I will write a small app to switch speeds, that can be placed in auto folder. Beyond that people will have to write their own software.
Fujiyama wrote:Is it something similar you're looking into developing (instead of an internal IDE interface)?
I'm not really looking into anything at the moment, not keyboard or storage related. The IDE to USB bridge was just a idea of what could be done, *if* I decided to add storage onto the booster, Though I don't think people need another storage solution at the moment.
Fujiyama wrote:the more expensive ones are better in the long run -can you consider those sockets as an ordering option if anyone wants them? Personally I'd rather pay a bit more and not risk damaging my STe as I almost did when plugging a normal PLCC "add on" socket. I had to order a new PLCC socket from Best electronics as they're not standard.
Its good idea in theory, though one thing to bare in mind , I have to stock all this stuff, if the socket is £30 a go and I build up 25 kits, thats £750 I have to spend on that one part. If the boosters never all sell, then I lose £500+ on that one part. I just can't afford to take such risks.
You could argue I could buy a couple each time one sells, though also don't forget I produce multiple kits and it could take me a year to get around to soldering the connector on (People have been waiting several months now for the Falcon PSU's, and I have been working on that in between 20 other things which are going on at once like repairing peoples machines etc) . Building stuff a couple at a time is a huge waste of time. I need to build in batches else everything takes 3 times as long. Stuff tends to get lost with me ordering so many parts, then I end up ordering same items again...
I produced the STE booster as people wanted something simple, so I did just that, now I realise people just can't solder very well, so a plugin option is needed. Though why create myself a lot of work in creating a 3rd version of the kit with a proper PLCC socket for £30 more, when if it did break the motherboard, you could buy a motherboard for the same price anyway. Really this stuff should be plugged in and left. Sockets are not designed for multiple insertions. They are 20+ years old now as well. Not reliable. Thats why I opted for a solder in version as I can't see plug in solutions being long term reliable. Though people can't solder, so has to be plug in... oh the fun of all the "swings and roundabouts" ...
So a lot of compromises have to be made to make kits realistically achievable, both time and cost wise. Of course I have to have all these types of conversations with myself and try to come up with a overall strategy which will work best for me and benefit the most people at the same time while trying to keep the end price as low as possible else nobody would ever be able to afford the stuff in the first place
