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Propeller materials as a gift...what to include? — Parallax Forums

Propeller materials as a gift...what to include?

CassLanCassLan Posts: 586
edited 2009-06-08 00:45 in Propeller 1
Hey Folks,

OK so I have a good buddy of mine who now lives in FL (we grew up together in Brooklyn, NY). He's turning 30 and his wife is throwing a party for him.
We don't see each other that much these days, and since I'm going to FL for his party I wanted to give him the gift that keeps on giving..the Propeller!!!turn.gif
He's always interested in my little electronics projects..making joysticks..modding consoles..etc

He is in the IT field and has great knowledge of networks/programming.
He has no experience however with microcontrollers or electronics for that matter.

I don't have a tremendous budget but I wanted to put together a few things together that can get him started with the propeller, I'm sure he will love it.
I would like to get him stuff that can get him going immediately and also an opportunity to make his own designs down the road.
Again, he has nothing as far as electronics tools/test equipment.

Here is what I was thinking:

Propeller Proto Board
9V Powersupply
Propeller Proto Board Accessory Kit
PropPlug
Multi-Meter
Soldering Iron
Printed Copy of "The Propeller Cookbook"
Resistors for NTSC Video
An RCA Cable
Some LEDs

BreadBoard
Prop DIP
5Mhz Crystal
Jumper Wires
Bread Board PS2 Jack
Bread Board RCA Jack
Some Header Pins
3.3V & 5V Regulator

I wanted to get the forums opinion..am I leaving anything out?

Rick




·

Comments

  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-07 22:08
    solder, flux, wick

    copy of free version of eagle with the prop package available from cadsoft.de

    may want to consider spinstudio over prop protoboard as it lets pluging modules in without soldering or a propmod-us as it lets you run everything off a solderless bread board.

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    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-07 22:08
    Rick,

    grab a USB·memory stick and load it for him will all the prop tools you can think of, include docs, and some links to helpful videos - prop stuff of course, how to solder, etc.

    As a programmer, who's venturing back into hardware myself, I've found the most useful things to be simple code samples that can make something work right away... the tools have this already, but you might want to mention that ... "hello world" in Spin and Asm does wonders.

    If he's a networking guy, make sure you include some links to the RS232, RS485, USB, and Networking kits, addons, and other sites that have this stuff - he might get a real kick out of having his propeller gift controllable from his web site [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    HTH
    - Howard (in Florida too [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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    No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-07 22:12
    address of obex would be good.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2009-06-07 22:14
    I think an LCD would be nice. I use a 4 X 20 serial LCD mounted in Radio Shack project box along with it's own battery pack. I use an RCA cable to plug it into what ever I need, ie Basic Stamp, ProtoBoard or my ProtoBot (ProtoBoard Boe-Bot).

    Rich H
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-06-07 22:15
    I would go with the uController system or the Propeller Starter Kit.

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    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-06-07 22:19
    Add a game controller and the keyboard / mouse connectors.

    Maybe program a coupla EEPROMS with some fun stuff he can build up on that breadboard.

    Edit: If possible, get a HYBRID board from Coley. It's a great board and the IDE connector exposes a lot of I/Os for use with the breadboard. I do this and I've seen others do it. (baggars) Of all the boards I've run, that one is just rock solid and works great.

    It's really nice to have a fully built up system, SD card, etc... Build up code on the working unit, run games, etc... for some instant gratification, then build out a project with the other goodies you have planned.

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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!

    Post Edited (potatohead) : 6/7/2009 10:25:08 PM GMT
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2009-06-07 22:19
    A nice storage container to keep all the small stuff in would be good idea.

    Rich H
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-07 22:34
    Rich - the storage is a good idea... I got one of those black boxes with alum. corners at Harbor Freight for really cheap --- antistatic padding too.... my little lab and my laptop travel with me everywhere....

    - Howard
    ( Have Propeller and SX, Will Travel )

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
  • CassLanCassLan Posts: 586
    edited 2009-06-07 23:17
    Hmmm..maybe expecting someone who has ever soldered to solder the Prop Accesory to be able to see video is too much of a starting road-block, I know he will get there but something like the spin studio solution might provide more of the "instant Gratification" appeal.

    I'm going to look more into that.

    WOW...the SpinStudio Mainboard + Game Stacker pretty much has everything to get your feet wet instantly.
    Pretty economical also.

    I'll probably go with that + a propplug and psu and lots of examples all setup as suggested.
    Then if he wants to take it further he can.

    I appreciate everyones input.

    Rick

    Post Edited (CassLan) : 6/7/2009 11:29:25 PM GMT
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2009-06-07 23:22
    The Propeller Starter Kit is on sale for another 16 hours or so...

    Rich H
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-06-07 23:46
    Only $69.99 for for a Starter Kit (Demo Board, manual, power supply, CD, and programming cable)? That's a no-brainer! I use my two Demo Boards all the time for development.

    -Phil
  • Matthew BurmeisterMatthew Burmeister Posts: 49
    edited 2009-06-08 00:23
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) said...
    Only $69.99 for for a Starter Kit (Demo Board, manual, power supply, CD, and programming cable)? That's a no-brainer!
    -Phil

    I agree

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    Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee any information i post is accurate, but most of the time, it is correct.
    Misses 8 bit computing
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-06-08 00:45
    If you want to be generous I'd suggest Brilldea's 3.0" LCD. I use it all the time and really like it.

    You may also want to consider the ybox2. It's a networking type module...
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