Firewire isn’t a direct competitor to USB, as they aren’t equal. But last time I checked not many devices support Firewire now (5G iPods dropped FW support) and I can only see them being used for video streaming now.

There is only plenty of room on the backplate is you remove legacy ports like serial, midi (not quite legacy) and parallel. Myself I don’t see why USB is the current saviour, the CPU utilisation is huge, especially compared to Firewire and it’s still very slow really. Take Flash memory, that’s more than capable of out pacing the meagre 40Mb/s that USB2 manages. I would rather see a move away from serial connections to parallel technologies, why send it all through one pipe when you can have two?

One of the big problems in the IT industry is that as the industry moves forward, its becomes very reluctant to remove legacy technology. Yes they still work, but wouldn’t you rather have two more USB ports rather than PS/2 ports that can only take in one type of device?

I agree that motherboards could start to have a few more USB ports, although I don’t see what’s wrong with having a few on headers. Of the 8 mine supports they are all plugged in, just 4 of them via headers.

Headers always seemed like a hacked way of doing things. Theres plenty of room on the back plate, why not just include it there?

Just because it’s old does not mean it should go. I still use serial com ports, and how long has the ATX standard been around now….

I agree, ATX has been around for too long. But no-one except the biggest manufacturers are prepared to risk moving onto the newer BTX standard, even though it’s technically better.

What do you use serial ports for now? I can’t think of one thing I would use it (not that I have one!)

I agree that motherboards could start to have a few more USB ports, although I don’t see what’s wrong with having a few on headers. Of the 8 mine supports they are all plugged in, just 4 of them via headers.

Actually, thinking about it, there are still some motherboards that do funny things when trying the BIOS with a USB keyboards (quite why some manufactures can’t get it right still I don’t not even want to try and comprehend) and even XP has its funny moments with USB mice.

Just because it’s old does not mean it should go. I still use serial com ports, and how long has the ATX standard been around now….

The thing is, while hubs can be bought - particularly PCI ones - mobo manufacturers are bound to sell us short. The BASTARDS!