>> Sounds like the reader isn't working.

>As in "this model is not compatible with NetBSD" or as in "exchanging for
>an `identical' model might work"?  (^&

Could be either, although I lean towards the former when dealing with
strange hardware failures.

>> FWIW, the reader I use is a "mere" 5-in-one which does MMC/SD, CF, and
>> SmartMedia.  (The "5th" format is MicroDrive.)

>Is it another Belkin, or some other company's product?

Another company's product; it's called a "FlashMate", part # either FTP-D or
US5L1L07.  Mine was sold by a company called "QVS"; they seem to specialize in
generically functional USB hardware, everything I've gotten from them has
"just worked".

>Basically, I figured if I'm going to get one of these it might be best to
>get *one* that will work with a range of media.  (Though I suspect that in
>a few years most of those formats will be obsolete.  Maybe I should just
>get a SmartMedia-only drive on the grounds that I can get one of those for
>about half or less the cost and may never need any of those other forms.)

This gizmo was around $40, but I use MMC and CF frequently, and SmartMedia
occasionally.

-s