(introduction...)

Compatibility (or should we rather speak about "incompatibility"?) is a major concern for users in order to protect their investment. Standards are dramatically lacking, and when they exist they come too late and are not necessarily accepted by all manufacturers. Some have been defined by one or a small group of manufacturers, others by international bodies.

So, users need to keep themselves informed and be particularly careful when buying a new equipment. Here are a few points to help them: