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I have $100 in Parallax cash: What should I do with it?? — Parallax Forums

I have $100 in Parallax cash: What should I do with it??

MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
edited 2009-12-18 06:35 in Propeller 1
By submitting this project: http://www.parallax.com/tabid/827/Default.aspx

I have earned $100 in Parallax cash and have been having a hard time desideing what to buy with it. Any suggestions? I was thinking of 2 transievers, a ColorPal, and a 5-position switch. This sounds good but there are SO many other options out there and I don't need any part in perticular for a project at the moment,·so tell me what you would recommend. On almost all occations projects spawn out of the array of products I have so I usually only buy parts if I absolutely NEED it and it is only·a small one, not a main one. There is only ONE project (it's a concept one) that is an exact mass measurer. It would use the E-Tape liquid level detector, which I do not have. So maybe that, but what else? A GPS module also sounds cool, BTW.

· Thanks,
···· Micro

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Comments

  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2009-12-17 00:18
    What about something like this

    Propeller Professional Development Board

    OR

    Professional Development Board·

    When I posted my Project and got the Parallax Bucks I had the same problem of what to get

    But before I got the bucks I kept look at the Professional Development Board·and just could not·bring my self to spend that much money on something that i was not sure how much I would use it ·I went with Professional Development Board·which then I only spend $70.00 That would not hurt so bad

    I am glad that I went with the Professional Development Board

    ·I have used it·a few time to work on concepts and make it very easy to

    This just me but I would get something that you just can not bring your self to buy it because you not sure how you are going to use it or how much going to use it

    I hope this helps


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    ··Thanks for any·idea.gif·that you may have and all of your time finding them smile.gif

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    Sam

    Post Edited (sam_sam_sam) : 12/17/2009 12:41:41 AM GMT
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2009-12-17 00:32
    It's too bad you missed the $119 PPDB deal yesterday, you might want to see if they will grandfather you in for it. It's by far the most versatile way to play with a Prop.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-12-17 01:01
    I E-Mailed to ask if I could use my credits on the Daily Deal, but forgot to mention that I wanted the one for that day becauseI just assumed that he would figure that, but he didn't and then E-mailed me the next day when the deal was over. :-(

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    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·
    My overstock is killing me.
    PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2009-12-17 01:19
    It would not hurt to email them again about it I would

    BTW I like your project VERY COOL Nice· idea.gif

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    ··Thanks for any·idea.gif·that you may have and all of your time finding them smile.gif

    ·
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    ·
    Sam

    Post Edited (sam_sam_sam) : 12/17/2009 1:43:31 AM GMT
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-12-17 03:00
    Got a friend who might groove on Propeller stuff?

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  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-12-17 03:11
    I'll try to Email him back. Thanks guys, I think the PPDB would be perfect.
    @sam sam sam
    Thanks for liking my project!

    @potatohead
    No, all my friends have been made through the Expos and this forum. I have a brother and 3 sisters that couldnt be less interested though. In fact, EVERYONE I know acts like they couldn't be less interested 90% of the time. So no, no one close that I could give Prop stuff to, usless I shipped some to Forest (Vaati), and he already has Prop stuff.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·
    My overstock is killing me.
    PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2009-12-17 03:42
    Or, you could wait until the first part of July and get some of this stuff from us:

    XBee 2mW and 60 mW RF modules
    Adapter Boards (breakout, USB, and 3.3V/5V versions - your choice)

    Prop Proto Boards should be on sale 4/$100 any day, too.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax Inc.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-12-17 04:07
    microcontrolled said...
    No, all my friends have been made through the Expos and this forum. I have a brother and 3 sisters that couldnt be less interested though. In fact, EVERYONE I know acts like they couldn't be less interested 90% of the time. So no, no one close that I could give Prop stuff to, usless I shipped some to Forest (Vaati), and he already has Prop stuff.

