Subject: From: Date:

Interface Documentation Bill Walters Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:35:34 -0600

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Mark,

I don't know how others feel about this subject, so I thought I'd post
it here, to the list for other's feedback.

I'm wondering if the listing of devices which ECS can interface with is
too confusing to the newcomer?  Personally, that was -the- reason I
chose ECS, because it worked with so many different devices; plus the
ability to set-up almost anything that would plug into a serial port
thru SERIAL-BYTE type items (tho I had no idea what that was at the
time!)

Also, since the primary question every newcomer has of ECS is "what to
use", wouldn't it be clearer to have the interfaces listed in the
documentation, as "currently available" and "no longer in production",
or some such other descriptive term?

Something like:

Current Products ECS directly supports:

Multi-Function Devices:	

	Homevision
		X-10, IR control, video, ...etc...
	Time Commander Plus
		X-10, Digital inputs and outputs, Analog inputs
	Lynx
		...etc...

Single Purpose Devices:

	Prairie-Digital
		Digital inputs and outputs, Analog inputs

	
Other Products ECS directly supports:

(note: while these items are "out of production" they may readily be
found thru various sources on the internet)

Multi-Function Devices

	etc., etc., etc., 

Single Purpose Devices:

	Bigmouth
		Telephone, etc, etc, etc,
	Modems

	etc, etc, etc


In this way, a potential user could easily see what the "currently"
available interface products are, as well as the rich history of devices
that ECS STILL supports!

I think this flexibility is one of ECS' strongpoints; also ECS' history
and that it's been in use and evolving for some 10 years.

I also know you're up to your eyeballs in voice stuff for the modems,
and think that's the highest priority.

Just my two-cents worth.

Bill Walters

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