>The iMac doesn't have any RS232 / RS423 serial ports, only USB. This means
>that anything that needs RS232 serial output, such as a Midi box, a serial
>printer, or my Robot Arm, can't be connected.
>
>is there such a thing as a USB  to RS232 converter ? How do you connect
>these other devices to an iMac ? Or is it impossible ?

There are converters; whether they _work_ or not depends on the driver 
software you're using, from the reviews I've read. So far the reports are 
mixed. Some printers work, most don't, etc. I have no idea whether FB's 
serial port commands would be correctly "trapped" by the converter's 
driver and routed correctly.

I love the looks of the iMac, think they are perfect for adding to 
existing Mac networks, and have no problem recommending them for new 
users who understand the "no floppy" issue; but I still think for anybody 
who's a "power user", the iMac has more disadvantages than advantages. 
Where does my 2nd monitor card go? Nowhere. SCSI CD-R, scanner, Syquest, 
external hard drive(s)? Nowhere. ADB joystick and ergonomic keyboard? 
Nowhere. Serial printer? Ditto. Even if you _don't_ already own these 
things, you may want to, and there may not be a USB version you like yet. 
(USB is nowhere near fast enough for an external hard drive, anyway.) 
Sure, USB will grow, and quickly now that there's the iMac, but still... 
You can add USB and 100BaseT to any G3...

Bill