Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] net-enabled microcontrollers for appliances, VCRs, stereos

["Igor Izyumin Jr." <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

> Why not wire everything? You can put a web server in a gadget for about $1
> and the network interface isn't much more. 
Michael:
You have no idea what you're talking about.  First, the web server costs AT 
LEAST $20 to put in (if you run it on a reasonable PIC MCU).  The interface 
costs around $20.  There is also about $10 of other parts that you need 
(flashrom, memory, other components).  Finally, for the web server to do 
something, it has to be interfaced to the rest of the equipment.  That can 
cost anywhere from $10 (interface to some EEPROM) to $100 (if you put lots of 
extra functionality and sensors).

> Hell put a webserver in every
> milk carton that tells the fridge when it is low. It's so cheap that you
> don't really lose anything by giving the extra interface to the people who
> might want it and it gets cheaper the more it's used.
Where are you getting this from?  Last time I checked, the cheapest 
microcontroller I've seen is around $10.  There are also lots of other parts.

Now, I'm not saying that it can't get cheaper.  Eventually it will, as 
companies develop special ASICs and cheap blobtronics that will do everything 
on one chip.  However, there is nothing out there right now that can do this 
for a reasonable price.  Would you pay $200 for a VCR that you can get for 
$90 without a webserver?  I sure wouldn't, especially since the functionality 
is not worth the price.
-- 
-- Igor
--
To unsubscribe, go to http://mlug.missouri.edu/members/edit.php

Archives are available at http://mlug.missouri.edu/list-archives/