First time subsurace usage surprises

[Linus Torvalds]

On Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 4:27 PM, Lutz Vieweg <lvml at 5t9.de> wrote:
>
> Not one that would be guaranteed to work, but this circuit:
> http://web.archive.org/web/20070419042834im_/http://insel.heim.at/malediven/350052/g/eon2_1.gif
> is reported to be compatible with a wider range of PCs, using
> the Maxim MAX232 that integrates a charge pump to achieve
> useful signal levels under difficult circumstances.

Oh, I agree, once you start using active components the thing changes.

But that makes the thing way more complicated and expensive. That
extra 5 cent piece won't be on a mass-produced cable. Never mind that
Suunto sells its cable for some insane markup.

> Suunto could have used a tiny IR emitting diode, which seems
> easy to seal against pressure.

Others did that, and yeah, it works. But it's not the world we live in
(and proprietary IR protocols tend to have their own downsides too,
although I think one vendor used the standard IrDA protocol).

Some day in the future I hope we'll see something like bluetooth and
inductive charging. Standard communication protocols, no pins, nasty
battery changes.

             Linus