Windows and black boxes

Since the subject of Windows, Dos and black boxes is back I will again
add my support to the black box. It seems clear to me that to use a
dedicated piece of hardware to implement the real time functions is an
almost 'no brainer' Its done througout the computer world- you prototype
something in software, then when the volume gets there you embed it into
chips to make it cheap and reliable. Why should step and direction pulse
generation be different?

BUT, I dislike the closed nature of Flashcut- why are they unwilling to
open their communication protocol? Would you buy a CNC machine that used
a properitary code, that they wouldnt tell you?

I have some differnet ideas on programming, for a different user than
the normal big CNC machine, and Id like to play with interfaces. Windows
is great for human interface, GUI stuff. I use it, and let the hardware
do the fast timing stuff.

ron ginger
beating an old drum!