"John Dann" wrote in message
...

(though external
serial-to-USB adapters will be around for a long time I suspect).

Keep in mind that not all applications work with USB to Serial converters.
I see no reason why I would expect a weather station to fall into this
category, but many hobbyist/amateur radio applications use the serial port
in strange ways, and USB to serial converters require that you use the
serial port as it was intended.

But serial ports are fast becoming extinct, especially on laptops. For the
best combination of flexibility and ability to continue to use your stuff,
look for serial ports on PCs you buy, but don't go buying peripherals that
require serial ports. Or if you do, accept the fact that they are likely to
be a temporary thing.

Nowadays, viewing peripherals as disposable is probably a reasonable thing
to do anyway. Generally these devices also require drivers, and by the time
you decide to upgrade your PC or operating system or whatever, the
manufacturer will likely have a new model and have lost interest in the one
you just bought. So even if you have the interface, you probably won't be
able to use the thing anyway. And keeping the old OS isn't a choice, either.
Just try to buy a machine that runs Win98OE, let alone Win95. Can't be
done. Once Vista hits, machines probably won't support SE or W2K either.

So whether its a weather station or a printer or a scanner, remember that it
is probably only for your current computer. You next computer, whenever
that happens, might not be able to support that shiny new whatever.

Hmmm ... maybe it's time to upgrade to the biggest, baddest XP machine
before Vista comes along and you can't buy a machine to run XP.

Oh, and Linux isn't much of a help, either. Not only is device support
STILL weak, but it has the same hardware issues, although not nearly as
severe. And it has issues the other way. I can't put Linux on my new
laptop yet, even though the model is a year old. Still waiting for the
distro that supports the DVD drive.

...