Well, it looks like things are changing concerning the FTDI driver bricking issue: http://hackaday.com/2014/10/24/ftdi-...up-backs-down/

So now, instead of bricking the device it just won't work with the new driver to be released next week.

I think I'll find a copy of the old driver, just to make sure I have something that will work, in case I ever end up with a counterfeit FTDI chipped device.