Neil: I understand what you're saying, but just what are the definitions of "small", "middle" & "large"?

Ian: Interesting thoughts on your pages. I'll have to look harder at TTPCS. It sounds like what I did on the '51-based products, and maybe it's the way I should continue.

Erik: Based on your timing statement alone, I should forget about an RTOS. These products are industrial controls, so timing is _everything_! And as far as costs go, perhaps I should've said "that the Prez has absolutely no technical understanding at all, so getting him to understand what an RTOS could do is near impossible." I've fought with him too many times on technical items and frankly, I've given up trying.

Grant: The hardware guy & I have discussed the requirements and we both think that it's time to move away from the '51. This product will expand into many others that will require even more horsepower, so while it might be slightly overkill for the first few products, it will allow a nice progression down the road. And we're not in it for educational reasons: there's a hard deadline next spring (gotta meet a tradeshow date!).

Based on all this feedback, I think that I'll skip the RTOS, given that there will be enough of a learning curve with a new micro, in a new box.

Thanks for the info, guys.

tom