For other systems other than Amiga, yes. But Amiga has WHDload which removes the real need for this.

Looks like a cool homebrew hardware project.

In my opinion, people who just have an A500 will take a lot of advantages of this device.

 People here who bought one of those babies simply put their A1200s in semi-retirement since playing with the A500 is better!

 Also, A500 IDE/SCSI controllers are very expensive and memory expansions (but the internal A501) are expensive, too.

 In a final note, to make a decent WHDLoad machine based on one A500 you need:

1- Fast memory (at least 2Mb, better 4Mb, 8Mb is excellent);

2- HD controller. SCSI is widely available for A500, some few IDE ones. For SCSI then an ACARD board, plus a Compact Flash adaptor and the CF itself;

3- Optional 3.1 ROM to be able to run ECS games on the A500 (ECS Denise is not necessary, just the 1Mb Agnus).

 All those bits and bobs costs money. So you can't have the HD-expanded A500 for less than 200USD!

The floppy emulator wins!

Count me in if cheap enough.

If you have an Amiga 500, to use WHDload, you need a HD and FAST RAM (I believe).Now, there are other benefits to having those, but they come at a price.

I understand what you're saying. But that price is considerably less than a stand alone floppy disk emulator (based on the €80 price of the much simpler USB variant)

but this is a much cleaner solution IMHO

Cleaner solution? What are you some sort of girl?

WHDload is great, but it can be trouble getting games to run for example if you do not have the "right" hardware.

Vast majority is fine. But true, compatibility will be higher.

Fast memory (at least 2Mb, better 4Mb, 8Mb is excellent)

Vast majority of slaves do not need this amount of memory. But more is always better. An A500 hard drive interface is going to include a fast RAM interface.

Also, A500 IDE/SCSI controllers are very expensive and memory expansions (but the internal A501) are expensive, too.

Now you are just making this shit up!

1) A500 SCSI controllers are cheaper than €80 by a long way
2) Only stand alone RAM expansions are expensive. The ones built into the SCSI controllers (GVP HD8+, A590 etc.) are cheap.
3) As I've said time and time before, cheapest upgrade for A500 is an A1200.

Optional 3.1 ROM to be able to run ECS games on the A500

?? do you just wake up in the morning and decide I'm going to make up facts or is there some truth behind this statement?

So you can't have the HD-expanded A500 for less than 200USD! The floppy emulator wins!

OMG you're right. I'm going to rush out and buy one right now. Oh wait a minute.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200399265751

Cant win all the time

Cranky Sunday morning?

It just gets my goat up when people choose a side to an argument and then try and make the facts fit that decision.

Examine the facts you have, make an informed decision, analyse any extra facts which come along, review your decision.

These things are pretty cool and as I said if you a non Amiga platform (which is not already enabled in some way) especially multiple platforms it is probably the smart buy.

Pretty cool.  I would certainly consider one.