[OpenWrt-Devel] OpenWrt Roadmap

[Alberto Bursi]

On 12/11/18 21:40, John Clark wrote:
>
>> We are talking of embedded hardware, stuff that can be replaced with future-proof
>>
>> hardware (4+ years) for 20-30$ in most cases.
>>
>> I don't think it is worth the manpower required to have any real attempt at a LTS
>>
>> (i.e. backporting security fixes).
> I suppose you have never gone to an electronics manufacturing plant, been told that the ‘parts placement’ machines were originally sewing machines, repurposed for electronic placement, and in part run by a pneumatic system that was put in before WWII. This was at a division of a billion+ dollar international company at the time…
>
> This is something that new equipment producers face with trying to break into a market. The existing solution is used till the last gasp.
>
> John Clark.
>

Apple and oranges comparison, you are comparing industrial automation to 
consumer electronics.


Industrial equipment and automation in general is ridiculously 
expensive, because it is often one of a kind or heavily customized,

and because it's produced in low quantities so you have horrendously 
large manpower costs.

So it makes a lot of sense to reuse all you can, just so you can save 
millions (literally).

I'm ready to bet that they also didn't ask volunteers to modify those 
sewing machines but paid someone to do it, though.

And they paid for a refurbish of old equipment because it was cheaper 
than buying new.


While I'm strongly suspecting that in this case its much cheaper to buy 
new low-end hardware instead of paying the actual cost for an LTS release.


-Alberto


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