Prop Magazine, April 2008

stevenmess2004

Well nobody else has started this so I thought that I would give it a try. Don't expect it to be as good as Fred's though (even though I stole some of his formatting).

If I miss anything or make a mistake leave a post in this thread and I'll fix it.

This version of the Prop Magazine is now finished (unless I’ve forgotten something or made a mistake :-) ). Who’s going to do the job for next month? I’ve attached the text file that I used to make it easier for you.


Prop Magazine

April 2008

___________________________
ramblings by the editor,
.
Well, this is the 3rd edition of Prop Magazine. It won’t be that long and it will be time for an anniversary. Speaking of anniversaries, this must be about the 2nd anniversary of the Propeller Chip (If someone knows the exact date can they drop a note in this thread please). So, I have decided to include some of the old posts in this edition. On a more recent note there have been a fair few object releases this month. Check out the new games, I2C slave, nice user interface on the Quad DRO and the others listed below.

The ESC was also this month and some of the people from Parallax were there. Check out their reports below. Also on show was the Coyote-1 and the danceBot.
.
___________________________
history,
.
A miracle chip?
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=572347
.
FullDuplexSerial is posted. Probably the most widely used object.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=573059
.
Some early notes about the propeller.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=574855
.
Propeller Guts· - Some early documentation. Still helpful although most things are now in the manual and data sheet.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=572669
.
___________________________
Being April there were of course a couple of special threads. First up was the release of the Relleporp.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719874
.
And secondly a hidden assembly instruction was found!
assembly, MUL details divulged. (w/commented code)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719514
___________________________
basics,
.
Request for programs to put in a kiosk program for ESC (with any luck they will release what they used, get the hint?)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721104
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721107
.
Questions about how long it takes to start a cog and other ways of accomplishing things.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721723
.
Sine wave output from the prop
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719289
.
Pre-fetch and self modifying code. Something to watch out for!
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719199
.
Some questions and answers on accessing bytes in larger variables.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720989
.
Some general questions and answers about what the prop can do.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722437
.
Getting data from one pin to another and a how to use the timers to do it.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722805
.
Changing variables between long and byte.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=723720
.
___________________________
basics and beyond,
.
A question about required crystal accuracy.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719322
.
and more questions about crystals
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=717643
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722736
.
What are the threshold voltages of the prop? This tells you for one prop.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719164
.
Questions and answers about what can hang a cog
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719142
.
Another fried PLL and some hints from Paul about how prevent it happening.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719773
.
Pops and clicks in audio and how to avoid them.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719989
.
Tools and methods for fixing memory corruption problems.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=712258
.
Using the pos/neg edge detector timer modes.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720777
.
Initial states for the c and z flags.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721039
.
QTI sensor code is here.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721868
.
What does the @ operator do in asm? Also a tip on the @@ operator.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722559
.
Questions about graphics and VGA (again, hopefully some answers this time).
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722523
.
More discussion about high speed comms.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722541
.
Problems with the CORDIC object.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722185
.
Questions about SPIN speed and the interpreter.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=724169
.
___________________________
advanced,·
.
Creative use of the object[noparse][[/noparse]x].method notation to solve some problems
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=718743
.
Questions about queues and some examples
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720709
.
Discussions on loading new LMM cogs in ImageCraft C
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721243
.
Discussions about new features for the spin compiler.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=718414
.
Using the prop as an RF transmitter and receiver.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719507
.
___________________________
new programs and objects,
.
An I2C Slave driver is now available in spin and assembly thanks to hippy (who has a D'Oh moment while testing multiple slaves).
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721563
.
Distance and Bearings calculations object for the prop by Chuck.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721455
.
Ymodem upload utility by Rayman. Upload files from your propeller to your PC!
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719452
.
High speed serial by Stephen.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720623
.
Quad DRO by Richard. Useful if you have a mill/lathe or anything else you need measurement info for.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720621
.
A pop3 email client for the prop that displays the message From: and Subject: fields on your TV.
http://obex.parallax.com/objects/259/
.
On prop development using a spin like syntax. Again thanks to hippy.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722452
.
Steven finally finishes the XOR version of Graphics.spin including the ROM font.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=723027
.
PropBASH, a modded version of PropDOS that is more like BASH
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=723170
.
VGA Text driver for ImageCraft C.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=724335
.

