ACCESS.bus, developed by ACCESS Co., Ltd., was a short-lived attempt to create a low-cost, low-power alternative to USB in the late 1990s, primarily for connecting peripherals like keyboards and mice. Leveraging the already established I²C protocol, it aimed for simplicity and minimal hardware requirements. Despite backing from major Japanese manufacturers and some limited adoption in devices like digital cameras and PDAs, ACCESS.bus ultimately failed to gain significant traction against the rapidly growing dominance of USB, fading into obscurity by the early 2000s. Its failure was largely due to USB's broader industry support, superior performance for higher-bandwidth devices, and its eventual standardization and adoption across diverse platforms.
The blog post "Vanishing Culture: Punch Card Knitting" laments the fading art of using punch cards to create complex knitted patterns. It highlights the ingenious mechanical process where punched holes in cards dictate needle movements in knitting machines, enabling intricate designs beyond basic knit and purl stitches. Though once a popular technique for both home and industrial knitting, punch card knitting is now declining due to the rise of computerized knitting machines. The author emphasizes the unique tactile and visual experience of working with punch cards, expressing concern over the loss of this tangible connection to the craft as the older machines and the knowledge to use them disappear.
HN commenters express fascination with the ingenuity and complexity of punch card knitting machines, with several sharing personal anecdotes about using them or seeing them in action. Some lament the loss of this intricate craft and the tactile, mechanical nature of the process compared to modern computerized methods. Others discuss the limitations of punch card systems, such as the difficulty of designing complex patterns and the challenges of debugging errors. The durability and repairability of older machines are also highlighted, contrasting them with the disposability of modern electronics. A few commenters draw parallels between punch card knitting and other early computing technologies, noting the shared logic and ingenuity. Several links to further resources, like videos and manuals, are shared for those interested in learning more.
The blog post details a personal project reviving ZZM, an obscure audio format from the early 2000s. The author, driven by nostalgia and the format's unique compression algorithm based on "zero motivation," reverse-engineered the format and created a modern player. They overcame challenges like incomplete documentation, bitrotted samples, and outdated dependencies. The renewed interest stemmed from rediscovering old hard drives containing ZZM files, highlighting the importance of digital preservation and the potential for forgotten formats to find new life.
Hacker News users discuss the practicality and niche appeal of the ZZM audio format, questioning its relevance in a world dominated by MP3 and lossless formats. Some express nostalgia for simpler times and appreciate the technical deep dive into ZZM's structure. Several commenters debate the merits of its compression algorithm and small file size, acknowledging its suitability for limited storage devices like old cell phones, while others dismiss it as a novelty with no practical use today. The extreme minimalism of ZZM is both praised and criticized, with some finding it intriguing while others see it as a severe limitation. The discussion also touches on the inherent difficulties in achieving good audio quality at such low bitrates and the potential for ZZM in resource-constrained environments or specific artistic applications.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43236370
Several Hacker News commenters discussed ACCESS.bus's technical merits compared to USB. Some argued that while ACCESS.bus offered advantages like cheaper connectors and isochronous data transfer crucial for audio, its downfall was due to poorer marketing and industry support compared to the Intel-backed USB. Others pointed out that ACCESS.bus's use of a 7-bit addressing scheme limited it to 127 devices, a significant constraint compared to USB's much larger capacity. The conversation also touched upon the complexity of ACCESS.bus drivers and its apparent susceptibility to noise, alongside its prevalence in specific niches like high-end audio equipment in Japan. A few commenters reminisced about using ACCESS.bus devices and noted the lack of readily available information about the technology today, contributing to its "forgotten" status.
The Hacker News post titled "ACCESS.bus: The Forgotten USB Competitor" generated several comments discussing the article about the now-obsolete ACCESS.bus. Many of the comments revolve around personal experiences and technical details related to the technology.
One commenter notes their surprise at learning ACCESS.bus wasn't simply a Japanese standard, having only encountered it on Sharp Zaurus devices. They express fondness for the connector, describing it as "robust" and "satisfyingly chunky." This sentiment regarding the physical connector is echoed by another commenter who recalls liking the connector more than mini-USB.
Several commenters discuss the prevalence of ACCESS.bus in specific devices. Multiple users mention seeing it on Casio digital cameras and Sharp organizers. One individual recalls encountering it on a GPS device. Another commenter notes that while it was seemingly ubiquitous in Japan for a period, they'd never seen it used on anything else, reinforcing the perception of it as a primarily Japanese standard.
The technical aspects of ACCESS.bus are also discussed. One commenter correctly points out that the article misrepresents the bus as being half-duplex, when in fact, it's a full-duplex standard capable of simultaneous send and receive. This correction leads to a brief discussion about the implications of half-duplex versus full-duplex communication.
Another technical point raised is the bus's relatively low speed compared to USB, with one comment suggesting this limitation contributed to its eventual downfall.
A few comments touch on the broader context of competing standards in the technology industry, with one commenter reminiscing about the "connector hell" of the late 90s and early 2000s before USB achieved dominance. Another comment laments the lack of a single, unified connector standard even today, despite USB's widespread adoption.
Finally, some comments express general appreciation for the article and the opportunity to learn about a piece of forgotten technology history. One user remarks on the cyclical nature of technology, noting how older standards sometimes reappear in modified forms.