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What's a Prop? — Parallax Forums

What's a Prop?

HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
edited 2011-02-16 21:47 in Propeller 1
Anyone working on a What's a Micro book version for the Propeller? No, not the PEK but rather something closely following the Stamp book.

Comments

  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-12-17 07:02
    It's not quite a "What's a Microcontroller", but Nick & I are working on an online tutorial section which is designed for a beginner. (some intermediate stuff has already been posted as well.)

    http://www.gadgetgangster.com/tutorials/293

    The idea here is to provide enough information for someone to get started without overwhelming them with all the details.

    Lesson 0 will be posted as soon as I can convince Nick. :) We're spreading them out a bit.

    OBC
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-12-19 05:49
    Oldbitcollector wrote: »
    It's not quite a "What's a Microcontroller", but Nick & I are working on an online tutorial section which is designed for a beginner. (some intermediate stuff has already been posted as well. http://www.gadgetgangster.com/tutorials/293 The idea here is to provide enough information for someone to get started without overwhelming them with all the details. Lesson 0 will be posted as soon as I can convince Nick. :) We're spreading them out a bit. OBC
    OBC, excellent! Please continue!
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-12-19 05:57
    But there are some problems. For example, on Blinky Light, the code does not show up.

    http://www.gadgetgangster.com/tutorials/293#blinky
  • GranzGranz Posts: 179
    edited 2010-12-20 17:21
    Humanoido wrote: »
    Anyone working on a What's a Micro book version for the Propeller? No, not the PEK but rather something closely following the Stamp book.

    Humanoido,

    Not a What's a Micro book, but I am working on a book and presentation for the next UPE that I will attend (hoping for Chicago). I do like the What's a Micro book, and have drawn from it for some of my books. My class from last summer's UPENE was based on the beginning of OBC's "Introduction to the Propeller Protoboard" (http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/32212-32812-Protoboard_Introduction.pdf) The idea is to give the newbie enough to show them that microcontrollers are not "rocket science", and that they CAN do this. Hopefully, this will also make for a good intro kit/book for sale to beginners.

    I have the student install Mike Greene's FemtoBASIC for the PropTerminal (http://jeffledger.googlepages.com/FemtoBasic_Propterminal.zip) and then light and flash an LED. In the course text that I have been updating since UPENE, I am also including a couple of LED/resistor pairs, a small speaker and a small pushbutton switch. I like the idea of keeping the language and the program all on the Prop board, no real need to worry about development systems, environments, etc. - Just hook up a terminal emulator and go. SIMPLE.
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-12-20 17:53
    Code shows up fine in Google Chrome 8.0.552.224

    and IE8 8.0.7600.16385

    Jim
    Humanoido wrote: »
    But there are some problems. For example, on Blinky Light, the code does not show up.

    http://www.gadgetgangster.com/tutorials/293#blinky
  • GranzGranz Posts: 179
    edited 2010-12-20 18:53
    hover1 wrote: »
    Code shows up fine in Google Chrome 8.0.552.224

    and IE8 8.0.7600.16385

    Jim

    Also seems to work fine in Firefox (ver. 3.6.13 specifically) running on Win XP.
  • Nick McClickNick McClick Posts: 1,003
    edited 2010-12-20 19:31
    @Humanoido - maybe you were thinking of a link to the code? I didn't want to offer a spin download because the intent was to have the student write it themselves.

    This doesn't go all the way down to the 'what's a micro' level. Personally, I think it's better to start with activities than with theory. Show them why they should care about what a micro is before you tell them.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-12-21 00:27
    To do such great work and then have such basic fundamental problems in simply seeing it is rather ironic.

    Ok I reviewed the web page and found that the code is in something called player.vimeo.com which is blocked from my location. There is another player.vimeo.com directly below which also does not show.

    Can the code be placed in a formatted text such as Courier? This would allow it to be seen from other countries and accessed by people who are traveling.

    Thanks.
    no connect.jpg
    657 x 589 - 35K
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-12-21 04:56
    I always post my code as images. It sounds like you are not seeing the videos.

    OBC
  • JanosNFSJanosNFS Posts: 4
    edited 2010-12-21 20:26
    I have just read through the tutorials on gadgetgangster and they were a really great help starting out in spin, actually it explained everything very well and my programming mind put everything in place and already built all circuits working:)!
    Good job guys keep up the great work!
    Hopefully soon I will be able to add my own little projects to the list.:tongue:
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-12-23 01:46
    Oldbitcollector wrote: »
    I always post my code as images. It sounds like you are not seeing the videos. OBC
    OBC, the web page was run through an unblocking device which finally revealed the code photos, however, the videos are still missing. The video links don't even show. It may be helpful to list those video URLs in the document. Then we can work on unblocking those videos specifically for viewing. Thanks.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-12-23 03:52
    Granz wrote: »
    Humanoido, Not a What's a Micro book, but I am working on a book and presentation for the next UPE that I will attend (hoping for Chicago). I do like the What's a Micro book, and have drawn from it for some of my books. My class from last summer's UPENE was based on the beginning of OBC's "Introduction to the Propeller Protoboard" (http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/32212-32812-Protoboard_Introduction.pdf) The idea is to give the newbie enough to show them that microcontrollers are not "rocket science", and that they CAN do this. Hopefully, this will also make for a good intro kit/book for sale to beginners. I have the student install Mike Greene's FemtoBASIC for the PropTerminal (http://jeffledger.googlepages.com/FemtoBasic_Propterminal.zip) and then light and flash an LED. In the course text that I have been updating since UPENE, I am also including a couple of LED/resistor pairs, a small speaker and a small pushbutton switch. I like the idea of keeping the language and the program all on the Prop board, no real need to worry about development systems, environments, etc. - Just hook up a terminal emulator and go. SIMPLE.
    I look forward to seeing your book and the idea of using Mike Greene's FemtoBASIC for the PropTerminal is a good one, and hope you can include the simple apps and a chapter about it in the book.
  • mickalmickal Posts: 75
    edited 2010-12-23 08:02
    i should probly read wam.I am looking at contents I just read Signals and learnt something but it was reliant a bit on having your own oscope. anyway as a raw beginner i would like a "whats a prop" that was mostly into communicating with *things*. and the protocols and some deep understanding. mabe chapters like,



