> I run into this with FTDI chips. They in fact added the unique serial 
> number as a "feature". The PC I use for programming them has over a 
> hundred COM ports so far. I am not sure when Windows will run out ;-)
> AFAIK you can program them with the same serial number, but in order 
> to program them, you have to plug them in, and Windows needs to 
> install the driver...
>
> One solution would be to write a programmer for the Mac; it doesn't 
> install a new driver for each device. It is smart enough to realize 
> the existing driver works OK. Hmm.. since the direct drivers are now 
> out for the Mac, that's a possibility...     I wonder if the same is 
> true for lunix also.
>
>   

Somebody posted something recently about a python API for them which 
presumably gets you into all the little fiddly bits and bobs you could 
possibly want.
As far as using it as a generic serial port i'd wager a coke that it 
will "just work" TM.
Get an ubuntu live cd (~700mb or so) and just plug it in and see what 
happens.
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