[Karlnet] Karlnet and YDI

[Blair Davis <blair@datawise.net>]

Karlnet is to be part of YDI.

To me, at least, this is troubling.  I have never had any good luck with 
YDI products.

We can hope that the existing software product line is maintained.  
Hardware is good, but one of the major advantages to Karlnet has always 
been the large number of hardware devices that can be flashed for use as 
a CPE.   Including the flashrom units, many lucent/orinoco products, the 
compact flash versions, and the Ubicomm/wet11 style. This has prevented 
us from becoming dependent on one manufacture of hardware.

We can hope that the tech support will be LEFT ALONE.  Karlnet tech 
support is the single most responsive group that I have dealt with.  No 
one else even comes close.

On the flip side, maybe YDI will realize that what they have here.  
Karlnet is by far the most cost effective upgrade path for anyone 
currently needing to upgrade an existing wireless network from 802.11B.  
But, this requires that YDI commit to keeping the existing separation of 
software and hardware.  If YDI decides to no longer sell just the 
software, but to require that you buy their own hardware with it, then 
Karlnet is dead.

Personally, I hope that YDI will give us a commitment on pricing and 
availability for the software for at least the next 2-3 years.  
However,  I am doubtful that we will see that. 

Until this shakes out, we have placed the planned conversion of our 
802.11B network to Karlnet on hold.  I hope we will have more info to 
base our long range planning soon....

Blair Davis
West Michigan Wireless ISP
269-686-8648

PS:  I sent a Engenius CB3 200mW radio to Karlnet for evaluation as a 
flashable unit.  The CB3 is available for less that $100 in quantity.  
But, after they made it work, the project was dropped.  My CB3 was 
returned to me.  It is now a TC client and works great.  I'd bet that 
this YDI thing is why it was dropped.  The CB3 could have been very nice 
high power TC client at a very nice price.



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