At 10:30 AM 2/25/2000 -0500, Tom Hula wrote:
>Seems like I read on this subject that the changes are so massive
>on 6.5 that there is no way for an HPIB driver to function.  It's not
>like it's a single program that a vendor could support it if we just had
the source code.

On 6.5 many of the low-level components of the O/S were re-designed to
support the larger hardware configurations.  In particular, the large
file objects along with larger real memory configurations.  These can have a
significant impact on low-level hardware drivers.  I would also suspect
that some of the changes needed to move towards the PCI architecture
may have started.  There are major differences between PCI and HP-IB.
I simply don't think there are very many folks outside of the lab
who may have the knowledge to take-over maintaining a hardware driver
as the O/S continues to evolve.

It simply boils down to a matter of resources and direction.  The engineering
effort is quite large, and the results are inconsistent with the long term
direction of the industry in order for HP to remain competitive.

The *right* answer is to address the printing issue.  This is something
HP heard quite loud and clear at the recent meetings.  From HP's reaction I
would anticipate that they will be doing something in this area to help
customers resolve this problem.  And I too believe that this is the right
direction.  It is certainly better to address the printer issues and move
forward to the new bus architecture than carry along an outdated technology
and continue to stay behind the other industry leaders.  And yes, it can
easily be a painful decision for many.



/jf
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                          Friday, February 25th
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           Today in 1913 - 16th Amendment setting up the income
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