Other people working on CF drivers

[AlphaSwift]

Besides the mclaughlinc guy, what happened to the others supposedly writing drivers?

Did something shiny distract them?

[Massman82]

Nope, he is close to being complete. Last I heard from him is that he had one thing remaining until he was 95% complete but there is no way to tell how long it will take for him to complete this...

If he gives me an update I will see if I can share it...

[AlphaSwift]

A memory only driver or a universal driver?

[Massman82]

Let's wait and see!

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by AlphaSwift
Besides the mclaughlinc guy, what happened to the others supposedly writing drivers?

Did something shiny distract them?

He basically was the only one. It's not a money making deal, nor is it easy! He mostly was concentrating on a memory driver for now. Sony keeps it's information to it's self. A shame, as it almost makes it impossible for developers to do anything.

[Unregistered]

I think that is the intention :).

[MichaelFKr]

Originally posted by n2ifp


He basically was the only one. It's not a money making deal, nor is it easy! He mostly was concentrating on a memory driver for now. Sony keeps it's information to it's self. A shame, as it almost makes it impossible for developers to do anything.

Don't you think that the CF hardware producers should have an interest in doing the job - or maybe they don't want to fight with Sony? Its clear that Sony has no interest to open its devices for CF Memory cards since they want to sell their expensive MS.

[CosmicBlend]

I want a Bluetooth driver for the CF Slot!!!!!!

[Sieve]

Alpha:

[Sieve]

Alpha: (sorry for the double post)

The only way for a universal driver to be created is to put out an API for the CF Card... and only sony knows enough to do that at this time.

However when a memory driver does come out the api might have been figured out enough to support other driver developers...

Might... as not only is the interface unknown but how to integrate these devices with the OS (VFS is only for Memory) which implies that each pice of unique hardware will need both a unique driver AND application to use it.

[Unregistered]

I wonder how close, "close" is.......

[kdn102]

In my experience it takes 90% of the development time to finish the last 10%!

So if he thinks he's 95% done I'd say we have another two months.

[Massman82]

Originally posted by kdn102
In my experience it takes 90% of the development time to finish the last 10%!

So if he thinks he's 95% done I'd say we have another two months.

Two months is not that bad...

[Unregistered]

You say "other people" like we know someone's working on it. mclaughlinc ain't working on jacksheeeit.

[Massman82]

Originally posted by Unregistered
You say "other people" like we know someone's working on it. mclaughlinc ain't working on jacksheeeit.

That's only speculation, right now we can only go by what he has told us!

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Massman82


That's only speculation, right now we can only go by what he has told us!

Originally posted by Unregistered
<B>You say "other people" like we know someone's working on it. mclaughlinc ain't working on jacksheeeit. </B>

Comments like that disgust me. Where do people get off thinking they're owed something? I hope his Clie blows up&nbsp;:mad:!

I think people should have to register to post! Then again I suppose there's ways around that to.

[Phalanx]

Originally posted by n2ifp

I hope his Clie blows up&nbsp;:mad:!


Comments like that just make me laugh. :D :D :D I don't know why, but I just blew up laughing when I read that sentence.

[rob_squared]

Someone being injured by his/her handheld exploding is funny on many levels: which I will not discuss now.

[mclaughlinc]

Just to clarify we expect to have something ready for beta testing around the 1st of April. And before someone posts that this is just an April fool’s day joke. I not joking on the time or that we are working on it.

What we are working on is a CF memory driver that would allow CF memory to be used just like you use MS today. I should also add we are also focusing on OS 5 devices. We will announce more details as we get closer to actually releasing it.

Corey McLaughlin

[Unregistered]

I wish you good luck. I think your product would also add some competition to the Sony memory stick and hopefully make it cheaper. I really wonder what made Sony add the CF Slot to the NX device. Did they really believe it is technically not possible to create such a driver - or do they don't care about it ?

[mux1]

Originally posted by Unregistered
I wish you good luck. I think your product would also add some competition to the Sony memory stick and hopefully make it cheaper. I really wonder what made Sony add the CF Slot to the NX device. Did they really believe it is technically not possible to create such a driver - or do they don't care about it ?

