Mac Slocum
04-12-07, 11:12 AM
Opinion: When Will Standards Mean Something?
There's a disconnect between networking standards and actual consumer benefits, and it's making Toni Kistner cranky.
My investigation into DLNA made me remember why I never actually buy anything.
I’m still not sure what the specific benefit to buying DLNA-certified products is—beyond the notion that they’ll “work better together”—but vendor support remains a good signpost.
http://www.electronichouse.com/images/uploads/home_network_04.jpg (http://www.electronichouse.com/article/opinion_when_will_standards_mean_something/C155/)
Buffalo Technology, headquartered in Japan, is certifying a range of products and is joining a bunch of similar technology organizations. But its peers are less enthusiastic. Most say they “support” the consortium, and two offer up one certified product each as proof (Linksys: KiSS 1600, sold in Europe; Netgear: EVA 8000). Many also indicate that plans are in the works to increase their DLNA involvement in the coming year.
But off the record, several product managers I talked to expressed frustration and downright crankiness as they questioned DLNA’s relevance. They want to know:
* How will DLNA certification impact the consumer?
* Where are guidelines for producing a DLNA remote control to manage your DLNA devices? Or, for writing a common DLNA user interface?
Another good signpost is the willingness of the consortium to address such questions, like, in a real-time phone interview. The folks at DLNA are always traveling, apparently, and therefore unable to schedule phone calls (and chew gum?)
To read the rest of Toni’s rant, check out
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/opinion_when_will_standards_mean_something/C155/
There's a disconnect between networking standards and actual consumer benefits, and it's making Toni Kistner cranky.
My investigation into DLNA made me remember why I never actually buy anything.
I’m still not sure what the specific benefit to buying DLNA-certified products is—beyond the notion that they’ll “work better together”—but vendor support remains a good signpost.
http://www.electronichouse.com/images/uploads/home_network_04.jpg (http://www.electronichouse.com/article/opinion_when_will_standards_mean_something/C155/)
Buffalo Technology, headquartered in Japan, is certifying a range of products and is joining a bunch of similar technology organizations. But its peers are less enthusiastic. Most say they “support” the consortium, and two offer up one certified product each as proof (Linksys: KiSS 1600, sold in Europe; Netgear: EVA 8000). Many also indicate that plans are in the works to increase their DLNA involvement in the coming year.
But off the record, several product managers I talked to expressed frustration and downright crankiness as they questioned DLNA’s relevance. They want to know:
* How will DLNA certification impact the consumer?
* Where are guidelines for producing a DLNA remote control to manage your DLNA devices? Or, for writing a common DLNA user interface?
Another good signpost is the willingness of the consortium to address such questions, like, in a real-time phone interview. The folks at DLNA are always traveling, apparently, and therefore unable to schedule phone calls (and chew gum?)
To read the rest of Toni’s rant, check out
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/opinion_when_will_standards_mean_something/C155/