Robert Rolf wrote:
> If USB is NOT meant to be extended, then why the ready availability of
> extension cables and repeaters and USB to fibre/ethernet links, etc. devices?

Well, I of course can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you why I use
extensions. I know they break the spec. However, I have a number of
software programs that use USB dongles as hardware keys. As well, I have
a 4 USB based flash drives. None of my computers has a USB port on their
front panel, and reaching around back is extremely hard. So, I have a
USB extension on each computer coming around to the front of the box. It
allows me to swap away with ease.

Admittedly, I should be using USB hubs to do this.

As an aside, I have a feeling that a lot of your negative experience was
caused by Win98. I know, it says USB works on Win98, but in my
experience it's flakey at best. I've had much better luck with Win2K,
and the few times I've used XP it seems to be ok as well. I'm about to
upgrade my last Win98 machine to Win2K, and this is one of the main
reasons.

Josh
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