John,
I have not worked with FireWire, but I think it is the source of the problems with USB. Faced with the threat that someone else will define part of the PC platform, Intel rushed USB way before it was ready for prime time (see the delays and problems with HX chipset - the first implementation of USB). Now, years later, we are still stuck with the consequences.
As a hardware designer I am torn between FireWire and USB 2. FireWire is here now, but I suspect that for many purposes USB 2 will take over, even though it does have some limitations like needing a bus controller rather than allowing peer to peer transactions.
I am a little out of my depth, but it is my understanding that Intel forced the PC centric nature on USB, so that Intel's PC standard would prevail. Peer to peer environment seems more practical, but then, VHS won over beta, so you may want to look at the marketing side rather than technical side to see who the winner will be.
After seeing some presentations from Computex, it seems that Via has big plans for FireWire, and plans to be an even bigger player in chipset business. We will see how much business Intel will be able to win back with the 815 chipset (with USB, without FireWire).
Joe
PS: My experience with W2K (beta) and USB were negative: I tried a digital camera and a reader of the digital camera cards, and neither worked. Again, I don't know who is at fault, but the bottom line is that it doesn't work. |
