From that page: "FTDI is definitely not targeting end users - if you're unsure if ICs are genuine then please don't use the drivers."
This is where I think they are mistaken, because end users may be downloading and installing the drivers themselves. I have done this on more than one occasion: Some gadget has a USB port and I find that it uses the FTDI chip, so I go to the web page and download the FTDI drivers for it. This may happen quite frequently, for instance when an end user moves a gadget from one PC to another, and (mistakenly assumes that) they want the latest driver.
I'm disappointed because I was a big fan of FTDI and use them in a lot of my projects. I won't just go and burn all of my FTDI chips, but I am sufficiently motivated to look for an alternative. Looks like SparkFun has a couple of breakout boards for the Silicon Labs chips.
This is where I think they are mistaken, because end users may be downloading and installing the drivers themselves. I have done this on more than one occasion: Some gadget has a USB port and I find that it uses the FTDI chip, so I go to the web page and download the FTDI drivers for it. This may happen quite frequently, for instance when an end user moves a gadget from one PC to another, and (mistakenly assumes that) they want the latest driver.
I'm disappointed because I was a big fan of FTDI and use them in a lot of my projects. I won't just go and burn all of my FTDI chips, but I am sufficiently motivated to look for an alternative. Looks like SparkFun has a couple of breakout boards for the Silicon Labs chips.