Other Dust collectors..
So I missed one of my hobbies. I have been enthused about programming microcontrollers for the last couple of years. I have an extensive collection:
Basic Stamp I have a version 1, and a version 2.
An oopic
Several PICs
A pretty nice LCD display from Scott Edwards Electronics
Unfortunately most of this stuff is collecting dust... I have managed to display its blinky light functionality on most of this equipment, but I have never found a really good application to program at a time in which I could spend the time to get it done.
I have used the Thermochron ibutton at work to log tempuratures in various places and wow my co-workers with the fancy graphs..
I think that Micro-controllers are going to be a pretty core future technology.. Just like programming languages have made the computer more and more customizable, the next generation is going to be able to build small devices that intellegently do exactly what is needed. Robotics will be commonplace among today's youngsters.
Just like my Commodore 64 gave me the confidence to know I could program a computer, the next generation is learing to be comfortable with robotics using Lego Mindstorms, Basic stamps and the like.
I hope I am not too old to join them... Anyway, If you have any ideas of things that need simple automation that I could do with my gear, Let me know!
