I would like to express my sincere respect for this project and for the initiators @minute, maintainers, and participants involved. As far as I know (Modularity—MNT Research GmbH), MNT Research is committed to open-source hardware and achieves through methods such as public documentation and modularity. However, I think there may be potential for further improvement in the current webpage in terms of explaining the modularity of MNT Research products. One point I believe needs clarification is the lack of adequate explanation for certain aspects of modularity that are not universally compatible.
I think I understand roughly what the OP is after - possibly a compatibility table in each product for sale in the shop so potential customers can see if it works with what they already got - but I think it would be a full time job for somebody to keep the table for each module up to date every time a new product is released.
Which is where (and I just thought of this mid post!) a wiki would come in. Each module can have its own page and the onus put on the community to keep that page and compatibility table up to date. Of course it would have to be made clear the wiki is offered in good faith only and MNT is not responsible for the accuracy of content.
For example, the compatibility of processor modules—why is the MNT Pocket Reform not compatible with the LS1028A SOM and RKX7 SOM? Is this due to electrical reasons, firmware issues, or perhaps neither or both? Does this apply to some future products as well, such as the MNT Reform Next?
Additionally, to what extent will MNT Research implement modularity across different products? For instance, the battery should be interchangeable, but what about the motherboard? Is it possible that the motherboard of MNT Reform Next could be compatible with future MNT (Classic) Reform models?
Moreover, will MNT Research create a distinct section to showcase other attempts to adapt processor modules? This could include ongoing, discontinued, successful, and failed attempts. For example, @svp’s Mars CM attempt?
Finally, although these questions may not have a valid impact on the actual product development, I believe they can offer a more objective representation of MNT Research’s commitment to open-source hardware through its approach to modularity.
I hope these questions are worthwhile. Thank you for your valuable time.
** From what I’ve observed so far, the SOMs for MNT Research products are all about the same size. The space on the motherboard for the SOMs is also similar.
I agree with this idea. That’s one of the key characteristics of open hardware. In principle, almost anything is possible with some effort. But how should this be considered in terms of feasibility, interest and usefulness?
Thanks. If there’s a genuine need for it, it would be nice to create a separate wiki post to cover similar things. But right now this post is not really fit for that, it’s mainly an advisory type of post.