[Ham-Computers] Re New Computers And Lack Of Ports

[Karty, Steven]

Loren,

The color TV system originally approved by the FCC in the early 1950s was
the old CBS mechanical color-wheel system that was completely incompatible
with all of the existing B&W TV sets.  Fortunately, CBS asked the FCC to
rescind the CBS application soon after RCA perfected our present compatible
color TV system a few months later.  

I agree that I'd like to retain serial ports.  I'd also like to keep
parallel printer ports, ISA slots, and parallel hard disk drive interfaces
(IDE connectors) instead of the new serial hard drive connections.  But
there just aren't any consumer protection laws that mandate these technical
characteristics.

Steven

-----Original Message-----
From: Loren Moline WA7SKT [mailto:lmoline at hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 9:56 AM
To: ham-computers at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Ham-Computers] Re New Computers And Lack Of Ports

Steven,

Its not the slots Im talking about..its the equipment that uses the serial 
ports that would be made obsolete.

Remember that when color tv came out it had to be compatable with black and 
white sets.

I believe no manufacturer should render existing equipment usless..but what 
do I know..Im only a consumer.

Loren
-----------
>From: "Karty, Steven" <kartys at ncs.gov>
>
>Loren,
>
>What consumer protection law requires that computers have serial ports?  Do
>you suppose there's another consumer protection law that requires computers
>to have ISA slots?  Are you suing the motherboard manufacturers who only
>include PCI slots instead?
>
>Steven - N5SK
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Loren Moline WA7SKT [mailto:lmoline at hotmail.com]
>Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 9:33 PM
>To: ham-computers at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] Re New Computers And Lack Of Ports
>
>I would say any computer you see  that doesnt have at least one serial port
>and one parallel port isnt worth buying because it isnt generic in nature. 
>I could be proprietary.
>
>There are to many new computers out there to settle for anything less.
>
>If computer manufacturers try and obsolete regular serial ports they may be
>in violation of consumer protection laws.
>
>Loren
>