It's the Monday after... Once again I had a good time at UPENE, chatting
with my PropHead friends, shopping, etc. (...and I sent a Parallax Show Order, too... :-)
But I was a bit saddened that it was far less attended than some of the
previous years, and was sorry to not see the handouts or Contests.
However - Since the Prop-II chips are due out between now and UPENE 2013,
I'm really hoping we'll have a HUGE resurgence for the next one!
So, right off the bat...
FREEBIE TABLE - SPEC SHEETS, and DATA
Where can we find spec sheets, data, and software for some of the things
found on the Freebie Table this year? Ex:
- Anyone have any schematics, manuals, or docs for the little laser tag robots?
- How about ID (make, models), schematics, and/or how to drive either
of those cool large LCD displays that were found there? Any leads on that?
BTW, if anyone still needs one, I cleaned up the the GIF schematic
for driving those giant DSP-GSB408CMALT (4" green LED clock) displays
that were on the table a couple of years ago. I can post it somewhere, if desired.
LEARNING FROM THE EVENT:
IMO, we should also take a second to review the event, to make sure we
learn from each one, and improve it for next year.
- Please restore the "Theme Contest". Maybe chose a DIFFERENT, widely cast
theme for each year. (We did "Coolest Robots" at the previous two events,
but nothing at all this year).
Some example themes, off the top of the noggin'...
- Coolest Holiday Display or gadget (Halloween, 7/4, NYE, Easter, Christmakwanzakah, whatever ;-)
- Home & Garden; (got a smart tending gadget, weed puller, or Propeller Mousetrap?)
- "Make it Smarter" (take something mundane or "dumb". Add Propeller to somehow make "better")
- "Make us Safer" (eg security related, safety device, Fire Fighting robots, etc);
- Jokes, Gags, and Entertainment (Make something to entertain me, pull a prank, or just make me laugh!)
- Personal Assistant (it "helps"[?] you in SOME way, in your day-to-day life);
- Help the Handicapped or Injured;
- Mobility & Transportation (whether land/water/air/space - eg quadcopters, subs, boats, Magellan, etc.)
- Recreation, Game, or Music (let's turn a UPENE into an arcade, or a music festival! :-);
- Office, Work, or Hobby Aid
- "Twofer": Swarms & Networks (make at least two discrete processors or things talk or work together),
- Save the Planet
etc.
TALK SCHEDULE POSTED:
I do recommend SOMETHING is done, to formally show the talk schedule next year.
Some options:
- Low tech - a simple 3M tear-off board, or a whiteboard. It can be on a table, if need be.
- Higher tech - A laptop, with an optional large display or projector (simple to update)
- One of those LCD Smart Picture Frames, updated by a laptop
- How about having the schedule scroll by on something like a Propeller POV Fan? <grin>
HANDOUTS:
Formally hand out SOMETHING to all attendees, or at least to the newbies.
It doesn't have to be much... Getting even a little trivial trinket (like a badge-a-minit
"Propeller Hat" image button) is always a memorable thing. It was done at
all other UPENEs, but wasn't this year. Jeff did deal with that on a
one-on-one basis this year, upon request. (Thanks, Jeff!)
ADD A "PLAYGROUND", or a CONTEST ARENA
Set up a formal place to run demos, or explore this year's "Theme".
(I've designed simple Arenas, for MiRC contests, that easily fits in a car.
See me for some simple contest ideas, if there is interest)
ATTENDANCE:
Any idea why attendance was so small this year? (Maybe gas prices?)
Do we need to look at some kind of free (web?) advertising push ahead
of time, to raise awareness for next year?
What else did people note, or can suggest, to help improve this for next year?
BTW, if anyone still needs one, I cleaned up the the GIF schematic
for driving those giant DSP-GSB408CMALT (4" green LED clock) displays
that were on the table a couple of years ago. I can post it somewhere, if desired.
I'd love to see the info on that display. I have 2 I grabbed and have not had the time to research them.
Breakout sessions? Intro to PASM/PropGCC & SImpleIDE/PropForth/etc
UPxxx circuit board: as a group design a QuickStart board. Toss $10-$15 into the fund and you get one. Others could buy them through Propellered Powered.
Sensor demos?
All these take early commitment by the presenters and follow through.....a commitment thing.
All of these, good ideas! I'll be looking for you around June of next year as we start prepping for our Norwalk expo.
It sounds like you would be an asset to helping implement at least one of these strategies next year, and I always welcome help!