Sony should have just built the NX with 802.11b built in, then they wouldn't make themselves look so bad when theywon't support anything but THEIR WiFi card in the CF slot.

I suppose it was cheaper and quicker to make it how they did, plus they can make a killing by making people pay $150 for their branded card.

[V@ss]

I'm 100% agree with you mux1 !

[hansschmucker]

Uhm, problem is (coming back to the original topic), I don't know who that second guy is. "I talked to him", "Had a chat with him", "Asked him about ...". That's all I've heared so far. So who is he?

Corey is working at
http://www.softpocketsolutions.com/
that's for sure, and while this is no warrante that he will finally do this, it at least looks promising.

[n2ifp]

I am glad that I was entertaining :)!

Why discourage someone who is and has worked so hard to help us all out? It takes time, especially without Sony's help and if Corey pulls this off, he should be treated as a hero!

[hansschmucker]

I don't want to discourage anybody, I just want to know what's going on? It also seems interesting that a PPC company's first PalmProduct is a low-level application.... No offense

[aussie_nx70v]

Id like to add my two cents in.....

Im abit concerned about 'big brother' being Sony. Lets put it this way. Do you think that a major corporation would allow someone to produce a piece of software that would make the developer some money at their expense? I mean wouldnt it be logical for Sony to do this?

Yes, im aware that they are trying to market their own Memory Stick but c'mon. You think that they didnt consider the fact when they first designed the CF expansion port that it would be only a matter of time before someone came up with a driver no matter how much they try and hide the source code?

And, before some of you say that they wanted to have a WiFi option available and that this was only a temporary fix im aware of that fact.

Let me throw you another scenario. Lets just say for the sake of it that there already IS a driver that will allow you to use CF Cards. Lets just say that there have already been beta testers. Lets also say that everything was ready to go and sell this driver.

Lets also say that this driver was used in the Southern Hemisphere.

Now lets just say that a major corporation who has a big vested interest in the NX70V got wind of this driver and started to put the screws on the little software company who produced the driver. Lets now say that they took legal steps to ensure that no one but themselves could produce and market this driver. The poor software developer had no other option but to cease its activities and bury the project.

OK, think im talking cr@p? Fine, thats your perogative ! Theres an old saying "been there done that".

I hope who ever comes out with the driver to make all these CF Cards work on the fantastic piece of hardware have a clear road ahead. A few speed humps along the way and it might be curtains for the rest of us.

If Sony does release the driver before anyone else does then great. I would hate it for someone else to release it only to be tied up in legal action initiated by Big Brother.

[n2ifp]

It seems like no one is happy no matter what you do. Some complain no one is doing anything and then when someone does, they get beat over the head. Beam me up Scottie!

[CosmicBlend]

I really hope that if they DO produce the CF memory drivers, that they would 1.) make it work with Clie Files 2.) allow it to work with the audio player 3.) make an API for other people to work on drivers for more CF devices such as GPS, Bluetooth, and many others.

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by aussie_nx70v


Now lets just say that a major corporation who has a big vested interest in the NX70V got wind of this driver and started to put the screws on the little software company who produced the driver. Lets now say that they took legal steps to ensure that no one but themselves could produce and market this driver. The poor software developer had no other option but to cease its activities and bury the project.




Ok, so you have a working CF memory driver then.

What did Sony do, did they buy it from you or just threatened you with lawsuits etc?

I dont see how they could have had a valid lawsuit - software is just something that writes stuff to different Memory adresses, and as far as I know this can not be illegal.

BTW, you should just have gone public with SONY´s threat with lawsuit. The public outrage would have been enormous and SONY would have had to retreat.

Even better, go public with it now. :)

[dmale7]

Originally posted by Unregistered


Ok, so you have a working CF memory driver then.

What did Sony do, did they buy it from you or just threatened you with lawsuits etc?

I dont see how they could have had a valid lawsuit - software is just something that writes stuff to different Memory adresses, and as far as I know this can not be illegal.

BTW, you should just have gone public with SONY´s threat with lawsuit. The public outrage would have been enormous and SONY would have had to retreat.

Even better, go public with it now. :)

I agree.

