I know that the FPGA code for the Diskferret is
available, so if you
want to modify it (at your own risk, of course) to read some other
type of disk then you can do so.
Yessss...assuming the binary blob the FPGA vendor requires you to use
to convert it into something the chip can take (a) doesn't explode on
your changed code and (b) is still runnable by then (does its
license-to-use expire? does it depend on an OS whose license-to-use
expires? does it insist on phoning home? etc).
Ture, and I avoid PFGAs as much as I can for those reasons (and more).
However, I also feel that accurate information can never hinder you.
Having the FPGA source for a device can't make it more difficult to
modify or repair, and most likely will make it a lot easier. I would be
much happier with the soruce than without it.
What I know is that people deliver good work when they
are
motivated. I see no evil in the fact that people get paid because
this can be a very good motivation. It also enables you to spend
money for things that make the product better. You also can spend
the money to train programmers [...]
I think that's one of the msot insulting
things against all the
excellent free software uthors that I have ever read.
I think much of the insult is in your own perception, tony. I too see
no evil inhering in using money as a motivator. (Based on the
That is not what I was commenting one. It was the attitude that his
product is superiour to the Diskferret becasue he charges for it.
resulting code quality, it seems to be a relatively
poor one in many
cases, but that doesn't make it evil.)
I am not convicned it;'s a motivator at all, at least not for the better
programmerns (and hardware designers) that Iv'e worked with. Such people
always turn out the best code/circuitry that they can. it's a matter of
pride of them. They will not cut corners. And then there are people who
will just grind out code to get their wages, but said code will not be
well-written.
Maybe there are exceptions, but I think they're rare.
-tony