Hi Rob:
I'm with you here...
Do you guys not like the idea of having USB or Bluetooth, and would rather Ethernet?
We've done devices like this in the past, but weren't sure if this is something that would be accepted (running Ethernet to your tank).
We could probably do an 802.11 version too... that's a bit out though.
If DHCP is acceptable we could do some sort of discovery mechanism. I'd like to avoid putting a display on the fixture if at all possible.
We'll discuss this internally and see what we can come up with - keep the input coming!
-Chris
AI - KD
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob  actually what george is getting at makes a lot of sense, and i would think would be easier to support and develop for...
instead of having a cable (or bluetooth) and fat client.. do it like many network appliances do.
the controller has a mini menu to change the IP (or leave it on DHCP by default) then have and RJ-45 ethernet port and/or wireless
it attaches to the network and then its accessible via a webpage.
using a static IP or a zero config protocol like bonjour would make this easier
but then the webpage has all of the programing settings and then also has output data. this way people could publish this existing web page to the internet if they want to (something MANY people go to great lengths to do).. nothing extra since its already there.. if the web page is built using back-end XML those files could then be downloaded VIA http or ftp for all the ubergeeks that want to play with it
but it seems like with a wireless/wires enabled network webserver you have everything we have been looking for. accessibility, no fat client, internet publishing, graphing, platform independent, upgradability (by uploading firmware files). none of this is new, this is how any network appliance works today..
the other nice thing is it should be a lot cheaper for you to add a wireless card than a bluetooth adapter, and more people are familiar with this.. not to mention faster transfer speeds.
i know i dont see the "big picture" but i dont see a downside (other than its a major direction change...lol) |