Maybe we should start a "Things to do with B.A.R.T. thread, I think pretty much everyone that was there around 9:30 or 10:00 go one so there should be a decent sized group of participants.
Breakout sessions? Intro to PASM/PropGCC & SImpleIDE/PropForth/etc{...}
Sensor demos?
All these take early commitment by the presenters and follow through.....a commitment thing. .
Ooooohhh... Some good Session Topic suggestions. <in Cookie Monster voice> "Me like"... <wink>
What sensors would you like to learn about?
(Talking/Rangefinding with IR, MEMS gyros/accelerometers, colorPAL, or what?)
Anyone have any more topics, they'd like to see presented?
Personally, I'd like to see one on "Talking Apps" (Networking things), like making
a ZigBee mesh network, Bluetooth links, a webserver, etc. IOW, anything to get
our Propellers talking to remote sensors, remote servos, other Propellers, and the net.
I'd also like to see a talk on "Expanding to a (Two or More) Multiple Propeller Configuration".
IOW, where someone has worked out the nitty gritty details on how to
break the 8 COG limit by somehow joining multiple Propellers together
on one board, to ("seamlessly"?) form a larger COG count virtual machine.
(EG: I'd expect a 2-Prop virtual machine would have 12 or 14 COGs available,
etc..) Has anyone done this yet?
BTW... I skipped presenting my "making cheap bots" talk, to give it a year's rest.
I felt most people there had probably already seen it at a prior UPENE.
(But if anyone is interested in it, I could bring it back next year. I've got updates... :-)
UPxxx circuit board: as a group design a QuickStart board.
Toss $10-$15 into the fund and you get one. Others could buy them through Propellered Powered.
...plus everything Keith suggested.
I like the idea of a Joint Design session. We should look to implement that as a
side activity next year.
Interestingly enough, at the end of the day Jeff, others, and I did just that.
We all got together to flesh out the initial concept for a new "Quickstart
Motherboard/Backplane". Intended to mount on a BOE-BOT chassis, it'll
allow a QS plus SEVERAL other QS style piggyback boards to all
interconnect at the same time. This eliminates the need to make a
dedicated "robotics" board set, and greatly expands the the number of
apps that the current board family can handle.
Hopefully, we can start an independent QS Backplane thread soon, to discuss
and optimize its design, and capacity.
Jeff - If you wish my help to plan next year's UPENE, that may be possible.
I can also design a game for the event (or reuse one of my old ones...),
create a contest tied to a Theme, etc. Contact me directly via email to discuss it.
But be warned... IF we're going to try for a Theme, we should choose that
NOW, or SOON, so people have close to a year to make something for it.
Past experience with designing contests has shown that setting it only
a month or two ahead of the event is a recipe for disaster. It's way too
late for people to work out and build a design, and we'd have NO entries for it.
(We can always "remind them" as needed., so they "don't forget". :-)
I have many who volunteer to do the things they are good at at the expos. I welcome you assistance. It sounds like you would be interested in hosting/creating the "theme" contest for next year. It's an excellent thing to bring back, and like I said, in all seriousness, I welcome the help.
Those who have taken ownership of some small part of an expo seem to get more from them.
Interestingly enough, at the end of the day Jeff, others, and I did just that.
We all got together to flesh out the initial concept for a new "Quickstart
Motherboard/Backplane". Intended to mount on a BOE-BOT chassis, it'll
allow a QS plus SEVERAL other QS style piggyback boards to all
interconnect at the same time. This eliminates the need to make a
dedicated "robotics" board set, and greatly expands the the number of
apps that the current board family can handle.
Hopefully, we can start an independent QS Backplane thread soon, to discuss
and optimize its design, and capacity.
I like the idea of a Quickstart backplane. I used to do a lot with AVRs using a system called SimmStick which used old memory sockets for boards (although you could easily use headers as well). It was very convenient for prototyping - easy to add and remove functionality as long as you didn't need the same pins (similar to the issues with stacked shields).
I have done similar things since then, but usually just used headers since they are easier to find and work with.
@Jeff. Can't get the podcast to work for me. Plays a bit, then quits. I can restart it, but that is a pain, and not very productive.
Also ITunes link listed, "not a valid address". Any ideas?
OBC,
Just listened to the podcast and thanks so much for the kind words!!!
Some feedback on the expo... Great job with the organizing and logistics! We really appreciate all the time and effort you put into the event. For next year, the earlier you can lock down the date of the show and publicize it, the better. Having that reminder on my calendar is a powerful motivator for getting a project ready!
