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Challenges for beginners — Parallax Forums

Challenges for beginners

NurbitNurbit Posts: 53
edited 2012-06-27 05:51 in Propeller 1
Hi guys

I've had a short break from the prop due to the moving house and I'm almost ready to get stuck into the prop again.
The problem is that some of the ideas I have for projects lie a little above my skill level so I've come up with an idea for myself and all the other newbies here.....

Perhaps some of you could post some simple problems to solve and beginners like myself can sit and program a solution.
At least this way we'll all have something to work towards and who better to judge our work than a full forum of prop experts :)

Just an idea but I thought it quite a good one....

Comments

  • g3cwig3cwi Posts: 262
    edited 2012-06-24 14:36
    Surely trying to make the Prop do something you want yourself is a better bet? The experts will still comment and you will be far more motivated to find a solution.

    Cheers

    Richard
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,183
    edited 2012-06-24 14:42
    Another way to learn, is to take something that already works, and Morph it a little.
    This can often be more productive than a clean slate.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-06-24 14:58
    A couple of my favorite project types are LEDs and servos.

    If you have a QuickStart board, get those LEDs bouncing back and forth.

    Add a servo and try controlling it with some sort of game controller. I like Wii Nunchucks and PlayStation 2 controllers myself.

    What are some of the projects you would like to do? What kind of hardware do you have?
  • tobdectobdec Posts: 267
    edited 2012-06-24 15:12
    I'm still learning the Prop myself and I'm by no means a uC expert...but I can affirm to what has already been stated. I learned alot on my BS2 HWB just by reading the books and playing around from there. LED projects are alot of fun...add some IR LEDs IR receivers and a few small solar panels and maybe a cheap laser or 2 and the fun really begins! Try to make a puzzle with LEDs that your friends and family (can't) solve....the list goes on as far as your imagination does bro!
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2012-06-24 21:50
    The idea of beginner's challenges is great!

    Think about it. Anyone can sit there and pour over example code and wonder why things are the way they are.

    With a beginner's challenge, the beginners can help each other work through things in a special way. I feel like many of us could learn from watching this too.

    So, here's the first challenge:
    "QuickRider LEDs"

The purpose of this challenge is make the LEDs on a Quickstart board light up
one at a time from left to right to left to right, etc... in an infinite loop.
Bonus points for making the LEDs brighter in the middle than on the ends.


    Points can be awarded according to effort and helpful problem solving. Who ever has the most points after 3 challenges gets a free Quickstart board (from me).

    Are you down for this?

    --Steve
  • g3cwig3cwi Posts: 262
    edited 2012-06-25 09:58
    Jazzed

    Notwithstanding my comments, that's a nice idea!

    Cheers

    Richard
  • simonlsimonl Posts: 866
    edited 2012-06-25 12:24
    @jazzed: LOVIN' THAT - I might have a go myself :)
  • NurbitNurbit Posts: 53
    edited 2012-06-27 05:51
    @Jazzed, that's exactly the sort of thing I mean.

    I've already done a knight rider type thing but I like your suggestion of making the middle LEDs brighter. It'll give people a reason to look at PWM, myself included.
    I personally wouldn't need any sort of reward, I just find it nice to be set a challenge to solve. I think it will force me to look into some ideas that I perhaps wouldn't think of myself but will still be useful to know.

    I agree with other people to an extent too. It is nice to think of something and have to find your own solution but it's sometimes too easy to bite off more that you can chew.

    I'll post my knight rider code later on (missus permitting) and let the community scrutinise it :)
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