Author: Phil (adsl-64-172-45-83.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net)
Date: 06-24-2005 07:06
Paranoid,
I know what you mean about the negativity when costs are discussed for something "new". I think most people react that way towards things that are "nice, but not necessary". Something like a graphics card or accelerator. Sure, they'd be nice to have, but not really essential for the ST nowadays.
I don't think the Link 97 or any other hard disk interface falls under this.
A good example is when B&C (Atari retailer) was running low on Link 2s. They kept boosting the price and I believe it eventually reached US$175. They still managed to sell the last one for that price! I think that's ridiculous. There is a market out there for this product.
Steve,
I do not think a new run of Link97s will be "cheap" though. If "cheap" is $50, forget it. (That's the price of just the circuit board) A more realistic price would be what Link 97s were originally selling for - about $90.
I also would NOT depend on Best Electronics. Brad (the owner) is a businessman first, Atarian second. He will NOT use small manufacturers to produce anything, and will only use big Taiwan manufacturers who pump out large quantities of computer products. Unless you can convince him that he will sell thousands (that's right, thousands) of Link97s, he won't budge. It's not worth his $ or time he says.
The only way to produce it in a realistic quantity (50-100) is if someone does it by hand or a small fabrication plant does it. I'm sure atarimax knows them since he already has a product manufactured. If not, I'm sure there's Rory McMahon or another person like him who will make them. Just need the code to program onto the PAL to do it...
