Re: [Embedlets-dev] Re: 'Secure Outpost' boards

[Marc N. <ma...@ge...>]

On 6/7/03 17:00, "Ted Kosan" <tk...@ya...> wrote:

> I do not see any problem at all with us developing an open 'Secure Outpos=
t'
> hardware/software specification for these remote monitoring and control
> devices
> and then letting anyone who is interested to build and sell devices that
> adhere
> to the standard.  My initial idea was to build an open hardware reference
> implementation for this project but if enough companies are willing to bu=
ild
> specification-compliant devices from day one, perhaps this is not necessa=
ry?

To be candid, open sourcing the hardware design probably isn't necessary,
and also bear in mind that anyone capable of getting a board produced is
likely able to design the thing, too -- it's not a particularly complex
design, and producing PCBs and selecting components requires a modicum of E=
E
knowledge.

Also bear in mind that getting a board run at a prototyping house will
likely cost ~US$100, then you'll have to acquire components, then invest
your time putting the whole thing together. An interesting project, for
sure, but not necessarily fiscally viable if you only want one or two board=
s
that you could buy for <$100.

Plus, what happens if somebody who only has Half-a-Clue=81 gets a board made
from an "open source" design and for some reason they don't know their PCB
design package well enough and end up with traces that are out of spec and
fried electronics and/or hands? Or worse...

One final point...open source software is easy to tweak for your needs, and
re-model time-and-time again...open source hardware is less so.


-marc