CompuServe Thread

Twin-X is an Amiga 2000 host for an industry standard daughter board interface. Each Twin-X board can host two IEEE-959 dughter boards (or modules) each of which will fully autoconfigure under KickStart 1.2 or later. There are hundreds of modules already in existence including modules implementing: Multiple serial ports, internal modems, parallel ports scsi controllers, a to d converters, d to a converters, GPIB controllers, battery backed up ram, bubble memory (makes a nice industrial strength disk:=), stepper motor controllers, servo motor controllers, electrical relays for controlling real world voltages, bar code readers, optical scanners, and a LOT more. We are developing our own SCSI, MC68881, Serial, and GPIB modules right now so we can provide these functions at a lower cost. Modules simply plug into Twin-X and then cable out to the rear panel of the A2000. The rough part here is with hundreds of different functions available in hundreds of different modules, we (ASDG) will be able to supply canned software (drivers or libraries) to only a few (more as time goes on). So we're looking for people with serious interest (and REAL applications) who are willing to take on the board NOW and write their own support. The upshot of all this is that the A2000 can now be used in all those application areas like industrial control, laboratory control, etc. that it couldn't be used in before. You software developers out there now have a world (litterally) of opportunities for vertical market applications which didn't exist a month ago. Right now our job is to put Twin-X into the hands of hardcore developers who will imbed Twin-X in their application. General sales of the product to consumers until we've finished enough consumer market modules and software to make it worthwhile (serial, parallel, math, and scsi). BUT, we can get potential OEM's and VAR's up and running NOW. In the long run, Twin-X will benefit every Amiga owner by further entrenching the Amiga into more and bigger markets. In the short term it will benefit those who've always wanted to do some bizarre real world interfacing with their Amiga but couldn't.