Tim wrote: > On Wed, 2006-01-11 at 22:24 +0000, Ian Malone wrote: >>> Alternatively they could just revert to 8.3 support for files, it >>> wouldn't affect usb key applications as windows is handling the file >>> system then (but it's a blow to interoperability, USB keys wouldn't >>> work between Win and Mac or Linux). > > > They're just a storage medium, so they use what's put on them. It's > up to the computers using them as to how. We don't have "FAT" hard > drives, CDs, etc. We simply have drive and discs. Yes, what I mean is that usb key manufacturers don't need to worry about licensing, but if you can't use FAT on Mac or Linux then a FAT formatted key created in Windows is not going to work on them. (It'll be interesting to see Apple's response, but I suppose they'll just pay the fee in the end) > So I don't see the further encumbering of FAT making it impossible to > use thumbdrives in particular. It might make them less useful. Say my Linux box doesn't support FAT so I format my pen drive to use ext2 and install ext2 drivers on the Windows machines I use. I now have the problem that if I need to use an unknown (almost certainly Win) computer for a presentation I have to either have another pen drive or use a (friendly) Windows machine to reformat my current pendrive (which isn't great for them apparently) and put the data back on. -- imalone