[kdn102]

Maybe they offered him/her some money if they gave up the project.

What would be interesting is if he were to release some of the info obtained to write the driver so, let's say, some other developer would have the information he/she would need to also write a driver! ;)

[mashoutposse]

Originally posted by Unregistered


Ok, so you have a working CF memory driver then.

What did Sony do, did they buy it from you or just threatened you with lawsuits etc?

I dont see how they could have had a valid lawsuit - software is just something that writes stuff to different Memory adresses, and as far as I know this can not be illegal.

BTW, you should just have gone public with SONY´s threat with lawsuit. The public outrage would have been enormous and SONY would have had to retreat.

Even better, go public with it now. :)

Isn't Aussie's post hypothetical? That was my impression, anyway.

[khyasad]

Question for mclaughlinc ...

Will your driver be able to take advantage of the IBM microdrives (that use compact flash slots in PPCs and other similar devices) ?

I only ask as it was announced some time ago, that they (or another company) are releasing microdrives in sizes of 3gb & 5gb. Reading through some of the scenarios and speculations made about the CF slot, I have often been accused of being an eternal optimist and I look forward to the day when I can pop in a 5gb microdrive in the CF slot of my NX70 and use it the same way as memory sticks ...

[reggae]

you guys might as well be chasing ghosts and werewolves. until you're using the CF slot, mclaughlinc's driver (and anyone else's) has a name... VAPORWARE.

Let's go back to a the (no-offense) hypothetical software company. They have a date that people will be beta testing and not a pricepoint? Yet they won't start for some time?

They have a scheduled beta release date, so they must have a project plan. If they have a project plan, then they must know how many developers are going to work on it and know how much time it's going to take. If they know the time layout and how many producers then there has to be an API. If they have ALL that stuff, then they know how much it's going to cost to produce which means CERTAINLY that they know how much it's going cost us.

So why don't we know how much this driver's going to cost? whether it was produced from an API?

[mclaughlinc]

Khyasad,

We will just have to test whether Micro drives will work once we get that that point. We do not have a Micro drive for testing. I will also have to find some specs on these devices.

[khyasad]

Thanks for the reply mclaughlinc.

[Unregistered]

I've been doing a little researching and have been unable to find any information on the mythical Australian CF driver. I've tried cross-referencing the two in as many ways as I could think, but came up with nothing. It would be nice if there was some "published documentation," even if the driver was unfinished or untested, that say... anyone could easily find on the internet and incorporate into current driver development!

[ejanssen]

mclaughlinc ...

Hang in there. Don't let all this noise dissuade you! I appreciate your posts

[nevarDeath]

Originally posted by ejanssen
mclaughlinc ...

Hang in there. Don't let all this noise dissuade you! I appreciate your posts

I second that!

[EdFrmBrighthand]

Originally posted by reggae
If they have ALL that stuff, then they know how much it's going to cost to produce which means CERTAINLY that they know how much it's going cost us.
The development cost for software affects what the company charges for it but it certainly isn't the only factor.

One that is at least as important is how many copies of the software a company thinks it can sell. Let's say it costs the company $50,000 to develop some software. If it thinks it can sell 50,000 copies, it can charge $1 and still cover its costs. However, if it can only sell 1,000 copies, it must charge $50 for each copy.

This is a delicate calculation to make because the price affects how many copies will sell. Overestimate your potential audience and charge too little and you could sell a copy to everyone who could possibly want one and still not cover your costs. Charge too much for your application and you drive your customers away.

Large companies invest huge amounts of money doing surveys while deciding what to charge. Small companies tend to just close their eyes and make the best guess they can.

-Ed

p.s. This doesn't happen only in software. The cost of an SUV has no basis whatsoever on what it costs to produce. The profit margin on a typical high-end SUV is typically over $20,000. Why do the car companies charge so much? Because people will pay that.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by hansschmucker
I don't want to discourage anybody, I just want to know what's going on? It also seems interesting that a PPC company's first PalmProduct is a low-level application.... No offense

I might be wrong on this, but going back some time ago, this started out as a one man project by a fellow who worked for a PPC software company. Since he had his own NX Clie and seeing all the posters clamoring for a CF memory driver, he took it upon himself to try and write one. Now, trying to get info from Sony can either be difficult or next to impossible. I resent the negativity I see from others towards a man who at the very least is trying to do something. Sheesh, people complain no matter what. Send them all to Iraq as human shields...:D!

