y0da900
10-01-2007, 11:39 AM
To not clutter the signup thread with it, this is for discussion of modularity as mentioned by rabid in the other thread
I'd also like to focus everyone's attention on the concept of 'modularity' and the concept of a self-contained feed system (eg, one built into the marker itself).
My thoughts on the matter:
Modularity has some real positives going for it, and a few potential drawbacks as well. It would require creation of, and adherence to, published mechanical/electrical specs (which I mentioned wanting to do before). These specs should allow for both a more compatible product, but it can also eventually lead to more competition, more choices, and lower prices. It allows someone to design a product that will instantly be compatible with a larger range of products, and products that may well work better than one designed around having reverse engineered a representative sample to test for fit and tolerances (both costly, time consuming, and a potential source of error).
Modularity allows for far greater customization in a product, as you are now shopping for an accessory or part, not a product X accessory or part. Sure, there will still be product specific everything, there is no avoiding that without alienating a ton of designs, but there are a lot of options that are open. How many times have you seen someone spouting off on the nation about how cool their gun is because it has XXX frame on it. With a modular spec that contains grip frame specs, they could all be interchangeable.
How about a single gun that can do it all. You get one of a variety of models or a base body kit, and modify it as you see fit. You love a body style, but aren't a fan of the operating system, get the base body and make it yours. Sort of like someone building a spimmy from a spyder, a cocker from a sniper. A one size fits all set of components that allows for almost complete customization of how you want to play that day. Easy no real modification required drop in conversions from blowback, to EP, to pump/stock class pump, to an Aedes like gun. Just an idea of something that can happen with a modular design concept.
One of the drawbacks of modularity: as mentioned above with the single do it all gun, there is a chance that a somewhat inferior design is pushed out for the sole purpose of it being modular. Like guns that are designed for the sole purpose to be small, some shortcuts may have been taken that shouldn't have all to save that 1/8 of an inch on the design. Some people have said in the past that the original Intimidators could have been a lot better had Bob Long not based them around the purpose of reusing Spyder bodies, but nobody (or very few people) but him knows for sure what he really sacrificed in the design by doing that.. There is a time and a place for modularity, but it could be really easy to sell yourself short by being preoccupied with complying to the specs that allow for the modularity to exist.
I'd also like to focus everyone's attention on the concept of 'modularity' and the concept of a self-contained feed system (eg, one built into the marker itself).
My thoughts on the matter:
Modularity has some real positives going for it, and a few potential drawbacks as well. It would require creation of, and adherence to, published mechanical/electrical specs (which I mentioned wanting to do before). These specs should allow for both a more compatible product, but it can also eventually lead to more competition, more choices, and lower prices. It allows someone to design a product that will instantly be compatible with a larger range of products, and products that may well work better than one designed around having reverse engineered a representative sample to test for fit and tolerances (both costly, time consuming, and a potential source of error).
Modularity allows for far greater customization in a product, as you are now shopping for an accessory or part, not a product X accessory or part. Sure, there will still be product specific everything, there is no avoiding that without alienating a ton of designs, but there are a lot of options that are open. How many times have you seen someone spouting off on the nation about how cool their gun is because it has XXX frame on it. With a modular spec that contains grip frame specs, they could all be interchangeable.
How about a single gun that can do it all. You get one of a variety of models or a base body kit, and modify it as you see fit. You love a body style, but aren't a fan of the operating system, get the base body and make it yours. Sort of like someone building a spimmy from a spyder, a cocker from a sniper. A one size fits all set of components that allows for almost complete customization of how you want to play that day. Easy no real modification required drop in conversions from blowback, to EP, to pump/stock class pump, to an Aedes like gun. Just an idea of something that can happen with a modular design concept.
One of the drawbacks of modularity: as mentioned above with the single do it all gun, there is a chance that a somewhat inferior design is pushed out for the sole purpose of it being modular. Like guns that are designed for the sole purpose to be small, some shortcuts may have been taken that shouldn't have all to save that 1/8 of an inch on the design. Some people have said in the past that the original Intimidators could have been a lot better had Bob Long not based them around the purpose of reusing Spyder bodies, but nobody (or very few people) but him knows for sure what he really sacrificed in the design by doing that.. There is a time and a place for modularity, but it could be really easy to sell yourself short by being preoccupied with complying to the specs that allow for the modularity to exist.