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ANNOUCEMENT: CONTEST > Recession Proof Protoboards < Congrats! Cole Logan — Parallax Forums

ANNOUCEMENT: CONTEST > Recession Proof Protoboards < Congrats! Cole Logan

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
edited 2009-02-23 08:21 in Propeller 1
It's UNOFFICIAL contest time again, this time with a twist!

We all know that some pretty incredible stuff can be done with the Propeller using only
a few minor parts. I'd like to suggest that the Propeller Protoboard is Recession Proof!


Here's the contest:

Using only a Propeller Protoboard and items found in a typical home I want to see what cool
things can be done without that shop full of electronics stuff that we're all sitting on.

That's right, the typical household doesn't have drawers full of resistors, capacitors, and connectors.

Here's what you are allowed to have:

* 1 Propeller Protoboard (with USB cable and/or Propplug if applicable) (no Accessory Kit!)
* A PC to program it. (Don't most typical households have a computer these days?)
* A power source. (I'll bet you could find a compatible wall-wart in any home.)
* Hookup wire. (22 gauge wire isn't in every home, but we'll give you this one, even alligator clips.)
* Soldering pencil and basic tools are also allowed.
* 1 *Freebie* A single electronics item retail price valued .99 or less.
* Anything found in a typical home. (other than yours. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

You have two weeks to come up with/and create either something new or duplicate existing
demos and project using only items above and found in a "typical" home. (think: grandma's house)

Rule addendum: NO GUTTING Household electronics for parts! You know that grandma would
be upset if her TV quit working because you scavenged resistors from it! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

You must have photos to prove it works, (no theoretical drawings here, it must work.)
Video is even better.

Winner gets two USB Propeller Protoboards mailed to them. I'll try to ship internationally as well.
My son and I will play judges. We're looking for creativity and ingenuity.

OBC

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New to the Propeller?

Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS

Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 2/23/2009 3:14:48 AM GMT
«1

Comments

  • Roger LeeRoger Lee Posts: 339
    edited 2009-02-09 03:19
    Interesting concept, Let me see if I've got this right.
    Propeller project without using electronic components.

    I have the board...

    Roger
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-02-09 03:20
    does taking lights out of things count as gutting?
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2009-02-09 03:35
    How about the winning project be added to the Protoboard Introduction?

    This is a really fun idea. Thanks OBC!

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-09 03:46
    @Roger: That isn't exactly what I said... Think outside the box.. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    @mctrivia: Most households have spare lights, bulbs, even flashlights.

    Can't say more than this as I don't want to spoil good ideas.
    Let's just say that much more is possible than you think.

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-02-09 04:01
    Great job OBC smile.gif Especially shipping overseas!

    Does taking vga & ps2 connectors from old computers qualify (even grandma's have them!) - that's how I obtained my vga connector - remove the plastic that guides the pins if they dont quite fit and fit the plug while soldering because you will need the connector to be slightly up off the pcb. smile.gif

    You are also correct in the walwart supplies - look for one with low voltage 6-7V preferably. If higher, then lower amperage is better, because they are unregulated and the voltage increases with lower current. Make sure it is center positive.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps (SixBladeProp)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-09 04:09
    @Cluso:

    That borders on shaky ground.. Don't overdue it.. [noparse]:)[/noparse] My Grandma never kept old computers around. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Be imaginative gang.. I promise it can be done! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Roger LeeRoger Lee Posts: 339
    edited 2009-02-09 04:28
    No doubt in my mind that it can be done.

    Already impressed with the concept from a creative mind.
    Hope to be by the entrys.

    OBC: Do you ever spend any time inside said Box

    Roger
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-02-09 04:48
    A 'generic' household contains:

    1- Massive collection of spare change
    1- Individual with a drivers license
    1- Car

    Therefore, can these common household items be used to acquire more items? I'd guess not, just wishing ... Anyway, what about 'broken' items? I'm sure that most households have lots of common broken items, notably broken headphones, flashlights, kids toys, etc... Are these valid? I'm sure 'grandma' wouldn't mind if I took them off her hands!
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-09 04:52
    Everything must be common to most homes..

    Sorry, the only spare change is .99 for a single electronic item. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • BaggersBaggers Posts: 3,019
    edited 2009-02-09 14:53
    So let me get this straight OBC,

    We can only but 1 item, at < $1.00 and can't use resistors or caps ? it's got to be what is at nan's house?
    and has to be protoboard, with no add-on, so can't have TV out OR VGA out?

    Jim

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    http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite

    ·
  • grasshoppergrasshopper Posts: 438
    edited 2009-02-09 15:00
    Can I MacGyver some house hold items to make an electronics components?
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2009-02-09 15:11
    Let me see... the typical house, bamboo, chickens and charcoal....hmmm
  • heaterheater Posts: 3,370
    edited 2009-02-09 15:32
    Strange families out there. At least since my grandfather was building "wireless" crystal sets and tube receivers in the 1920s, through my father and myself and now on to my son the family home has always been full of wires and components. The women of the family, from grandmother on, would always be able to find you something, even if they were not sure what it was.

