
Hello Rick, On Thu, 2015-08-06 at 19:28 -0700, Rick Moen wrote:
Quoting Peter Ross (petrosssit@gmail.com):
Well, I am running FreeBSD servers since 1999 - and only remember one problem with server hardware (a new revision of a Broadcom card on a Dell server a few years ago).
With cards based on Broadcom chips, I personally favour immolation therapy. ;->
Please elucidate why. Broadcom have backed the Raspberry Pi in various ways. I am aware of some bits being proprietary, whch I would prefer were open and documented, but for the price point, I think they did remarkably well. I am aware that they used a relatively cheap existing SOC, with some very good graphics. That also brought in some licenced proprietary material that makes the RPi quite such an attractive item to the children, and to hackers, for example as a Media Center PC running XBMC or similar. I am also aware that the chip supported (S)VGA, and that the latest revisions can connect to and drive a VGA monitor via a daughter board.
(I'm geographically blessed with the ability to make rude gestures whenever I pass by the headquarters of Broadcom Corporation. If I'm ever in Bermuda, I'll make time to do likewise for Marvell Technology Group, Ltd. Not quite Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, but it's a start.)
I am aware that all too many networking chip companies do the chip revision of the week, without distinguishing ID's, and not necessarily compatible at any level. That does not deserve immolation, more that the management who push for that to live a long life, 1,000 years, with spinal cancer, and no pain killers. Regards, Mark Trickett