Piru wrote:
Maybe someone can tell you what chip set the Spider uses to get a similar card.
Won't work. "Spider USB" is regular NEC USB card with modified PCI ID so that you can't buy one from your local dealer. The elbox driver is locked to check for the modified PCI ID.
This is MY opinion only, take it for what you will.This is my biggest grudge against the state of the Amiga as it stands.
Here's the thing....
Vendors have been doing this for years, it's nothing new.
We have a similar situation on the Mac, we call it the "Mac tax" - a regular AGP graphics card for the PC (For arguments sake) would cost maybe $150. The Mac version, which is
identical to the PC (In every way except the onboard VGA BIOS) costs at least double that.
Is that fair?
It's also the same with a few IDE controller cards, the PC only Promise Ultra66 for instance. It's the same card with only 3 SMD resistors moved around and a Mac BIOS, the price difference is astounding.
On to my main point, if you're handy with DOS and maybe some SMD rework gear you can transform the USB card into the Amiga equivalent for no more than maybe 30mins work.
Of course this raises ethical issues with the writers of the Spider BIOS, if it even contains one.
It's a catch-22 situation with both Amiga and Mac, people are willing to spend way over the odds for a card which truthfully has only minor modifications (Sometimes none at all), the developers/marketers know that they'll only sell a few to the Ami/Mac minority so they have to make their cash on the Amiga tax.
They also know that they have the market cornered which forces a lot of people out of the Amiga scene.
And you wonder why the number of Amigans is shrinking.
If you're willing to pay $60+ for what is essentially a $15 USB card, fair enough - you're supporting the developers.
On the other hand if these vendors maybe sold the card at a premium to the early adpoters, then gradually bought the price down over time, more people would buy it, they'd make more money and everybody would be happy. The "Gotta have it now" crowd would have their card, the developers would get their slice and the regular "I'll wait for the price to come down" guys would eventually get the card.
That's how the business model works in every retail situation and it
does work.
I for one won't (and can't) buy something like the Spider. I don't have the cash and this USB card (In my opinion) isn't worth anywhere near what retailers are charging for it so people like myself have to get creative and if you have the skills it will save you a lot of money.
FYI - I have 2
identical cards sitting in front of me, one in my PC and one in my Mac, both working perfectly.
I bought them 2 weeks ago brand new for $15 each.
