a) I wasn't sure if the statements about "client only" applied to using the little USB-to-ethernet boxes such as the Linksys USB10T or not.

Yep, USB has two endpoints: "Host" and "Slave" Hosts are controller devices, and have "A" connectors (the wide, flat ones). Slaves are peripheral devices and have "B" connectors. (The square ones like on the back of the empeg).

Slaves can't talk to slaves, and Hosts can only talk to hosts with the bridge cables that are starting to replace LapLink cables. There's a chip in the middle to bridge the two busses.

(b) I still use my Mk1 as an indoor player, and it's now mounted neatly on a rack next to my television. I was thinking if I could run ethernet to it, then I'd be able to update it from my PC in the office. Also, I was thinking of the discussions about third-party backup utilities, and wondering if ethernet-only solutions such as Displayserver could be made to work on a Mk1.

I have the same goals, though you're ahead of me. I was thinking of building a minimal linux box, ideally just enough machine to bridge between PPP over USB and Ethernet. I could use one of my spare iOpeners for this, but even that's overkill.

Bobo: I'd be very interested in both your Mk. I and gateway Linux box configs to make this work.

-Zandr
Mk.I #0150 10GB
RioCar #010101243 10GB (96GB here I come...)