    Speaking of MacGyver. Who said we don't have any resistors or caps? I'm sure the average Granny's kitchen and sewing room contain everything required to make capacitors, resistors, microphones, speakers/sounders, moisture detectors etc. Coils, inductors are covered as we have some hook up wire on the table.

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    For me, the past is not over yet.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2009-02-09 16:05
    rjo_ said...
    Let me see... the typical house, bamboo, chickens and charcoal....hmmm

    That's hilarious!

    roll.gif

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    It might be the Information Age but the Eon of Ignorance has yet to end.
  • grasshoppergrasshopper Posts: 438
    edited 2009-02-09 16:26
    heater said...

    Speaking of MacGyver. Who said we don't have any resistors or caps? I'm sure the average Granny's kitchen and sewing room contain everything required to make capacitors, resistors, microphones, speakers/sounders, moisture detectors etc. Coils, inductors are covered as we have some hook up wire on the table.

    This is what I mean, are we allowed?
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-02-09 16:28
    This is a cool contest!

    So this means making capacitors out of wax paper, rolled to contain the dielectric, and dipped in candle wax, kind of things?

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    Propeller Wiki: Share the coolness!
    Chat in real time with other Propellerheads on IRC #propeller @ freenode.net
    Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-02-09 16:30
    @baggars, I'm wondering what the resistance is of the various little bulbs in the house. There are ordinary light bulbs, christmas light bulbs --even LED's, flashlight bulbs, car light bulbs, etc...

    LOL!!!

    Fun OBC. Not sure how you come up with these, but I'm glad you do!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Propeller Wiki: Share the coolness!
    Chat in real time with other Propellerheads on IRC #propeller @ freenode.net
    Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!
  • Cole LoganCole Logan Posts: 196
    edited 2009-02-09 16:46
    This sounds like a lot of fun. Is there a dew date on this.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-09 18:32
    All projects must be done and uploaded to the thread by 8:00pm EST SUNDAY 22ND

    I know that TV out can be achieved... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    Don't overlook the parts that are all ready in front of you.

    A historic look at electronics and the theory behind why things work might also be helpful.

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • heaterheater Posts: 3,370
    edited 2009-02-09 18:39
    Let's not give away to many clues here hey.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    For me, the past is not over yet.
  • Jimmy W.Jimmy W. Posts: 112
    edited 2009-02-10 00:18
    Let me just say, I love wikipedia and instructables!


    most people have Silver nitrate sitting around right? none on my family is normal so I though I would ask :0

    also, was the ruling no items even broken ones? I have an old tube radio that is begging to be part prop....
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-02-10 04:35
    Every household has RCA cables these days, so cut one up and solder to pcb to get TV (no resistors required, use what's on the pcb) - HINT: see OBC's comment in a recent thread smile.gif

    I'm too busy, but this is a great idea OBC smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps (SixBladeProp)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz
  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,566
    edited 2009-02-10 04:49
    Keep in mind, that the "Propeller Protoboard" does not have any resistors on the PCB needed to generate video... That's not to say that TV can not be accomplished, you may really need to think outside of the box here.

    32212-L.jpg

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    Beau Schwabe

    IC Layout Engineer
    Parallax, Inc.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-02-10 04:52
    all you need is pencils to make resistors
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-10 14:39
    Jimmy W. said...
    Let me just say, I love wikipedia and instructables!


    most people have Silver nitrate sitting around right? none on my family is normal so I though I would ask :0

    also, was the ruling no items even broken ones? I have an old tube radio that is begging to be part prop....

    Hmm.. I doubt that many grandparents kept an old tube radio, but perhaps it was possible. Don't overdue it.
    (It'll take a lot of the intended challenge out.) The intention here is to cut off access to typical electronics
    parts.

    Silver nitrate.. Not sure that would have been found in the medicine cabinet or under the sink.
    If you tinker here, please be sure and take appropriate precautions.

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-10 14:41
    Cluso99 said...
    Every household has RCA cables these days,

    Yes, I agree here, I've found extra RCA cables when I needed them.
    Same drawer with the extra phone lines and batteries.

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Fred HawkinsFred Hawkins Posts: 997
    edited 2009-02-10 14:48
    I protest. My Mean Mousetrap absolutely requires the 40pin DIP prop to work correctly.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-10 15:06
    Sorry, the contest is adapting a single Protoboard this time..
    Single DIP and related parts removes some of the challenge from this one..

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-02-12 19:15
    So, can the 99 cents be on several identical parts (whose sum does not go above 99 cents)? I think that this is perfectly fair and in the spirit of the contest: to use the protoboard with less than 99 cents of components. For example, I need about 24 10 mOhm resistors. While it would require more components, such items (still in the spirit) are easily available at the Shack or like stores. Please? [noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-12 20:16
    ... and the judge says...

    "Sure, it's in spirit with the contest, but it will cost you a few points in the judging behind
    someone who simply used a single part with a retail value under .99"

    [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    OBC

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

    Check out: Protoboard Introduction , Propeller Cookbook 1.4 & Software Index
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
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