MOTM

I'd like to be constructive, so I'll try to respond to this post, although I think it strays from the point at hand.

a) The ZO sold a lot in MOTM format.  I know.  I bought 2.  It also sold in other formats.  That's clearly a good idea.

b) And how many people really wanted those features?  39.  These were not features that a broad group of people found appealing.  The unit is in fact unusable to clock events in a synchronized fashion - at least as I see it - as it triggers on clock trailing edges.  In addition, there's no "start" sync capability.  It has a narrow appeal, hence a narrow market.

c) I already addressed this in my previous post by suggesting characteristics of a successful module.  Instead here I'll recall a private conversation I had with Paul when the Euro Cloud Generator and Morphing Terrarium modules came out.  I thought it was pretty ridiculous to not simply release the same modules in MOTM format, if not in every format.  Paul's argument was that it was a simple "2-week" matter to create super version(s) for 5U format.  That was October of 2009.  Where are we now?  

Here's my suggestion.  Unleash the hounds!  Scrap the super versions.   Simply take a few dozen completed SMT boards for the E340 and E350 and mail them to Bridechamber, STG and Cynthia.  Let them loose to create panels of every description.  Start dancing a jig as sales rack up!  Worry about the next module later.  If you wait much longer, competitors will have beaten you to market.

-Roger

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> [resending, sorry if it double posts. My email ISP is a flake]
> 
> 
> 
> > a) I know Cynthia is reading all this (HI!!) so I'll let her responsed 
> > *if* she decides to.
> >
> > Suffice it to say: the MOTM format was very successful and was the 
> > *primary reason* I decided to drop the kits other than time/Paul H. 
> > situation.
> >
> > Reason it out from that. Hint: it wasn't because she sold *39* of them.
> >
> > b) Maybe I missed doing my homework but what other 5U pulse-diving module 
> > that was available in Oct 2008:
> >
> > 1) had fractional division (/2.5, /7.5, etc)
> > 2) had a stepped voltage out that tracked the clock and had switchable, 
> > quantized voltages
> > 3) had 16 simultaneous outputs
> > 4) had *voltage-controlled* dividing over the range of 1.5 to 33?
> >
> > I don't think *anyone* had a *single one* of these features, much less 
> > *all of them in the same module*.
> >
> > c) please don't get me wrong: I'm not here pointing fingers. I'm trying to 
> > get a *concrete idea* what to do, because frankly Euro is stomping 5U in 
> > the marketplace for *whatever* reason. It's cheaper, it's smaller, it's 
> > "off the shelf" and has funny names. Whatever........
> >
> > If 5U is mostly a "solder monkey's paradise" unless a 'magical thing' 
> > appears that everyone wants (but no one can *predict* or visualize 
> > beforehand) that's a perfectly legimate thing to grasp. If 5U existing 
> > customers are "mature" in their rigs and only 20-40 modules per design is 
> > the TAM (Total Available Market) then OK, those modules are going to be 
> > $500-$600 (go take a gander at Modcan's prices). If .com wants to be the 
> > de facto 5U source, OK then. If JH is leading the way for the pc board 
> > market, hell I buy them, too!
> >
> > There is *no way* I can compete with .com, because he has 7 full-time, 
> > paid employees (and his wife Margo is a CPA and does all the orders/office 
> > stuff as well)  that are supported by Arrick Robotics (www.robotics.com). 
> > I got me and Shane the tech.
> >
> > I agree that having stock it about the best solution.Been trying to get 
> > there for 12 years :)
> >
> > Paul S.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>