Straw Poll - OPINIONS PLEASE.

We're obviously become beached regards making up the modified version of the BT ASDL faceplate, so I want to know if you guys would appreciate a faster but less pretty solution.

First - you needn't read any further on this page if you aren't already familiar with the nature of the Modified BT ADSL Adaptor Faceplate product, why we even need to modify some and so forth.



Please bear in mind throughout that we're talking about an item which certainly solves a lot of people's needs to help with a top quality pro installation, but even so it's not been sufficiently in demand that it warrants the financial commitment of contracting a fully redesigned high-volume production run of these adaptors from our buddies who actually make the original BT product - or else we would've!!!




To first explain exactly what the problem has been and still is;

We originally sold the modified version to provide the extra two unfiltered terminals on the rear for hardwiring purposes. To do this, we needed to take the unit apart, desolder some bits, drill some properly spaced holes, solder in some bridging links, glue a new connector block in and solder it up, then reassemble the unit and finally test the new connections. A great and groovy idea, but sadly extremely time-consuming and unbelievably mind-numbing for people who aren't mentally suited to repetetive tasks. So we pulled the product pending a solution.

We contracted a small PCB fabrication firm to make us a whole replacement board with a redrawn track layout and with holes pre-drilled where we needed them. The results have been very neat, and do the trick precisely. But they're expensive. Another drawback of small volumes. The final down side is that they STILL require some soldering work, and none of us is really able to get round to it much under current business conditions.




Here's the question;

People are still mailing in requesting the modified units. So I'm asking for opinions on a workable halfway house solution thusly;

Most of the difficulty in making a 5-output arrangement has been due to providing a neat, properly mounted connector block for it. What if the (arbitrarily named) 2A and 5A connections were simply on a regular old bit of nylon connector block - you know, little plastic screw-terminal block - on the end of a short flying lead which was connected internally and passed through the casing to fly loose next to the normal 3-way IDC terminal?

To do that modification, while cheap looking, would be bloody RAPID compared to the hellish chore of a full block replacement. Electrically it'd be just as good of course. Oh and there wouldn't be any need to charge almost twenty-five quid for the pesky thing either! I calculate we're talking about a couple of quid's work per box, and it's the kind of thing I can have taken care of in decent quantity (relative to current interest) very quickly.

BUT I'm worried that a little flying lead with el-cheapo connector block will be perceived as poor quality regardless of how well it's fitted. After all, visual appeal is an important element of any product's acceptance and approval regardless of functionality. I am however also of the opinion that since the only people who are after this product are quite logical minds in nature, that they won't actually be bothered whether it's visually sparkly or not so long as it all fits together neatly and does the same job as the mounted block design.

So, I'd like to hear from as many people as possible about this. I need to hear from those who think it solves their problem and would ask "where do I order one", but also from anyone who thinks "a stinky connector block on a bit of wire, are you mental?"


Please pop a brief e-mail off to us at this account: mod2@clarity.it and give me a yae/nae and anything else you feel is relevant about this topic. Encouragement and disparagement are both welcomed.

Thanks folks.

Yours,
John Doyle

POSTED 11/03/03