    I can relate. I am an RA (resident advisor) at a university. I have 65 freshman engineering students under my wing, and none of them seem to have the same level of interest as I do. In fact, most of the engineers don't really want to get involved at all. Fortunately there are two others and a staff member with a lab where we can mess around, on the university budget of course... Anyway, I try to get my residents interested. Next quarter I am going to do a program (program = an event to educate residents on something) on how to program the BS2. I hope to snare one or two.

    BTW, for me it's not that everyone isn't interested. But whenever I show them something their eyes usually gloss over and they try to change the subject. Even though I tell them differently, they seem to think it takes an extreme level of commitment to learn to program a microcontroller.

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  • PhilldapillPhilldapill Posts: 1,283
    edited 2009-12-17 07:42
    LOL I may not be an RA, but I too have the same experiences with my engineering friends. Many of them have the interest, and think the stuff I tinker with is "cool", but they seem to have it in their head that something like the propeller is light years ahead of them... If you snag a few, SRLM, be sure to let us know your secret. Getting people at my university interested in stuff outside of class isn't as easy as I thought it would be...
  • VIRANDVIRAND Posts: 656
    edited 2009-12-17 08:30
    SRLM said...
    microcontrolled said...
    No, all my friends have been made through the Expos and this forum. I have a brother and 3 sisters that couldnt be less interested though. In fact, EVERYONE I know acts like they couldn't be less interested 90% of the time. So no, no one close that I could give Prop stuff to, usless I shipped some to Forest (Vaati), and he already has Prop stuff.

    I can relate. I am an RA (resident advisor) at a university. I have 65 freshman engineering students under my wing, and none of them seem to have the same level of interest as I do. In fact, most of the engineers don't really want to get involved at all. Fortunately there are two others and a staff member with a lab where we can mess around, on the university budget of course... Anyway, I try to get my residents interested. Next quarter I am going to do a program (program = an event to educate residents on something) on how to program the BS2. I hope to snare one or two.

    BTW, for me it's not that everyone isn't interested. But whenever I show them something their eyes usually gloss over and they try to change the subject. Even though I tell them differently, they seem to think it takes an extreme level of commitment to learn to program a microcontroller.

    DO THEY think it is "harder" than OS software?
    Make quick fun spontaneous stuff as a performance or lesson while they watch and maybe make suggestions.
    Maybe a Simple Retro video game... something silly like (sorry, what first came to mind was all too bad and silly to post)
    "Climb Ladders and Scaffold while avoiding Toxic Pigeon Poops and saving Runaway Robotic Rodents"
    Hit F10 Frequently as code appears to ward off boredom with suspense and satisfied anticipation of "what will it do next?".
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-12-17 12:28
    You mean you have the same problems with engineers? I always thought that they would be the ones most willing to listen! No one in the deepest reaches of my friends and family are programmers of ANYTHING, so I have to put up with a lot when explaining something! It's a wonder I got started in electronics and programming to begin with!

    @Ken
    Do you mean that you will be selling the Xbee modules along with breakout boards? Or just the breakout boards?

    Micro

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·
    My overstock is killing me.
    PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2009-12-17 12:56
    SRLM said...
    I can relate. I am an RA (resident advisor) at a university. I have 65 freshman engineering students under my wing, and none of them seem to have the same level of interest as I do. In fact, most of the engineers don't really want to get involved at all. Fortunately there are two others and a staff member with a lab where we can mess around, on the university budget of course... Anyway, I try to get my residents interested. Next quarter I am going to do a program (program = an event to educate residents on something) on how to program the BS2. I hope to snare one or two.

    BTW, for me it's not that everyone isn't interested. But whenever I show them something their eyes usually gloss over and they try to change the subject. Even though I tell them differently, they seem to think it takes an extreme level of commitment to learn to program a microcontroller.
    I'm used to the "eyes glossing over" thing, but recently I had a worse reaction. I brought one of my devices with me to a gathering a couple of days ago, because I knew I'd be asked what I was planning to do on my sabbatical in the spring (yes, I get 8 months off with pay - life is good). The students were all very interested, but one of the clinical psychologists looked at it, then got one of those thoughtful, serious looks and said "You know, what I find fascinating is that you can use these kinds of things for good, but it's so easy for them to be used for evil too".

