[Tech1] iMac

[Chris Woolf]

On 24/01/2020 13:57, Dave Plowman via Tech1 wrote:
> .... [serial interface] If it does the job, why change for the sake of it?

All these older formats and interfaces get changed because they have too 
many drawbacks. RS232 and the like were a struggle to set up because 
they couldn't be plug-'n'-play - you had to set BAUD rate, stop bits, 
parity and heaven knows what to get the interface running. OKish for 
one-off fixed set-ups but a right pain for everyday purposes.

Old serial protocols were also very limited in terms of speed and 
sophistication. There was no useful error correction, and for the 
fastest speed (19200) the max cable length was only about 15m, or 40 
with low capacitance cable. In terms of energy needed they were also 
quite power hungry compared to modern versions.

I agree about the problem with industrial style connectors, but that's 
been addressed by people like Neutrik with the Ethercon (for ethernet 
communications), and similar designs in an MIL shell that covers RJ45 
and USB. Of course for the most part, now, coaxial fibre connections are 
preferred because they are even more robust in mechanical and electrical 
terms.

I do understand the irritation as older, feebler standards are demoted, 
but the replacements do offer enormous improvements and make good sense. 
Expecting modern computers to have conversations with each other at 
push-bike speeds using the most basic of protocols isn't really defensible.

Chris Woolf