Looking forward to participating more on the forums now that I'm getting to know everyone,
-Mike
First time I've listened to your podcast, lots of fun and a good recall of the event!
I certainly had a lot of fun and am planning on being back at the next Chicago Expo, these are just too much fun to miss out on! (although I did miss the Parallax folks!) should have a lot more done on the Hexapod by then (- only six legs planned, not eight). Maybe it might be able to at least walk in a straight line by then.....???
Comments
with my PropHead friends, shopping, etc. (...and I sent a Parallax Show Order, too... :-)
But I was a bit saddened that it was far less attended than some of the
previous years, and was sorry to not see the handouts or Contests.
However - Since the Prop-II chips are due out between now and UPENE 2013,
I'm really hoping we'll have a HUGE resurgence for the next one!
So, right off the bat...
FREEBIE TABLE - SPEC SHEETS, and DATA
Where can we find spec sheets, data, and software for some of the things
found on the Freebie Table this year? Ex:
- Anyone have any schematics, manuals, or docs for the little laser tag robots?
- How about ID (make, models), schematics, and/or how to drive either
of those cool large LCD displays that were found there? Any leads on that?
BTW, if anyone still needs one, I cleaned up the the GIF schematic
for driving those giant DSP-GSB408CMALT (4" green LED clock) displays
that were on the table a couple of years ago. I can post it somewhere, if desired.
LEARNING FROM THE EVENT:
IMO, we should also take a second to review the event, to make sure we
learn from each one, and improve it for next year.
- Please restore the "Theme Contest". Maybe chose a DIFFERENT, widely cast
theme for each year. (We did "Coolest Robots" at the previous two events,
but nothing at all this year).
Some example themes, off the top of the noggin'...
- Coolest Holiday Display or gadget (Halloween, 7/4, NYE, Easter, Christmakwanzakah, whatever ;-)
- Home & Garden; (got a smart tending gadget, weed puller, or Propeller Mousetrap?)
- "Make it Smarter" (take something mundane or "dumb". Add Propeller to somehow make "better")
- "Make us Safer" (eg security related, safety device, Fire Fighting robots, etc);
- Jokes, Gags, and Entertainment (Make something to entertain me, pull a prank, or just make me laugh!)
- Personal Assistant (it "helps"[?] you in SOME way, in your day-to-day life);
- Help the Handicapped or Injured;
- Mobility & Transportation (whether land/water/air/space - eg quadcopters, subs, boats, Magellan, etc.)
- Recreation, Game, or Music (let's turn a UPENE into an arcade, or a music festival! :-);
- Office, Work, or Hobby Aid
- "Twofer": Swarms & Networks (make at least two discrete processors or things talk or work together),
- Save the Planet
etc.
TALK SCHEDULE POSTED:
I do recommend SOMETHING is done, to formally show the talk schedule next year.
Some options:
- Low tech - a simple 3M tear-off board, or a whiteboard. It can be on a table, if need be.
- Higher tech - A laptop, with an optional large display or projector (simple to update)
- One of those LCD Smart Picture Frames, updated by a laptop
- How about having the schedule scroll by on something like a Propeller POV Fan? <grin>
HANDOUTS:
Formally hand out SOMETHING to all attendees, or at least to the newbies.
It doesn't have to be much... Getting even a little trivial trinket (like a badge-a-minit
"Propeller Hat" image button) is always a memorable thing. It was done at
all other UPENEs, but wasn't this year. Jeff did deal with that on a
one-on-one basis this year, upon request. (Thanks, Jeff!)
ADD A "PLAYGROUND", or a CONTEST ARENA
Set up a formal place to run demos, or explore this year's "Theme".
(I've designed simple Arenas, for MiRC contests, that easily fits in a car.
See me for some simple contest ideas, if there is interest)
ATTENDANCE:
Any idea why attendance was so small this year? (Maybe gas prices?)
Do we need to look at some kind of free (web?) advertising push ahead
of time, to raise awareness for next year?
What else did people note, or can suggest, to help improve this for next year?
- Keith Mc.
I'd love to see the info on that display. I have 2 I grabbed and have not had the time to research them.
UPxxx circuit board: as a group design a QuickStart board. Toss $10-$15 into the fund and you get one. Others could buy them through Propellered Powered.
Sensor demos?
All these take early commitment by the presenters and follow through.....a commitment thing.
...plus everything Keith suggested.
All of these, good ideas! I'll be looking for you around June of next year as we start prepping for our Norwalk expo.
It sounds like you would be an asset to helping implement at least one of these strategies next year, and I always welcome help!
