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I've written another Nuts and Volts article: Any proofreading is appreciated — Parallax Forums

I've written another Nuts and Volts article: Any proofreading is appreciated

MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
edited 2011-07-02 07:50 in General Discussion
As some of you may know, I've been writing another article for Nuts and Volts magazine. I've labored slowly over this over the last several weeks, and I have finally completed a rough draft.
I am asking those of you who are experienced with this sort of thing to do me a favor and quickly look over my article before I send it off to Nuts and Volts. The article is uploaded here and will be until it is approved by Nuts and Volts: http://microcontrolled.com/The%20FlipClock%20Article.pdf
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Comments

  • edited 2011-06-05 18:50
    Microsoft Word says that heatsink should be two words.

    "If you want to build your own, here is instructions on how."

    The suggestions are: "are instructions" or "is an instruction" from Microsoft Word.

    "then it exits the loop." could be "and then". (from Microsoft Word)

  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-06-05 19:04
    "Heatsnk" and "heat sink" are used interchangeably at DigiKey. This is one of those things that N&V's editors will deal with, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. BTW, my browser's spell-checker complains about the word "internet!" Go figure.

    -Phil
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2011-06-05 19:08
    The plural of axis is axes, not "axis's".
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2011-06-05 19:09
    Also "what time the clock will" might sound better as "the time when the clock will"
  • edited 2011-06-05 19:13
    "EEPROM, 5.000Mhz Xtal" should probably have a space between 5.000 and Mhz.

    According to Word, "connections" and "disconnected" should have a ";" sign after them.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-05 19:39
    Micro...

    - flip the orientation of the two 10uF caps that surround the 3.3 regulator. If you choose to use that symbol, the curved side connects to ground.
    - "uf" should be "uF"
    - "Mhz" should be "MHz"
    - putting a space between a numeric and a modifier (e.g. "10 uF" vs. "10uF") is purely a stylistic choice
    - "alarmhour" and "alarmminute" should be "alarm hour" and "alarm minute"
    - on page 4 there is a reference to Figure 1...but the figure itself is not labeled
    - also on page 4, there is a suggestion made about triming down a Propeller Protoboard but then inferring that it might not be a good idea. It would be better to not even make the suggestion.
    - on page 3, there is a reference to Figure 2...but the figure itself is not labeled
    - it would seem that none of the figures are labeled
    - might want to tidy up the cost column of the BOM

    That's from a cursory quick-peek. I'll sift through in more detail over the next couple days.

    Regards,

    DJ
  • edited 2011-06-05 19:51
    davejames wrote: »
    - "alarmhour" and "alarmminute" should be "alarm hour" and "alarm minute"

    I ignored that because they were variables.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-05 20:00
    Chuckz - noted and post corrected.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-06-05 20:23
    Hey Micro,

    NIce article! Grammar nazi here, so please bear with me, and I may repeat the suggestions of others.
    Page 1:
    Ever wished -> 'Ever wished (When words are missing, but understood -- "have you", in this case -- it's nice to replace them with an apostrophe. The N&V editor will probably insert the "have you" anyway.)

    accelerometer controlled -> accelerometer-controlled (Words that are used together like this as an adjective should be hyphenated.)

    axis's -> axes

    5.000Mhz -> 5.000 MHz (Spacing. Also, units that are named after real people -- Hertz, Volta, Ohm, etc. -- get capitalized.)

    4 segment -> four-segment (Single-digit numbers and other simply-written numbers should always be spelled out. Also the adjective rule applies here.)

    with a larger heatsinks -> with a larger heatsink

    they are small and flexible, however, I offer a word of warning to those who do this. The solder -> they are small and flexible. However, I offer a word of warning to those who do this: the solder (Use the colon to good effect when what follows it expands or clarifies what came before it.)
    Page 2:
    Last paragraph: Put all variable names in boldface.
    Page3:
    here is instructions -> here are instructions
    Page 4:
    5.000Mhz -> 5.000 MHz

    would do the blank one, however, I -> would do the blank one; however, I
    Page 5:
    solder them down with 1 space -> solder them down with one space

    When you are done plug in a PropPlug if you have one and test -> When you are done, plug in Prop Plug if you have one, and test (The parts of a compound imperative sentence need to be separated by commas, even though the subject, "you", is understood.)

    You can chose -> You can choose

    (see the BOM for parts numbers) -> (see the BOM for part numbers)
    Page 6:
    Now you will have to ... to bypass the GPS ( This step is optional ... for the RTC setup). -> Now you will have to ... to bypass the GPS. (This step is optional ... for the RTC setup.)

