Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!mcvax!cernvax!zofka
From: zofka@cernvax.UUCP (zofka)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: AppleTalk, Networking, Amigas and Offices
Message-ID: <651@cernvax.UUCP>
Date: 19 Apr 88 08:44:08 GMT
References: <648@cernvax.UUCP> <1151@sbcs.sunysb.edu>
Reply-To: zofka@cernvax.UUCP ()
Organization: CERN European Laboratory for Particle Physics, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Lines: 83
Keywords: AppleTalk, Network

Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: AppleTalk, Networking, Amigas and Offices
Summary: 
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References: <648@cernvax.UUCP> <1151@sbcs.sunysb.edu>
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Organization: CERN European Laboratory for Particle Physics, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Keywords: AppleTalk, Network

>> If you need an cheap, low-cost, auto-config, zorro,... board for your
>> software, I CAN DO IT. I have currently two quiet terminated development
>> and it's very easy to implement fast serial lines (specialized chips
>> exists and doesn't cost a lot). 25 chips on a card, including auto-conf
>> and buffering and for 200$ we can have an AppleTalk... And for A500
>> thru A99999999 ;-).
>> 
>
>	I've looked at it, and I can tell you that you will not be
>	able to build it, sell it, and make money at a $200 price point.
>	In the first place, you will not be able to play the same
>	games as Apple did in their implementation, ie basically have
>	the processor poll the serial port.  The data comes in at
>	about 230.4 Khz/8, and you can't catch it byte by byte with the
>	processor and still multitask.  You will need DMA or at least
>	a small processor + buffer ram on the card.  All of this drives
>	the cost up.  

   I'm not so sure... A processor costs 2-3 $ 32k memory 2$ one pal
   for 1.5 $ and logic for 10 $. The printed circuit is the most expensive
   and the connectors (50 $)... all for 100$. Why every time people talk
   about profit. Few $$$ for few hours of work is enough for people how
   love their work...
>
>	The other problem with Appletalk, at least if you listen to people
>	who have them running is that it doesn't scale, it doesn't give
>	you the bandwidth you need, etc.  We ought to learn this lesson
>	from the Mac people before we go out and build a network interface
>	that is already obsolete.

   Obsolete but they sell it every day.. I.B.M is also obsolete. New
   machines are also obsolete but they sell thousand and thousand of
   pc because there is a lot of software, lowcost networks a.s.o.
   (& nice screens (personnal opinion!!))

>> I have no time to develop software like networks but a small card is only
>> few weeks to develop (I can write the driver too if you need).
>> 
>
>	If you have no time to develop, then you clearly have no time to
>	do the support work.  Ameristar spends quite a bit of telephone
>	time doing support, eg helping people debug their networks they
>	already have installed before the Amiga ever arrived!
>
>> Time to create the NDG no ? (Network Development Group)...

   We are talking about a development group how don't look for real
   profit and $$ but that can help commodore and Amiga to be at the top.
   Imagine, we have a multi-standards-compatibility system... The ameristar
   Ethernet card is a great example but I have a friend with a little
   store and 2 amigas for bills and stock control... Ethernet and
   2000$ investment ??? Impossible 500$ yes...

   zofka@cernvax.UUCB
   zofka@cernvm  (Bitnet)
   milan@BIX     (Bix)

   Milan Zofka 26, rte d'Annecy  CH-1256 TROINEX  GENEVA SWITZERLAND
   =========================================================================
>
>						Rick Spanbauer
>						SUNY/Stony Brook
>						(& Ameristar)

   Ohhh, one more thing, People talk a lot about products for the amiga
   and networking. The only two things I have seen up today are your
   ethernet product (nice) and DNET (nice too but I don't have it!).
   The others ??? waporware ? I have a CLtd Disk and I wrote last year
   two times to CLtd to have informations about SCSI network and
   opticaldisk.device (SCSI too)... Nothing... No reply, no answer...
   nothing...