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Book project: 101 projects for the ppdb

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  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2008-09-08 18:36
    NES Connectors in stock at Parallax??? Looks like it's time to create a new SpinStudio module!

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    Brian

    uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller

    PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!

    SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-09-08 18:40
    @Parts-man

    Sounds like this another opportunity for a Spin Studio board! Perhaps something that will adapt whatever Ken
    brings back from China to the both breadboard & Spin Studio board.

    OBC

    4 results for: awesome
    Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
    awe·some

    –adjective
    1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight.
    2. showing or characterized by awe.
    3. Slang. very impressive: That new white convertible is totally awesome.
    4. Parallax, Inc.
    [noparse][[/noparse]Origin: 1590–1600; awe + -some1]

    —Related forms
    awe·some·ly, adverb
    awe·some·ness, noun

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    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2008-09-08 19:12
    Ken,

    About Friday nights.

    Chip doesn't look like he has ever had a drink of alcohol... but at the Expo... I found a place that sells a fifth of vodka for $4.99... that should be a whole year's supply, if you do it right[noparse]:)[/noparse]


    Rich
  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2008-09-08 19:19
    great minds think alike smilewinkgrin.gif

    I'm envisioning a board similar to the SD and Propnic, with a 90 degree header along 1 side that can plug into a breadboard. The only problem I foresee is the stability of such a design, especially with someone tugging on the controller during "spirited" play.

    maybe 2 rows of pins, spaced 0.6" apart? (sorry, just thinking out loud)

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Brian

    uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller

    PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!

    SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-09-08 19:20
    parts-man73 said...
    ially with someone tugging on the controller during "spirited" play.

    maybe 2 rows of pins, spaced 0.6" apart? (sorry, just thinking out loud)

    Sounds like a winner to me..

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2008-09-08 20:24
    rjo_

    Correct - gets difficult when travelling for business together, particularly to places like Taiwan. Drinking, even a single drink, is sometimes important part of developing "guanxi" with suppliers. For this reason he brings me along. A 1/5th of Vodka would last him about 40 years, maybe longer. His home would be a safe place to store your finest wines. His vice isn't drinking. You should see him around Thai food - he's the kind of guy to ask to go to the kitchen when he visits a restaurant.

    Others,

    I'm glad you're happy about the NES connectors. We have to buy these 10K units at a time, so hopefully you'll reduce our average supply run from five years down to four. This will make a fun human interface to our projects.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2008-09-08 20:47
    I sure miss teambuilding in the Taipei Karaoke Bars and KTV in the 90's. Ever been to the Ritz Carlton there for dinner? That's where we celebrated closing deals with 100 year old Congac and Cuban cigars ... such excellent service. My wife of 21 years is Thai. Thai food and women are the best [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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    --Steve
  • trodosstrodoss Posts: 577
    edited 2008-09-08 21:06
    Ken:
    It is great that you are going to be selling the NES controller adapter on the site!· I ended up having to buy a "dead" NES to get the ones that I have used.· It does, as you said, add a great simple·human interface that even a novice to electronics can get working in a matter of minutes.·

    It would be great if you could·offer the NES-compatable controllers (as used on the Hydra) for sale as well, but it is understandable if that·isn't possible.·

    Parts-man:
    Based on how great the sd card reader is, and how well it appears to be selling, I would say that a NES controller adapter card will do well.· Had it been available a few months ago·it would have saved me a great deal of time watching closing auctions [noparse];)[/noparse]
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2008-09-08 21:15
    trodoss,

    You want the controllers, too? Sure, we can do that. I think we already have those in Rocklin because we put them in Hydras. If not I'll get 500 of them. We'll have them in two weeks, in time for when we have the NES sockets. Heck, it might be kind of interesting to add the NES socket to a Prop Proto Board. . .but then there's no end in sight. Add composite video port, add multi-segment displays, buttons, speakers, etc!!

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-09-08 21:19
    Ken Gracey (Parallax) said...
    Add composite video port, add multi-segment displays, buttons, speakers, etc!!

    Yes, and then you'd have a Parallax Professional Development Board. [noparse]:)[/noparse] [noparse]:)[/noparse] [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    I was hesitant to ask for stocking the controllers as I didn't want to waste my three wishes. <SMIRK>

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2008-09-08 23:56
    Glad your getting lots of support.

