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Propeller Class

Arduino_dogArduino_dog Posts: 13
edited 2010-08-16 18:39 in Propeller 1
Hi Everyone

I was just wondering if there is a place a person go to a class for learning how to program the propeller chip? I live in MN.

Thanks for your time

Comments

  • w4fejw4fej Posts: 264
    edited 2010-08-07 07:49
    Yes there is and it's only as far away as your computer. If you haven't already downloaded the "Propeller Tool" IDE then do so. It has an EXCELLENT tutorial on Spin programming.

    Mike B.
  • bill190bill190 Posts: 769
    edited 2010-08-07 08:12
    I was looking at a friend's college catalog recently, and I would not be able to take any of the courses I would be interested in because they require you to first take other courses.

    So I don't know if you can go to a college and just take a course on programming (anything)?

    But you should be able to find classes on programming microcontrollers at your local college. Might not be the Propeller, but once you learn how one microcontroller works and learn how to program it in C or assembly, then it is quite easy to learn other microcontrollers and languages.

    I feel the key to understanding these things is to understand the "hardware"... How it works inside.
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2010-08-07 08:51
    This is a tough one. Many college catalogs are really outdated in how they approach computer programming. If you are looking at a community college, you probably won't get lucky unless one of the teachers there has a specific interest in microcontrollers. The microcontroller 'class' might be part of an electronics class rather than the computer programming department. Some schools will put such as class under engineering, and often small schools will do so under the physics department.

    Good luck!
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2010-08-07 09:18
    bill190 wrote: »
    I was looking at a friend's college catalog recently, and I would not be able to take any of the courses I would be interested in because they require you to first take other courses.
    1) try to ADD the class on the first day with instructor's signature
    2) audit the class if 1 isn't possible - may be no credit, but you get the content
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-08-07 10:48
    Also there is the Webinar resources..

    http://www.parallax.com/tabid/766/Default.aspx

    Answers a lot of questions about the Prop in a video-instructional format.

    OBC
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2010-08-07 10:59
    If I'm not mistaken, this new Propeller user is wondering whether or not the informal classes are going on. There are starter, indoctrination classes happening with Ardurino all the time. Local groups get the word out, then spend a chunk of a day, or a day showing people how to build something up, "hello world", and then get some advice on their project of interest.

    Perhaps there are Prop users near this person, who could help them jam through the basics.

    I did this at the last expo for a new user wondering about graphics. Was nothing special. Just a run through on how it's all setup, run the code, make some edits, and talk about how to get there from here. Both of us enjoyed it. That's the read I'm getting here.

    Where are you at Arduino_dog?
  • Arduino_dogArduino_dog Posts: 13
    edited 2010-08-07 14:27
    I Live in Hutchinson, MN
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2010-08-07 16:06
    Well, I'm in PDX. Oh well. Maybe there is a prop user near by, who can spend an afternoon with you. I've recently seen the classes you are talking about, and that looks like a great way to kick off the hobby.

    In the interim, be sure and get hold of the resources you've got here, and ask questions. There is almost always somebody here, and active.

    If I were you, I would post up what your setup currently is, and set about running some basic stuff. Programming is not difficult, and there is a lot of code to modify and hack on to get started learning stuff.
  • turbosupraturbosupra Posts: 1,088
    edited 2010-08-07 18:49
    I asked for the same thing in MD and Parallax said there was not
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2010-08-07 20:28
    Arduino_dog wrote: »
    Hi Everyone

    I was just wondering if there is a place a person go to a class for learning how to program the propeller chip? I live in MN.

    Thanks for your time


    Depending on how much you already know, I might be able to help you.
    I am in MN also.
  • GranzGranz Posts: 179
    edited 2010-08-12 15:29
    Clock Loop wrote: »
    Depending on how much you already know, I might be able to help you.
    I am in MN also.

    I get the feeling that this may lead to UPE-Far North :D

    Hey OBC, any thoughts on intro classes for UPENE? Maybe we could set up the demo kits and start a run through your excellent "Introduction to the Propeller Protoboard". I could throw together some CDs with the software you list in your book, bring a PC with Win (my notebook has Linux with BST - but your book is with Windows) and run a short class which would get the students up to the FemtoBASIC program that you list. That could probably be done in about an hour. We would need computers for those who do not bring their own, and power supplies (I could bring a few P/Ss).

    I can also provide LEDs for the students, possibly some other little goodies (some of my switches, resistors, etc).

    Comments?

    Art
  • Chuck MintonChuck Minton Posts: 45
    edited 2010-08-15 11:43
    try looking for classes in Mechtronics. It is a new course popping up around. It is perfect for those looking to develop themselves in the "micro-controller use and application" area.
    UC San Deigo, and Sierra Community College, in California, are two I know of!

    You won't learn Spin but you will learn programming of micro controllers and PLC's. And, you will have to build something mechanical that implements them. Once you get a foot hold there you, as mentioned earlier, you will probably fall right into spin.
  • schillschill Posts: 741
    edited 2010-08-16 06:37
    Granz wrote: »
    Hey OBC, any thoughts on intro classes for UPENE? Maybe we could set up the demo kits and start a run through your excellent "Introduction to the Propeller Protoboard". I could throw together some CDs with the software you list in your book, bring a PC with Win (my notebook has Linux with BST - but your book is with Windows) and run a short class which would get the students up to the FemtoBASIC program that you list. That could probably be done in about an hour. We would need computers for those who do not bring their own, and power supplies (I could bring a few P/Ss).

