I like gifts that have an educational component. I'd like a reference page or poster useful values to the electronics enthusiast. Things like resistor color codes. SMD codes, and so on. If it's page size then it should be laminated.
A full size Parallax poster ...
Posters are a great idea, but the extra postage would be onerous. I think whatever freebies they offer, they should be small so they don't affect the shipping rate. Both a poster and a full-sheet laminated would require a bigger box, and bigger box = more shipping.
That said, I also like the idea of reference material,, which can also serve as a marketing tool. I once made and sold a pocket resistor color code reference. It was made of aluminum, and could be tucked into a wallet, or (with the included magnet) attached to a metal surface. A while back I offered it to Parallax, but there was no interest. A nice plastic card, size and thickness of a credit card, would be more than adequate.
@Erco, I haven't used the 3-pin headers that Parallax offers, but I haven't found the similar snap-away double-long headers that Pololu sells to enlarge breadboard holes. Maybe the pins on the Parallax product are larger?
At one time Parallax sent out 3"x5" cards with orders that had a resistor color code chart on one side and a picture of the ActivityBot on the other. I have one stuck to the wall near my bench. Maybe they could get more printed. The chart looked like this one from the learn.parallax.com site:
So, speaking of educational giveaways, here's the prototype art I worked up for the Parallax resistor color card card:
I also made (but no longer do) some sublimation printed mouse pads. One idea was a quick ref for Arduino statements. Maybe something similar for Spin or PropC. (I'm always amazed how often I refer to the one I have for the Arduino. It's easy to forget some of this if you don't use it every day.) On 1/8" material these roll up fairly compactly. In quantity, Parallax could do something like this for maybe 50 cents each, or even less with fewer colors.
Clearly there's no pleasing everyone, so just do mystery bags! Clear out your mustgos and drop a little random something in each order. Some big, some small. A bit of the "brotherhood of the traveling parts box" mystique. People can start threads on what they got.
Rather, I think it would be appropriate to make an S3 version to celebrate the upcoming yellow robot!
I could easily change the silkscreen to say "S3." A yellow solder mask may not be dense enough to hide the copper from view, though. A black solder mask with a negative yellow silkscreen would probably be the way to go. But I get to pick the yellow ... right?
Clearly there's no pleasing everyone, so just do mystery bags! Clear out your mustgos and drop a little random something in each order. Some big, some small. A bit of the "brotherhood of the traveling parts box" mystique. People can start threads on what they got.
"I got a rock," said erco.
That is possible, I guess. They should be able to find rocks in Rocklin...
But generally speaking I do not think much of this free stuff. Its just costing Parallax money and is mostly of no use.
A while ago Parallax was putting PIR sensors in every order. I had to order stuff for my customers and got PIRs every time. Still have at least 10 or so. Never needed one in the first place.
I think Advanced Circuits is the best example of what to do and what not to do in giving away free stuff. They used to include a pad of sticky notes with every PCB order. Those were great! I still have a few and use them all the time. Now they include a bag of Act II microwave popcorn instead. That stuff is bloody awful. I can't even get the UPS driver to take it, and it ends up in the garbage. But worse, it weighs more than the PCBs themselves and adds to the shipping cost, especially if it's an expedited delivery. I've asked them to stop sending it, but it falls on deaf ears.
Who doesn't use sticky notes? Something classy with the Parallax logo and a small promotional message would be a welcome -- and lightweight -- addition to any shipment.
A few good ideas up there!
For me? I can always use another screwdriver. Every time I need one it seems to have been put in the bottom of the tote under the pile of boxes in the corner. :-[
The beanie stickers are cool... I need one to go next to the Apple sticker on my car!
I'm not too needy, I'd be happy to find any sort of surprise included with my order. Parallax doesn't have to give stuff away, but they do 'cuz they're pretty darn cool!
I also like the idea of the option of making a donation to a charity. I don't have a lot of money, but I think I could spare a few dollars for a good cause.
Who doesn't use sticky notes? Something classy with the Parallax logo and a small promotional message would be a welcome -- and lightweight -- addition to any shipment.
The logo idea is great. Pocket screwdrivers (flat/philips or magnet/philips) are always appreciated. Battery Junction gives away a handy and bright key chain flashlight (one of the best I've found) with their logo on it. They'll do customizing too: http://www.batteryjunction.com/titanium-keylight-custom.html
For tools, the little plastic wrench for 4-40 nuts that Parallax includes in some of their kits would be welcome around here. I'm always losing the ones I get. I gather they make these out of Delrin, ABS, or some other plastic on their lasers. Or maybe they are 3D printed. Dunno.
If you've not used one of these wrenches before, they're absolutely terrific, and a must-have for putting together something like the BOE-Bot, where space gets tight in there, especially for fat fingers. The plastic has a "give" to it that allows it to grip around the nut just enough to get it into position.
The one they include in the encoders kit (and possibly others) is for 1/4" profile nuts, but maybe Parallax could make a small set of two or three, for 2-56, 4-40, and 6-32 nuts.