Post Edited (stevenmess2004) : 5/2/2008 9:29:24 AM GMT

stevenmess2004

I split this into two because the forum was choking on it...

___________________________
games,
.
Maze Mania released for Demo board and Hydra. Written by tpw_man who is only 10!
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721726
.
Clickin' Collapser released for Demo board and Hydra.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=718710
.
Development of Boulderdash started.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721591
.
___________________________
hardware,
.
Some useful info if you are building a Hydra from scratch.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721545
.
Questions about a fried eepoms. Now to figure out why...
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721553
.
Fun driving a LCD screen WITHOUT a controller.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719885
.
Lots of commentts on using xBees.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=716535
.
Some different options for wireless communication between props.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720319
.
Level shifting circuits for various things.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721065
.
Some help if you are having trouble programming your prop.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=651731
.
Some suggestions on pullup resistors on i/o pins.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720213
.
5V I2C ADC hooked up to a propeller.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721065
.
Some questions about stepper motors.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722498
.
Adding external ram.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722825
.
Powering the Proto Board from 12V.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721903
.
Over-clocking the prop.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=724020
.
Talk about hooking up a Nunchuck to a propeller.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=658475
.
___________________________
images & displays,
.
Interfacing with EInk displays.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721778
.
___________________________
schedule,
.
The ESC is/was this month. Some reports from some of those who attended.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=723122
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722995
http://www.parallax.com/TopLevelMenu/Company/2008EmbeddedSystemsConference/tabid/640/Default.aspx
.
Weekly meetings are held on the #propeller irc channel at 8pm to 10pm East Australian time on Thursday nights.
.
___________________________
outside apps,
.
A new chip by the developer of the Transputer. Not really related to the propeller but interesting anyway.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722137
.
___________________________
Parallax stuff,
.
The propeller gets a write up at embedded.com
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719239
.
Paul lets slip that there is a new 64 pin version of the Propeller in the works. No time frame yet though.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722541
.
___________________________
projects,
.
Propeller controlled MP3 player. Check it out!
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721404
.
Musical propellers. Or at least musical bells controlled by a propeller.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719913
.
A new projects list by OldBitCollector. Check it out!
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722100
.
More propellers in industrial apps. A propeller job display.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722531
.
An 8x8 LED display driven by a propeller. Complete with uTube video.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=723069
.
___________________________
adverts,
.
LB SMT is now open. They do surface mount soldering if you are scared to do it yourself.
http://www.lil-brother.com/
.
ImageCraft C pre-release special pricing.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720130
.
ImageCraft C now in beta!
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=722470
.
___________________________
next month,
.
Prop Magazine needs an editor for next month. If you start on the first day of the month it will be a lot easier than starting on the last day! I’ll post the file I used for this month when its finished so that you don’t have to go through all the formatting again. A hint here is to just keep everything in a formatted text file and then copy the entire thing into the WYSIWYG editor (only works on IE unless you trick it).

Post Edited (stevenmess2004) : 5/2/2008 9:32:44 AM GMT

stevenmess2004

Does anyone know why all of a sudden the url tags stop working? Is there a limit to how many you can have in a single post?

Robot Freak

Did you close the tags by using

[noparse][[/noparse] / u r l ]

?

stevenmess2004

Yep. Checked that at least 10 times already. If I get rid of one of the tags the problem moves one down which is why I thought it may be a problem with the number of them.

Graham Stabler

I had the same problem with the index thread, after a certain number of links they stop working. To fix this I had to use IE and the full editor, in the end I made a word doc of it so I could easily make mods and copy and paste, it also acts as a back up, easy to mess up a thread posting.

Graham

Fred Hawkins

stevenmess2004 said...
Fred, how did you get the title nicely formatted? I can't figure it out.