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    --Steve
  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2008-09-09 01:24
    OBC said...
    I was hesitant to ask for stocking the controllers as I didn't want to waste my three wishes. <SMIRK>

    Just make a wish for more wishes!
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-09-11 14:14
    Just a little update on this project:

    I'm burning my way through many of the popular sensor objects in obex, and
    have discovered a missing ingredient. Many object demos show a very impressive
    demonstration of the object in action, which is cool, but lack a simplified version
    to help a new user learn how to use it.

    Of course I'm making a few adjustments along the way. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Also, I've discovered some neat ideas along the way.
    (and I thought I'd have trouble coming up with 101 projects)

    Game control with accelerometer, and persistance of vision display are
    the two I'm playing with right now.

    OBC

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    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • liljoentxliljoentx Posts: 25
    edited 2008-11-06 23:27
    OBC,

    Was trying to·keep up with you along with this and other PPDB threads, but IKE put a damper on many projects here in the Houston/Galveston area. 16 days without power isn't too rough, if you're camping, but when you're in your own home and have no water, TV, Internet or telephones either, it's really frustrating. Some people still don't even have a place to call home! It took us over a month to get our cable restored right and our phones were on that!

    Anyway, I'm about to get caught back up with things around here as well as other other areas of responsibility, so I thought I'd ask if you have posted any additional "projects" to date?

    And a suggestion to those who in the future may be in harm's way...if the authorities tell you to evacuate...DO IT! There are still about 300 people around here still unaccounted for! AND THEY MAY NEVER BE!

    Lil'Joe
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-11-06 23:38
    Thanks for asking!

    Still plugging away at getting them all in book form. It's a drawn out process unfortunately
    as this is done in my free time. (anyone mastered the 26hour day yet?)

    I'm nearly finished with the beginners stuff and working on the project and cookbook entries.

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,595
    edited 2008-11-07 02:13
    not to hijack, but...

    I see you're talking about the old NES controller...

    Do you know the new "Classic Controller" for Wii looks about the same and has a simple I2C interface?

    This seems like it might be a more rewarding path...
  • MovieMakerMovieMaker Posts: 502
    edited 2008-11-07 02:21
    OBC Hang in there. I sense there is a Great Thing about to be released on the world. Or should I say two great things, your books. Looking forward to this.
  • Ron FrazierRon Frazier Posts: 11
    edited 2008-11-18 08:56
    Hello all.· I am new to the propeller and am very excited to be learning about this technology after getting an electronics engineering technology degree 22 years ago and really never having a chance to use the design aspects of it.· I'm working on some aggressive designs to hopefully bring a product to market in a year or so.· The learning curve is steep.· Here are some random thoughts.· I'd love to see tutorials, app notes, case studies, obex,·etc. on the following, perhaps in the advanced part of the book, or volume 2, etc.· In some cases, tutorial explanations of existing objects, in the manner of the propeller manual, where each line or block of code is explained,·may be appropriate.· Having reference sources to other sources of information would be nice too.· Note that one competitor, Microchip, has existing support for many of these, but not all, in the hardware and the program libraries.· Microchip seems to excel out of the box·at interfacing with other computer devices, where propeller seems to excel at interfacing with the user.· I would suggest that OBC as well as the Parallax staff review all the libraries and support that the competition is offering with their product.· I would also suggest providing a CD / DVD / website of all the code, diagrams, parts lists, or even the entire text of the book.

