Missing Link

CJMJ

Any idea where I can get the file in this missing link http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/prod/stamps/FwreRev0806.zip?

DigitalBob

What is it in reference to, looks like stamp doc's firmware. Is it the stamp syntax program manual

CJMJ

No. It was in an old discussion thread were someone was asking about the various firmware versions of the Basic Stamp 2. An old parallax employee [Chris Savage I believe] was responding by pointing to the link which was suppose to contain the various firmware revisions and what they contained.

I have various hardware versions of the BS2 from C through J1. I know each time there is a component change the board is revised. However, this was the first time I've ever heard of firmware changes. I was just curious and looking for the FwreRev0806.zip file mentioned in the message.

Publison

If you are referring to:

https://forums.parallax.com/discussion/92902/versions-revisions-of-stamps.

I don't think there has been a firmware change in 15+ years. Everything should run under PBASIC 2.5.4.

Could you provide a picture of J1? Thats one I never heard of unless it's a Javelin chip.

CJMJ

I had never heard of a J1 either. That's way I was digging around for data. Here's a side-by-side comparison of a Rev J and J1. I also didn't know PBASIC was at 2.5.4. I thought it was just 2.5.

VonSzarvas

Curious find.

Do you recall if you bought that J1 direct from Parallax sales? Or instead via ebay or somesuch?

Incidentally, J will be the newer one.

CJMJ

eBay. Got 5 as part of a larger purchase. Ah! I was wondering that. Was the J1 an engineering prototype or something?

Publison

CJMJ wrote: »

eBay. Got 5 as part of a larger purchase. Ah! I was wondering that. Was the J1 an engineering prototype or something?

Best thing is to email support@parallax.com for an answer to that question.

Publison

The latestest was published 8/17/2018

https://www.parallax.com/downloads/basic-stamp-editor-software-windows

CJMJ

So why did you say the J1 came before the J? Here's another oddity:

Buck Rogers

What's the oddity?

Von what's the noise in your background? Oh its a screaming cat named Bob. (As in bobcat, and he's outside not in.)



----
Mascot and Yak away.

VonSzarvas

Buck Rogers wrote: »

What's the oddity?

Von what's the noise in your background? Oh its a screaming cat named Bob. (As in bobcat, and he's outside not in.)
----
Mascot and Yak away.

The screaming cat's keep well away from our yard

VonSzarvas

CJMJ wrote: »

So why did you say the J1 came before the J? Here's another oddity:

J1 (or any number after the letter) usually denotes an internal-use prototype.
J becomes the full production version.

If you bought the J1 direct from Parallax Sales then it's certain J1 was a larger batch that passed production quality standards. (ie. the engineers got it right first time!).
Otherwise they might have been provided as samples or goodies at expo events, or someone involved in the testing process got a bunch and decided to share them via side channels.

Either way, you've got a nice collection which should be pretty rare. And if they work, then fantastic !

The different cap is just a batch/supply issue- depending on the capacitor availability for that build batch it may have been black or yellow, but will be the same specification part.

Cluso99

VonSzarvas wrote: »

CJMJ wrote: »

So why did you say the J1 came before the J? Here's another oddity:

J1 (or any number after the letter) usually denotes an internal-use prototype.
J becomes the full production version.

If you bought the J1 direct from Parallax Sales then it's certain J1 was a larger batch that passed production quality standards. (ie. the engineers got it right first time!).
Otherwise they might have been provided as samples or goodies at expo events, or someone involved in the testing process got a bunch and decided to share them via side channels.

Either way, you've got a nice collection which should be pretty rare. And if they work, then fantastic !

The different cap is just a batch/supply issue- depending on the capacitor availability for that build batch it may have been black or yellow, but will be the same specification part.

Von,
You sure about that? In engineering it is normal that J would come first, then J1, J2, etc or JA, JB, JB1, JC, etc. Never heard of a J1 preceeding a J tho'

VonSzarvas

I didn't create the system, so will reserve comment on the pros and cons ... but that's how it's been working for those products.

Publison

CJMJ wrote: »

I had never heard of a J1 either. That's way I was digging around for data. Here's a side-by-side comparison of a Rev J and J1. I also didn't know PBASIC was at 2.5.4. I thought it was just 2.5.

Windows Version 2.5.4

(Supports Windows 2K/XP/Vista/7/8/8.1(not RT)/10)

Includes software, USB driver, example code and help for all BASIC Stamp modules.
Updates:

Updated to support BS2px v1.2.

Included StampLoader v3.6 to support BS2px v1.2 via the Generate Object Code feature.

Included Parallax USB (and FTDI USB) Drivers v2.12.16.

CJMJ

Thanks for all the info. I'm always interested in the history behind the science.