    (If you can't see the numbers, click Ctrl+Shift+N) -> (Click Ctrl+Shift+N if you can't see the numbers.) (This gets you out of the tight spot of having to put a period after Ctrl+Shift+N and confusing the reader.)

    a simple 1 transistor -> a simple one-transistor

    will be the 3rd pin of the -> will be the third pin of the
    Page 7:
    Now for cutting the box. (Begin a new paragraph with this sentence.)
    Page 8:
    Check your connections, make sure you included 10k pullup resistors on both clock and data lines, and that it is -> Check your connections, and make sure you included 10K 10k [Thanks, Dave!] pullup resistors on both clock and data lines and that the clock is
    Page 9:
    Hope you enjoyed -> I hope you enjoyed or 'Hope you enjoyed

    Also, in the main schematic, you've got connection wires going through the LEDs and connections made to the Prop Chip Propeller chip [Thanks for the reminder, Ken!] from inside. Bring these wires to the outside of all components. Some wires are unnecessarily bendy and long. See if you can tidy them up. You've also got two Vss nets: Prop pins 9 and 29.

    Anyway, 'hope this helps...

    -Phil
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-06-06 05:42
    @Davidsaunders & Phil: THANKS!!!! I've updated the link in the first post with the modified file.

    Thanks,
    Microcontrolled
  • bill190bill190 Posts: 769
    edited 2011-06-06 06:42
    Note that trouble getting up in the morning is something which might be unique to teenagers...

    American Teenagers Dangerously Sleep Deprived...
    "Experts say that teens are biologically programmed to go to sleep later and get up later than other age groups"
    http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/American-Teenagers-Dangerously-Sleep-Deprived-102523339.html
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-06-06 11:47
    Ken reminded me that "Prop Chip" is not a product that Parallax makes. The correct usage is "Propeller chip." I've corrected my post above.

    Micro, you have several instances of "Propeller Chip," which should be changed to "Propeller chip." Also, I believe "Propeller Tool" is correct, as opposed to "Propeller tool." You've used both forms.

    -Phil
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-06 12:15
    Remember that:
    "k", lower case used as "10k" means "10-to-the-third" or 1,000 (kilo).
    "K", upper case used as "512K" means "1024" and usually shows up describing an amount of memory.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-06-06 12:27
    Dave, you're right, of course, and it's my fault for misleading him. See corrected post above. Sorry, Micro!

    -Phil
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2011-06-06 12:59
    Just read your article, very nice :-)

    Perhaps adding a capacitive touch switch as an alternative input
    would be useful.

    You could use the speaker to send coded tone data so the user
    could get some feedback? Maybe morse or something similar to morse?
    Blinking the clock display would also work. You could have a setting to
    send tic-toc sounds to the speaker like a real clock and maybe chimes
    on the hour. A countdown timer function with alarm might be handy?

    Perhaps use an LED as an input device and write a simple program
    so the user could hold the project up to a monitor and updated firmware
    settings could be 'blinked' in, or use as a simple way to update the clock from
    an online time service for those opting out of the gps.

    It's fun to think up ways to add functionality to projects like this...of course
    if you keep adding features you never finish the project :-)

    Publish or Perish
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-06 16:24
    @Mr. Pilgrim - no prob. :smile:

    Dave
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2011-06-06 16:58
    Great Job Microcontrolled!
    '
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-06-06 18:12
    Thanks guys! Apparently my grammar is improving some; this article didn't have near the [first draft] editing of the first one I wrote! (It almost justified a re-write) :-)
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-06-06 18:31
    Micro,

    You're speling and grammer hav improoved enormusly sinse you furst postid hear! Ime empresed with you're progres!

    -Phil
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-06-07 06:03
    Thanks Phil!
    Aind eye new u kudent resiste thate jok!
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-09 11:46
    Is the call for proofreading over?
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-06-09 12:31
    Actually, this morning I went over it and made some changes, removed some sentences, added some sections, etc. and I have uploaded the new file here: http://microcontrolled.com/TheFlipClock.pdf

    Thanks for all of your help!
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-06-09 13:15
    Writing is painstaking and often tedious work. I like the concept of the Flip Clock. Maybe you could eventually add a mode where it screams when someone tries to throw it at a wall.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-06-09 13:20
    @Loopy: Good idea! You could also do that when it falls. I believe the 3AD module can measure the amount of "G"'s put on something. 0 G = falling.
  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2011-06-09 14:30
    This link is not working for me


    Error 404: NOT FOUND! The server cannot find the document corresponding to the URL you typed in.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-06-09 14:33
    I've fixed the link, however, I noticed that the file has some strange font in the first part. This isn't important, as it won't be in the article, so don't worry about it.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-09 14:52
    Actually, this morning I went over it and made some changes, removed some sentences, added some sections, etc. and I have uploaded the new file here: http://microcontrolled.com/TheFlipClock.pdf

    Thanks for all of your help!


    ...ok - I finally have a free evening and will take another look.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-06-09 15:37
    Wow, Thanks! Your support is not unappreciated!
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-09 21:06
    Micro - sent you a PM and attachment.

    You're welcome and good success with the submission.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-06-30 20:22
    Micro - whatever happened?

    DJ
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