Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!sunybcs!sbcs!rick
From: rick@sbcs.sunysb.edu (Rick Spanbauer)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Altera software problems
Summary: Xilinx - you want to talk about infuriating?
Message-ID: <1884@sbcs.sunysb.edu>
Date: 9 Dec 88 17:00:43 GMT
References: <5095@lynx.UUCP> <5030011@hpvcla.HP.COM> <1988Dec7.191920.19019@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: State University of New York at Stony Brook
Lines: 22

In article <1988Dec7.191920.19019@utzoo.uucp>, henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) writes:
> In article <5030011@hpvcla.HP.COM> johne@hpvcla.HP.COM (John Eaton) writes:
> stupid and shortsighted.  Altera is an obvious example, but Xilinx is even
> worse -- they don't even have the excuse that you'd need programming
> hardware to zap the chips anyway!  Such neat chips, too...  What a waste.

	I tried to use Xilinx in a debugger design recently.  I wanted to
	dynamically program the part from a software level debugger, ie
	define different address/range comparators, cycle counters, etc.
	I was not only abused by the Xilinx reps for just *asking* how
	to program their part, but even by the technical people at
	Xilinx.  I agree with Henry - if design engineers just refuse
	to use parts from annoying little companies like Xilinx, Altera, etc
	then they will just dry up and die next recession.  I wonder
	about the future of megapals anyways given that if Mosis is
	actually serious about selling access to fab lines for $400/design
	custom may be the way to go.
	
> SunOSish, adj:  requiring      |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology

					Rick Spanbauer
					SUNY/Stony Brook