    Uh, right. rolleyes.gif

    It was then that I realized that these people are actually afraid of intelligence. I wish I'd thought right there to say "the amount of evil in the world caused by intelligence is miniscule compared to the amount of evil caused by ignorance". But I'm not so sure she'd have agreed (though I'm sure she would have nodded her head and pretended to).
    Ken Gracey said...
    Or, you could wait until the first part of July and get some of this stuff from us:
    Er, wait until July? I thought you knew your market better than that. I doubt that there's a single person on this forum who would be able to wait until July to spend a free $100.

    The XBee news is great news though. I love those little things, and I think they open up a whole world of possibilities.
  • heaterheater Posts: 3,370
    edited 2009-12-17 13:07
    Does Parallax have a bar ? [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2009-12-17 15:28
    @microcontrolled: January, not July (my mistake - working too late at night). We'll have it all - breakout boards and RF modules.

    Ken Gracey
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2009-12-17 16:22
    sylvie369 said:
    but one of the clinical psychologists looked at it, then got one of those thoughtful, serious looks and said "You know, what I find fascinating is that you can use these kinds of things for good, but it's so easy for them to be used for evil too". 
    

    Oddly enough, the same thing is true of hammers, but you don't find many people who are afraid of them.

    I think there is a rather sharp divide between people (like most of us here) who are fascinated and intrigued by things we don't understand, and people like this psychologist who are afraid of things they don't understand.· What I find amazing is that a clinical psychologist would be in the latter group.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-12-17 16:47
    I was wodering if you actully thought I would wait till July to spend my credit or not! I can wait till January, that way I can get what I need to go with any Propeller Christmas presents as well. I've always wanted to get an Xbee, then combined with parallax's super support makes it even better! I'm glad you'll have the modules, too. What's the range? Will these be cheaper then the Linx transievers?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·
    My overstock is killing me.
    PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
  • SamMishalSamMishal Posts: 468
    edited 2009-12-17 19:05
    microcontrolled said...
    No one in the deepest reaches of my friends and family are programmers of ANYTHING, so I have to put up with a lot when explaining something! It's a wonder I got started in electronics and programming to begin with!
    I feel for you....it is even more of a sad thing when NONE of your children want to even look at the things that interest you most.

    It is a major heart break for me that children these days are much more interested in SHOES than they are in engineering.

    Thanks to TV they think it is much cooler to be DUMB than to know math or science.

    So keep up the good work.

    Samuel
    ·
  • SamMishalSamMishal Posts: 468
    edited 2009-12-17 19:11
    sylvie369 said...


    "the amount of evil in the world caused by intelligence is miniscule compared to the amount of evil caused by ignorance".
    Well said....or at least thought..... it is sooooo true......

    Humanity is becoming more and more like a HIVE.... I wonder if the Borg is our future
    from within not as shown in the program imposed from without?????

    Samuel
    ·
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-12-17 19:24
    @sylvie369: TV is the reason that people relate circuit boards to bombs. They say that electronics can be used for evil, but knifes arn't removed from a kitchen and more eveil is done with them then electronics! When you see camo you think hunting, when people see circuit boards and wires they think bombs. Both are used for much more then that, but the common thought overrides that.

    @SamMishal: I know what you mean. My little brother, will, to some extent listen to me but dosn't quite pay attention. My little sister (i'm the oldest), on the other hand, all I have to do is say "Come look at this!" and she will literally RUN off!! It seems like no one is interested, which is why I reside to the forum. Not that I'm a glory hound, but I do like posting code and several people compliment it and use it.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·
    My overstock is killing me.
    PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-12-17 21:15
    micro-- that's not being a glory hound, unless you always post perfect code. smile.gif

    The best thing about posting code/projects/ideas and getting responses is that you usually get very much needed constructive criticism. A lot of people look down on that, but if you can accept it wisely, you will gain a considerable amount of knowledge and become well respected by your peers (in your case, it seems this forum is the only place for peers currently). Once you realize that you yourself don't always have the perfect solution and are open to others' input, you will soar among others that don't.

