left-field question: is anybody still using a POGO PLUG with a MAC system?

[wfriedwald]

I have a vintage POGO PLUG (I think it's the second version, maybe c2011?) I was thinking of using it as a butt-simple (and probably incredibly slow) way to connect a USB drive via the network.

However, to activate a POGO PLUG device (ten years ago), you had to go to the company website. This is now no longer an option - the company and the website are both gone with the wind.

so my question: is it somehow possible to activate a POGO PLUG device in 2022? Is anybody doing this?

As always, grateful for feedback and suggestions. Thank you!


w

 

[chown33]

I had to google that (well, Duck Duck Gofer it), to if it was what I remembered. It was.

Anyway, a lot of the search results I saw were about hacking Pogo Plugs, since they're basically embedded Linux systems. If you have the skills for that, and the interest, it might be worth trying. Otherwise it's probably best to treat it as One With the Dust of History.

With as many drives and USB wires as you seem to have, I wonder how much of the problems you're seeing are simply related to your USB topology. Years ago, I wondered how far I could daisy-chain a series of powered USB hubs. It didn't work reliably for more than a depth of 2. I did get a depth of 3 for UI devices, but no more than 2 for disk drives.

Today, I run a Monoprice 32-ft USB extension cable that has a hub on the far end, and that works pretty well. It's only USB 2.0, though, and I only use it for serial-port adapters (FTDI or PL2303).

 

[RedTomato]

It looks like you're thinking of using a POGO plug to allow you to access a drive from the internet. I really wouldn't suggest that. It's running very old code and is likely to be full of holes.

If you are thinking of only using it in your home network, there are better options. I've suggested - in my other reply to you - building or buying (used) a big old PC and filling it full of your drives. Put it in the cupboard or under your desk and use it as a networked file-server.