[hansschmucker]

And you along with them, right in the front row. that's not funny

[Unregistered]

Come on Aussie, your post did not sound hypothetical to me. Give us something more!

Did SONY pay for a driver you have made so that you could not release it? Or what happened...

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by mashoutposse


Isn't Aussie's post hypothetical? That was my impression, anyway.

That's how I read it, what if?

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by hansschmucker
And you along with them, right in the front row. that's not funny

Hans,

I am sorry if I offended you, &nbsp;it was not meant to be a personal attack towards you. I got caught up in being emotional after reading several threads and I meant to put out a general statement with a little humor thrown in!&nbsp;I don't want to see someone kicked for trying to help! Trouble is, and as you basically said, you like to know what's going on. Corey was nice enough to give us status and it seems like now some want to attack him for it. It's great if he can apply his PPC experience towards creating a CF memory driver for the Palm. If he is able to pull it off, then he should be commended and rewarded for his efforts. I am sure he's not going to make a killing over it. Programming is a lot of hard tedious work and most do not become millionaires overnight. For me, my WiFi card pretty much&nbsp;will stay in the CF slot. I will purchase the driver from Corey when it ever becomes available, if for no other reason than to help out a bit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

[aussie_nx70v]

Hello all,

My previous post was officially hypothetical. Theres not much more i can say here.

For those of you who tried to find this 'mythical' or any information about this on the net, keep searching. You wont find anything. That would be pretty stupid.

Any as far as this theoretical software company goes, its not me. And for the record, i have had no involvement in the original concept, design, beta testing etc, of this 'mythical' driver.

All i intended to do was inform other like minded people who were either in the testing, development, implementing other like minded drivers on the possible actions of big brother.

I sincerely hope that a driver will be released by another party. If only to stuff Sony about. I only hope that they will have enough backing from us and their investors if and when the time comes to stand up for their rights.

Big Brother is very powerful and they will have no hesitation in flexing their muscles if they choose to do so.

Read into this post what you will....

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by aussie_nx70v
Hello all,

My previous post was officially hypothetical. Theres not much more i can say here.

For those of you who tried to find this 'mythical' or any information about this on the net, keep searching. You wont find anything. That would be pretty stupid.

Any as far as this theoretical software company goes, its not me. And for the record, i have had no involvement in the original concept, design, beta testing etc, of this 'mythical' driver.

All i intended to do was inform other like minded people who were either in the testing, development, implementing other like minded drivers on the possible actions of big brother.

I sincerely hope that a driver will be released by another party. If only to stuff Sony about. I only hope that they will have enough backing from us and their investors if and when the time comes to stand up for their rights.

Big Brother is very powerful and they will have no hesitation in flexing their muscles if they choose to do so.

Read into this post what you will....

SONY could flex their muscles all they want, still they shouldnt be able to stop a software application from being released??

Legally: A software is just something that reads and writes to memory - and that is of course not illegal. The only thing I could think of is if they called the driver "CLIE CF slot driver" which would be a trademark violation, but in that case they could just have changed the name.

Monetary: They showed their fat wallet and paid off the developers. This is be me the most likely situation. However, if it were me they should have had to put up the REALLY BIG $$ for me to drop releasing a CF Slot memory driver had I developed one.

So Aussie, you were not involved yourself, so you should be able to tell us if it were legally or monetary. =)

Anyone else have a clue as how Sony ever could stop a software application from being released?

[Unregistered]

First I am not completely sure that a driver is under development right now.
But if it is true I believe, that there should be two types of that driver.
The first one should be completely FREE of charge but with some kind of a LIMITED functionality, so every NX user can have one, and this must be done, to act, as a lever of pressure against the companies who do not respect their customers as much as they should, for paying their hard earned money, and for the developer to get all the laurels. The second full functional type should be paid for.

[n2ifp]

Charge em all a $100.00 USD!

Sony only advertised the CF slot for WiFi, nothing else!

