BS2 vs. Atom
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Posts: 46,084
I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope you
can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I guess
I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2? Can
everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
you input will be very helpful.
Tim
microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope you
can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I guess
I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2? Can
everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
you input will be very helpful.
Tim
Comments
want to choose the "best" microntroller available this week among the
several hundred out there, buy a programmer, learn assembly and/or C,
and don't ask for help on this list.
Dennis
Original Message
From: Tim Dale [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=3gt0n7i4JIqTRzzEguf1lj8c6IpiFgt32QKoWCWYTDab6e5S5ZDLOA5KeEsOWpz7064vn8uyvxjB]tdale4@h...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 10:00 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] BS2 vs. Atom
I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope you
can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I guess
I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2? Can
everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
you input will be very helpful.
Tim
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what a BASIC Stamp is. There are dozens to choose from out there, it
really depends on your interests, needs and experience.
Do you want great support and a huge amount of resources to get you
started? Then there is only one choice..... The BASIC Stamp.
Need a tutorial to get you started?
http://imsinet.casa.siu.edu/bs2_tutorial/
Happy Stamping!
-Martin Hebel
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
> microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
> I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope
you
> can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
> BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I
guess
> I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
> route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
> microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
> several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2?
Can
> everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
> get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly
appriciated.
>
> Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
> you input will be very helpful.
>
> Tim
programs writtn for the BS2, is that correct? I want to learn how to
program a BOE BOT. I was under the assumption that the Atom could run
programs written for the stamp. Since I've got no experiace in
programming I want the type of support that the Stamp family has.
However I have been told that the Atom can run stamp programs. I just
want to make sure I get the "best" microcontroller for a beginner
such as myself, not the latest, greatest (most complicated) chip out
there.
I don't know what the differences between the basicx, atom, or bs2
are. Don't all of them use "pbasic"? I figured that some of them were
just more powerful, faster versions of the stamp.
Please remember I'm just a newbie with very limited knowledge on this
subject, I'm just begining to learn. I was told this was a really
good and helpful group. So again I'll ask which microcontroller would
be best for me, (a person with no prior experance, who want to teach
himself how to program a BOE Bot and then go from there)
Thanks,
Tim
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Dennis P. O'Leary" <doleary@e...> wrote:
> If you want help from this list using pbasic, go with the BS2. If
you
> want to choose the "best" microntroller available this week among
the
> several hundred out there, buy a programmer, learn assembly and/or
C,
> and don't ask for help on this list.
>
> Dennis
>
>
Original Message
> From: Tim Dale [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:tdale4@h...]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 10:00 AM
> To: basicstamps@y...
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] BS2 vs. Atom
>
>
> I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
> microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
> I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope
you
> can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
> BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I
guess
> I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
> route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
> microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
> several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2?
Can
> everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
> get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly
appriciated.
>
> Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
> you input will be very helpful.
>
> Tim
>
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@y...
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
Subject
> and Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
compatible with the the BASIC Stamp at all, and it's not as easy as
the BS for many uses.
Been a while since I toyed with it, it seems though the ATOM uses a
variation of PBASIC, thoug I doubt it is 100% compatible, and if you
run into problems, you'd have to go through them instead of through
the Stamp user groups. I know it is pin compatible, not language
compatible.
You have to wonder about all those touting compatible with the BASIC
Stamp. Why not just go with the Stamp?
Do some research, look at the resources, features, and make a
decision that is in your best interest.
-Martin
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> From your responce it would seem that the Atom is not able to run
> programs writtn for the BS2, is that correct? I want to learn how
to
> program a BOE BOT. I was under the assumption that the Atom could
run
> programs written for the stamp. Since I've got no experiace in
> programming I want the type of support that the Stamp family has.
> However I have been told that the Atom can run stamp programs. I
just
> want to make sure I get the "best" microcontroller for a beginner
> such as myself, not the latest, greatest (most complicated) chip
out
> there.
