answer--USB Version

[usb]

from www.komando.com (good site for good info)
---------------------------
Q. I'm thinking about a new computer. When I bought my
last one three years ago, USB was the big thing. Now
there's USB 2.0 and Firewire. What do I need?

A. You're running up against the march of technology. The
first version of USB (universal serial bus) was hot three
years ago. But it is being supplanted by much faster
technologies.

Peripherals such as printers or cameras hook up to the
USB connections on the computer. Most computers have USB
connections both in the back and front.

The first generation USB is 1.1. It moves data at 12
megabits per second. That was speedy in its day. But
Apple overwhelmed it with Firewire. (Firewire's technical
name is IEEE 1394 Serial Bus. Is it any wonder Apple
renamed it?) Firewire transfers data at 400 megabits per
second. It is made for both Apple machines and PCs.

Then, along came USB 2.0. That's actually faster than
Firewire, running at 480 megabits per second. Most new
PCs now have a mix of USB 1.1 and 2.0 connections. Some
things, like mice and keyboards, have no use for 2.0's
high speed, so 1.1 is sufficient. But if you're
downloading video from a camcorder, you'll need all the
speed you can get. Those are big, big files! USB 2.0
ports can handle 1.1 devices, but they run at 1.1 speed.

Of course, the Firewire folks aren't resting. They're
working on a version that will move up to 3.2 gigabits of
data per second, eventually. Presumably, we'll get a
faster USB someday, too.

So, what should you buy? This situation is typical of
computers. No matter how long you wait, you never stay
ahead of the technology curve. And you don't really need
to.

If you're buying a PC, try to get some USB 2.0 ports.
Also, try to get at least one Firewire port. That will
give you maximum flexibility. Apple computers come with
Firewire and the much slower USB 1.1 ports.
>-----Original Message-----
>How do I tell what version of USB I have on my Windows
XP Pro machine?
>
>
>.
>

[Muzzy]

It also depends on what you want to hook up to the machine.
For example, I think that the UPS manufacturers are lagging behind in
providing USB port versions of their equipment (unless you want to pay the
+/- 30% premium for this *luxury*). Same story with managed LAN switches.
Most M/Bs today come with only 1 serial port I/O - so you want to, let's
say, set up an ADSL server with a V90 modem dial-up backup (using that old
modem that you bought 5 years ago and never upgraded because dial-up speeds
were already at their limit) AND manage the that old LAN switch ( which is
working fine) AND have an intelligent shut-down feature in case of power
outages and you then find that you have to replace all these gizmos - not
because they're no longer functional ( who needs a UPS I/F working at 480
Mbs?) but because the I/Fs are no longer available.
Has anyone tried lately to source a *multi coms port card*?


Bring back the *Six Pack Card*!!!

Regards
Muzzy


"usb" > wrote in message
...
> from www.komando.com (good site for good info)
> ---------------------------
> Q. I'm thinking about a new computer. When I bought my
> last one three years ago, USB was the big thing. Now
> there's USB 2.0 and Firewire. What do I need?
>
> A. You're running up against the march of technology. The
> first version of USB (universal serial bus) was hot three
> years ago. But it is being supplanted by much faster
> technologies.
>
> Peripherals such as printers or cameras hook up to the
> USB connections on the computer. Most computers have USB
> connections both in the back and front.
>
> The first generation USB is 1.1. It moves data at 12
> megabits per second. That was speedy in its day. But
> Apple overwhelmed it with Firewire. (Firewire's technical
> name is IEEE 1394 Serial Bus. Is it any wonder Apple
> renamed it?) Firewire transfers data at 400 megabits per
> second. It is made for both Apple machines and PCs.
>
> Then, along came USB 2.0. That's actually faster than
> Firewire, running at 480 megabits per second. Most new
> PCs now have a mix of USB 1.1 and 2.0 connections. Some
> things, like mice and keyboards, have no use for 2.0's
> high speed, so 1.1 is sufficient. But if you're
> downloading video from a camcorder, you'll need all the
> speed you can get. Those are big, big files! USB 2.0
> ports can handle 1.1 devices, but they run at 1.1 speed.
>
> Of course, the Firewire folks aren't resting. They're
> working on a version that will move up to 3.2 gigabits of
> data per second, eventually. Presumably, we'll get a
> faster USB someday, too.
>
> So, what should you buy? This situation is typical of
> computers. No matter how long you wait, you never stay
> ahead of the technology curve. And you don't really need
> to.
>
> If you're buying a PC, try to get some USB 2.0 ports.
> Also, try to get at least one Firewire port. That will
> give you maximum flexibility. Apple computers come with
> Firewire and the much slower USB 1.1 ports.
> >-----Original Message-----
> >How do I tell what version of USB I have on my Windows
> XP Pro machine?
> >
> >
> >.
> >