In clearing out some of my old parts drawers, I came across my trusty Knight-Kit/Radio Shack/Realistic Resistor Guide, which is a three-wheel resistor color code calculator. It struck me how useful this thing has been over the years, as I could never memorize color codes.
Here's a similar one from Elenco. They're handy tools, plus they serve a great marketing/PR role.
I don't think having this made up would be too terribly expensive, and there might already be someone in China doing it, willing to imprint the front and back with whatever text and graphics you want. Seems to be a great item for stocking, plus as a give-away that costs next to nothing to ship with the rest of an order.
I use these cheap little solar powered flashlights all the time, they would make a neat premium. Well under a buck each on Ebay, so in bulk, you could have a Parallax logo tampo-printed on them and Parallax's cost would be maybe 65-75 cents each.
However, the concept of a "solar powered flashlight" is deeply disturbing to me. It's like a dietetic energy bar, you wouldn't pick that as the first thing to throw into your survival kit.
Comments
Posters are a great idea, but the extra postage would be onerous. I think whatever freebies they offer, they should be small so they don't affect the shipping rate. Both a poster and a full-sheet laminated would require a bigger box, and bigger box = more shipping.
That said, I also like the idea of reference material,, which can also serve as a marketing tool. I once made and sold a pocket resistor color code reference. It was made of aluminum, and could be tucked into a wallet, or (with the included magnet) attached to a metal surface. A while back I offered it to Parallax, but there was no interest. A nice plastic card, size and thickness of a credit card, would be more than adequate.
@Erco, I haven't used the 3-pin headers that Parallax offers, but I haven't found the similar snap-away double-long headers that Pololu sells to enlarge breadboard holes. Maybe the pins on the Parallax product are larger?
I also made (but no longer do) some sublimation printed mouse pads. One idea was a quick ref for Arduino statements. Maybe something similar for Spin or PropC. (I'm always amazed how often I refer to the one I have for the Arduino. It's easy to forget some of this if you don't use it every day.) On 1/8" material these roll up fairly compactly. In quantity, Parallax could do something like this for maybe 50 cents each, or even less with fewer colors.
Nope, far from accurate. Parallax revenue is around $10M per year and we have 35 employees.
Who knows where the wearorg.com website obtains such nonsense. . .
Ken Gracey
Dump them? We don't even have any in stock - perhaps 500. These are a possibility, though quite expensive.
Rather, I think it would be appropriate to make an S3 version to celebrate the upcoming yellow robot!
Ken Gracey
I was surprised that they had anything more than just your address, they don't seem to have sales information for most companies.
I always could use some extra breadboards........
"I got a rock," said erco.
-Phil
That is possible, I guess. They should be able to find rocks in Rocklin...
But generally speaking I do not think much of this free stuff. Its just costing Parallax money and is mostly of no use.
A while ago Parallax was putting PIR sensors in every order. I had to order stuff for my customers and got PIRs every time. Still have at least 10 or so. Never needed one in the first place.
Enjoy!
Mike
Who doesn't use sticky notes? Something classy with the Parallax logo and a small promotional message would be a welcome -- and lightweight -- addition to any shipment.
-Phil
For me? I can always use another screwdriver. Every time I need one it seems to have been put in the bottom of the tote under the pile of boxes in the corner. :-[
The beanie stickers are cool... I need one to go next to the Apple sticker on my car!
I'm not too needy, I'd be happy to find any sort of surprise included with my order. Parallax doesn't have to give stuff away, but they do 'cuz they're pretty darn cool!
I also like the idea of the option of making a donation to a charity. I don't have a lot of money, but I think I could spare a few dollars for a good cause.
Anyhow... my 2 cents.
Amanda
The logo idea is great. Pocket screwdrivers (flat/philips or magnet/philips) are always appreciated. Battery Junction gives away a handy and bright key chain flashlight (one of the best I've found) with their logo on it. They'll do customizing too: http://www.batteryjunction.com/titanium-keylight-custom.html
If you've not used one of these wrenches before, they're absolutely terrific, and a must-have for putting together something like the BOE-Bot, where space gets tight in there, especially for fat fingers. The plastic has a "give" to it that allows it to grip around the nut just enough to get it into position.
The one they include in the encoders kit (and possibly others) is for 1/4" profile nuts, but maybe Parallax could make a small set of two or three, for 2-56, 4-40, and 6-32 nuts.
Here's a similar one from Elenco. They're handy tools, plus they serve a great marketing/PR role.
I don't think having this made up would be too terribly expensive, and there might already be someone in China doing it, willing to imprint the front and back with whatever text and graphics you want. Seems to be a great item for stocking, plus as a give-away that costs next to nothing to ship with the rest of an order.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Solar-Power-Black-3LED-Light-Lamp-Keychain-Torch-Flashlight-Useful-NEW-/121518211436
However, the concept of a "solar powered flashlight" is deeply disturbing to me. It's like a dietetic energy bar, you wouldn't pick that as the first thing to throw into your survival kit.