PC Paul wrote:

USB powered devices help, but I wish a standard would emerge where a single
large low voltage (+12V,+5V?) supply could feed a number of devices.

Do you mean on computers only, or round the house? Compauters do have a
standard, but its not used. But thats easy to change. The 4 pin
connector used on HDD, CDROM etc. Just remove a plate on the back and
poke one or 2 out to the world, and you can use it to run your scanner,
speakers, sometimes printer, etc. It gives 5 and 12v, and if you need
9v just use 12 via 3 dropping diodes. 5v is not 6v but seems to run 6v
goods ok in practice.

It seems silly to sell a computer system containnig 2 or 3 wall warts
when the maker could just use 2 or 3 more of these already standard and
already in use connectors.


NT