>
> I don't know what the differences between the basicx, atom, or bs2
> are. Don't all of them use "pbasic"? I figured that some of them
were
> just more powerful, faster versions of the stamp.
>
> Please remember I'm just a newbie with very limited knowledge on
this
> subject, I'm just begining to learn. I was told this was a really
> good and helpful group. So again I'll ask which microcontroller
would
> be best for me, (a person with no prior experance, who want to
teach
> himself how to program a BOE Bot and then go from there)
>
> Thanks,
> Tim
>
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@y..., "Dennis P. O'Leary" <doleary@e...> wrote:
> > If you want help from this list using pbasic, go with the BS2.
If
> you
> > want to choose the "best" microntroller available this week among
> the
> > several hundred out there, buy a programmer, learn assembly
and/or
> C,
> > and don't ask for help on this list.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
Original Message
> > From: Tim Dale [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:tdale4@h...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 10:00 AM
> > To: basicstamps@y...
> > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] BS2 vs. Atom
> >
> >
> > I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
> > microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
> > I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope
> you
> > can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then
the
> > BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I
> guess
> > I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
> > route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
> > microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
> > several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2?
> Can
> > everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
> > get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly
> appriciated.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision
and
> > you input will be very helpful.
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@y...
> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
> Subject
> > and Body of the message will be ignored.
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
I think it would be pretty tough to beat a Stamp for someone just
venturing into microcontrollers.
Between Parallax's downloadable info, web resources, cookbooks and
this users group, I don't believe any micro has that kind of resources
behind it.
Parallax has set the standard and continues to improve and expand.
Other companies may/maybenot offer some enhancements which may come
with a steep learning curve/additional cost in the software/hardware
needed to make things work.
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> From your responce it would seem that the Atom is not able to run
> programs writtn for the BS2, is that correct? I want to learn how to
> program a BOE BOT. I was under the assumption that the Atom could
run
> programs written for the stamp. Since I've got no experiace in
> programming I want the type of support that the Stamp family has.
> However I have been told that the Atom can run stamp programs. I
just
> want to make sure I get the "best" microcontroller for a beginner
> such as myself, not the latest, greatest (most complicated) chip out
> there.
>
> I don't know what the differences between the basicx, atom, or bs2
> are. Don't all of them use "pbasic"? I figured that some of them
were
> just more powerful, faster versions of the stamp.
>
> Please remember I'm just a newbie with very limited knowledge on
this
> subject, I'm just begining to learn. I was told this was a really
> good and helpful group. So again I'll ask which microcontroller
would
> be best for me, (a person with no prior experance, who want to teach
> himself how to program a BOE Bot and then go from there)
>
> Thanks,
> Tim
>
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@y..., "Dennis P. O'Leary" <doleary@e...> wrote:
> > If you want help from this list using pbasic, go with the BS2. If
> you
> > want to choose the "best" microntroller available this week among
> the
> > several hundred out there, buy a programmer, learn assembly and/or
> C,
> > and don't ask for help on this list.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
Original Message
> > From: Tim Dale [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:tdale4@h...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 10:00 AM
> > To: basicstamps@y...
> > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] BS2 vs. Atom
> >
> >
> > I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
> > microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
> > I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope
> you
> > can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
> > BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I
> guess
> > I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
> > route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
> > microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
> > several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2?
> Can
> > everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
> > get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly
> appriciated.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
> > you input will be very helpful.
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@y...
> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
> Subject
> > and Body of the message will be ignored.
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
superior to the STAMP. It's faster, has more RAM, more access to the
actual processor, can run interrupts, has real A/D, and many other
features lacking in all of the present STAMPs. But...
If you are a beginner, you can't beat the STAMP for pure ease of use. I
still use my STAMPs to debug a project's hardware and then replace it
with an ATOM or something else.
Start with the STAMP and move up from there.
chris in napa
dondenhardt wrote:
>Hi Tim,
>
>I think it would be pretty tough to beat a Stamp for someone just
>venturing into microcontrollers.
