"Crowdfunding", anybody?

[GreyBeast]

Maybe this has come up before, but it's worth asking.

Seeing that Rockbox and iPod Classics with HD's swapped for iFlash adapters don't work well together, and ESPECIALLY witnessing the seemingly large number of people affected, couldn't we set up a sort of crowdfunding where all those interested sign up, one (or several) of the Classic-savvy developers says how much time it would take him to modify the ATA drivers, and we iPod Classic owners join together to pay you guys to do it?

Good idea or stupid?

[cereal_killer]

Support for the iFlash adapters would be great and I would also donate for the hardware (there is actually a Rockbox fund). I think that datasheets for those adapters are needed too. You could contact Tarkan for that. By the way, a time frame is impossible to give. As far as I know, there are only a few developers for the Classics. Maybe they can be convinced.

[GreyBeast]

I just sent an e-mail to Tarkan, with a link to this thread.

C'mon, folks, let's get this done!

I could be wrong, but it seems like such a small issue to take care of (at least we know WHAT causes it). One small step to make an awesome piece of kit (the iPod Classic) work with another awesome piece of hardware (Tarkan's iFlash adapters). It doesn't seem like such a big thing, no?

[cereal_killer]

It doesn't seem like such a big thing, no?

Well, we can't imagine how many man-hours it takes... But indeed, Rockbox on an iPod with a working iFlash adapter would be great.

[GreyBeast]

It would friggin' put the ROCK! in Rockbox (at least for iPod Classic owners).

[__builtin]

One small step to make an awesome piece of kit (the iPod Classic) work with another awesome piece of hardware (Tarkan's iFlash adapters). It doesn't seem like such a big thing, no?

Oh yes, it'd be trivial, just like how programming is just punching some buttons on a keyboard.

I think you're underestimating the difficulty and cost of what you're asking for. You can crowdfund all you want, but keep in mind that all the developers have full-time jobs and work on Rockbox not because we're paid for it, but because we enjoy it.

[GreyBeast]

I have the utmost respect for your skills. And of course programming is just punching some buttons. Just as Architects just pick out colors and materials

Is it possible to explain, in just a few sentences, what exactly it is that would need to be done? The part about "updating ATA drivers", I mean.

I don't even understand why the current ones MOSTLY work, but sometimes they don't. It's not a matter of how many files you transfer, if the Ipod's been transferring music for a long time, etc.
Shouldn't a driver either work or it doesn't? Why does it "feel" like some sort of bottleneck, like the transfer gets clogged up somehow at random times/intervals?

I didn't mean to look like I'm waving money in front of your noses. I understand you do this because (or as long as) it's fun.

Is there a way to start a poll? Some central place where a hand count could be published?

[saratoga]

Is it possible to explain, in just a few sentences, what exactly it is that would need to be done? The part about "updating ATA drivers", I mean.

There are many things that could be done, but the first thing I would try would be to explore the differences between the rockbox driver (which does not work) and the Apple driver (which those adapters are probably designed to work with), and then systematically reduce the differences until the problem no longer exists.  If that fails, reverse engineering how the adapter in question works may provide further clues as to what it requires. 

[GreyBeast]

Well put, saratoga. Tarkan hasn't answered yet.

[cereal_killer]

I am curious, if we can get datasheets or more information on the adapters. Tarkan should also be interested in working adapters with rockboxed iPods, which would increase the clientele. I can spot a chip on the board of my Dual SD adapter, but it is coated, so I can't read the printings on it. Maybe I am brave enough to peel the coating off.

Let's hope a skilled person, who also wants this setup working, punches some buttons on a keyboard ;-)

[GreyBeast]

Exactly! Tarkan should be more than willing to provide help. It would boost his sales, after all, if his cards worked flawlessly with the RB firmware.

[cereal_killer]

But he also might be interested in keeping the details of his invention secret, so that nobody can copy his product...

[GreyBeast]

Yes, I know. I addressed that in my e-mail to him. Hopefully, he can release enough info for us to go ahead.

[GreyBeast]

Here's a little poll I set up, let's see how many people are interested:

https://doodle.com/poll/a9kdnbz4h26sfipv

Don't forget to vote!

PS: Is there a way to send a PM to EVERYBODY registered on these forums? You know, for those that "disappeared into the woodwork" after they realized RB+Classic+Flash is unstable.

[saratoga]

PS: Is there a way to send a PM to EVERYBODY registered on these forums?

Do not do this.