[opendtv] Re: Global standard

  • From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:11:31 -0400

At 3:15 PM -0500 4/30/12, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
Even the Apple Ethernet TP-MAU connector, back in the days of external Ethernet transceivers, was non-standard.
The AAUI port was created by Apple to deal with the range of physical network connection standards that existed at the time. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AppleTalk#AppleTalk
Ethernet had become essentially universal by 1990, and it was time to build Ethernet into Macs direct from the factory. However, the physical wiring used by these networks was not yet completely standardized. Apple solved this problem using an AppleBus-like solution, using a single port on the back of the computer into which the user could plug an adaptor for any given cabling system. This FriendlyNet system was based on the industry-standard Attachment Unit Interface, but deliberately chose a non-standard connector that was smaller and easier to use, which they called "Apple AUI", or AAUI.
Apple was early into the networking game. Appletalk allowed Macs and Laserwriter printers to be networked as early as 1985. When Ethernet became the defacto standard Apple supported it, first using the AAUI approach, then with 10baseT ports.
After the second coming of Jobs, Apple started to support industry standards to leverage the third party peripheral markets. Apple still uses some proprietary ports, like the Mag safe power connectors on notebooks and the mini display port that has dongles for different industry standards. In many cases this is dictated by packaging considerations, especially with products like the Macbook Air - Ultrabooks face the same challenge.
Yes, now Apple pushes hard for HTML5 and for Thunderbolt, and my assumption is, they will continue to do so only if they don't become ubiquitous. If they did become de-facto standards, then Apple would move on to something more unique again.
Again, you are describing an Apple that existed in another time. Apple DOES support MANY new technologies before they migrate to PCs. First to standardize on 3.5" floppy drives, first with standard CD-ROMs; and on and on.
And Apple has developed and worked to standardize new technologies like Firewire, which is still standard on some products. USB is standard on every product. 

Regards
Craig


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