[Asterisk-biz] 4 port fx0 cards wanted

[Herman Webley]

On Fri, 2005-04-08 at 10:25 -0700, Rusty Shackleford wrote:
> > > 
> > > Whats wrong with the digium cards?
> > > Michael
> > 
> > :)
> > 
> > PS choice and competition is usually a Good Thing (tm).
> > 
> > Best regards
> > Herman Webley
> 
> Ordinarily, I would agree completely, but in this situation, where the
> software that makes the whole thing go (Asterisk) is supported in large
> part by the hardware vendor, buying the hardware FROM that vendor is a
> good thing.

Artificially shackling asterisk (by limiting compatible hardware) can't
possibly be the best thing for the asterisk, the asterisk community or
probably even Digium.

The people at Digium clearly are _not_ a bunch of idiots with little
technical ability. We shouldn't (and I don't think we do) need unfairly
choose their products. They are perfectly capable of providing a good
product.

If there is competition and Digium's product increases in quality as a
result I am not certain that we would have done Digium a disservice.
Yes, they need to compete against much larger entities with advantages
of ecomonies of scale and existing market presence, but subsidization by
a small community will go a far shorter way than delivery of a good
product and the subsequent evangelism by the asterisk community.

If it turns out that they can't build a good product after all, then it
would be good that they found out. They'll be better off if they focus
on what they are good at (such as software development).

Personally I would prefer supporting asterisk directly rather than
indirectly by purchasing hardware that isn't necessarily the best thing
for my particular situation.

Additionally different situations call for different solutions. Digium's
offering is far from diverse. Its not just that people want cheaper
hardware. After all Digium hardware is _very_ cost effective compared to
other solutions (intel, openchannel, etc.). But not everyone needs
enterprise software. I built my home computer for about $100, why am I
going to spend $300 for a _peripheral_ device? (I got a compatible voice
modem instead). Clearly from all the postings on this matter the is a
specific market for more inexpensive cards. How are teenage hobbyists
from third world countries going to access this technology if they don't
have this kind of product? Or we aren't interested in what contributions
they might make in the future. If someone come to me and asks for a
solution for their 10 seat lawyer's office, TDM4xx will be the first
thing out of my mouth. But everyone's needs are just not the same.

Best regards,
Herman Webley