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On 3/23/11 10:46 PM, John Gilmore wrote:<br>
<span style="white-space: pre;">> Consumer electronics maker
Iomega is shipping an "iConnect" box with <br>
> similar electronics to the ShevaPlug. But unlike the
GlobalScale <br>
> team, they seem to have done some marketing. We can learn
from <br>
> them:<br>
> <br>
>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/network-storage-desktop/wireless-data-station/network-hard-drive-iconnect/">http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/network-storage-desktop/wireless-data-station/network-hard-drive-iconnect/</a></span><br>
<br>
+1 to all your points.<br>
<br>
Also, FWIW, if we're comparing existing consumer hardware - which I
think we should - I'd submit my Synology DS210j NAS for lessons to
learn:<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.amazon.com/Synology-DiskStation-Diskless-Attached-DS211J/dp/B0049MPQGI/">http://www.amazon.com/Synology-DiskStation-Diskless-Attached-DS211J/dp/B0049MPQGI/</a><br>
<br>
<span style="white-space: pre;">> In every other product, NAS
(network addressable storage) always <br>
> seems to cost a minimum of $1000 more than the disk drives;</span><br>
<br>
Here's this year's model, the DS211j, US$200 without disks:<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.synology.com/us/products/DS211j/index.php">http://www.synology.com/us/products/DS211j/index.php</a><br>
<br>
Much pricier than the iConnect, but lots cheaper than a Drobo.
There's also the DS111j, US$150 and less 1 drive bay. I think the
hardware in these boxes are equivalent or worse than the SheevaPlug,
at least on the low-end of the Synology line up.<br>
<br>
The reason I mention this NAS is that I think it does pretty well on
all the dimensions you mentioned as lessons for the FreedomBox, in
particular in the area of user interface and support:<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.synology.com/us/products/features/index.php">http://www.synology.com/us/products/features/index.php</a><br>
<br>
I have to say, the ExtJS-based DSM3.1 is one of the most usable and
solid web UI's I've seen for this kind of consumer device. It also
tolerates a pretty high degree of hacking / tweaking without running
afoul of manufacturer support policies. (eg. I just compiled node.js
on it last night using optware packages)<br>
<br>
I'd hope we could at least match this kind of experience,
eventually, on a FreedomBox.<br>
<br>
-- <br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:l.m.orchard@pobox.com">l.m.orchard@pobox.com</a><br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://decafbad.com">http://decafbad.com</a><br>
{web,mad,computer} scientist<br>
<br>
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