    Some background into why I feel this way:
    I started my career life as a temp at HP Roseville back in 1991 at age 18. I had 4 years worth or electronics classes in high school and working at HP was like a dream come true for me. However, what gave me my solid start was being open to the engineers and sucking up whatever knowledge, feedback, and criticism I could from them. That enabled me to work there for over 4 years as a temp (even through several rounds of layoffs of permanent employees) because I slowly became an expert with many processes because I was willing to do the dirty work if it meant I would learn something.
    Eighteen years and four companies later (HP, Packard Bell NEC, Varian/Jabil, and current employer), I am well respected by my peers as the Process Engineering Supervisor with just a 2 year AS degree. (most of my peers/counterparts have 4 year EE degrees)

    to end that note.... PM me your address and I'll send you some things to help keep your tinkering alive. I hope you get some of the same opportunities that I was blessed with because you have the right attitude.

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  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-12-17 22:06
    Thanks, WBA Consulting. I try to take constructive criticizim from a learning perspective, and it really encourages me. I doubt that I will ever stop tinkering in electronics, without them, I wouldn't do anything. I go from 1 project to the next having fun all the way, and that is truly what I will want to do my entire life. I'm shocked at how many people do electronics and DON'T want to spend thier life on it.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·
    My overstock is killing me.
    PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-12-17 22:08
    Oh, I forgot to mention, I NEVER post perfect code! It's always inefficiant and uncommented, so you won't have to think I do!! smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
    SX Spinning light display·
    My overstock is killing me.
    PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2009-12-18 05:33
    I can relate too.

    As a kid, I was lucky enough to have a friend who shared the interest. We basically disassembled everything, and tried to dominate the world with 8 bit computers... Fun times.

    We've not seen each other since High School.

    Over time, I've found a friend or two that was interested, but nobody that really wanted to jump in. The Internet is a godsend that way. Best thing to happen to this crowd ever, IMHO.

    None of my kids care either [noparse]:([/noparse] Damn shame too. I could give them a nice leap up, but have had to settle with slipping more computing understanding their way than they realize. One little bit at a time, when they are thinking about it. Suppose it adds up.

    Re: Clinical Psychologist being afriaid of intelligence.

    Well, having gone quite a ways down both the psychology and anthropology roads, I believe this is an artifact of knowing a bit too much about the human condition, while not being really secure about it. I stopped long before I got there, happy to have good working knowledge and not an "issue". Pretty much every shrink needs another one. Ignorance really is bliss at times.

    IMHO, there is a growing number of people interested in their own little computer to do stuff, so there is hope. Maybe Prop II will put the scale such that those people can jump in and work a layer or two above where we are working now.

    I'll gladly send somebody, or set somebody up that expresses an interest. It's selfish, but hey, good for them too. This problem is what made the expos so great. Thanks OBC and Parallax for doing them. I think it's a really great thing, if for nothing but a few phone numbers and meetups between people I met.

    It's absolutely hilarious to see somebody pull out that little box, often a Parallax box, to show it off to any takers. I do it, and laugh at myself at times, thinking, "But darn it! It's just cool, don't you get it?"

    Rock on everyone. This is as good as it gets!

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  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-12-18 06:35
    @Potatohead

    The expos were created with just exactly these thoughts in mind. I too am happy to
    give a Propeller away to anyone who would shows interest in getting into the hobby.
    The problem is that folks like ourselves are few and miles apart. The expos have
    proven to be a great way to get folks together and "refuel".

    My son Matt is one of the people you are talking about who would love to play
    on the next couple layers up. I'll admit it, when I started pushing forward on
    the game creator idea in the Hydra forum, I have him in mind. He's not as
    interested in code or hardware (even though he's now built his own Propeller board,
    and enjoyed it!) he would love to be able to create video games on the Propeller
    if he had some sort of "kit" that allowed him to work on the art side of gaming.
    We could probably intice him to dive further once he gets truely hooked.

    OBC

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