    I can also provide LEDs for the students, possibly some other little goodies (some of my switches, resistors, etc).

    That sounds like a good idea - depending on how many people would be interested in participating. It might also be nice to have the hardware and a few computers around for people to play with on their own - similar to having soldering irons around.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-08-16 07:24
    Actually,

    This idea dovetails with something Bryan and I had been talking about.

    (/me calls Bryan in the middle of the message to confirm.)

    Yes, we'll have at least three laptops setup with the Propeller Tool, copies of the games, HYDRA CD, and likely the OBEX which will ready to be used. At the end of the day, the $49.00 laptop may be purchased by someone to be taken home. (Don't get too excited, they should be around 500mhz-700mhz units. Just enough to do this job.)

    I'll donate the time to set them up, see Bryan about rest.

    @Granz: You've got your mini training table w/computers. I'll park it away from the main speakers. (Opposite side you were on last year.)

    OBC
  • GranzGranz Posts: 179
    edited 2010-08-16 13:38
    Oldbitcollector wrote: »
    Actually,

    This idea dovetails with something Bryan and I had been talking about.

    (/me calls Bryan in the middle of the message to confirm.)

    Yes, we'll have at least three laptops setup with the Propeller Tool, copies of the games, HYDRA CD, and likely the OBEX which will ready to be used. At the end of the day, the $49.00 laptop may be purchased by someone to be taken home. (Don't get too excited, they should be around 500mhz-700mhz units. Just enough to do this job.)

    I'll donate the time to set them up, see Bryan about rest.

    @Granz: You've got your mini training table w/computers. I'll park it away from the main speakers. (Opposite side you were on last year.)

    OBC

    Fantastic!

    I may be able to bring an additional notebook and may have my son, Peter, bring his (small) desktop PC with him, that could put us up to about five computers. I will go ahead and burn a dozen or so CDs with the software that you mention in your book, and we can get at least a few people through setting up a Prop and getting started with programming (I think that FemtoBASIC will be best for rank beginners, they can continue on to Spin, Assembly, C, Forth, ... as they continue). This will be just enough to show them that "Yes, Virginia, you can hook up the Prop!" Forum threads, articles and books can take them from there.

    We will need power at my table then. Anything else that anyone can think of?

    BTW, OBC, how did your face-to-face, on Friday, go? Everything go for launch?

    Art
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-08-16 14:14
    Didn't get face-to-face, but important paperwork has been handled and confirmed that we have our listing in the book. I've learned that it's wise to confirm this kind of stuff in person. :)

    OBC
  • trodosstrodoss Posts: 577
    edited 2010-08-16 15:07
    Granz wrote: »
    I get the feeling that this may lead to UPE-Far North :D

    What about a UPE (Mid) South? ...Ok, maybe that is just me ;)
  • GranzGranz Posts: 179
    edited 2010-08-16 15:31
    Oldbitcollector wrote: »
    Didn't get face-to-face, but important paperwork has been handled and confirmed that we have our listing in the book. I've learned that it's wise to confirm this kind of stuff in person. :)

    OBC

    Good idea, making double- and triple- sure.

    Glad to know that we are still go for launch.

    T-minus 13 days, 14 hours, 31 minutes and 27 seconds... But who's counting ;)
  • GranzGranz Posts: 179
    edited 2010-08-16 15:36
    trodoss wrote: »
    What about a UPE (Mid) South? ...Ok, maybe that is just me ;)

    I suspect that if you look around, there is more than just you there. Where in the mid-south are you? Maybe OBC would be up for a nice warm southern-style vacation after Christmas this year. Especially if some people were to kick in and pay for his transportation and lodging. ;) - UPEMS

    Hey Parallax, how about an advertising/marketing contract for OBC? or would that kinda mess up the Unofficial part of the expo? :D

    We could charge a few bucks per ticket for OBC to cover his expenses - Hey "OBC Services, Inc." World electronics exposition coordination
  • trodosstrodoss Posts: 577
    edited 2010-08-16 17:49
    @Granz,
    I live not too far away from Branson, MO., if you know where that is...
    If there was a "UPE(M)S," my guess is that it would be in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area. It is a great city for expos/user's conferences/etc.

    Had things worked out this year I would have gone to the UPE in Chicago.
  • GranzGranz Posts: 179
    edited 2010-08-16 18:00
    trodoss wrote: »
    @Granz,
    I live not too far away from Branson, MO., if you know where that is...
    If there was a "UPE(M)S," my guess is that it would be in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area. It is a great city for expos/user's conferences/etc.

    Had things worked out this year I would have gone to the UPE in Chicago.

    So, what do you think, OBC? Is there a UPE in the future for New Orleans, Houston or Dallas? Those cities have better January temps than anything we have up here ;)
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-08-16 18:39
    A Texas expo would likely be healthy for Propeller heads.

    It's defiantly something I've considered, perhaps I'll review the idea.. :)

    OBC
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