MegaSquirt and GNU

[Raul Chinda]

Nice points Shannen, one thing I would consider for an inexpensive MS marketed for public consumption is the pay-per-
use tech support system. Computer companies seem to have taken that one as a standard even when they mark up 
their merchandise as much as 100% of the actual parts cost (rember they buy it bulk!). I doubt Bruce is in it for this one, 
though.

Raul


2/1/2002 1:29:41 AM, Shannen Durphey <shannen at grolen.com> wrote:

>Bruce Bowling wrote:
>> 
>> 5) The original goal of MS was to develop a simple and inexpensive EFI
>> system. One part of "this" was to prove that the $1,000.00 ECU units really
>> only consists of around $100.00 of parts (at the most). I still scratch my
>> head when I see MSD 6A  ignition boxes for sale for $135.00, and the
>> cheapest EFI system at $500.00+, when they contain almost the same parts.
>> Trust me - aftermarket manufacturers know about MegaSquirt, and I would not
>> be surprised if we start seeing inexpensive EFI systems (of their own
>> design) showing up from them by the end of the year - this is a tremendous
>> market. When this happens, then we all win, and the MS system has
>> vindicated its existence.
>
>Hi, Bruce.
>
>The support issues with this system could be beyond mind boggling.  Anything has
>the potential to be blamed for anything which does not work correctly on the
>car.  Even something as simple as the mention of a prom replacement can bring
>about a series of complaints.  You'd be amazed, but I've seen header
>installations blamed for poor handling, front spring work blamed for faulty
>brake lights, starter replacement blamed for poor radio reception, and more. 
>Electronic components are more likely to receive the blame than others.  Since
>they are "mystery boxes" they tend to be the first things pointed at.
>
>Consider that pricing a system to include parts, assembly cost, a fraction of
>the r&d dollars plus a reasonable markup would result in a system which many
>people could afford to buy.  But a low cost controller designed to be installed
>by almost anyone tends to be an invitation for the village idiot as well as
>anyone with half an ounce of intelligence to make the attempt.  When the
>installation doesn't go exactly as hoped, the first guys to get the call for
>help are tech support.  
>
>If you are considering selling Megasquirt as an assembled and operable system,
>I'd suggest you spend some time looking at the questions fielded by online tech
>support systems.  Edelbrock has an archive of tech support questions at
>http://www.edelbrock.com/bbs/edelbrock1.html.  At one time Federal Mogul had an
>online tech support archive, and I think that Holley had a similar service.  My
>advice, as someone who deals with the "general public," is to be sure to price
>your product well enough to cover the time which will be spent answering
>questions.
>
>I certainly would love to see the prices on these "magic boxes" drop.  It's not
>impossible.  Terry Kelly and Tunercat did something very similar to the the
>tuner software market.  But it's also just as possible to find that your "modest
>markup" is quickly devoured solving ridiculous problems and answering lazy or
>thoughtless questions.  My theory is that if the web page detailing the system
>is a bit intimidating, and the likes of Hot Rod and Car Craft don't decide to do
>a product review, probably 80% of the potential RTFM type problems I've
>described will never happen.  But that's just my opinion.
>
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