Re: OPENPPC>: Re: [openppc] Future of openppc.org and openppc.com domains

[John Griessen <john_g@cibolo.com>]

On Saturday 31 August 2002 12:51 am, Alan Grimes wrote:
> MEE TOOO!!
>
> Yeah, this just sucks with absolutly no choice when it comes to
> architectures.
.
.
.
.
> The machine behind me, the one I never got around to getting a job to
> get the money to finish has nothing but a classic 8-slot AT passive
> backplane in it. PICMG is not a very good standard as it takes two of
> your PCI address lines (A deficiency in the PCI spec) but it is
> definitely in the right direction:
>
> Modular obsolescance resistant design.
>
> Assuming people made them, I could install any storage system ever
> designed in my 486. It is currently running two HDs and a CD-ROM.
>
> All your motherboard needs are good buses and a clean design. Build it
> and I'll buy... as soon as I can figure out how to make some money. =P

How about the firewire bus.... Some drive makers now support it, and it may 
get some peripheral support like USB.  That would approach your desired kind 
of motherboard.  VIA has low heat processors, but they cram everything on a 
motherboard.  All that is lacking is to re design one for firewire, and leave 
off the peripherals.  As a test bed, you could get a $129 VIA EPIA, (which Is 
crammed with peripherals), and jsut not use them.   Add a firewire card, and 
start system protyping along.  When tested well, make a motherboard.  It is a 
product idea that goes well with industrial motherboard market....  you could 
actually make money at it.    Are you circuit board averse?   I'm not.   
Maybe we could collaborate --- you do system testing, I help with hardware 
choices first before testing, then again with productizing and cost 
minimizing the motherboard.

Viable openPPC project?    See, there are some lurkers here....  Maybe this 
idea is enough to merit the web site names even?

John Griessen
Austin TX, (Worked at Moto when the millionth PPC T-shirts were printed, but I 
never worked at Somerset)

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