    Serial Communication (RS232)

    Analog Signals

    Pulse Width Modulation

    Timers/Counters

    cog or global or DAT Memory

    LCD Display

    I²C Communication

    SPI Communication

    ds clock chip

    what is a shift register

    using an uSD card

    tripping a relay

    how to locate and interpret a Datasheet maybe with xbee or any 433 example.

    connect two props on a breadboard and have each cog communicate using different protocol,
    raw2 wire, spi .......

    and this would facilitate learning spin . maybe gointo detailed use of commonly used objects? Its just a late night opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!:tongue:
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2011-02-04 09:13
    Granz wrote: »
    Humanoido,
    I am also including a couple of LED/resistor pairs

    FYI,
    I really like to use the LEDs with internal resistors.
    Supper conveinent for experimentation, especially when used on "plug boards".
    Here are my favorite ones:
    SSL-LX3044ID-12V red
    SSL-LX3044GD-12V green
    SSL-LX3044YD-12V yellow.
    These are 12V types. They work fine down to 3V and work well with my Propellor on 3.3V.
    There are 5V units also but it would be confusing to have two voltages in my junk box.
    Of course, I would not use these on a production board as they are a bit expensive.
    Duane
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-02-04 09:17
    I'm working on a project in the image of StampWorks (that I wrote) called JonnyMac's Propeller Attack! It's going to be fun, cheeky, and practical -- like me! :cool:

    If all goes well there will be an online video series of the same name. Would be shame not to put my acting training to work!
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2011-02-08 06:57
    JonnyMac wrote: »
    I'm working on a project in the image of StampWorks (that I wrote) called JonnyMac's Propeller Attack! It's going to be fun, cheeky, and practical -- like me! :cool:
    When will the book part of your endeavor be available for download? I'd like to see a lot of simple working code examples of cool propeller stuff, that I could understand and use in my simple hobby projects! If you need ideas, let me know.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-02-08 07:11
    When will the book part of your endeavor be available for download?

    I don't expect it will be. It's something I'm doing on my own and will be available for sale through a book seller. I went down the self-publish path with may acting teacher last year, taking his manuscript to book form, so I've been through it and know what to do.
  • BritannicusBritannicus Posts: 98
    edited 2011-02-08 07:26
    We mere mortals so need a good book - I started off with a bunch of PIC's and an acknowledged "how to" book - after building the required circuits and studying the code in detail - even cut and paste from the supporting site, none of the code worked, leaving me to wonder if my circuits were misinterpreted, the code mis-compiled, my PC up the spout or I'd got non-functional components - turns out there are a few "shortcuts and assumptions made in the book" (in other words the book was wrong!) I binned the whole idea of PIC in disgust and went off and bought the STAMP. It turned out to have what I believe to be on of the best supporting manuals I've ever seen.

    I was so impressed, that when my developers were doing user documentation of an application we were delveloping (I'm an IT Project manager) , I took it in as an example of a "proper job" when my techies had produced an incomprehensible collation of acronyms and buzzwords suitable for training only those who knew the answers anyway.

    I'm intrigued by Propeller and the inherant advantages in capability and cost, but fear another "PIC experience" if it's not supported by something like "what's a microcntroller" (marketing department take note !). No matter how brilliant it is technically it's not even useful as a paperweight if I can't understand how to use it !

    Having got this so right once - please do it again !! and I promise I'll go out and buy propeller discovery set !
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,245
    edited 2011-02-08 16:16
    JonnyMac wrote: »
    I'm working on a project in the image of StampWorks (that I wrote) called JonnyMac's Propeller Attack! It's going to be fun, cheeky, and practical -- like me! :cool:

    If all goes well there will be an online video series of the same name. Would be shame not to put my acting training to work!

    I'll buy a copy!
  • damagedcellsdamagedcells Posts: 12
    edited 2011-02-16 14:24
    What is the time line of the JMPA ?
    I'm working through the PE kit text (about half-way right now) and will need another book soon.
  • cm5299cm5299 Posts: 12
    edited 2011-02-16 17:27
    damagedcells wrote: »
    What is the time line of the JMPA ?
    I'm working through the PE kit text (about half-way right now) and will need another book soon.
    Have you checked out this one yet?
    http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Customizing-Multicore-Propeller-Microcontroller/dp/0071664505/

    Check out the link OBC provided to his turorials. There are some things in there not covered in the prop ed kit.

    Also search the OBEX for objects written by Johnny Mac. I have found them to be well documented and have helped me greatly.


    Many thinks to OBC and Johnny Mac. I really appreciate the efforts to help those of us who aren't prop wizards (yet).
  • mickalmickal Posts: 75
    edited 2011-02-16 21:47
    I think the next best step is this book-->

    Programming the Propeller with Spin - A Beginner's Guide to Parallel Processing by Harprit Sandhu

    Check out this thread
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?123537-Programming-the-Propeller-with-Spin-A-Beginner-s-Guide-to-Parallel-Processing

    Its a little easier, at least I didnt get lost, IMO.

    I will buy the book by JM when its available. I have only ever read bits of the Stamp series so I still would like to go down that road on the prop.
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