[iebnn]

chargin $100 for a driver people will be using to get cheaper CF memory with completely defeats the purpose

[David Vella]

Originally posted by Unregistered


Legally: A software is just something that reads and writes to memory - and that is of course not illegal. The only thing I could think of is if they called the driver "CLIE CF slot driver" which would be a trademark violation, but in that case they could just have changed the name.



Lest we NOT forget the DMCA!!!!!!!

They did manage to prosecute a russian developer, let alone UK/US.

[David Vella]

Originally posted by David Vella


Lest we NOT forget the DMCA!!!!!!!



Check

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/29526.html

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by David Vella


Check

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/29526.html

Ink jet cartridges???

What has this have to do with software potentially being illegal?

[David Vella]

Originally posted by Unregistered


Ink jet cartridges???

What has this have to do with software potentially being illegal?

That is just to show the power of the DMCA

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by iebnn
chargin $100 for a driver people will be using to get cheaper CF memory with completely defeats the purpose

You missed the point, sorry I wasn't clearer.

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by David Vella


That is just to show the power of the DMCA

Ok, so what in a software driver for the CF Slot could ever violate any copyright?

Nothing...

[David Vella]

Originally posted by Unregistered


Ok, so what in a software driver for the CF Slot could ever violate any copyright?

Nothing...

Basically Sony (through the DMCA) can stress that the software is making use of Sony hardware which it did not intend to do.

Believe me - its possible.


"Where's money is involved - a LOT of things are possible" :)

[n2ifp]

I tried to throw out some hints. All the negativity being expressed in this thread just turns people off. I am sure a software company know what it's legal rights are. If some are so concerned, then send a private email to the developer. The end result of the negativity will result in us being kept in the dark with no further information being shared. That in turn hurts all of us. I suspect some of this is professional jealousy, especially when some hide behind being unregistered and/or come up with some off the wall crap that has no bearing on anything!

[David Vella]

Originally posted by n2ifp
I tried to throw out some hints. All the negativity being expressed in this thread just turns people off. I am sure a software company know what it's legal rights are. If some are so concerned, then send a private email to the developer. The end result of the negativity will result in us being kept in the dark with no further information being shared. That in turn hurts all of us. I suspect some of this is professional jealousy, especially when some hide behind being unregistered and/or come up with some off the wall crap that has no bearing on anything!

Hi Larry,

I guess I am one of them, I didnt mean to sound negative to be honest but I only posted my comments because sometimes that is how the real world is.

Back to the CF driver, I personally myself am looking forward for the driver since it would be of great use - I am willing to pay the developer to buy it the drive (and support) because I think he is a doing a very fine job.

Again, sorry for sounding pessimistic, I was/am not negative about the project, I was just commenting on how sometimes things end up.

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by David Vella


Basically Sony (through the DMCA) can stress that the software is making use of Sony hardware which it did not intend to do.

Believe me - its possible.


"Where's money is involved - a LOT of things are possible" :)

I have to disagree with you.

It does not matter what the device is intended to do or not.

A CF slot driver - as all other software - is just something that reads and writes from memory. Very innocent and must be legal.

[Ever heard of the law that prevents CLIE developers from writing to memory adress #$0xFFFF0000 to #$FFFFBBBB ? (Or any other memory adress) Me neither. :) ]

[EdFrmBrighthand]

I'm also surprised by the negativity towards the developer of this driver. I've talked to Mr. McLaughlin about this several times and he's quite sincere about developing this driver. Plus, this isn't some hobbiest blowing smoke. His company, Soft Pocket Solutions, has a very professional Pocket PC app on the market, EX-Expense.

I fully expect that we will see this driver in a few months. If I didn't believe it, I wouldn't have posted an article about it on Brighthand:
www.brighthand.com/article/Get_Ready_for_CF_Memory_On_Sony_Clies

[iebnn]

Damn, I'm going to Japan in mid-april for a few months and was looking forward to being able to get a nice CF card before I go.. guess I'll be getting a couple memory sticks to be sold when I get back.

Thank you for confirming this Ed... it's hard not to be skeptical with something like this. I was hoping it'd be true :)

[David Vella]

Originally posted by Unregistered


I have to disagree with you.

