[TriLUG] OT:<rant>Intrex just lost a customer</rant>

[Aaron S. Joyner]

Yeah, it's very true.  The Intrex 601 Aluminum red and blue cases are 
rather strange that way - the drive bays aren't nearly as smooth as the 
steel cases.  I've often wondered if it's a byproduct of the way 
aluminum slides against aluminum (not so likely) or a imprecision in the 
way the aluminum is formed that makes them not quite as precise as the 
steel cases, so they simply don't fit as well.  Unfortunately, I haven't 
found an answer yet.  :)

Aaron S. Joyner


William Sutton wrote:

>OK, I may or may not order any more computer cases (I already have 3 PCs 
>and a laptop), but IMHO, the Antec cases you guys carry are the best.  
>However, I prefer mine without windows or side panel fans...unfortunately 
>the last case I bought had the fan, and the one before had a window...
>
>Also, fwiw, the aluminum framed cases aren't up to the standards of the 
>steel framed ones.  The steel framed disk cages snap in and out cleanly.  
>The aluminum ones bend and stick when you try to insert/remove them, which 
>is a real nuisance.
>
>Just my $0.02....
>
>William, who despite being on Central time also needs to go to bed...
>
>On Mon, 17 May 2004, Aaron S. Joyner wrote:
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>>Okay, I just got in from Ohio and 10+ hours in the car.  I'm going to 
>>touch on this very briefly before I hit the sack to make work in 6.5 
>>hours.  Even given the continued growth of this thread, I think my first 
>>response covered Dave's concerns about as well as possible.  You simply 
>>need to take it up with the manager at one of the stores.  I don't 
>>understand the particular circumstances under which you spoke to Mark as 
>>the only option in the Wake Forest Road (Raleigh) store, and that he was 
>>the last response - perhaps the manager or asst. manager were out to 
>>lunch.  Again, I'm sorry you were unable to speak with one of them at 
>>that moment, but that is the appropriate course of action.  If you're 
>>not satisfied there, email feedback at intrex*net to reach a human who 
>>will honestly care about your feedback (not to imply the store employees 
>>do not - quite the opposite is true, but simply to clarify that it's not 
>>an automated bit bucket).
>>
>>To clarify that particular product (the internal USB card reader) a bit 
>>further (and answer Jon's concerns about it's quality) - I use one 
>>myself, at least once or twice a week.  I've had it since we first 
>>started carrying them (probably close to a year ago), and I think 
>>they're great devices.  The reason that it's an exposed PCB is it's 3.5" 
>>floppy-bay sized, and the plastic shell simply provides minimal 
>>protection on the bottom, and a plastic front that is exposed to the 
>>outside of the case.  There is little to no heat produced by the device 
>>- I've never noticed one to be warm, even under use (I just verified 
>>this with mine copying 750Megs of Photos off a 1Gig CF Card).  The 
>>exposed PCB is simply a inexpensive way to make an easily accessible 
>>internal mini-usb (usb a) connector, and keep the cost of the box down 
>>(it is a 3.5" internal 6n1 card reader with changeable colored face 
>>plates, two usb cables - usb b as well as headers, etc, for $20 after 
>>all).  There really is very little danger of doing any damage to the 
>>components, in my opinion.  I stated it before in the interest of 
>>explaining all the angles associated with diagnostics and return - not 
>>that I thought Dave might have actually damaged it, as I attempted to 
>>make clear.
>>
>>As for the particular products we carry, I find that we carry quite a 
>>diverse range of parts, from the really-cheap stuff, to the rather nice 
>>components that actually sell.  You must remember, this is a business.  
>>It's not my personal geek warehouse.  :)  We'd carry all kinds of random 
>>and obscure low-volume stuff if I ran the shop.  :)  We'd probably also 
>>go under in short order.  Fortunately though, the show is run by some 
>>very knowledgeable people who try very hard to isolate what our 
>>customers want and actually will buy.  As Justin pointed out, Intrex has 
>>been around for an awful long time, they have to be doing something 
>>right.  I've been thoroughly impressed (both inside and outside of the 
>>company) that Intrex ha been able to weather the storms of the market so 
>>effectively.  With all that said...
>>
>>We'd LOVE to hear what products you'd like us to stock.  What you think 
>>is good to have, Linux-friendly, or Linux-specific even.  There really 
>>isn't much in the hardware arena that's Linux specific, but think about 
>>particular things that we may not carry, and let us know.  General 
>>non-Linux related things are great too.  Bring a list with you to the 
>>next TriLUG meeting.  We'll be there, with real decision makers present, 
>>who want your feedback.  We're even buying the pizza.  :)  Keep in mind, 
>>I can't promise that we'll carry the particular widget that you need 
>>(for that matter I can't promise much with any weight :) ), but if 
>>there's a reasonable demand for a product or type of products, I'm sure 
>>we'll be glad to meet it.
>>
>>Well that only took 30 mins.  :)  Time for sleep!
>>
>>Good night TriLUG,
>>Aaron S. Joyner
>>
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