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Singlehandedly saved USB from oblivion. (vs. PS/2. A proprietary IBM standard created by the same proprietary mindset that created Microchannel Architecture)

*sigh...* No, it was Microsoft who did since they made it

Sigh.

If you are talking about USB, it was created by a combination of seven companies, of which Microsoft was but one. Intel was the one who actually created the first USB interface ICs, though. And as I have pointed out, USB connectors languished for several years on Windows PC motherboards. It wasn't until the popularity of the original CRT iMac that USB "caught on". That's why so many early USB peripherals mimicked the original iMac's color assortment.

BTW, Windows support for USB didn't even appear until what called Windows 95, OSR2. And it was widely considered to be nearly uselessly buggy until Windows 98. In fact, in Windows 95, USB isn't even enabled by default.

But don't let your lack of historical knowledge stop you from acting the fool.

And, BTW, I said "popularized" the USB interface; not "created" it. As I said above, many, many PC motherboards had USB connectors before the iMac; but it took the iMac's popularity to create that all-important "tipping point" for USB device availability. Which curiously enough, brings us back on-topic regarding Thunderbolt.

Now, if you were referring to MCA, MS had NOTHING to do with that; it was ALL IBM.

OT, but I recently purchased a VIA-based USB cardbus for a laptop. It seems to only detect USB 1.1 devices that are plugged in to it. Other devices (including, mice, flash drives, and external hard drives) simply aren't detected under Windows XP. (Well, external HDDs locked up the computer without generating a crash report....) I tried on three different brands of laptop with same results. I finally found a site whose advice I agree with: Choose from the list of USBMan Tested and Approved Upgrade Cards by Manufacturer and Chipset. DO NOT buy a VIA based PCI/USB card ...

Field of view would be easy to conquer if you provide several simultaneous streams. That's the approach I'm investigating with stereo pairs of cameras for 3d view. The problem is that most camera makers don't follow the USB spec, so you can't plug in more than one of the same model at a time.

The exception to the rule is the Vista Imaging VICAM, which was originally made in a parallel port version, then bought by 3Com and released in a USB version as the 3Com HomeConnect Camera. It was then bought by Digi/IONetworks and released as the Watchport/V. In all of its USB incarnations, you can run several Vicams simultaneously.

According to the informative reviews I've read, Vista did a lot of things right with this camera. Despite being an old design, the image quality is still among the best you'll find. You can get accessory lens packs, to change the field of view.

Other cameras that support multiple instances are the Logitech QuickCam 4000 and the ADStech "Turbo USB 2.0 webcam". There may be more.

Now, if only I'd thought to do an Ask /. two weeks ago, someone could've done all this research for me. ;)

1. The MS Natural Keyboard Pro with the built-in USB hub.
2. The MS Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 - as usual it took a few version to get right; older versions had their 'tail' wire wear out and short after a bit of use.

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USBman's Linux section

Perhaps an Anti MS sentiment? Personally I kind of like their natural keyboards and have bought a good few for various people. I have a pair at home that both have 2 USB ports. Want a link to some PC keyboards with USB ports?

You can get support for usb with Win95, as you can get drivers, although limited, that work well. To get more info follow this link.