Jeff
Here is a link to a copy of the instruction manual, but it really only applies if you have the matching laser tag 'gun'.
http://www.robotsandcomputers.com/robots/manuals/BART.pdf
Maybe we should start a "Things to do with B.A.R.T. thread, I think pretty much everyone that was there around 9:30 or 10:00 go one so there should be a decent sized group of participants.
C.W.
Ooooohhh... Some good Session Topic suggestions. <in Cookie Monster voice> "Me like"... <wink>
What sensors would you like to learn about?
(Talking/Rangefinding with IR, MEMS gyros/accelerometers, colorPAL, or what?)
Anyone have any more topics, they'd like to see presented?
Personally, I'd like to see one on "Talking Apps" (Networking things), like making
a ZigBee mesh network, Bluetooth links, a webserver, etc. IOW, anything to get
our Propellers talking to remote sensors, remote servos, other Propellers, and the net.
I'd also like to see a talk on "Expanding to a (Two or More) Multiple Propeller Configuration".
IOW, where someone has worked out the nitty gritty details on how to
break the 8 COG limit by somehow joining multiple Propellers together
on one board, to ("seamlessly"?) form a larger COG count virtual machine.
(EG: I'd expect a 2-Prop virtual machine would have 12 or 14 COGs available,
etc..) Has anyone done this yet?
BTW... I skipped presenting my "making cheap bots" talk, to give it a year's rest.
I felt most people there had probably already seen it at a prior UPENE.
(But if anyone is interested in it, I could bring it back next year. I've got updates... :-)
I like the idea of a Joint Design session. We should look to implement that as a
side activity next year.
Interestingly enough, at the end of the day Jeff, others, and I did just that.
We all got together to flesh out the initial concept for a new "Quickstart
Motherboard/Backplane". Intended to mount on a BOE-BOT chassis, it'll
allow a QS plus SEVERAL other QS style piggyback boards to all
interconnect at the same time. This eliminates the need to make a
dedicated "robotics" board set, and greatly expands the the number of
apps that the current board family can handle.
Hopefully, we can start an independent QS Backplane thread soon, to discuss
and optimize its design, and capacity.
Jeff - If you wish my help to plan next year's UPENE, that may be possible.
I can also design a game for the event (or reuse one of my old ones...),
create a contest tied to a Theme, etc. Contact me directly via email to discuss it.
But be warned... IF we're going to try for a Theme, we should choose that
NOW, or SOON, so people have close to a year to make something for it.
Past experience with designing contests has shown that setting it only
a month or two ahead of the event is a recipe for disaster. It's way too
late for people to work out and build a design, and we'd have NO entries for it.
(We can always "remind them" as needed., so they "don't forget". :-)
- Keith Mc.
I have many who volunteer to do the things they are good at at the expos. I welcome you assistance. It sounds like you would be interested in hosting/creating the "theme" contest for next year. It's an excellent thing to bring back, and like I said, in all seriousness, I welcome the help.
Those who have taken ownership of some small part of an expo seem to get more from them.
Jeff
You should be able to attach them to this thread/message. If not, can you send them to me in an PM?
Jeff
I like the idea of a Quickstart backplane. I used to do a lot with AVRs using a system called SimmStick which used old memory sockets for boards (although you could easily use headers as well). It was very convenient for prototyping - easy to add and remove functionality as long as you didn't need the same pins (similar to the issues with stacked shields).
I have done similar things since then, but usually just used headers since they are easier to find and work with.
http://www.simmstick.com/whatissi.htm
Also ITunes link listed, "not a valid address". Any ideas?
http://www.gadgetgangster.com/podcast/download.php?filename=2012-08-28_prototypers_019.mp3
Jeff
Just listened to the podcast and thanks so much for the kind words!!!
Some feedback on the expo... Great job with the organizing and logistics! We really appreciate all the time and effort you put into the event. For next year, the earlier you can lock down the date of the show and publicize it, the better. Having that reminder on my calendar is a powerful motivator for getting a project ready!
Looking forward to participating more on the forums now that I'm getting to know everyone,
-Mike
I certainly had a lot of fun and am planning on being back at the next Chicago Expo, these are just too much fun to miss out on! (although I did miss the Parallax folks!) should have a lot more done on the Hexapod by then (- only six legs planned, not eight). Maybe it might be able to at least walk in a straight line by then.....???
Bob
See you both at the next one!
Jeff
-Mike
I just got a bunch from my camera guy.. Will post soon!
Jeff