutions require that they be attached to a
IDE interface. Not all IDE chipsets are the same, or take the same
parameters, and unfortunately many of them are buggy, requiring workarounds.
Hence, different drivers. If you can, look at the Linux kernel compilation
menu (Yes, I *KNOW* that GB doesn't run on linux, but follow me), there are
such workarounds/drivers for MANY controllers in the IDE section.
It would seem that GTA can control the design, and hence, the chipset for
the GB-100 appliance, insuring that they only have to provide one to two
drivers on the disk. This is far easier to do, obviously. To respond to
your statement as to why they possibly can't, their hardware implementation
may not be commonly available to us as end users. For all we know, it could
be a custom PCB layout/card design or something.
You would imply that they are doing it to screw us over. I think it's being
done for purely technical reasons. Some customers may not want to have to
implement a separate computer and wants a "turnkey" solution for their
troubles, anyway.
Signing off,
Joseph C. Bender,
Systems Analyst, Burns & Wilcox, LTD
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
248-932-9000
#include <std_disclaimer.h>
My opinions are NOT that of Burns&Wilcox Ltd.
