>>> (b) If the Ethernet card conforms to an interface spec as widely
>>>     known and documented as that of bread,
>> You mean the "put the slice in your mouth" interface ?
>
>Essentially, yes, that plus the "cut with bread knife" and "put in
>toaster" and all the others.  It sounds silly, but that's because the
>bread's interface is (a) far simpler and (b) far better known than the
>Ethernet card's interface.

that all depends on what you intend to "do" with the card.  you're not
writing a driver for it.  you just expect to but it, plug in it, wire
it up, and go to town.  kinda like bread.  you toast it.  butter it.
slap some jam on it.  and eat it.

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