On Wed, Aug 30, 2006 at 08:38:19PM +0100, Peter TB Brett wrote:
>
> Going back to the fixed frequency monitor controversy (sorry), from the
> customer's point of view it's much better to ask the reseller to set up the
> configuration they require. That way, if it blows their monitor up it's
> clearly not their fault! In addition, *I'd* much rather pay £5 for the
> reseller's services than pay £30 for a SPI programming board I'd use only
> once (better for the environment too). Though I think some sort of SPI
> programming tool is definitely going to be useful, even if only for resellers
> and Hardcore Hardware Hackers.
That's a matter of very individual preference, as you suggested in
your last sentence.
A non-technical user who expects to set up for just one monitor and
stick with it may very well prefer to have the local dealer set the special
mode. (A mail-order house probably wouldn't be willing to offer that
service under any circumstances.)
A user with an x86 box with a bootable CD drive and a spare VGA
monitor (and without a wife who raises holy Hell if he brings another bulky
piece of equipment into the house) might be fine with a live CD or
self-booting floppy carrying a setup utility. But that's a lot of ifs.
Been there, done that, didn't like the hoops I had to jump through at all.
Someone who can read a monitor spec sheet and the Video Timings
HOWTO may prefer to keep all future options open. The DIP switch tool
_always_ works. Doesn't matter what kind of monitor, what kind of CPU
architecture, what I/O devices, whether the CMOS settings are correct and
will allow the machine to boot, or any other conditionals. It works.
Period. The peace of mind is worth £30.
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