Looking for a device programmer that doesn't require Weendoze

From: J.C. Wren <jcwren_at_jcwren.com>
Date: Sun Mar 21 07:14:39 2004

Fred N. van Kempen wrote:

>On Sat, 20 Mar 2004, Michael Sokolov wrote:
>
>
>
>>Does anyone know where I can get a device (EPROM, flash, etc) programmer that
>>
>>
>...
>[anti-Windows rant deleted]
>
>With all the brains collected on this list, how hard would it be to
>actually make one, to our own standards? Geez.
>
>--f
>
>
>
    If you want a device that programs generic parts, not difficult.
But many manufacturers do not release the programming algorithms except
to companies that are in the business. I can just imagine the support
issues.

    What *I* want is for programmers to stop releasing their own
software interfaces. For instance, the Needhams DOS programming
software absolutely sucks. The interface is so retarded as to be nearly
unscriptable. The BP Microsystems stuff isn't bad at all, but it's not
perfect. The old stand-alone Data IO were a crime against nature.

    What the need to do is provide a common programming API, and let
third parties develop the UI software. That way, they'd get support
across more OS's, you could use the same UI on different models, and
they still can keep their programming algorithms proprietary. I once
wrote an open letter to BP, Needhams, DataIO and Tribal about this.
They could have focussed their efforts on devices and algorithms and
hardware, where their expertice is, not in Windows requirements, or DOS
weirdness, etc.

    To the best of my knowledge (from 6 months ago) no one has a GUI
interface for a non-Windows platform. There's no excuse for this, if
they would adopt a open API for device selection, programming,
verfication, etc.

    --jc
Received on Sun Mar 21 2004 - 07:14:39 GMT