Jack Carroll wrote:
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.
Probably the tool makes some sense for VARs to use and they will
probably be a significant distribution channel for our product.
OTOH, a person that has a fixed and non-standard sync frequency monitor
is probably likely to the the type the either built his own system or
had it built for him at the local White Box VAR. If (s)he built it,
then (s)he will probably have the tech knowledge to set it up with a VGA
or TV. If a White Box store built it, they need only hook it up to a
VGA and program it for the customer since they need to test the system
anyhow.
--
JRT
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