From mini-ITX to nano-ITX

[peroxidechicken]

As reported on Slashdot...

"mini-itx.com have exclusive pictures of VIA's new 12cm x 12cm motherboard standard they're terming 'Nano-ITX'. VIA have removed the legacy ports, moved to mini-PCI and SODIMMs and now a new batch of custom PC projects can be produced where previously there wasn't quite enough room for the motherboard. I already have an idea..."

[peroxidechicken]

I've always thought a cool firewire device would be a 5 1/4 inch bay mounted break-out box with USB, ethernet, legacy ports (including PS/2) and maybe even SCSI/IDE.  It'd be a good way to shrink any future motherboard.  

If all that I/O chokes the firewire port just add another independant channel.  It'd still take up less space than a single parallel port connector.  

Just my 2c worth.   :-)