> Well, I've thought about that one before, but the problem I've always had
> with the idea is that it would be too easy for even experienced users to
> plug a 9V device into a 15V socket (you get the idea).  Of course, this is
> possible with warts too if they use the same plug and you get them mixed
> up.  Most of the devices I'm currently running from warts are not
> internally regulated.  But the current situation, 1 wart per device, is
> ridiculous.

While there are a few devices I've seen that rely on regulated wall-wart
supplies, the vast majority do the regulation internal.  I think it's 'cos
the price difference between unregulated and regulated warts is higher than
the price of a 7805 and two caps (plus, a device with a regulator on-board
is less likely to go "boom" if connected to the wrong wart).  A number of
them also have a protection diode between the input and the regulator (cheap,
but it means they'll run off just about anything).

What I'd like to see would be a standard for plugs/sockets such that a plug
would fit in any compatible socket.  Probably a two-pin molex-style connector,
polarized, and with notches or projections on the top and bottom to code for
voltage, current, and AC/DC.  A device which could accept anything from 9 to
15 volts AC or DC could have lots of notches in it, to fit a variety of plugs,
while a device that needs +5 DC would just have one notch for +5 and one for
DC (and one for its required current dose).

How does that sound?