Re: LANceGS Ethernet Card: First Look

["**** ****" <***@***.com>]

DawnWolf wrote in message ...
>"**** ****" <***@***.com> wrote:
>Do not misunderstand me: If you do pull this off, and it works, and so
>on, I'll be among the first to applaude. The more hardware and
>software, the merrier. But the way you have attacked existing product
>so far ("at least we can learn from their errors"), and have attacked
>anyone who is even slightly critical, does not make doing business
>with you an inviting prospect.


I don't want your applause. I often feel those who 'congratulate' others are
full of shit, and up to something. I don't attack, I defend. They could
learn from our errors too, truth be told, but they'd have to delay the
release by 6 months. There is no shame in mistakes, but they can be so
valuable to the next guy who comes along, if he only takes the time to
notice. Criticism I welcome, and you are worth responding to. You already
have brought up several valid points, and if you were only a little bit more
polite, it'd be so much easier to thank you. Even so, you have my gratitude.

The gold-plating seems 'popular' among those who've expressed interest.
Personally, I don't think it's exactly necessary. If I'm wrong, someone will
correct me, to be sure. This will be a 2 layer board, and it will be small.
How small, remains to be seen, but I think that if we shoot for 2.5" x 2.75"
we'll come pretty close. I would love to see it fit in that area, because
the card could be rectangular, saving on all the little notches and cuts.
Not to mention how many will fit on a standard blank. Think about it, if we
split a standard 2 layer blank by 25 people, how much will it cost? Even at
$500, that is only $20 for a pro-made pcb (which if you had ever seen any of
my attempts at etching my own, you'd know $20 is a true bargain). I think we
can do better than that. It's best if I don't stray into hardware design too
much though, because I am just barely out of the "talking out of my ass"
category. I am learning as I go, and I'm more secretary than manager, more
manager than engineer. If I am wrong about PCB prices, then at least you see
that component prices won't get in our way. One way or another, this will be
done. And I'm damn close to showing that it will be around $50, if not
under.

Now, all that said, it's time to explain this one concept that everyone has
so much trouble understanding. When people are willing to be polite enough
to each other, and when they realize they have common goals, they can do
things that they can't do on their own. Now, here is where you say "yeh, but
if I cooperate, everyone else will run off, leaving me holding the bag". You
aren't protecting yourself, you are sabotaging an effort. Whether you
realize it or not.

John Oyler
http://aIIethernet.tripod.com/
jojo4@va.mediaone.net