It does not matter what the device is intended to do or not.

A CF slot driver - as all other software - is just something that reads and writes from memory. Very innocent and must be legal.

[Ever heard of the law that prevents CLIE developers from writing to memory adress #$0xFFFF0000 to #$FFFFBBBB ? (Or any other memory adress) Me neither. :) ]

I still think it is very possible, but hopefully you are right;)

[iebnn]

Heh.... Unregistered: any illegal application reads/writes to memory. You even say so yourself -- "as all other software" :) All other software isn't legal

[Tixx]

Originally posted by EdFrmBrighthand
I'm also surprised by the negativity towards the developer of this driver. I've talked to Mr. McLaughlin about this several times and he's quite sincere about developing this driver. Plus, this isn't some hobbiest blowing smoke. His company, Soft Pocket Solutions, has a very professional Pocket PC app on the market, EX-Expense.

I fully expect that we will see this driver in a few months. If I didn't believe it, I wouldn't have posted an article about it on Brighthand:
www.brighthand.com/article/Get_Ready_for_CF_Memory_On_Sony_Clies
Cool. A boost of confidence was needed here.

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by iebnn
Heh.... Unregistered: any illegal application reads/writes to memory. You even say so yourself -- "as all other software" :) All other software isn't legal

Really, so tell me which Palm software is illegal?

My point is it cant be illegal to read and write to memory adresses.

The only way a software can be illegal is if it violates a trademark, like if you would call your software something like "CLIE CF Memory driver" or include a picture of Mickey Mouse in it. :)

[aussie_nx70v]

one of the previous posters was spot on and thats why it was stopped.

remember, what ive originally said. its all hypothetical ;)

if a piece of hardware that was originally intended to do only one purpose is now doing someting else (via software) then Sony can have a big say. also rememver that sony have a team of legal people just itching for a court room battle.

also let me throw another scenario. if the cf slot which is officially promoted by sony of only doing wifi is now doing cf cards would that void the warranty of a nx?

dont think its possible? think again.......

dont think thats much of a drama? well put it this way. imagine your nx losing some pixels (as reported on some nr's and early nx's). you take it in to the sony repair centre only to find out that sony have thoroughly checked your device, found this driver and promptly point out 'clause 5.a section 4z paragaph 3s' where it states that any unathotised piece of hardware/software will make any sony warranty null and void.

so what? you say. just take all the software off your device. well not all of us are that cluey.

Or, stuff the warranty you say. its well worth losing the warranty for the sake of the cf driver. well, sony will have you covered. the simple fact is that sony have the 'copyright' rights of the hardware on the nx. any breach of the copyright by a third party and sony will come down hard on the developer or user like a ton of bricks. remember buy having the unauthorised piece of software on the device you are also breaching the million and one clauses.

[n2ifp]

Now this is getting really ridiculous! Voiding a warranty? Don't you think the user would first do a hard reset on his Clie to bring it back to the out of box state before shipping it out? My personal information is private and I'd probably would have to restore it anyway when I got the repaired unit back.

Now if someone was trying to clone one of Sony's IC chip, that would be a different story, gimme a break:D!

I am sorry, I can't really take this seriously and hopefully Corey will just ignore the advice.

[MerlinW]

I think that everyone should relax,
I don't see sony sueing anyone for the modem drivers, the keyboard stuff, chargers, cases, cables, ect. how about the ms cameras, or gps unit.

For that matter, I don't see Ford sueing anyone for the addons to my car.

but back to the NX, software is software, and I don't think sony will say a thing, afterball, it will sell more NX/NZ's

[aussie_nx70v]

nope, no problems.....

like i said beleive what you want.....

[iebnn]

Originally posted by Unregistered


Really, so tell me which Palm software is illegal?

My point is it cant be illegal to read and write to memory adresses.