    * computer keyboard interfacing
    * mouse
    * hi res vga - completely bitmapped, 1200 x 800
    * hi res tv, within limits of the tv itself, 720 x 480 (DVD standard?), or the equivalent wide screen specs
    * live video processing, compression, decompression, licencing
    * sd memory
    * usb interfaces, memory sticks, HUB support, USB protocol stack, licencing / cost issues (purchasing USB device id)
    * ethernet interfaces, and TCP/IP protocol stack, licencing / cost issues (purchasing MAC addresses)
    * wireless interfaces, wifi, licencing / cost issues, how about a free wireless protocol we could use with the prop in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, unlicenced, and royalty free, Microchip has MIWI - but you have to use their chips
    * additional ROM, and RAM where possible
    * attaching things to the prop using a bus structure
    * using serial busses such as i2c, RS232, RS485, SPI, CAN
    * hooking multiple props together, with simple multi chip boot loaders and inter chip communication and syncronization (if that even can be simple) - until prop 2 is out, the ability to gang multiple prop 1's, and share the I/O pins would be fantastic·- I'm hoping someone else has already invented that, else I may have to do it - gulp!· Also, I'm considering ganging a prop to a PIC32 to take advantage of the strengths of both.
    * interfacing medium (320 x 240) LCD's and bigger
    * 7 segment and 16 segment (alpha numeric) LED / LCD displays, multiple digits, note may involve the use of chip select, bank select, and decoder type circuits
    * interfacing lots of indicator lamps and buttons, I have another potential application, an advanced space heater, which would require 11 buttons and 26 LED's on the control panel (I may explain more about that in another post)
    * How to do with external circuits many of what something like a Microchip PIC32 has built in: A/D, D/A, comparitors, PWM, Motor Control, etc.
    * Safe shutdown and state saving in case of power blackout, or brownout.· Use of super capacitors on power bus, brownout sensing, etc.
    * Options and limitations of memory circuits, including endurance and wear·leveling, RAM, SRAM, SDRAM, EEPROM, FRAM, SD, Micro SD, Compact Flash, memory stick, etc.· References to appropriate data sheets and links are helpful.
    * Real time clocks
    *·basic sensors: temperature, humidity, light, voltage, current, frequency, contact / limit switches, photo interrupters, etc.
    * Battery management and power management and clock speed management and charging circuits for NiCd, NiMh, and LiIon, and LiPo batteries.· For Li batteries especially, critical safety and hazard information.· PS, do not overcharge one of these things unless you want a fire.· Preferably,·battery packs with built in charge controllers and safety circuits should be used.· Include options for multiple power sources, such as wall wart, car power, power over ethernet, batteries, etc.
    * Where possible, examples to do the same task in Spin, asm, and C.· Include information on dealing with arrays, text strings and blocks, basic, math, physics, trig routines, file systems, etc.

    That should get you started smilewinkgrin.gif.· But seriously, all this would be extremely good data.· I'm an information sponge.· So MUCH to learn, so little time!

    OK, so I have a big wish list.· But these topics would be very useful to me as I climb this steep learning curve.· My design will require almost all of this.· It looks like you can make this as big as you like.· Just one more thing, please keep it affordable.· Even though I have a big design project, I don't have a big design budget!!· You may wish to consider distribution in PDF, and / or a membership option.· You can tag each PDF with the buyer's name, etc., to discourage abuse if that's a concern.· You could also publish through Print On Demand systems.· See http://www.createspace.com/ and http://www.lulu.com/ .

    For a comparison of a similar book, related to the PIC chip, take a look at Programming 32 bit Microcontrollers in C, Exploring the PIC32, by Lucio Di Jasio.· He covers most of these topics, for that chip of course, but the book could be used as a sort of template guide.

    Finally, at the risk of overcommiting scarce time, and with disclaimer that I'm a newbie to the prop, I would be willing to help where possible, and contribute what I learn, as long as it not related to a small fraction which is proprietary.· Best of luck on the project.·

    Sincerely,

    Ron
    ·
  • Ron FrazierRon Frazier Posts: 11
    edited 2008-11-18 09:05
    PS to prior post.· I just realized you're talking about using the more expensive propeller development board as a platform.· Where possible, please include projects that can be done with the cheaper propeller demo board.· Also, where possible, please include circuit board design and layout data if the project would be useful to save as a permanent assembly.

    Sincerely,

    Ron
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-11-18 12:34
    Thanks for the input Ron!

    I'm finding that writing about the Propeller is like climbing a mountain that keeps getting bigger. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    I'm pondering the idea of chopping my book into smaller chunks and releasing them as topic guides.
    Sorta like the Mimms guides you could buy at Radio Shack years ago.

    Every time I think I have a bulk of the material nailed down, something more is done.
    It is a wonderful challenge.

    OBC

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    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • liljoentxliljoentx Posts: 25
    edited 2008-11-18 14:07
    Oldbitcollector said...
    Thanks for the input Ron!

    I'm finding that writing about the Propeller is like climbing a mountain that keeps getting bigger. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    I'm pondering the idea of chopping my book into smaller chunks and releasing them as topic guides.
    Sorta like the Mimms guides you could buy at Radio Shack years ago.

    Every time I think I have a bulk of the material nailed down, something more is done.
    It is a wonderful challenge.

    OBC

    Thanks, OBC,·for all of your wonderful and enlightening contributions to date! smile.gif
    Keep on plugging (pardon the pun)!· yeah.gif·· It, as you said, IS an unending process.
    Your idea of topic guides sounds like the best approach.·idea.gif Even this Prop Forum would be easier to navigate, and consequently use and participate in were it further divided down into specific topics, i.e. audio, video, I2C, PPDB, robotics, etc.

    Gratefully,

    Lil'Joe
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