That's easy. First I typed the title:Prop Magazine

then highlighted it, clicked on the color, the size 6, bold,·and then on the middle text format in the Standard Form.

As for the url stuff, I didn't bother with a bracket arguments at all. I just managed it with a flat text file which is simply pasted after this paragraph. See the attached file for a comparison.

______________________________________
Gotcha,
.
assembly, MUL details divulged. (w/commented code)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719514
.
________________________________________
references,
________________________________________
basics,
.
Prefetch impacts self-modifying code (w/link to deSilva asm tutorial)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719199
.
Can a cog get stuck waiting?
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719142
.
byte basics
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720989
.
________________________________________
basics and beyond,
.
audio: pops at start and stop of wav file
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719989
.
debugging programs, best practices (divide and conquer)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=712258
.
on negative edge counting (counter setups)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720777
.
________________________________________
advanced,
.
on queues
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720709
.
gps: conversions, ddmm.mmmm to dd.dddd, radians. (link to Circuit Cellar)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721021
.
________________________________________
objects,
________________________________________
programming w/ solder,
________________________________________
innards,
________________________________________
Parallax stuff,
.
embedded props get a write up.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719239
.
propplug logo up on protoboard
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720479
.
________________________________________
hardware,
.
on radio control,
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720319
.
signals between 3.6v and 5v chips
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=721065
.
________________________________________
counters,
.
FSK, signal synthesis, decoding discussion.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719507
.
________________________________________
demos,
.
Ymodem: upload data as [noparse][[/noparse]binary] file
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719452
.
________________________________________
circuitry,
.
circuit· design precautions and guidelines (how2 stop frying pll's)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719773
.
use a 1K pull-up on prop plug whose cable will removed
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=719485
more info inc fish's schematic: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=651731
.
on pull-up resistors
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720213
.
________________________________________
adverts,
.
Imagecraft C 20% discount
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=720130
.

Post Edited (Fred Hawkins) : 4/13/2008 10:12:56 PM GMT

stevenmess2004

Thanks everyone. If you are using Safai you can get the WYSIWYG editor by turning on the develop menu in preferences and setting the User Agent to IE6. Doesn't work 100% but good enough to paste formatted text in and post it. That seems to fix the problem with the hyperlinks.

I'll fix the rest of them up and include Fred's list after work today.

stevenmess2004

See all the new stuff and the nice formatting

I may have to be a little more careful what I put in it or it will get too big but what could I have left out.

stevenmess2004

Its been a couple of days so I guess its alright to give this a bump.

Actually I was getting a server error message when I tried to post it so I've split it into two parts which seems to solve the problem.

stevenmess2004

Updated again. Sorry if I've missed anything. Does anybody know the release date of the propeller?

stevenmess2004

Finally finished for this month! Who's doing it next month?

Fred Hawkins

Has anyone used Google's Notebook? That may be a way to make an issue. (I've looked at but not downloaded Notebook. chicken)

google's video introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cII3TtewLsc

and what passes for their manual: http://www.google.com/support/toolbar/bin/answer.py?answer=79834&topic=13481

Post Edited (Fred Hawkins) : 5/12/2008 6:07:19 AM GMT

hippy

There's always the wiki ... propeller.wikispaces.com/

stevenmess2004

The wikis not a bad idea. Any takers for this month? I don't have time to do it at the moment.

hippy

April 2008 added to the Wiki and the starter page for May 2008 created.

Everyone is welcome to add new sections and new links. No need to register or login to do so.

propeller.wikispaces.com/PropMag

Added : I've taken the May 2008 edition up to date as best I can see, and if there's anything missing please add it there - it's just as quick to do that as it is to post here !

I'll take on the job of doing the May 2008 edition but would be grateful if someone would be prepared to offer their services for June - I'll create a page template nearer the time - after that it's a very easy job of "write a line, cut 'n' paste a link".

Post Edited (hippy) : 5/12/2008 3:48:24 PM GMT