[oc] Re: Jim Turley's article at Embedded.com

[Tom Walsh <tom@cyberiansoftware.com>]

Pablo Bleyer Kocik wrote:
> 
>   Embedded.com has just published an "interesting" article about
> Open-Source Hardware by Jim Turley. Too biased... if you ask me.
> 

The article really is an Apples to Oranges comparison.  The development
tools (resources) to build software have had 30 years to mature to what
they are today.  Fundementally, all we needed was a place to store bits
and a processor to munch on them..  We have had that place to build /
test software for a very long time.

The comparison that the author attempts to make about hardware being on
the same parity level as software, is erroneous and shows some ignorance
of the industry.  Sort of like the fourth year engineering student that
was attempting to convince me that it was a bright idea to implement a
custom processor in ECL logic, my answer to that was to ask "at what
Amperage".  IMO, both started out with an assumption that was not based
in practical terms.

The fact is that the densities of gate array logic necessary to achieve
the level of complexity necessary to implement a processor has not been
around for very many years.  Yes, those of you engaged in cutting edge
development of bit-slice systems, with deep-pocketed employers, have
been playing with this stuff for over 10 years.  The rest of us are
faced with the same reality as programmers in the 1950's & 1960's had,
gaining access to the technology required for implementation and a cost
effective means of deployment.

Folks, there is nothing worth reading here, please move along now...

TomW


-- 
Tom Walsh - WN3L - Embedded Systems Consultant
http://openhardware.net, http://cyberiansoftware.com
"Windows? No thanks, I have work to do..."
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