You see - the bytecode compiler for the BS2 that ran under Linux was 32-bit only; now, this wouldn't normally be a problem, as there are a set of wrappers for 32-bit code under Linux to allow a transition to 64-bit (they are the IA32 wrapper set - originally supplied by Intel, IIRC) - however, they only work for dynamically compiled libraries. The compiler for the BS2 that Parallax supplied was statically compiled! This meant there was -no- way to get it to work on my new system, short of running a VM executing a 32-bit Linux image or something.
I contacted Parallax about this; they informed me that the programmer who coded the bytecode compiler no longer worked for them, that they had no contact with him and didn't know his whereabouts, and that they didn't even have the source code to the compiler (what kind of contract did they write with this guy to allow this, I don't know)...
Parallax doesn't operate in this way in regards to our software source files - the above description sounds like we can't keep track of our own source. I'm not sure who you are referring to as a past employee, but all of the core source code for the products we have developed (software, firmware) related to the BASIC Stamp are held securely in our network and maintained by our current staff. Would appreciate more details on the exchange with our staff to see that the story is straight.
I subscribe to Make, and I own both an Arduino and a Propeller. I am still kinda disappointed that the Propeller isn't mentioned more often because after working with both of them for about a year, the Propeller does what I want more easily than the Arduino! I'm trying to interface a 6502 to the Propeller; it's difficult to do that with Arduino (running out of I/O ports fast...), while Propeller lets me directly address the 6502! Although I prefer using the Arduino when I need to prototype quickly, and the Propeller when I'm sticking with a project for a while!
I subscribe to Make, and I own both an Arduino and a Propeller. I am still kinda disappointed that the Propeller isn't mentioned more often because after working with both of them for about a year, the Propeller does what I want more easily than the Arduino! I'm trying to interface a 6502 to the Propeller; it's difficult to do that with Arduino (running out of I/O ports fast...), while Propeller lets me directly address the 6502! Although I prefer using the Arduino when I need to prototype quickly, and the Propeller when I'm sticking with a project for a while!
I think Make are doing exactly the right thing - if you point beginners at something too advanced for them they will be frustrated and give up. Once people are past the learning stage, that's when they want something more powerful and will migrate to more powerful platforms like the Prop - especially if there is an obvious migration step like the ASC board. The other reason Arduino is so good for beginners is the quality of the website - its tells you all you need to know as a beginner and _no more_. It also an example of good web design too - no clutter.
Comments
Parallax doesn't operate in this way in regards to our software source files - the above description sounds like we can't keep track of our own source. I'm not sure who you are referring to as a past employee, but all of the core source code for the products we have developed (software, firmware) related to the BASIC Stamp are held securely in our network and maintained by our current staff. Would appreciate more details on the exchange with our staff to see that the story is straight.
Thanks,
Ken Gracey
I think Make are doing exactly the right thing - if you point beginners at something too advanced for them they will be frustrated and give up. Once people are past the learning stage, that's when they want something more powerful and will migrate to more powerful platforms like the Prop - especially if there is an obvious migration step like the ASC board. The other reason Arduino is so good for beginners is the quality of the website - its tells you all you need to know as a beginner and _no more_. It also an example of good web design too - no clutter.