>
>Between Parallax's downloadable info, web resources, cookbooks and
>this users group, I don't believe any micro has that kind of resources
>behind it.
>
>Parallax has set the standard and continues to improve and expand.
>Other companies may/maybenot offer some enhancements which may come
>with a steep learning curve/additional cost in the software/hardware
>needed to make things work.
>
>--- In basicstamps@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
>
>
>>From your responce it would seem that the Atom is not able to run
>>programs writtn for the BS2, is that correct? I want to learn how to
>>program a BOE BOT. I was under the assumption that the Atom could
>>
>>
>run
>
>
>>programs written for the stamp. Since I've got no experiace in
>>programming I want the type of support that the Stamp family has.
>>However I have been told that the Atom can run stamp programs. I
>>
>>
>just
>
>
>>want to make sure I get the "best" microcontroller for a beginner
>>such as myself, not the latest, greatest (most complicated) chip out
>>there.
>>
>>I don't know what the differences between the basicx, atom, or bs2
>>are. Don't all of them use "pbasic"? I figured that some of them
>>
>>
>were
>
>
>>just more powerful, faster versions of the stamp.
>>
>>Please remember I'm just a newbie with very limited knowledge on
>>
>>
>this
>
>
>>subject, I'm just begining to learn. I was told this was a really
>>good and helpful group. So again I'll ask which microcontroller
>>
>>
>would
>
>
>>be best for me, (a person with no prior experance, who want to teach
>>himself how to program a BOE Bot and then go from there)
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Tim
>>
>>
>>
>>--- In basicstamps@y..., "Dennis P. O'Leary" <doleary@e...> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>If you want help from this list using pbasic, go with the BS2. If
>>>
>>>
>>you
>>
>>
>>>want to choose the "best" microntroller available this week among
>>>
>>>
>>the
>>
>>
>>>several hundred out there, buy a programmer, learn assembly and/or
>>>
>>>
>>C,
>>
>>
>>>and don't ask for help on this list.
>>>
>>>Dennis
>>>
>>>
Original Message
>>>From: Tim Dale [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:tdale4@h...]
>>>Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 10:00 AM
>>>To: basicstamps@y...
>>>Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] BS2 vs. Atom
>>>
>>>
>>>I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
>>>microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
>>>I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope
>>>
>>>
>>you
>>
>>
>>>can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
>>>BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I
>>>
>>>
>>guess
>>
>>
>>>I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
>>>route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
>>>microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
>>>several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2?
>>>
>>>
>>Can
>>
>>
>>>everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
>>>get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly
>>>
>>>
>>appriciated.
>>
>>
>>>Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
>>>you input will be very helpful.
>>>
>>>Tim
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
>>> basicstamps-unsubscribe@y...
>>>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
>>>
>>>
>>Subject
>>
>>
>>>and Body of the message will be ignored.
>>>
>>>
>>>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>>>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>>>
>>>
>
>
>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body
of the message will be ignored.
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
>
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Each stamp and stampalike has its strengths and weaknesses. Figure
out what is more important on the project you have in mind and get
the stamp(alike) that is strongest in that area. For a beginner, the
BS2 is (IMHO) the best.
Don't forget, these little mcu's aren't like your home computer. You
aren't stuck using the same one for four years. Hell, once your first
project is done, you need another MCU for the next project anyway! In
fact, you *cant* keep using the same one over and over forever, the
EEProms wear out after a while (100,000 writes or so I think). Flash
is even less robust, 1k or so writes. You'd be forced to junk that
mcu and get another anyway (or replace the EEprom yourself).
All the ICs, LEDs, wires etc, that you collect while working with one
stamp(alike) will be usable with any other stamp(alike) you buy later
anyway. Only the (free) programming software is actually stamp(alike)
specific (ok, the serial cable too maybe). Its not like you have to
throw away valuable parts if you change stamp(alike)s.
Personally, I'm finding the stamp itself to be a breeze. Math tricks
are the most complex thing you have to worry about (8 bit and no FP
makes it hard at times) on the stamp itself. The real difficulty is
in finding the ICs you want and how to use them.
