Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:23:51 -0500 From: Rick N <solarux@hotmail.com> To: <emailrob@emailrob.com>, <freebsd-chat@freebsd.org> Subject: RE: LinuxBSDos.com article Message-ID: <BAY113-W451652B2AB734BA2A6C98AA1460@phx.gbl> In-Reply-To: <4B7ECA05.8070502@emailrob.com> References: <41051be3118c6.4b7d2ce2@sasktel.net>,<86ocjlzi64.fsf@ds4.des.no> <4B7E5BFA.6020505@infracaninophile.co.uk>, <86bpflzelp.fsf@ds4.des.no>, <4B7ECA05.8070502@emailrob.com>
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> Date: Fri=2C 19 Feb 2010 17:27:33 +0000 > From: emailrob@emailrob.com > To: freebsd-chat@freebsd.org > Subject: Re: LinuxBSDos.com article >=20 > i completely sympathize with all of those who mourn the loss of a favored= =2C albeit esoteric=2C thingy. > it is particularly sad when that thingy was wildly popular=2C back in the= before_time. >=20 > while not directly related to freebsd=2C at --this-- time=2C > i observe that the=2C formerly universal=2C rs_232 serial_port is no_l= onger always included on motherboards. >=20 > i am fond of the 908_series of embedded_controllers from freescale [ nee = motorola ]. > to program the flash_rom=2C > i could spend several_hundred dollars on a dedicated appliance=2C > which may_or_may_not program all of the devices which interest me. > it may not support future devices=3B if it breaks=2C i can't fix it. >=20 > on the other_hand=2C i can roll_my_own. > this costs a_few_tens of dollars=2C applies to any device using this inte= rface and i can fix it > [ it should be noted that the things that i build tend to not_break=2C= because i am the repair_man ]. > the simplest approach requires an easily_programmed computer with a rs_23= 2 port. >=20 > the interface is a single pin. > the pin used varies from part to part=2C which is why the appliance may n= ot support all devices. > i need half_duplex=2C 9600 bps=2C 8 bits=2C no parity=2C 1 stop_bit. > converting half_duplex to full_duplex is easy. > i need complementary 12_ to 15_volt supplies=2C which are downright cheap= . > this is child's_play. >=20 > [ for those who find an 8_bit cpu to be interesting=2C > a web_site page with a link to a pdf [ 2.6 mb ] of the data_sheet fo= r > a representative and particularly_popular member of the series=2C th= e 908qy4=2C > may be found here: >=20 > http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code= =3DHC08Q&tab=3DDocumentation_Tab&pspll=3D1&nodeId=3D01624684497663&Selected= Asset=3DDocumentation&ProdMetaId=3DPID/DC/HC08Q&fromPSP=3Dtrue&assetLockedF= orNavigation=3Dtrue&componentId=3D2&leftNavCode=3D1&pageSize=3D25&Documenta= tion=3DDocumentation/00610Ksd1nd%60%60Data%20Sheets >=20 > ] >=20 > on the freebsd side=2C i need to dissect the man_pages so that i can cont= rol the 16550. > the authors of these pages=2C while well_meaning=2C considered rs_232 as = a means of > talking to a modem [ a full_featured appliance ] or > talking to a terminal [ also=2C a full_featured appliance ]. > i found myself reading between the lines=2C frequently. >=20 > rs_232 works very well > for short messages=2C > over short distances=2C > in environments of up_to_moderate noise=2C > using inexpensive components. > for these reasons=2C it --will-- be made illegal=3B de_facto=2C if not de= _jure. >=20 > it may be several years [ ten ? ]=2C but=2C sooner_or_later=2C > freebsd will drop support for and/or remove the capability of implemen= ting=2C > what are coming to be called=2C the "legacy" serial and parallel ports= =2C > because the general_public will not be using them. > i will mourn this=2C but=2C i will understand=2C because > freebsd_people are=2C statistically=2C software_people=2C not hardware= _people. > i will find a work_around=2C > either by implementing the new interface or by converting between new = and old. > as long as i have six addressable bits whose level i can flip individuall= y [ 3 out and 3 in ]=2C > i can rig a full_duplex link that runs as fast as the slower end_point= hardware. >=20 > apparently [ from what i read ]=2C statistically=2C freebsd_people are no= t musicians=2C either. > neither am i=3B although i --did-- take violin lessons as a youngster. > so=2C make mine bob wills or jascha heifetx=2C please. >=20 > rob ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ya=2C I agree=2C FreeBSD has always been heavy in Software Development. ma= ny teeth have been sharpened with it for the best products=2C aka the new A= pple's. Its too bad 'cause obviously=2C hardware development in tandem with FreeBS= D would...oops=2C well=2C... its commercially already here=2C in some deriv= ative=2C called MacOS "X" (both HW and SW)-and that in itself is a testamen= t to the power of BSD (and irs Licensing scheme) as well?=20 No market=2C then not much investment money from the rest of the hardware = industry=2C unfortunatley. an that is too bad. so Kudos to the folks at PC-BSD for keeping FreeBSD alive 'n well for all = the NOT so "uber-G33ks" =3B) =20 _________________________________________________________________ Check your Hotmail from your phone. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=3D9708121=
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