The only way a software can be illegal is if it violates a trademark, like if you would call your software something like "CLIE CF Memory driver" or include a picture of Mickey Mouse in it. :)

You can definitely have software that reads/writes to memory that is illegal. And there are PLENTY of other ways an app can be illegal other than by just infringing trademarks. A virus just reads/writes to memory addresses.. :) DVD decryption (DeCSS). etc etc

[Token User]

Originally posted by aussie_nx70v
if a piece of hardware that was originally intended to do only one purpose is now doing someting else (via software) then Sony can have a big say. also rememver that sony have a team of legal people just itching for a court room battle.Didn't the Hgh Court throw out the "cease and desist" injunction Sony were requesting on the PS2 Mod Chips in Australia as being a restriction under the fair trade laws?

Sony doesn't like Australia. The Australian legal system is more aligned with interpretting the intent of the law rather than the letter of the law, which makes Sony issuing a legal challenge on a CF software patch in Australia unlikely ... because it would lose. Of course, the threat of legal action is often enough - Sony could bankrupt a small player with court costs and legal fees.

Lets all hear it for free trade.

[clieconverted]

I don't see where SONY has any legal argument. They created a Compact Flash Slot for use with Compact Flash Card. Albeit a WiFi card. But they left open the room for someone to create a driver that would use the slot.

Companies create drivers all the time to work with DELL, Gateway, HP, Microsoft etc. Are they infringing on them. No. So someone wants us to have choices, SONY certainly doesn't. But too bad. Someone wants an alternative to Windows, they did create Lindows. Hmmmmm.

[aussie_nx70v]

Originally posted by Token User
Didn't the Hgh Court throw out the "cease and desist" injunction Sony were requesting on the PS2 Mod Chips in Australia as being a restriction under the fair trade laws?

Sony doesn't like Australia. The Australian legal system is more aligned with interpretting the intent of the law rather than the letter of the law, which makes Sony issuing a legal challenge on a CF software patch in Australia unlikely ... because it would lose. Of course, the threat of legal action is often enough - Sony could bankrupt a small player with court costs and legal fees.

Lets all hear it for free trade.

Yes, i tend to agree to some extent the point you are making. However the mod chips you mention still convert the PS2 to play PS2 games. However, this driver will 'officially' change this port from a Wifi port only to a CF generic port.

Now you might argue this point as after all it is a CF port intended for CF cards. Would you try and take Sony on in the legal system?

[birick]

I'm not a legal expert, but Sony didn't invent the CF slot.

SanDisk has transferred the Compact Flash trademark and technical specifications to the Compact Flash Association (CFA) which makes it available under a royalty free license to other third party manufacturers who commit to develop, manufacture and supply CF products.

The box your NX came in says " Wireless Communications Port (Compact Flash (R) Type II ). So Sony knows it is a CF slot, not a proprietary Sony slot.

To me, this would make a third party driver legal unless CFA objects.

Make sense?

[aussie_nx70v]

Again, i guess we can argue here and its free of charge. Imagine trying to argue this point in a court of law.....

[birick]

I don't have anything left to argue with. I used up my opening statement, cross examination, and closing argument all in the same post!:)

[aussie_nx70v]

lol.......

i honestly reckon this is all crap. not the post or the thread here but the issue itself.

bloody sony making things that hard for the end user to fully enjoy the NX.

[Selachii]

Will this be a driver specificly for mem-cards or should all I/O cards be able to communicate through it ?

I would love to use a GPRS-GSM CF card...I guess the manufacter has to develope sperate palm drivers too or are there Japanese GPRS-GSM cards that can solve this?

[kdn102]

The driver mentioned here seems to be memory cards only.

To be able to use another CF device, such as a GPS, the software would have to be written to directly access the GPS.

[Unregistered]

Let's come back down to Earth. The CF format is a available for a wide range of devices. Sony does not own this format. If they wanted an expansion slot to be proprietary they would have designed their own format. Sony uses the Palm OS. Therefore any software that allows the use of the CF slot falls under the terms of the Palm OS. Don't worry so much!

[kramerdrk]

No worries, the drivers are perfectly legal. Sony will not contest them in any way.

The real question is... will they work? Only time will tell. Until then, I'll just keep my old PDA. I'm tired of fighting with or waiting for Sony to wake up. They are control freaks... always have been. I guess you're all too young to remember Betamax, eh? They make great products. But, sometimes they're just not worth the hastle!