Buy yourself a parallax stamp to start off with - next project, buy a
BasicX or Atom if you like.
Biggest reason why I bought a stamp over others? I can find it on the
shelf in local stores. I *HATE* mail order with a passion so if I
can't drive over and pick it up, chances are I'll never buy it. This
is why I'm so interested in the hint Jon dropped the other day about
a new stamp model coming soon(ish) [noparse]:D[/noparse] I know I'll be able to drive
down and buy it off the shelf after release.
> want to choose the "best" microntroller available this week among the
> several hundred out there, buy a programmer, learn assembly and/or C,
> and don't ask for help on this list.
>
> Dennis
>
Why exclude from this discussion other microprocessors or programas ?
it may be useful even for Parallax if we know of new aproaches that seem
useful for our purposes. A open discussion make posible estimate relative
qualities for sure.
We used BS2 for some projects but have not enough money and used PICs
programmed in Basic with a free program that now is not available. I can
tell you that BS2 is better for complex project and is faster.
Regards
Carlos Contreras
presidente Club Cientifico de Pe
Go with the Stamp. I bought my BOE almost a year ago now, and have found it
to be one of the best investments ever. Not only is the support from
parallax great and the people at parallax great, but I've found the Stamp to
be incredibly easy to program. Much easier than an 80C552 or 68HC11, imho.
cheers,
Ben, Wellington, New Zealand.
> From: "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...>
> Reply-To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 20:51:29 -0000
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: BS2 vs. Atom
>
>> From your responce it would seem that the Atom is not able to run
> programs writtn for the BS2, is that correct? I want to learn how to
> program a BOE BOT. I was under the assumption that the Atom could run
> programs written for the stamp. Since I've got no experiace in
> programming I want the type of support that the Stamp family has.
> However I have been told that the Atom can run stamp programs. I just
> want to make sure I get the "best" microcontroller for a beginner
> such as myself, not the latest, greatest (most complicated) chip out
> there.
>
> I don't know what the differences between the basicx, atom, or bs2
> are. Don't all of them use "pbasic"? I figured that some of them were
> just more powerful, faster versions of the stamp.
>
> Please remember I'm just a newbie with very limited knowledge on this
> subject, I'm just begining to learn. I was told this was a really
> good and helpful group. So again I'll ask which microcontroller would
> be best for me, (a person with no prior experance, who want to teach
> himself how to program a BOE Bot and then go from there)
>
> Thanks,
> Tim
>
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@y..., "Dennis P. O'Leary" <doleary@e...> wrote:
>> If you want help from this list using pbasic, go with the BS2. If
> you
>> want to choose the "best" microntroller available this week among
> the
>> several hundred out there, buy a programmer, learn assembly and/or
> C,
>> and don't ask for help on this list.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
Original Message
>> From: Tim Dale [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:tdale4@h...]
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 10:00 AM
>> To: basicstamps@y...
>> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] BS2 vs. Atom
>>
>>
>> I need a new hobby and have decided to learn how to program
>> microcontrollers for my hobby:-)
>> I am thinking of buying BOE BOT. I have several questions I hope
> you
>> can help me with. Is the BS2 easier/better for a beginner then the
>> BasicX? I really like the documentation I find for stamps, so I
> guess
>> I am leaning in the stamp direction. If I choose to go the Stamp
>> route, would the Atom ( http://www.basicmicro.com/ ) be a better
>> microcontroller? I says it has all the functions as the stamp and
>> several advantages over it. Is the Atom just a more powerful BS2?
> Can
>> everyone please give me their opinion as to which product I shoud
>> get. BasicX, BS2, or the Atom? Any help would be greatly
> appriciated.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for you help, I want to make a good decision and
>> you input will be very helpful.
>>
>> Tim
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
>> basicstamps-unsubscribe@y...
>> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
> Subject
>> and Body of the message will be ignored.
>>
>>
>> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body
> of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
In my opinion is, special for beginners, the BS2 the best.
Regards, Kai