Re: DIY ISA backplane

[Sergey <skis...@gmail.com>]

I started my work on the MicroATX backplane.
It looks like it will fit 8 slots - 4 of them completely Micro ATX
compatible with access from the back side, and 4 are not - they can be
used for cards that don't have connectors on the back side, or a case
might be modified to provide required access.

Even after putting 8 slots, and all the logic the board has plenty of
space (about 1.6"x6" area), and I would like to find a good use for
this area.
Here are some ideas, but all have their disadvantages:
1. Put two more ISA slots (10 total). Con: But why one would need that
many slots?
2. Implement a UART/serial port. Con: Serial port is usually provided
by an I/O card, and not many need yet another serial port.
3. Use it as a prototyping area. Con: why one would need a prototyping
area on the backplane
4. Don't use that area at all. Con: waste of PCB space
5. Make board shorter. Con: not completely ATX compatible. It will fit
in Micro ATX or ATX case, but will require some spacer to hold the
upper side of the board. (Note: most likely it will require additional
spacers anyway, because MicroATX doesn't provide a good support for
ISA slots in the middle of the board).

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Sergey