Also, for reference USB 1.1 is 12Mbps (I think, it's either that or 48, but I think 48 is the max for a USB hub, with each device running a max of 12).
Not so much a lie as a misconception. I think the trouble is that the oft-published transfer rate for USB 2.0 is the *burst* rate. But it doesn't matter, Firewire 800 renders it moot.